Tarrant County Divorce Records
What Are Tarrant County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Tarrant County are official legal documents that provide documentation of the dissolution of marriage between two individuals. These records are maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk's office pursuant to Texas Family Code § 6.001-6.802, which governs divorce proceedings in the state of Texas.
Divorce records typically contain several components:
- The original petition for divorce
- Temporary orders issued during proceedings
- Financial disclosures from both parties
- Child custody and support arrangements, if applicable
- Property division agreements
- The final divorce decree signed by a judge
The Tarrant County District Clerk serves as the official custodian of these records as mandated by Texas Government Code § 51.303. All divorce proceedings in Tarrant County are processed through the family courts division of the District Clerk's office.
Tarrant County District Clerk 100 N. Calhoun Street Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1240 Tarrant County District Clerk Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Are Tarrant County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records in Tarrant County are generally considered public records in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations and exceptions.
The public status of divorce records is subject to the following provisions:
- Basic information about divorce cases, including party names, case numbers, and filing dates, is publicly accessible
- Court hearings related to divorce proceedings are typically open to the public
- Final divorce decrees become part of the public record once filed with the court
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed pursuant to Texas Family Code § 107.057
Exceptions to public access include:
- Records containing information about minor children
- Financial account numbers and social security numbers
- Records sealed by court order for safety or privacy concerns
- Cases involving domestic violence where protective orders have been issued
Individuals seeking access to divorce records must comply with identification requirements established by the Tarrant County District Clerk's office and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Tarrant County in 2025
Locating divorce records in Tarrant County requires following specific procedures established by the District Clerk's office. Members of the public may utilize several methods to obtain these records.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Tarrant County District Clerk - Family Law Division 100 N. Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Required information for record searches includes:
- Full names of both parties involved in the divorce
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case number (if known)
- Valid government-issued photo identification
The District Clerk's office processes requests according to the following guidelines:
- Standard processing time is 3-5 business days
- Expedited service may be available for an additional fee
- Certified copies require payment of statutory fees as established by Texas Local Government Code § 118.011
- Research fees may apply for searches spanning multiple years
Requestors should note that divorce records from 1968 to present are maintained by the District Clerk, while the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains an index of all divorces granted in Texas.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Tarrant County Online?
Tarrant County provides digital access to divorce records through several online platforms maintained by county offices. These electronic resources allow for remote searching of divorce case information.
The primary online search tools include:
- District Clerk Court Document Lookup - Provides access to family court cases including divorce proceedings
- Online Civil Case Records - Allows searching of civil court records which may include some family court matters
To conduct an online search, users must:
- Create an account on the appropriate platform
- Provide basic identifying information
- Pay any applicable search fees via credit card
- Agree to terms of use regarding proper handling of information
Limitations of online searches include:
- Certain documents may only be available in person
- Records prior to 1997 may have limited online availability
- Complete case files are not always digitized
- Certified copies cannot be obtained through online platforms
Users should note that while basic case information is viewable online, obtaining official copies of divorce decrees typically requires direct contact with the District Clerk's office.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Tarrant County?
Members of the public may access certain divorce record information in Tarrant County without payment of fees through several available resources. These no-cost options provide basic case information but may have limitations.
Free access options include:
- Public access terminals located at the Tarrant County District Clerk's office (100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196)
- Basic case information through the District Clerk's online portal
- Public law libraries located at the Tarrant County Justice Center (401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196)
When utilizing free resources, individuals should note:
- While basic searches may be free, fees apply for copies of documents
- Standard charges are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 for certified copies
- Research assistance from clerk staff may incur additional fees
- Records older than 20 years may require specialized archival searches
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, while examination of records is generally available without charge, reproduction of documents requires payment of established fees.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Tarrant County
Divorce records maintained by the Tarrant County District Clerk contain comprehensive documentation of the legal dissolution process. These records include multiple components as required by Texas Family Code § 6.001-6.802.
Standard contents of a divorce file include:
- Original Petition for Divorce stating grounds and requested relief
- Citation and return of service documentation
- Respondent's Answer and/or Counter-Petition
- Temporary orders regarding property, support, and custody during proceedings
- Financial information including inventory and appraisement of assets
- Child custody evaluations and support calculations (if applicable)
- Mediation agreements or trial transcripts
- Final Decree of Divorce signed by the presiding judge
Additional documents that may be included:
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
- Geographic restriction orders regarding children's residence
- Protective orders if domestic violence was involved
- Name change orders for either party
The completeness of records varies based on case complexity and whether the divorce was contested or uncontested. All documents are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Tarrant County?
Individuals requiring official documentation of a divorce finalized in Tarrant County must follow established procedures to obtain certified copies. These documents serve as legal proof of divorce for various administrative purposes.
To obtain certified proof of divorce, requestors may:
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Visit the Tarrant County District Clerk's office in person: Tarrant County District Clerk - Family Law Division 100 N. Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Submit a written request by mail including:
- Names of both parties
- Date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Copy of requestor's identification
- Required fee payment
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
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For divorces after 1968, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services for verification certificates
Required identification includes:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Documentation of relationship to parties if requesting records of immediate family members
- Court order if requesting sealed records
Fees for certified copies are established at $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 118.011.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Tarrant County?
