Dawson County Family Court Records
Dawson County family court records are filed with the District Clerk in Lamesa, the county seat of this West Texas county. These records include divorce cases, child custody orders, child support matters, paternity filings, and protective orders heard in the county's district court. You can search Dawson County family court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in Lamesa in person, or submit a written request to the District Clerk's office. The clerk's office maintains all case files for both active and closed matters.
Dawson County Overview
Dawson County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Lamesa handles all family court case filings for Dawson County. Staff maintain divorce case files, custody orders, support decrees, and protective orders. The office also keeps court dockets and hearing schedules. If you need a copy of a family court document or want to look up a case, this is where you start.
The 106th Judicial District Court serves Dawson County along with several neighboring counties. Family cases are heard in Lamesa at the Dawson County courthouse. Because this is a smaller county, the clerk's office handles a lower volume than urban courts, but the filing and records procedures follow the same Texas rules that apply statewide.
| Office | Dawson County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 S. 1st St, Lamesa, TX 79331 |
| Phone | (806) 872-7544 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Dawson County Clerk handles vital records, marriage licenses, and property recordings. That office is also in the Lamesa courthouse. For family court case files, you want the District Clerk. For a marriage license or certified birth record, you contact the County Clerk. Both offices are at 400 S. 1st Street.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal covers Dawson County cases filed through the e-filing system from November 2018 forward and is a good first stop for online searches.
How to Find Dawson County Family Court Records
The main online option for Dawson County is the statewide re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Judicial Branch. This system covers cases filed electronically from November 2018 to present. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Keep in mind this gives unofficial copies only. For certified records, you need to contact the District Clerk directly.
For older records or those not in the e-filing system, you will need to contact the District Clerk's office in Lamesa by phone or in person. Staff can search by name or cause number. In-person visits are during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid ID and be ready to pay copy fees when you pick up documents.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the District Clerk at 400 S. 1st Street, Lamesa, TX 79331. Include the names of the parties, the approximate filing date if known, and the case number if you have it. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for the copy fees. Standard fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certification.
The Texas Courts rules and forms page has approved forms for divorce, custody, and support cases that apply in Dawson County courts.
Family Court Records Kept in Dawson County
The District Clerk in Lamesa keeps the full range of family law case files. Divorce cases are the most common. These include the original petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and any post-decree modifications. If children are involved, the file will also hold conservatorship orders and a possession schedule.
Child custody and support cases are filed separately when no divorce is involved. Paternity actions fall under this category. The court can establish or modify a parent-child relationship and order child support through these cases. For enforcement of support orders, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division handles that work separately. You can reach the AG's child support hotline at 800-840-8757.
Protective order cases are part of the family court docket too. Applications related to family violence are heard in district court. The statewide protective order registry under Monica's Law lets you search for active orders by county and name. Some records in these cases are restricted to protect the safety of protected parties.
Note: Adoption records, juvenile proceedings, and child abuse investigation records are sealed under Texas law and are not available through the public case index.
Filing a Family Case in Dawson County
To file for divorce or another family case in Dawson County, you must meet the Texas residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Dawson County for at least 90 days before filing. If you do not meet this requirement, you must wait until you do.
Once residency is met, you file a petition with the District Clerk. Attorneys must use the state's e-filing system at eFileTexas.gov. Non-attorneys can file paper documents in person at the clerk's office or by mail. The BVS 165 form must be submitted with divorce petitions that involve children. Filing fees vary by case type but typically range from $300 to $450 for divorce cases.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized, as set by Texas Family Code section 6.702. The clock starts the day you file. Uncontested divorces in Dawson County can sometimes be resolved not long after this waiting period ends. Contested cases take considerably longer and may involve multiple hearings.
Legal Help for Dawson County Residents
If you need help with a family court case in Dawson County, the Texas Judicial Branch offers a self-help resource page for people who represent themselves. It has guides on how to navigate family court proceedings. The Texas State Law Library also has a guide to family law forms at guides.sll.texas.gov.
TexasLawHelp.org is a free resource for those who cannot afford an attorney. It has plain-language guides on divorce, custody, and protective orders, plus links to legal aid offices near Lamesa. Legal aid in West Texas serves low-income residents in family law matters. The Texas Attorney General's FAQ at txcourts.gov explains how the court system works in plain terms.
Cities in Dawson County
Lamesa is the county seat and largest city in Dawson County. All family court cases from Dawson County communities are filed and heard at the courthouse in Lamesa. No cities in Dawson County meet the threshold for a dedicated city page.
Nearby Counties
Dawson County is in West Texas, near several other South Plains counties. If you are unsure which county handles your case, check where you lived for the 90 days before filing.