Ector County Family Court Records
Ector County family court records are filed with the District Clerk in Odessa, the county seat and largest city in this West Texas oil country county. These records cover divorce cases, child custody and support orders, paternity filings, and protective orders heard in the county's district courts. You can search Ector County family court records through the county's online portal, the statewide re:SearchTX system, or by visiting the courthouse in Odessa during business hours. The District Clerk's office maintains all case files and handles records requests from the public.
Ector County Overview
Ector County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Odessa handles all family court filings for Ector County. Staff maintain divorce case files, custody orders, support agreements, and protective order records. The office also keeps court dockets and hearing schedules. Ector County is a mid-sized Texas county by population, and the clerk's office processes a meaningful volume of family cases each year.
Ector County has multiple district courts that handle family law matters. Cases are assigned based on case type and court rotation. The courthouse is in downtown Odessa, and the District Clerk's office is open to the public during regular business hours. Public access terminals may be available for in-person case lookups, and staff can assist if you need help navigating the records system.
| Office | Ector County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Ave, Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4290 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
The County Clerk in Odessa handles vital records, marriage licenses, property recordings, and probate records. For family court case files, contact the District Clerk. For a marriage license or birth certificate, go to the County Clerk. Both offices are in the Ector County courthouse complex at 300 N. Grant Avenue in Odessa.
The re:SearchTX portal is a good starting point for Ector County cases filed through the state e-filing system since November 2018.
How to Search Ector County Family Court Records
Ector County provides online access to court records through the District Clerk's website at co.ector.tx.us. You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This covers e-filed cases from November 2018 to present. Search by party name, case number, or date. Online results are unofficial. For certified copies, contact the District Clerk directly.
For in-person access, go to 300 N. Grant Avenue in Odessa during business hours. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for self-service searching. Staff can help if needed. Bring a valid ID and be ready to pay for copies. Certified copies cost more than regular copies and may take a bit longer to prepare.
Mail requests go to the District Clerk at 300 N. Grant Ave, Odessa, TX 79761. Include party names, approximate filing dates, and case number if known. Include payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Standard 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.
Attorneys filing new family court cases in Ector County must use eFileTexas.gov, the state's mandatory electronic filing system.
Types of Family Court Records in Ector County
The District Clerk in Odessa keeps the full range of Texas family law case files. Divorce cases include the original petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and any post-decree modifications. When children are involved, the file also holds conservatorship orders and a possession schedule. Property agreements are included too.
Child custody and support cases are filed separately when no divorce is involved. Paternity cases also go through district court. The court can establish or modify a parent-child relationship, set conservatorship, and order support payments. The Texas AG's Child Support Division handles enforcement separately. Reach them at 800-840-8757. Protective order cases are on the family docket as well, and the statewide registry under Monica's Law allows public searches for active orders.
Note: Adoption records, juvenile files, and child abuse investigation records are confidential under Texas law and are not available through the public case index.
Filing Family Cases in Ector County
To file a divorce or family case in Ector 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 Ector County for 90 days before filing. Attorneys must use eFileTexas.gov for all filings. Non-attorneys can file in person at the clerk's office. A BVS 165 form is required for divorce petitions involving children.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized, per Texas Family Code section 6.702. Uncontested divorces in Ector County can sometimes be completed shortly after this waiting period. Contested cases involving property disputes or custody disagreements take longer and require court hearings. Texas is a community property state, and assets are divided in a just and right manner under Texas Family Code Chapter 6.
Fees and Public Access in Ector County
Most family court records in Ector County are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can request copies of public court documents. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 certification fee per document. Payment at the courthouse is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Online copies may be purchased with a credit card through the clerk's website or the re:SearchTX portal.
Note: Financial exhibits containing personal data, records involving minor children's private information, and sealed domestic violence case files may have restricted access even within otherwise public case files.
Legal Resources for Ector County
The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov helps people navigate family court without an attorney. The Texas State Law Library at guides.sll.texas.gov provides a family law forms guide. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides and links to legal aid offices in West Texas, including organizations that serve Odessa and Ector County residents. The Texas courts FAQ at txcourts.gov answers questions about how to get records and how family court works.
Cities in Ector County
Odessa is the county seat and largest city in Ector County. Family court cases from Odessa and other Ector County communities are filed and heard at the Odessa courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Ector County is in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Check which county you lived in for the 90 days before filing to confirm which court handles your case.