Find Family Court Records in Moore County

Moore County family court records are filed and maintained at the Moore County Clerk's office in Dumas, Texas, the county seat. The district court serving Moore County handles divorce proceedings, custody and conservatorship cases, child support orders, paternity filings, and protective order applications for county residents. Dumas is in the Texas Panhandle. This guide explains how to find and access Moore County family court records through online tools and the county courthouse, and what legal resources are available to residents.

Moore County Clerk Office

The Moore County Clerk's office is in Dumas at the county courthouse. The clerk handles marriage licenses, vital records, and property documents. The district clerk maintains records for district court proceedings including family law cases. Both offices operate from the Moore County Courthouse in Dumas.

Dumas is the only major population center in Moore County. All family court filings for county residents go to the Dumas courthouse. The county handles an active family court docket given the size of the local workforce and farming community. Calling ahead to confirm hours and current fees before visiting the clerk's office is always a good step, especially if you are driving in from outside town.

Note: Confirm hours and fee information directly with the Moore County Clerk. Staff can clarify what documents you will need to bring or submit with your records request.

Searching Moore County Family Court Records

Use the re:SearchTX portal to find Moore County family court records filed since 2018. Search by party name or case number to find case index information and documents for cases in the district court. The system is free and provides a fast way to check whether a specific case exists in the Moore County court system without making a trip to Dumas.

For older records not in re:SearchTX, contact the Moore County District Clerk in Dumas. Staff can run name-based searches and provide copies of documents. Copy fees apply. Certified copies cost more than standard copies.

The Texas court records portal at research.txcourts.gov indexes Moore County family court filings for public access online.

Texas DSHS Vital Statistics at dshs.texas.gov maintains a statewide divorce index that can help verify whether a divorce was filed in Moore County or another Texas county.

If you need statewide divorce record verification, contact Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. They maintain an index of Texas divorce filings that can confirm a divorce was filed and identify the county of record.

Note: The re:SearchTX portal shows unofficial case index data. Certified copies must be obtained from the Moore County District Clerk for any legal purpose.

Family Court Cases in Moore County

Moore County's district court handles all family law filings. Divorce cases follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. To file in Moore County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in the county for 90 days under Texas Family Code Section 6.301. Texas allows both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. Texas community property law applies, and the court divides marital assets as it finds just and right.

Custody and conservatorship cases follow Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Child support is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Support is based on the paying parent's net monthly resources. Paternity suits, adoptions, modifications, and protective orders are also filed at the Moore County district court. All records are maintained by the district clerk in Dumas.

Filing in Moore County

File at the Moore County District Clerk's office in Dumas. Attorneys use eFileTexas.gov for electronic filing. Self-represented parties file paper documents at the courthouse. Forms are available from the Texas courts forms page and the Texas State Law Library.

After filing a divorce petition, the 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code Section 6.702 must pass. The wait can be waived in family violence situations. If you cannot afford court costs, ask for a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs at the clerk's office.

Record Fees and Access

Moore County family court records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Standard copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Juvenile records are confidential. Sealed orders require a court order to release. Denied records requests can be appealed to the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Hotline at (877) 673-6839.

Legal Resources in Moore County

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help has free guides for family court cases. TexasLawHelp.org provides free forms and instructions for Texas family law cases. Legal aid organizations serving the Texas Panhandle may assist qualifying Moore County residents at no cost. Call the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 to find a private attorney in the Dumas or Amarillo area. The Texas State Law Library's family law guide has free forms and resources for custody, paternity, and modification cases.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Moore County in the Texas Panhandle. Confirm your address to verify which county handles your family court case.