Lubbock County Divorce Records

What Are Lubbock County Divorce Records?

Lubbock County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within Lubbock County, Texas. These records are maintained by the Lubbock County District Clerk's office and contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details about the case.

Divorce records are part of the public court records system in Lubbock County and serve as important legal documents that verify a person's marital status. They are essential for various purposes, including remarriage, name changes, and updating personal records.

Are Lubbock County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Lubbock County are considered public records under Texas law. This means that most divorce documents filed with the court are accessible to the general public. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order to protect privacy.

The Lubbock County District Clerk's office maintains these public records and makes them available for inspection and copying according to state regulations. While the records are public, accessing them typically requires following specific procedures and may involve fees.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Lubbock County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Lubbock County in 2025, you can follow these steps:

1. Visit the Lubbock County District Clerk's office in person at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401

2. Provide the clerk with as much information as possible about the divorce case, including:

   • Full names of both parties
   • Approximate date of the divorce
   • Case number (if known)

3. Complete any required request forms and pay the applicable search and copy fees

4. Alternatively, you can mail your request to the District Clerk's office with the required information and fee payment

5. For more recent records, you may be able to access them through the county's online portal, though complete access may require registration and fees

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Lubbock County Online?

Lubbock County offers online access to certain court records, including divorce cases. To look up divorce records online:

1. Visit the Lubbock County Court Records Search portal through the county's official website

2. Register for an account if required (some basic information may be viewable without registration, but detailed access often requires an account)

3. Use the search function to look up records by name, case number, or date range

4. Be aware that while basic case information may be available online, complete documents might require in-person requests or additional fees

5. The Texas Department of State Health Services (1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756) also maintains a statewide database of divorce records that can be searched online for a fee

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Lubbock County?

Finding divorce records completely free in Lubbock County can be challenging, as most official searches involve some fees. However, there are some low-cost or free options:

1. Visit the Lubbock County District Clerk's office in person at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 to conduct your own research (while viewing records may be free, copies typically involve fees)

2. Use the public access terminals at the courthouse to search for basic case information

3. Check if the Lubbock County Law Library (904 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Lubbock, TX 79401) offers access to court records

4. Some basic case information may be available through the county's online portal without fees, though detailed documents usually require payment

5. Local public libraries may offer access to certain public records databases that include divorce information

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Lubbock County

Lubbock County divorce records typically include:

1. The original petition for divorce filed by one spouse

2. Response from the other spouse

3. Final divorce decree signed by the judge

4. Property division agreements

5. Child custody and support arrangements, if applicable

6. Spousal maintenance (alimony) details, if awarded

7. Name change information, if requested as part of the divorce

8. Court orders related to the divorce proceedings

9. Financial affidavits and disclosures (though these may be partially redacted)

10. Dates of filing, hearings, and when the divorce was finalized

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Lubbock County?

To obtain official proof of divorce in Lubbock County:

1. Request a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Lubbock County District Clerk's office at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401

2. Provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and case number if available

3. Pay the required certification fee (typically $1 per page plus a certification fee)

4. For state-level verification, you can also request a verification letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section (1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756) for a fee

5. If you need proof for international purposes, you may need to get an apostille from the Texas Secretary of State after obtaining your certified copy

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Lubbock County?

While most divorce records in Lubbock County are public, there are some options for maintaining privacy:

1. Parties can petition the court to seal certain sensitive documents or the entire case file, though this requires showing good cause and is granted at the judge's discretion

2. Certain information is automatically protected, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and children's identifying information

3. Alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or collaborative divorce can keep some details out of the public court record

4. In cases involving domestic violence or child abuse, additional privacy protections may be available

5. Using only initials or pseudonyms in court filings is sometimes permitted in sensitive cases, though this is uncommon and requires court approval

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Lubbock County?

The timeline for a divorce in Lubbock County varies based on several factors:

1. Texas law requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized

2. Uncontested divorces with complete agreement between parties typically take 2-3 months from filing to finalization

3. Contested divorces involving disputes over property, custody, or support can take 6-12 months or longer

4. Cases requiring trial may take 1-2 years to complete due to court scheduling and preparation time

5. Factors that can extend the timeline include complex asset division, business valuations, custody evaluations, and court backlogs

How Long Does Lubbock County Keep Divorce Records?

Lubbock County maintains divorce records indefinitely as they are considered permanent court records. These records are preserved through various means:

1. Recent records (typically those from the past 10-20 years) are often available in electronic format

2. Older records may be archived but remain accessible through the District Clerk's office

3. Very old records might be stored on microfilm or in physical archives

4. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also maintains certain historical court records

5. Even if records are archived, the District Clerk's office can help locate and retrieve them, though this may take additional time

How To Get a Divorce In Lubbock County

To initiate a divorce in Lubbock County, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you meet the residency requirements: either you or your spouse must have been a Texas resident for at least six months and a Lubbock County resident for at least 90 days

2. Prepare and file an Original Petition for Divorce with the Lubbock County District Clerk's office at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401

3. Pay the filing fee (approximately $300-350) or apply for a fee waiver if you qualify

4. Have the petition and accompanying documents legally served to your spouse, or have them sign a waiver of service

5. Wait through the mandatory 60-day waiting period required by Texas law

6. Negotiate settlement terms or prepare for court hearings if the divorce is contested

7. Attend the final hearing where a judge will review and potentially approve your divorce decree

8. File the signed Final Decree of Divorce with the clerk's office

How To Get Divorce Papers In Lubbock County

There are several ways to obtain divorce papers in Lubbock County:

1. Visit the Lubbock County District Clerk's office at 904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 to request forms in person

2. Download basic divorce forms from the Texas Law Help website (texaslawhelp.org)

3. Use the forms available through the Lubbock County Law Library (904 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Lubbock, TX 79401)

4. Hire an attorney who will prepare and file the appropriate documents for your specific situation

5. Contact Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (1711 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401) if you qualify for low-income legal assistance

6. Use the e-filing system available through the Lubbock County website for electronic submission of completed forms

Lookup Divorce Records in Lubbock County

Online Access to Court Records - Lubbock County - Access court records online in Lubbock County, including divorce records.

Marriage & Divorce Records - Lubbock County Court - Learn about the process for obtaining marriage and divorce records in Lubbock County, Texas.

Marriage and Divorce Records | Texas DSHS - Information on obtaining marriage and divorce records at the state level through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Electronic Filing - Civil/Family / Lubbock County, Texas - Details on electronic filing for civil and family documents, including divorce records in Lubbock County.

Services Index / Clerk Records / Lubbock County, Texas - Information on accessing clerk records, including divorce records, in Lubbock County.