Search Andrews County Family Court Records

Andrews County family court records are on file with the District Clerk in the city of Andrews, Texas. These records include divorce case files, child custody orders, child support agreements, paternity actions, and protective orders filed in the county's district court. You can search Andrews County family court records through the county's online clerk portal, visit the courthouse in person during business hours, or send a written request by mail. The District Clerk maintains all active and archived family court files and can assist with name and cause number searches.

Andrews County District Clerk

All family court filings in Andrews County go through the District Clerk's office. The District Clerk, Sherry Dushane, maintains divorce records, custody orders, child support cases, and related family law files. The office is located in the Andrews County courthouse. Family cases are heard in the district court that serves Andrews County in West Texas.

The County Clerk, Vicki Scott, handles different records. That office is responsible for vital records like birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and recorded documents like deeds and liens. The two offices are separate. For family court case files, go to the District Clerk. For marriage certificates, contact the County Clerk.

The Andrews County Tyler Odyssey web portal lets you search county clerk records, including property filings and court-related documents, online at any time.

How to Search Andrews County Family Court Records

Andrews County uses the Tyler Odyssey system for online court access. This portal is available through the District Clerk and lets you search civil, criminal, and family court records by defendant or party name. You can search by case number as well. The system shows docket entries, case status, and basic filing information. For document images, some require a subscription or in-person access.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Andrews County cases filed through the state e-filing system. This system covers filings from November 2018 forward. It gives unofficial copies only. For certified records, contact the District Clerk directly. You can also search for older records by visiting the courthouse or calling the clerk's office.

To search in person, visit the courthouse at 201 N. Main in Andrews. Public access terminals are available during office hours. Bring the full legal names of the parties and a year range if you have it. Staff can help with searches but are not required to do research for you. Check both spelling variations and maiden names when possible.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 727, Andrews, TX 79714. Include a description of the record you need, the names of the parties, an approximate date range, and a check or money order for fees. Allow five to ten business days for mail requests to be processed and returned.

Types of Family Court Records in Andrews County

Family court files in Andrews County contain several types of documents. Divorce cases include the original petition, any temporary orders, the final decree, and post-divorce modifications. Property settlement agreements and debt division terms are part of the file. If minor children are involved, the case file also includes conservatorship orders, possession schedules, and child support amounts.

Custody and support cases that do not involve a divorce are filed as separate suits. Paternity cases fall under this type of filing as well. The court can issue orders establishing parentage, setting a custody schedule, and requiring child support payments. The Texas Attorney General's office handles enforcement of child support under state law. If a parent stops paying, the AG's Child Support Division can take action to collect.

Protective orders are also on the family court docket. These cover family violence situations. Some information in protective order cases is restricted to protect the safety of the person who sought the order. Texas maintains a statewide protective order registry that allows limited public searching by name, county, and birth year.

Filing Family Court Cases in Andrews County

To file a divorce or family court case in Andrews County, you must meet the residency requirement set by Texas Family Code section 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Andrews County for at least 90 days before the filing date.

Attorneys must use eFileTexas.gov to submit family court filings. E-filing is mandatory in Andrews County for civil and family cases. Non-attorneys may file in person or by mail but are encouraged to use the e-filing system. The BVS 165 statistical form must be filed along with the divorce petition. Filing fees for Andrews County vary by case type, so contact the District Clerk for the current schedule.

After you file, Texas law imposes a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be granted. This rule comes from Texas Family Code section 6.702. The waiting period starts on the day you file the petition. There is no way to shorten it except in cases involving a history of family violence. Even agreed divorces must wait out the 60 days before a judge can sign the final decree.

Child custody in Andrews County follows the framework in Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Texas uses the term "conservatorship" instead of custody. Joint managing conservatorship is the default unless evidence shows it is not in the child's best interest. Child support is calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, based on the noncustodial parent's net monthly income and the number of children.

Copy Fees and Public Access

Family court records in Andrews County are public documents under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can request copies without being a party to the case. Exceptions apply to sealed records, adoption files, and records involving minors or family violence.

Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the per-page fee. For recorded documents in the County Clerk's office, the recording fee for the first page is $26.00, with $4.00 for each additional page. Additional names beyond five in a document cost $0.25 each. These fees apply to documents like property records and other recorded instruments, not to court case copies.

Payment in person can be made by cash, check, or money order. Online services may accept credit and debit cards. Checks should be made out to the Andrews County District Clerk or County Clerk, depending on which records you need. Contact the office before sending a mail request to confirm current fees and turnaround times.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Andrews County is a small, rural county in West Texas. Local legal aid options may be limited, but statewide resources are available to all Texas residents. The nearest qualifying city with significant legal services is Odessa in Midland County, just to the east.

TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides on divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders. The site has forms, plain-language explanations, and a directory of legal aid organizations across Texas. The Texas State Law Library family law guide at guides.sll.texas.gov lists form kits for divorce, custody modifications, and paternity cases.

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov gives guidance for people who represent themselves in court. Court forms are available through txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The Texas Judicial Branch FAQ page at txcourts.gov explains how to get records and navigate the court system without a lawyer.

Cities in Andrews County

Andrews is the only city in Andrews County and serves as the county seat. All family court cases from residents of Andrews County are filed at the District Court in Andrews.

The city of Andrews does not have a dedicated city page. Nearby Odessa is in Midland and Ector Counties and has its own separate court records resources.

Nearby Counties

Andrews County sits in West Texas and shares borders with several Permian Basin counties. Make sure you file in the county where you have met the 90-day residency requirement.