Under certain circumstances, divorce proceedings and associated records in Tarrant County may be sealed or restricted from public access. Texas Family Code § 107.057 and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a establish the legal framework for confidentiality in divorce cases.
Grounds for sealing divorce records include:
- Protection of minor children from harm
- Prevention of identity theft through protection of financial information
- Documented risk of physical harm to a party
- Legitimate privacy concerns that outweigh public interest in access
- Trade secrets or proprietary business information
The process for requesting confidentiality requires:
- Filing a motion to seal with the court hearing the divorce case
- Demonstrating specific, serious harm that would result from public disclosure
- Attending a hearing where the judge evaluates the request
- Obtaining a court order specifically outlining which documents are sealed
Even when records are sealed, certain information typically remains public:
- The existence of the case itself
- Names of the parties involved
- The presiding judge
- General nature of the proceedings
Parties seeking confidentiality should consult with legal counsel regarding the specific requirements and limitations of record sealing in Tarrant County.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Tarrant County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in Tarrant County varies based on multiple factors, with statutory timelines establishing minimum processing periods. Texas Family Code § 6.702 mandates a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized.
Typical timeframes for Tarrant County divorces include:
- Uncontested divorces with complete agreement: 60-90 days from filing
- Contested divorces with property disputes: 6-12 months
- Cases involving complex child custody issues: 12-18 months
- High-asset divorces requiring business valuations: 12-24 months
Factors affecting timeline duration:
- Court docket congestion in the family courts
- Availability of required mediators and evaluators
- Cooperation between parties in discovery processes
- Complexity of property division and child custody arrangements
- Judge's scheduling and availability for hearings
Procedural steps that impact timing include:
- Mandatory waiting period (60 days)
- Service of process on respondent
- Discovery period for financial disclosure
- Mediation requirements
- Final hearing scheduling
Parties seeking expedited processing should note that the statutory 60-day waiting period cannot be waived except in cases involving family violence as specified in Texas Family Code § 6.702(c).
How Long Does Tarrant County Keep Divorce Records?
Tarrant County maintains divorce records according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the authority of Texas Local Government Code § 203.041. These schedules determine how long various types of court records must be preserved.
The retention periods for divorce records are as follows:
- Case files for divorces without children: Permanent retention
- Case files for divorces with children: Permanent retention
- Indexes and dockets: Permanent retention
- Administrative orders: Permanent retention
- Exhibits and evidence: Retained until all appeals have been exhausted plus an additional 30 days
Records management procedures include:
- Active records (recent cases) maintained at the District Clerk's office
- Semi-active records transferred to county records management
- Historical records may be transferred to microfilm or digital format
- Permanent records preserved indefinitely
Members of the public seeking historical divorce records should note:
- Records from 1968 to present are maintained by the District Clerk
- Records prior to 1968 may require specialized archival research
- Some older records may have been damaged or lost due to natural disasters or storage conditions
- Indexes are available to assist in locating historical records
How To Get a Divorce In Tarrant County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Tarrant County must follow specific legal procedures established by the Texas Family Code. The divorce process involves multiple steps and requirements.
To initiate a divorce proceeding, petitioners must:
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Meet residency requirements:
- Texas resident for preceding six months
- Tarrant County resident for preceding 90 days
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File required documents with the District Clerk: Tarrant County District Clerk - Family Law Division 100 N. Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Pay filing fees:
- Approximately $300-350 for initial filing
- Additional fees for service of process
- Fee waivers available for qualifying low-income individuals
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Serve the other party according to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
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Comply with mandatory waiting periods and disclosure requirements
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Attend any required parenting classes if children are involved
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Participate in mediation if ordered by the court
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Attend final hearing before a judge
Divorces are categorized as:
- Uncontested: Both parties agree on all issues
- Contested: Disagreement exists on property division, custody, or other matters
- Default: Respondent fails to answer after proper service
Additional resources for divorce assistance are available through the Tarrant County Law Library located at 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Tarrant County
Individuals initiating divorce proceedings in Tarrant County must obtain and complete specific legal forms as required by Texas Family Code and local court rules. These documents constitute the foundation of the divorce case.
Divorce forms may be obtained through:
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Tarrant County District Clerk's Office 100 N. Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1240 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Tarrant County Law Library 100 N. Calhoun Street, 9th Floor Fort Worth, TX 76196 817-884-1480 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Texas Law Help website (for self-represented litigants)
Required forms typically include:
- Original Petition for Divorce
- Civil Case Information Sheet
- Information on Suit Affecting the Family Relationship
- Waiver of Service (if applicable)
- Final Decree of Divorce
- Child support worksheets (if children involved)
Important considerations when completing divorce papers:
- Forms must be completed accurately and completely
- Notarization is required for certain documents
- Multiple copies are needed for filing and service
- Local rules may require additional forms specific to Tarrant County
- Self-represented litigants are held to the same standards as attorneys
While court staff can provide forms, they cannot offer legal advice. Individuals with complex cases are advised to consult with an attorney to ensure proper completion of all required documentation.
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