Texas Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Texas divorce records are official documents that record divorce-related activities and case proceedings. Such records typically include information on the parties involved in a case, the proceedings, and court orders related to a divorce. Divorce records are essential for various legal processes, such as name changes and marriage license applications. The records are also crucial for property-related disputes and mortgage refinancing. Relatives might use the records to trace ancestry or to locate lost relations. According to the CDC National Vital Statistics, Texas has one of the lowest divorce rates at 2.1 per 1,000 residents. This is much lower than the national average of 2.4 per 1,000.

Note: Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code allows unrestricted access to most divorce records generated in the state. Accessible divorce information may include the case party's name and divorce details. However, the state law generally restricts access to confidential information like details about minors or alleged victims of domestic abuse.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Texas
Public members may access the following divorce documentation in Texas.

• Divorce Certificate: A divorce certificate is often a one-page document that contains basic information about a divorce event. It may include the names and residential addresses of the parties involved in the case, the date and location of the divorce, and the number of minors in the dissolved union. Thus, the document is important for legal processes where you need to provide evidence of a divorce. Interested parties may find divorce certificates under the purview of a local district clerk.
• Divorce Decree: This document typically contains a court's final decision regarding a divorce event. The document may include court orders on child custody, support, alimony, and property division. Record seekers may use the record to reinforce a court order in a subsequent legal case. In Texas, the local district clerk has jurisdiction over divorce decrees within their respective jurisdictions.
• Divorce Case File: A divorce case file is a comprehensive documentation of all documents filed and generated during a divorce case proceeding. Such documents are essential for legal research and for preparing related cases. You may also find divorce case files in the custody of the local district clerk's office.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Local district clerk's office.	Proof of legal divorce	Names, date, county, case number
Divorce Decree/Judgment	Local district clerk's office	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, and property division
Divorce Case File	Local district clerk's office	Legal research and proof of evidence of court activities	Complaints, summons, reports, dockets, and judgments.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Texas Divorce Records

The Texas Public Information Act allows public access to most divorce information. Publicly accessible divorce information may include case party names, date and location of divorce, and reasons for the divorce.

However, some divorce information is classified as confidential and is only accessible to specific inquirers. Examples of confidential divorce information include:

• Medical or criminal reports filed during a divorce proceeding
• Child custody agreements.
• Financial statements, such as bank accounts and tax filings.
• Property deeds or documents filed during a divorce case proceeding.
• Personal information about minors affected by the divorce event.

The court may disclose confidential divorce information to eligible inquirers, such as the case parties, immediate relations, and legal representatives of the concerned parties. To access such documents, eligible parties are often required to provide a proof of relationship document to the record custodian. Government-issued IDs and birth certificates are often required to access confidential divorce information in Texas.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services only provides verification of divorce events from 1968 to the present date. Interested parties may view the records by visiting the agency at this location:

Texas Department of State Health Services

What Information Do Texas Divorce Records Include?

Texas divorce records typically include the following information:

• The case party names, residential address, and birthdates.
• Divorce date and location.
• Number of minors in the union.
• Reasons for the divorce.
• Names of the case parties' legal representatives.
• Case information, like judgment, custody, and support arrangements.
• Filed documents, like complaints, personal bank statements, and property deeds.

The content of a divorce record may vary by county or record type. You might only find basic information in a divorce case file, while a divorce case file contains all the information collated during a divorce case proceeding.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Texas

The main procedures for locating Texas divorce records include the following:

• Online access via the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and local district clerks' offices.
• Mail-in/in-person access via local district clerks' offices.

Procedures for locating divorce records may also include copy or search fees. For instance, the Harris County district clerk charges $1 per printed page of a divorce record.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Texas Department of Health	1968-present	Certificates only	Free
County Clerks	District Court Clerks.	All years	Certified decrees/case files/certificates	Varies
State Archives/Library	Historical Records	All years	Manual search	Minimal copy fees

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Texas

Texas-certified divorce records are official documents that contain the seal of the district clerk's office. These records are often required for legal processes like name changes, property disputes, and mortgage refinancing. Persons or entities may request certified divorce records in Texas by using these steps:

Step 1. Identify the court where the divorce was finalized.

In Texas, divorce cases are heard at the district court or the county court at law. The court clerks of these courthouses are usually the official custodians of certified divorce records. Inquirers seeking to obtain the record must first identify the court that handled the case. Next, they must determine if the court clerk or the county clerk maintains copies of the record. The Harris County district clerk, for instance, is the record custodian of divorce cases.

Step 2. Contact the clerk's office.

Inquirers may access divorce records through mail-in or in-person requests to the district clerk's office. Searchers may also find information on available request options on the clerk's office website or through phone calls. The Harris County district clerk provides access to certified divorce records through both mail-in and in-person methods. Inquirers may obtain the certified divorce records by visiting the clerk's physical address at:

Harris County District Clerk

Step 3. Provide the necessary details.

Inquirers are typically required to provide specific information when requesting certified divorce records. Such information may include the full names of both spouses, the date and location of the divorce, and the case number (if known).

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Local district courts charge fees to retrieve and produce certified divorce records. Note that the costs may vary by county. For example, the Harris County district clerk charges $5 to certify a divorce record and $1 per page of the record.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who may Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	Local district clerk's office	All parties (if non-confidential)	Proof for remarriage, name change
Certified Decree	Local district clerk's office	All parties (if non-confidential)	Legal enforcement
Informational Copy	Local district clerk's office/Vital Records/Archives	All parties.	Genealogical/historical use

Why Search for Divorce Records in Texas?

Persons or entities may search divorce records in Texas for these reasons:

• To apply for marriage licenses: Divorcees may need a divorce certificate when applying for a marriage license. The document acts as proof that a marriage was legally terminated.
• To conduct probate-related cases: A divorce record is a proof of relationship document, and it is helpful for probate cases like name changes, real estate, or will disputes.
• To research family history: Divorce records are essential for genealogy research since they help to trace family history. Record seekers may also search the records to locate lost relatives.
• To find personal information about a divorcee: Texas divorce records contain a divorcee's personal information, like the birthdate and residential address.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Texas?

In Texas, the local district clerk's office permanently keeps records of divorce certificates, decrees, and case files. Record seekers may also find indexes of divorce events in the custody of the state's archives. Note that confidential divorce records are not accessible to the public. The state's record custodians only disclose such records to eligible parties, such as the case party and their legal counsel.