husband has been gone 8 years and i can't find him to sign the divorce papers . can i still divorce him

Yes, you can file for a divorce by publication.      Divorce by publication happens only after a judge has been convinced, based on a sworn declaration, of the serving party's inability to find the Defendant after a "diligent search." Service by publication is commonly used in a divorce action to serve a spouse who has disappeared without a leaving a forwarding address. In Texas, divorce by publication is not an easy route to go. Divorce by publication has more steps, is more complicated, and is more expensive than an agreed divorce. In short, it is easier and cheaper if you can find your spouse and get them to sign off on the final divorce decree, but you can still get divorced.