Clay County Family Court Records

Clay County family court records are maintained by the District Clerk in Henrietta and cover all family law cases filed in the county's district courts, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Clay County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border, and the District Clerk in Henrietta is the primary source for all family law case files in the county. You can search Clay County family court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal for recent filings, visit the courthouse in Henrietta in person, or submit a written request to the clerk. The 97th Judicial District Court handles family law matters for Clay County residents.

Clay County District Clerk

The District Clerk in Henrietta handles all family court filings and maintains case records for Clay County. This includes divorce decrees, custody orders, support agreements, and protective orders from the district court. Henrietta is the county seat and sits in North Texas between Wichita Falls and the Red River. The courthouse is the center of county government and the clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Clay County is part of the 97th Judicial District. The district court handles family law along with other civil matters for county residents. If you have a pending case or need to look up a past case in Clay County, the District Clerk in Henrietta is where you start. Contact the office before visiting to confirm current hours and what you need to bring for your request.

The Clay County Clerk handles marriage licenses, deed records, and probate separately. For family law case records from district court, contact the District Clerk. Both offices are in the Clay County Courthouse in Henrietta. The Wichita Falls area, which neighbors Clay County to the southwest, has legal resources that Clay County residents may also be able to access.

How to Look Up Clay County Family Court Records

The re:SearchTX portal is the best online tool for searching Clay County family court cases filed since 2018. Enter a party name or cause number and filter by Clay County. The system is free and available at any time. Results show case status, party information, and docket entries.

For older records or document copies, call the District Clerk at (940) 538-4631 or visit the courthouse in Henrietta. Staff can search by name or cause number and direct you to the right files. In-person visits are available during regular business hours. Mail requests should include the case name, approximate year, list of documents needed, and payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail returns.

The re:SearchTX portal gives free access to Clay County family court cases filed through the Texas state e-filing system.

If you are looking for enforcement records or payment history for a child support case, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division maintains separate records from the District Clerk. Reach the AG's office through texasattorneygeneral.gov.

Types of Family Court Records in Clay County

Clay County District Court handles divorce, conservatorship, child support, paternity, and protective order cases. Divorce files contain the petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and post-decree modifications. When children are part of the case, the file also includes conservatorship orders, a possession schedule, and child support provisions. These are all stored with the District Clerk in Henrietta.

Suits affecting the parent-child relationship cover custody and support matters outside of divorce. Paternity actions are also filed in district court. All of these case types result in orders maintained by the District Clerk. Whether you need a past divorce decree or want to check the status of a pending custody matter, the clerk's office in Henrietta is your source.

Protective orders are part of the public docket. Texas's statewide registry under Monica's Law allows name-based searches for active protective orders. Some details in protective order files may be restricted to protect the safety of petitioners.

Filing Family Court Cases in Clay County

Filing for divorce in Clay County requires meeting the residency standard in Texas Family Code section 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Clay County for 90 days before filing. Attorneys must use eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented parties can file online or bring paper documents to the clerk in Henrietta.

The 60-day waiting period from Family Code section 6.702 begins the day the petition is filed. No divorce is final before that period ends. Most cases take longer once service and scheduling are factored in. The Texas State Law Library forms guide helps self-represented parties understand what to file and how to prepare their case.

Record Fees and Access

Clay County family court records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Contact the District Clerk at (940) 538-4631 for current amounts before sending payment. Pay in person by cash, check, or money order. Mail requests should include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Attorneys filing new family court cases in Clay County must use eFileTexas, the state's mandatory electronic filing portal that connects to the District Clerk's system.

Legal Help for Clay County Residents

The Wichita Falls area is the nearest urban center for legal services near Clay County. TexasLawHelp.org connects residents with legal aid organizations serving North Texas. The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page and the Texas State Law Library forms guide are free resources for anyone handling a family court case in Clay County without an attorney.

Cities in Clay County

Henrietta is the county seat of Clay County. All family court cases for Clay County residents are filed and heard at the District Court in Henrietta.

Other communities in Clay County include Byers, Bellevue, and Petrolia. None reach the threshold for a dedicated city page. All family law filings from Clay County go through the courthouse in Henrietta.

Nearby Counties

Clay County is in North Texas near Oklahoma. Verify which county you have lived in for 90 days before filing a family court case.