Search Lamar County Family Court Records
Lamar County family court records are kept by the District Clerk in Paris, Texas, covering all family law cases filed in the county including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order proceedings. If you are searching Lamar County family court records, you can look online using the statewide re:SearchTX system or visit the Paris courthouse to access records in person. The District Clerk is the official source for certified copies of court orders and case filings. Lamar County has a long record history, and the clerk's office can help you locate cases going back many decades.
Lamar County Overview
Lamar County District Clerk Office
The Lamar County District Clerk in Paris is the official keeper of all family court case records for the county. The office maintains divorce filings, custody orders, child support decrees, paternity case files, and protective order records. If you need to confirm a case, get a copy of an order, or check the status of an active matter, this is the office to contact.
Lamar County is located in Northeast Texas near the Oklahoma border. The county seat of Paris serves as the hub for all court activity in the county. Family law cases filed anywhere in Lamar County go through the courthouse in Paris. The District Clerk handles the filing, indexing, and retrieval of all case files. Records availability in Lamar County goes back quite far, with birth and death records dating from 1903 according to county records staff.
If you visit in person, bring a photo ID. Staff can locate records by name or case number. Certified copies require a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Plain copies cost less. For the most current contact details and address, the county's official site at co.lamar.tx.us is the best source.
| Office | Lamar County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Location | Paris, TX 75460 |
| County Website | co.lamar.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Find Lamar County Family Court Cases
The re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to Texas court records including cases from Lamar County. It covers cases filed electronically since November 2018. You can search by party name, cause number, or date. The portal shows docket entries, filing history, and document previews. For official certified copies of any document, you need to request them from the District Clerk in Paris.
For cases predating the online system, an in-person search at the Lamar County courthouse in Paris is the most reliable approach. The District Clerk's office keeps local records that may go back much further than the online portal. Staff can assist you with older paper records if you give them a name and approximate time frame.
The re:SearchTX system gives free access to Lamar County docket information and recent case filings without requiring a trip to the Paris courthouse.
New case filings in Lamar County go through eFileTexas.gov, the state's official e-filing platform. Attorneys must use this system for all district court filings. Self-represented parties may also file electronically. Phone support is available at 855-839-3453.
Note: Lamar County vital records such as birth and death certificates are kept by the County Clerk, not the District Clerk, even though both offices are at the same courthouse in Paris.
Filing for Divorce or Custody in Lamar County
To file for divorce in Lamar County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Lamar County for the 90 days immediately before filing. This requirement is in Texas Family Code Section 6.301. If you live in Paris or anywhere else in the county and meet this requirement, you can file with the District Clerk.
Texas also requires a 60-day waiting period between the date of filing and the date a judge can sign the final divorce decree. This waiting period is set by Texas Family Code Section 6.702. The wait can be waived if there is documented family violence. Most uncontested cases still take at least two to three months from start to finish.
Child custody cases are governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The statute presumes that joint managing conservatorship is in the best interest of the child. Parents who agree on a parenting plan can submit it to the court for approval. When parents disagree, the judge decides after a hearing. All custody orders are public record and filed with the District Clerk in Paris.
What Lamar County Family Court Files Contain
A typical Lamar County family court file includes the original petition, the opposing party's answer or response, any temporary orders issued early in the case, and the final decree or order. Divorce files often include property inventories, financial affidavits, and settlement agreements. Cases involving children include parenting plans and visitation schedules.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most of these records are open to the public. You do not have to be a party to request copies. The Texas Attorney General handles disputes about record access at texasattorneygeneral.gov. Certain information is protected, including children's names in some filings and sealed records.
Divorce indexes are held by the Texas Department of State Health Services. However, if you need a certified copy of an actual Lamar County divorce decree, you must request it from the District Clerk in Paris. DSHS maintains the statewide index but does not issue certified decree copies.
Forms and Resources for Lamar County Cases
The Texas State Law Library guide covers family law forms for divorce, custody, modification, and protective orders. This is a good starting point if you are handling your own case in Lamar County without an attorney.
These state law library resources apply to Lamar County cases and cover the forms you need for divorce, SAPCR, modification, and protective order filings.
The Texas courts self-help page provides additional guidance for people who are navigating the family court process without legal representation in Lamar County.
Legal Aid in Lamar County
Lone Star Legal Aid covers Northeast Texas including Lamar County and provides free legal services for qualifying low-income individuals. Call (800) 733-8394 to check eligibility. TexasLawHelp.org has plain-language guides on divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders that are directly relevant to Lamar County filings.
The State Bar of Texas referral service connects people with local attorneys at (800) 252-9690. For child support enforcement matters, the Office of the Texas Attorney General handles enforcement statewide. You can reach the Child Support Division at 800-252-8014. Many family law attorneys in the Paris area offer free or reduced-cost initial consultations.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Lamar County in Northeast Texas. File where you meet the residency requirement.