Find Family Court Records in Jim Wells County

Jim Wells County family court records are maintained by the District Clerk's office in Alice, the county seat of this South Texas county. The 79th Judicial District Court hears all family law cases for Jim Wells County, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and protective orders. If you need to search Jim Wells County family court records, you can use the county's CourtView portal, the statewide re:SearchTX system, or visit the courthouse in Alice during regular business hours. Records in the county date from 1911.

Jim Wells County District and County Clerk

The Jim Wells County District Clerk is Honorable R. David Guerrero, located at 200 N. Almond Street in Alice. The District Clerk handles all district court records for Jim Wells County, including the full range of family division case types. These include divorces, attorney general cases, parent-child relationship suits, name changes for children and adults, adoptions, citations, subpoenas, show cause orders, commitment orders, temporary restraining orders, and ex-parte protective orders.

The County Clerk is J.C. Perez, III. While the District Clerk handles family court filings, the County Clerk manages vital records, marriage licenses, land records, and probate matters. Birth, death, marriage, land, and court records for Jim Wells County all date from 1911. If you are looking for older vital records, contact the County Clerk's office. For family court case records, contact the District Clerk.

The Jim Wells County courthouse office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on state and national holidays. District Court copy fees are $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to R. David Guerrero, District Clerk.

Searching Jim Wells County Family Court Cases

Jim Wells County operates a CourtView case management system that allows online searching of civil, criminal, family, and probate case records. You can search by attorney information, case number, case type, or case name. This is one of the more convenient county-level online tools in South Texas. Check the county website at co.jim-wells.tx.us for the current CourtView access link.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Jim Wells County cases filed electronically since November 2018. Both systems are free to search. For certified copies, contact the District Clerk's office. Mail requests should include the full name of the party and the approximate date of the case. Payment by check or money order is accepted.

Electronic filing of new cases goes through eFileTexas.gov. The District Clerk's office also accepts electronic document requests and can transmit copies by email. Online payment for misdemeanor cases and some civil fees is available through the county's Certified Payments system at co.jim-wells.tx.us.

Resources for Jim Wells County Cases

The Texas Judicial Branch FAQ answers common questions about Texas family court procedures that apply to cases in Jim Wells County and the 79th Judicial District.

These resources help parties understand what to expect in Jim Wells County family court, from initial filing through hearings and final orders.

The Texas State Law Library guide on children and family law provides form kits for divorce, SAPCR, custody modification, and protective orders. Jim Wells County residents handling cases without attorneys can use these forms as a starting point for filings in the 79th District Court in Alice.

Filing Family Cases in Jim Wells County

To file for divorce in Jim Wells County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Jim Wells County for 90 days. This is required under Texas Family Code Section 6.301. File the petition at the District Clerk's office at 200 N. Almond Street in Alice.

Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized. See Family Code Section 6.702. After a prior divorce, you must also wait 30 days from the date the judge signed the Final Decree before you can remarry, unless the decree contains a waiver. Marriage license applications in Jim Wells County must include both parties in person with valid ID.

Custody cases in Jim Wells County are governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Joint managing conservatorship is the default. The court approves agreed parenting plans. In contested cases, the 79th District judge decides based on the best interest of the child. The family division handles a full range of document types including divorces, SAPCR cases, adoptions, name changes, and protective orders.

Property division follows Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state. All orders from Jim Wells County family cases are filed and kept by the District Clerk in Alice.

Legal Help in Jim Wells County

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free legal assistance for low-income residents in the South Texas region including Jim Wells County. Call 888-988-9996 to ask about eligibility. TexasLawHelp.org has step-by-step guides for handling family cases on your own.

The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is available at (800) 252-9690. The Texas Attorney General Child Support Division enforces support orders statewide and can be reached at 800-252-8014. The Texas courts self-help center provides additional guidance for self-represented parties in Jim Wells County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Jim Wells County in South Texas. File where you meet the residency requirement.