Family Court Records in Armstrong County
Armstrong County family court records are on file with the County and District Clerk in Claude, the county seat. This small Panhandle county uses a combined clerk office to handle both county and district court records, including divorce cases, child custody orders, child support filings, paternity suits, and protective orders. You can search Armstrong County family court records through TexasFile for recorded documents, use the statewide re:SearchTX portal for e-filed cases, or visit the courthouse at 100 Trice Street in Claude. The clerk's office has longer hours than most Texas counties, running Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Armstrong County Overview
Armstrong County Clerk and District Clerk
Armstrong County is one of Texas's smallest counties by population. The county and district clerk functions are handled by a single office under Tawnee Blodgett. This office manages all court records, vital records, and filed documents for the county. Unlike larger counties where the clerk offices are separate, Armstrong County consolidates these functions under one roof at the courthouse in Claude.
The office handles family court case filings including divorce, custody, support, and paternity cases. Vital records, marriage licenses, probate records, and property documents are also managed here. Land records in Armstrong County go back to 1883. Marriage records go back to 1890. Court records date to 1898. Birth and death records begin in 1903. This depth of historical records is worth noting if you are searching for older family court cases or vital records.
| Office | Armstrong County Clerk and District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Trice Street, Claude, TX 79019 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 309, Claude, TX 79019 |
| Phone | (806) 553-2860 |
| Fax | (806) 553-5981 |
| Hours | Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
The Armstrong County Sheriff is located at the same address. Phone for the sheriff's office is (806) 553-6933. For family court matters, always contact the clerk's office rather than the sheriff. The clerk maintains all civil and family court records, and staff can search records for you or guide you to the right file. Call ahead before visiting to confirm the records you need are available and to ask about current fees.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal at research.txcourts.gov covers e-filed court cases across Texas, including Armstrong County cases filed since 2018.
How to Search Armstrong County Family Court Records
Armstrong County has limited online access compared to larger counties. TexasFile at texasfile.com provides a free basic name search for recorded public records going back to 2017. TexasFile covers deeds, liens, and other property documents. For family court case files specifically, you will need to use the statewide tools or contact the clerk directly.
The statewide re:SearchTX system covers e-filed cases across Texas including Armstrong County. This system covers filings made since November 2018 through the state e-filing system. Re:SearchTX requires registration and provides unofficial copies only. For older cases or certified records, contact the clerk's office in Claude. The case index can help you confirm whether a case exists before requesting copies.
In-person access at the courthouse in Claude is the most reliable method for Armstrong County records. The clerk's office runs from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, which is helpful for people who work regular business hours. The office is closed on Fridays. Bring the full names of the parties and a date range. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 309, Claude, TX 79019. Include your contact information, a description of what you need, and payment for estimated fees.
eFileTexas.gov is the official statewide e-filing portal used by attorneys to submit family court filings in Armstrong County and all other Texas counties.
Types of Family Court Records in Armstrong County
The clerk's office in Claude keeps all family court records for Armstrong County. Divorce records maintained by the District Clerk function include the original petition, any temporary orders, the final decree, and post-divorce modifications. Since Armstrong County is so small, the volume of family court filings is much lower than in urban counties, but the same rules and record types apply.
Divorce records show the names and ages of both parties, custody arrangements for minor children, property division terms, and any support orders. Custody and support cases without a divorce are also filed here. These suits affecting the parent-child relationship establish legal parentage, custody schedules, and support obligations. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division handles enforcement statewide once an order is in place.
Vital records in Armstrong County span more than a century. Birth and death records have confidentiality periods of 75 and 25 years respectively, meaning recent records are not public. Marriage and divorce records are generally public. Some family law cases may be sealed by court order. Records involving minor children may have restricted access. Adoption files are confidential under Texas law.
Note: Armstrong County's online records through TexasFile only go back to 2017, but the clerk's office in Claude has records dating to the late 1800s for in-person or mail requests.
Filing Family Court Cases in Armstrong County
Filing a family court case in Armstrong County requires meeting the residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Armstrong County for at least 90 days before the petition is filed. Armstrong County is in the Texas Panhandle, south of Potter County where Amarillo is located. Residents of the rural areas around Claude would file here.
Attorneys must e-file through eFileTexas.gov. For self-represented parties, filing in person at the clerk's office in Claude is the practical option. The combined clerk office can guide you through the filing process. Family case filings must include the full names of all parties, not initials, in the case style. The BVS 165 statistical form is required with divorce petitions across all Texas counties.
After filing, Texas law imposes a 60-day waiting period before any court can grant a divorce. This comes from Texas Family Code section 6.702. The waiting period starts on the date the petition is filed. The only exception is in cases involving family violence. Even in a small county with a light docket, the 60-day rule applies without exception.
Child custody is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 153, which establishes joint managing conservatorship as the default. Child support is set under Texas Family Code Chapter 154 based on net monthly income. Property division follows community property law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, with the court dividing assets in a way it finds just and right.
Copy Fees and Public Access
Family court records in Armstrong County are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can request copies of non-sealed documents without being a party to the case. Copy fees vary by document type. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current fees before sending a request.
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. The clerk's office in a small county like Armstrong may not process credit card payments, so it is safest to call ahead and confirm accepted payment methods. Birth records are confidential for 75 years. Death records are confidential for 25 years. Requests for vital records require proper identification and may be limited to qualified individuals such as direct family members or legal representatives.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources
Armstrong County has no local legal aid office and limited private attorney availability. Residents needing help with family court cases often look to Amarillo in Potter County, which is the nearest major city. Several resources are available statewide for people who need to navigate family court on their own.
TexasLawHelp.org offers free guides on divorce, custody, and support. It also lists legal aid organizations that may serve Panhandle residents. The Texas State Law Library at guides.sll.texas.gov provides form kits and e-books for family law matters. Texas has few standard court forms, so the law library guide is a useful starting point for any self-represented filer.
The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov explains the court process for unrepresented parties. Court rules and forms are at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The FAQ at txcourts.gov covers how to get records. Statewide divorce index information is available at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics, though certified copies must come from the clerk's office in Claude. Nearby Amarillo in Potter County has legal aid offices and the State Bar's lawyer referral service for Panhandle residents.
Cities in Armstrong County
Claude is the county seat and only incorporated city in Armstrong County. All family court cases from Armstrong County residents are filed at the combined clerk's office in Claude.
Armstrong County is one of the least populated counties in Texas. No communities in the county meet the threshold for a dedicated city page. The nearest qualifying city is Amarillo in Potter County, which borders Armstrong County to the north.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County is in the Texas Panhandle and borders Potter, Randall, Briscoe, Floyd, and Swisher Counties. If you live near the county line, confirm your 90-day residency before choosing where to file.