Hale County Family Court Records

Hale County family court records are filed and kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Plainview, Texas. Divorce cases, conservatorship orders, child support filings, paternity suits, and protective orders all go through the Hale County district court system. You can search Hale County family court records using the statewide online tool or visit the courthouse in Plainview to request copies in person. This page explains how to find those records, who handles them, and what resources are available to residents of Hale County.

Hale County District Clerk and County Clerk

The Hale County District Clerk handles all district court filings in the county, including family law matters. Divorce petitions, custody suits, child support orders, and protective order filings are maintained by the District Clerk's office at the Hale County Courthouse in Plainview. The County Clerk is a separate office that manages vital records, marriage licenses, and probate cases. Both offices are located at the Hale County Courthouse, 500 Broadway, Plainview, TX 79072.

Hale County is a South Plains county in West Texas. The district court here handles a manageable volume of family law cases compared to larger urban counties, which often means quicker service at the clerk's office. When you visit or call, have the full names of the parties in the case and the approximate year the case was filed. That information helps staff pull the record faster. Standard courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The 64th Judicial District Court covers Hale County and has authority over all family law proceedings filed in the county. If you are not certain whether to contact the District Clerk or the County Clerk for a particular type of record, call either office and they will direct you. Most family court case files, including divorce and custody records, are with the District Clerk.

How to Search Hale County Family Court Records

The best online tool for Hale County family court records is the statewide re:SearchTX portal. It is free to use and covers cases filed electronically through the Texas e-filing system since 2018. You can search by party name or case number to find district court filings from Hale County. The system shows case index information but may not include the full documents, which require a separate request.

The re:SearchTX court records portal, maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration, allows you to search electronically filed cases from Hale County and other Texas counties at no charge.

The re:SearchTX system provides case index data for electronically filed Hale County records and lets you verify case status, party names, and filing dates before making a formal records request.

For records not yet in the online system, particularly older cases, visiting the Hale County Courthouse in Plainview is the most reliable path. Bring a written request with the names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. Staff will search the index and give you a cost estimate before pulling copies. Mail requests are accepted at the District Clerk's office. Include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned documents.

Family Court Cases Filed in Hale County

Hale County's district court handles all standard family law matters under the Texas Family Code. Divorce is the most frequent type of family court case filed. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, either spouse can file for divorce on the no-fault ground of insupportability, which means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord with no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. Fault-based grounds include cruelty, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, and living apart for at least three years.

Conservatorship and possession cases are governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The Hale County district court sets conservatorship arrangements and possession schedules based on what is in the best interest of the child. The Standard Possession Order is used in most Texas family courts as the default schedule. Judges can modify it when circumstances require a different arrangement.

Child support cases are calculated using the guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Paternity suits, protective orders, modification proceedings, and adoption cases also come before the Hale County district court. Adoptions are sealed once finalized. Juvenile cases are handled separately and are confidential under Texas Family Code Chapter 58.

Filing Family Court Cases in Hale County

To file for divorce in Hale County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Hale County for at least 90 days before filing, as required by Texas Family Code Section 6.301. After the petition is filed, a mandatory 60-day waiting period applies under Section 6.702 before any judge can sign a final divorce decree. Cases involving family violence may qualify for a waiver of that waiting period.

Attorneys are required to file through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants can file paper documents at the courthouse or voluntarily use the e-filing system. Standard forms for divorce, custody, child support, and modification are available from the clerk's office, through the Texas courts forms library, and from the Texas State Law Library family law guide. All forms are free to download.

Note: If you cannot pay court costs, you may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse and from txcourts.gov. The court reviews your financial information before making a decision.

Record Fees and Public Access

Hale County follows standard Texas court copy fee rates. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. Staff may charge a search fee when conducting a name-based index search on your behalf. The re:SearchTX portal is free for basic online case lookups.

Family court records in Hale County are public records subject to access under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Juvenile records, adoption files, sealed cases, and certain sensitive personal data are not available to the general public. Under Texas Family Code Section 105.006, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers are redacted from public court filings.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit maintains a statewide divorce index but does not issue certified copies of final decrees. For a certified copy, you must contact the Hale County District Clerk. If a records request is denied and you believe it should not be, contact the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division for guidance on appealing the decision.

The Texas courts rules and forms page is the official source for filing forms used in Hale County family court proceedings, including divorce petitions, custody filings, and fee waiver requests.

Legal Help for Hale County Residents

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help program at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help provides free guides for people going through family court cases without a lawyer. The site explains the process for divorce, custody, support, and protective orders in plain language. It is a good starting point if you plan to represent yourself in Hale County family court.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has step-by-step guides and free downloadable forms for Texas family law matters. Legal aid programs serving the South Plains region may assist qualifying Hale County residents who cannot afford a private attorney. Call the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690 to get a referral to a private family law attorney who handles cases in the Plainview area. The Texas State Law Library is another free resource with family law forms and guides available online at no cost.

Cities in Hale County

Hale County's primary city is Plainview, which serves as the county seat and the location of the courthouse. Petersburg, Abernathy, and Edmonson are among the other communities in the county. No cities in Hale County meet the threshold for a dedicated dedicated city page. All family court cases for Hale County residents are filed at the courthouse in Plainview.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Hale County. If you are not sure which county your case belongs in, verify your county of residence before filing.