Runnels County Family Court Records

Runnels County family court records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Ballinger, Texas. The District Clerk handles divorce records, court case files, and civil records going back to at least 1880, while the County Clerk maintains vital records, marriage records, and probate files. Family law cases including divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders are handled by the 119th Judicial District Court. If you need to search Runnels County family court records, you can use the statewide re:SearchTX portal or contact the District Clerk directly in Ballinger. This page explains how the court system works, what records are available, and how to file a family law case in Runnels County.

Runnels County District and County Clerk

The Runnels County District Clerk maintains all family court records for the 119th Judicial District. District Clerk Tammy Burleson runs the office in Ballinger. This office handles all divorce filings, custody case files, child support orders, paternity cases, and other district court family law records. Monthly records of court-appointed attorney fees are also posted online, covering cases from 2021 to present.

The 119th Judicial District is presided over by Garland (Ben) Woodward. The judge's main office is located in San Angelo at 124 W. Beauregard, which serves multiple West Texas counties in the 119th District. For local filings and record access in Runnels County, the District Clerk's office in Ballinger is the right point of contact. The County Clerk runs a separate office at 613 Hutchings Ave., Room 106, and handles vital records including birth, death, and court records from 1903, and marriage, probate, and land records from 1880.

Note: For family court records including divorce and custody, contact the District Clerk. For vital records and marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk. Both offices are in Ballinger.

Searching Runnels County Family Court Records

The primary online tool is re:SearchTX, the free statewide case portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers district court records across all 254 Texas counties, including Runnels County. Search by party name or cause number to find divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases. The system shows case numbers, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. For older cases or records not indexed online, contact the District Clerk directly.

Runnels County also has an online public records system through the County Clerk at runnelscounty.org. This provides index and image access for property records from 1997 to present, and index-only access for criminal, civil, probate, birth, death, and marriage records. For full family court case file access, the re:SearchTX portal or an in-person visit to the District Clerk's office in Ballinger is the better option.

In-person searches require a full party name or cause number. Staff at the District Clerk's office will help locate the case file. You can review public documents at the counter and request copies. For electronic filing, Texas attorneys use eFileTexas. Self-represented parties may file paper documents at the clerk's office in Ballinger. The Texas courts self-help resources at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help help guide unrepresented filers through the process.

The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers Runnels County family court records and is the first place to search for divorce, custody, and child support cases filed in Ballinger.

Select Runnels County and enter a party name or cause number to find active and closed family law case records in the 119th District Court.

Family Court Records in Runnels County

Runnels County family court records include all cases handled by the 119th Judicial District Court. Divorce is the most common type. A divorce file includes the Original Petition for Divorce, any response from the other party, temporary orders, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The decree sets out property division, conservatorship, the possession schedule, and support obligations. These are public records in Texas unless a court has ordered them sealed.

Custody cases follow the conservatorship framework in Texas Family Code Chapter 153. One parent is typically named as the managing conservator with primary custody. The other has possessory conservatorship with a set schedule. Joint managing conservatorship is also available when appropriate. All custody decisions by Runnels County courts must prioritize the best interest of the child.

Child support follows income guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. The County Clerk in Ballinger maintains records going back to 1880 for marriage, probate, and land records, and to 1903 for birth, death, and court records. These older records can be useful for family research. Paternity cases, protective orders, and modification requests for existing orders are also part of the Runnels County family court record system maintained by the District Clerk.

Filing a Family Law Case in Runnels County

To file for divorce in Runnels County, meet the residency requirement from Texas Family Code Section 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Runnels County for 90 days. Once met, file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office in Ballinger. Pay the filing fee or file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 if you qualify for a waiver.

Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before the court can grant the divorce. Texas Family Code Section 6.702 sets this rule. The period begins on the day you file. For uncontested cases, a final hearing can be scheduled as soon as the waiting period expires. Contested cases take longer. The other spouse must receive formal service of the divorce papers after filing.

Official forms for Runnels County family law cases are available at txcourts.gov and through the Texas State Law Library. Free step-by-step guides are available at TexasLawHelp.org. For cases with children, the required forms include the child support worksheet and a possession order. The 119th Judicial District may have local rules available through the District Clerk's office in Ballinger.

Record Fees and Public Access in Runnels County

Runnels County family court records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. You can view records in person at no charge during business hours at the courthouse. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies have an additional $5.00 per document fee. Mail-in requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for copy fees payable to Runnels County District Clerk.

Some records are restricted. Sealed court files need a court order. Juvenile records are confidential. Adoption records are not public. Social Security numbers and financial information are redacted from public copies per Texas Family Code Section 105.006. The County Clerk also handles vital records, which have their own fee schedules. Check with the County Clerk at (325) 365-2720 for specific vital record costs.

Note: Confirm current fees with the District Clerk's office before submitting a request, as amounts can change.

Legal Help for Runnels County Residents

Runnels County residents who need help with family court matters have several options. Legal aid organizations serving West Texas may cover Runnels County residents who qualify based on income. Lone Star Legal Aid covers a wide area in the state and handles family law cases including divorce, custody, and protective orders. The Texas State Bar referral service at (800) 252-9690 can also connect you with a private attorney who handles cases in Runnels County or the surrounding 119th Judicial District.

For self-help, TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for all major family law case types. Official Texas court forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library has family law form packets online. The Texas courts self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help walks you through the full process for family law cases in Runnels County. For statewide vital records including divorce verifications, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office maintains a central registry.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office provides statewide records including divorce verifications and marriage records, which can supplement what the Runnels County District Clerk maintains for family court cases in Ballinger.

DSHS vital statistics records are available statewide and can be used alongside Runnels County District Court records for family law research.

Nearby Counties

Runnels County is in West Texas. Neighboring counties have their own District Clerks and family court systems.