Donley County Family Court Records
Donley County family court records are filed with the District Clerk in Clarendon, the county seat of this small Texas Panhandle county. These records include divorce filings, child custody and support orders, paternity cases, and protective orders heard in the county's district court. You can search Donley County family court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, contact the clerk in Clarendon by phone or mail, or visit the courthouse in person. The District Clerk's office maintains all case files for both current and closed family law matters.
Donley County Overview
Donley County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Clarendon handles all family court filings for Donley County. Staff keep divorce case files, custody and support orders, and protective order records on file. Court dockets and hearing information are kept here too. This is a small rural county, so the staff may be limited. Calling ahead before visiting in person is recommended.
The 100th Judicial District Court serves Donley County along with other Panhandle counties. The judge rotates between county seats. Family cases for Donley County residents are heard in Clarendon. Scheduling can vary based on the court's rotation. Contact the clerk's office to find out when the judge is next scheduled to be in Clarendon if you need to appear in court.
| Office | Donley County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S. Sully St, Clarendon, TX 79226 |
| Phone | (806) 874-3625 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk in Clarendon handles vital records, marriage licenses, and land recordings. In small counties, the county clerk and district clerk may share space but handle different records. For family court case files, contact the District Clerk. For vital records and property documents, contact the County Clerk at the same courthouse address.
The Texas State Law Library provides family law form guides that cover divorce, custody, and support cases filed in Donley County courts.
Searching Donley County Family Court Records
The statewide re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Judicial Branch is the main online option for Donley County. It covers e-filed cases from November 2018 to present. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results are unofficial. For certified documents, contact the District Clerk in Clarendon directly.
For older records or those not in the e-filing system, contact the clerk at (806) 874-3625 or visit in person at 300 S. Sully Street during business hours. Bring a valid ID. Have party names and approximate dates ready. Mail requests are accepted at the same address. Include payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mail request.
Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies plus per-page fees. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days. If you are looking for a specific type of record, such as a final decree or support order, note that in your request so staff can prioritize pulling those documents.
The Texas courts FAQ page explains how court records work, what is public, and how to request documents in smaller Texas counties like Donley.
Types of Family Court Records in Donley County
The District Clerk in Clarendon keeps all standard Texas family law case files. Divorce cases include the petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and any modifications. When children are involved, the case file also holds conservatorship orders and a possession schedule.
Child custody and support cases can be filed without divorce. Paternity cases also go through district court. The court can establish a parent-child relationship, set conservatorship, and order support payments. Enforcement of support orders is handled separately by the Texas AG's Child Support Division at 800-840-8757. Protective order cases are on the family docket too, and the registry under Monica's Law provides public access to active orders.
Note: Adoption files, juvenile court records, and child abuse investigation materials are sealed under Texas law and are not available through the public case index.
Filing Family Cases in Donley County
To file a divorce or family case in Donley County, one spouse must meet the Texas residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301. One party must have lived in Texas for six months and in Donley County for 90 days before the filing date. Attorneys must use eFileTexas.gov. Non-attorneys can file in person at the clerk's office. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from filing before a divorce can be finalized under Family Code section 6.702. Texas is a community property state under Family Code Chapter 6.
Legal Help for Donley County Residents
The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov has guides for people representing themselves in family court. The Texas State Law Library at guides.sll.texas.gov lists family law forms. TexasLawHelp.org offers free guides and links to legal aid serving the Texas Panhandle area. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov/rules-forms.
Cities in Donley County
Clarendon is the county seat of Donley County. All family court cases from communities throughout the county are filed and heard at the Clarendon courthouse. No communities in Donley County meet the threshold for a dedicated city page.
Nearby Counties
Donley County is in the Texas Panhandle. Check which county you lived in for the 90 days before filing to confirm which court handles your case.