Tom Green County Divorce Records
This page explains how to find divorce records in Tom Green County, Texas, where they are held, and how to request certified copies. In Texas, a divorce is a court case, so the records live with the District Clerk of the county where the divorce was granted — not the vital-records office.
Where divorce records are kept in Tom Green County
In Texas, a divorce (called a "suit for dissolution of marriage") is a civil case handled by the district courts. The Tom Green County District Clerk maintains records for the district courts, including civil case files, and divorce decrees in Texas are filed with the District Clerk of the county where the divorce was granted. That means if a divorce was finalized in Tom Green County, the file and the signed decree should be in the District Clerk's records.
This is different from the Tom Green County Clerk, who maintains county court records and official public records such as deeds and marriage licenses. A marriage license search will confirm that a couple applied to marry — it will not tell you whether they later divorced. To confirm a divorce, you must look at the district court case, not the marriage record.
What a divorce decree contains
A Final Decree of Divorce is the court order that ends the marriage. Depending on the case, a decree may include:
- The names of both parties and the case (cause) number.
- The date the divorce was granted and the court that issued it.
- Division of community property and debts.
- Orders about children, such as conservatorship (custody), possession and access (visitation), and child support, if children were involved.
- Any name change granted as part of the case.
The decree is the single most useful document for proving a divorce is final. The broader case file may also contain petitions, motions, financial disclosures, and hearing records.
How to search for a divorce case
To locate a Tom Green County divorce file, you will generally need identifying details to help staff find the correct record:
- The full names of both spouses (including former names, if known).
- The approximate date or year the divorce was filed or finalized.
- A case or cause number, if you already have one.
Some Texas district courts offer online case search tools that let you look up civil case information by party name. Availability, the depth of information shown, and whether images are viewable vary by county. Confirm with the Tom Green County District Clerk whether an online index is offered and what it covers. If no online search is available for the record you need, you can request a search in person or in writing through the District Clerk's office.
Start from the Tom Green County official website to find the District Clerk's current contact information, hours, and any online tools. Do not assume a portal name or web address that has not been confirmed by the office.
Sealed and restricted information
Not every part of a divorce file is freely available to the public. Courts may seal or restrict certain records or documents, and some information is protected by law regardless of sealing. For example, records involving children, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal identifiers are often limited. If a judge has ordered a case or specific document sealed, the clerk cannot release it without proper authorization.
If you believe a record should be available but you cannot access it, the District Clerk can explain what is public, what is restricted, and what documentation you may need to provide. This page does not decide access questions for your specific case; the office and the court do.
Ordering certified copies
If you need proof of a divorce — for a name change, remarriage, or other official use — you will typically request a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce from the District Clerk. When requesting, be ready to provide:
- The full names of both parties.
- The cause number, if known.
- The date the divorce was granted.
- Valid identification, if required by the office.
Fees usually apply for copies and for certification, and the amount and accepted payment methods are set by the office. Because these details change, confirm current copy fees, certification charges, turnaround times, and whether mail or in-person requests are accepted directly with the Tom Green County District Clerk before sending payment. Do not rely on a fee or processing time from any unofficial source.
Frequently asked questions
Does a marriage license or vital-records search show a divorce?
No. A marriage license and vital records (birth and death certificates) are separate from court records. A divorce is a district court case filed with the District Clerk. Searching marriage or vital records will not confirm whether a couple later divorced.
Who holds divorce records in Tom Green County?
The Tom Green County District Clerk maintains district court records, and divorce decrees in Texas are filed with the District Clerk of the county where the divorce was granted. Deeds and marriage licenses, by contrast, are kept by the County Clerk.
Can I get a divorce record for anyone, or only my own?
Many divorce case records are public, but sealed or restricted material — and some sensitive personal details — may be limited. Ask the District Clerk what is available and what identification or authorization may be required for the specific record you want.
Does this page explain remarriage waiting periods or give legal advice?
No. This page is informational only and is not legal advice. Texas has rules about matters such as remarriage waiting periods, but those depend on your circumstances. For legal questions, consult a licensed attorney; for record access, contact the District Clerk.
Official & Public Resources
Tom Green County Official Website
Official government website for Tom Green County, Texas.
https://www.tomgreencountytx.gov/
