Bryan Divorce Decree Records
Bryan divorce decrees are filed and maintained by the Brazos County District Clerk, located in downtown Bryan at 300 E. 26th Street. Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County, so the courthouse and District Clerk's office are right in the city. If you need to look up a divorce case, confirm a divorce happened, or get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk is where to start. The city itself does not hold divorce records. All district court filings, including family law cases and divorce decrees, belong to the county. You can search records online through the county's records portal or visit in person to access files and request copies.
Bryan Overview
Where Bryan Divorce Records Are Filed
Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County. The Brazos County District Clerk's office is in the county courthouse in downtown Bryan. All divorces filed by Bryan residents go through the Brazos County District Court, and the District Clerk maintains all those records. Divorce records for Brazos County go back to 1841.
The District Clerk is Travis L. Bryan III. His office handles civil and family court records including divorces, custody cases, name changes, and adoptions. Family law cases in Brazos County are heard by the district courts. Once a judge signs a Final Decree of Divorce, the District Clerk files it and it becomes a public court record open to inspection.
| Office | Brazos County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4230 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
The Brazos County Clerk is a separate office at 300 E. 26th St., Suite 120. That office, run by Mary R. Dyer, handles marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and property records. Call (979) 361-4130 for the County Clerk. Divorce decrees are with the District Clerk at (979) 361-4230.
The City of Bryan's Vital Statistics office at 300 S. Texas Avenue handles birth and death certificates and city records. It does not maintain divorce records.
Search Bryan Divorce Decree Records
Brazos County provides an online records portal where you can search civil and family case records. The District Clerk has online case search available, and you can look up cases by name, cause number, or filing date. The portal gives you case status, party names, and docket entries.
The statewide re:SearchTX system also covers Brazos County district courts. It is useful if you need to search across multiple counties or are not sure which county holds a particular case.
The Brazos County Official Records Search at brazoscountytx-web.tylerhost.net covers official public records from 1976 to the present. The index is free to access. Document copies are available for purchase through the same system.
In person, go to 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 120. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate year. Staff can locate the file and make copies. A name search costs $5.00 per name. Certified copies of the decree are available on the spot. Mail requests work too. Include full names, the approximate date, cause number if available, a copy of your ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment.
The City of Bryan's official website covers city services and vital statistics, though divorce decree records are handled exclusively at the county level through the Brazos County District Clerk.
All Bryan divorce records are maintained at the Brazos County District Clerk's office at 300 E. 26th Street in downtown Bryan.
Bryan Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Copy fees at the Brazos County District Clerk follow standard Texas rates. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. A name search runs $5.00 per name. If you want a certified copy of a multi-page decree, plan for those fees per page plus the certification charge.
Filing a new divorce case in Brazos County requires paying a base clerk filing fee plus several mandatory add-on charges. Total costs typically land in the $275 to $350 range for a case without children. Cases with children cost more due to additional required fees. Confirm the current fee schedule by calling the District Clerk at (979) 361-4230 before you file.
If you qualify for a fee waiver, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The court will review your income and expenses and decide if you qualify for waiver of fees. Forms are available at the courthouse or through the Texas Courts website.
Note: E-filing fees through eFileTexas are separate from District Clerk fees and vary by filing type and service provider.
Divorce Filing Process in Bryan
Bryan residents follow Texas state law when filing for divorce. The case goes to the Brazos County District Court. Filing starts with an Original Petition for Divorce submitted to the District Clerk. The other spouse must then be served or must sign a Waiver of Service.
Residency requirements are set by Texas Family Code § 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Brazos County for at least 90 days before filing. Texas is a no-fault divorce state under Texas Family Code § 6.001. You can file on the ground of insupportability, meaning the marriage cannot be repaired due to conflict or discord. No proof of fault is required.
After filing, a mandatory 60-day waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot sign the Final Decree of Divorce until those 60 days are up. Uncontested agreed cases can be finalized quickly once the waiting period ends. Contested cases may require mediation or trial and can take much longer.
Community property rules apply to property and debt acquired during the marriage, as set out in Texas Family Code Chapter 7. All division terms are written into the final decree signed by the judge. Electronic filing through eFileTexas is required for attorneys and available for all filers.
What a Bryan Divorce Decree Includes
A Final Decree of Divorce from Brazos County District Court names both spouses, gives the date signed by the judge, and sets out the court's final orders. Simple agreed decrees may just confirm the divorce and note any property split. Complex cases can include many pages covering real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, business interests, and specific debt assignments.
Cases with children include a full parenting plan as part of the decree. That plan sets the custody schedule, names the primary conservator, sets child support amounts based on state guidelines under Texas Family Code Chapter 8, and specifies who carries health insurance. Both parents are bound by the decree. Changes require a court modification.
Once the decree is signed and filed, both parties should get at least one certified copy. You may need it for a name change, title transfer, insurance update, or future legal proceedings. Store it safely.
Legal Help for Bryan Divorce Cases
Bryan residents who need legal assistance with a divorce have several options. Lone Star Legal Aid covers Brazos County and provides free or low-cost legal help in family law cases to people who qualify. Their site at lonestarlegal.org has information on eligibility and how to apply. Call (800) 733-8394 for intake.
TexasLawHelp.org provides step-by-step self-help resources for Texas divorces, including guides for filing without an attorney. It works best for uncontested cases where both spouses agree. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. The State Law Library guide to divorce is a free reference that covers Texas law in plain language.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 connects you with a local attorney for a first consultation. For child support questions, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division handles enforcement and can help set up support orders.
Brazos County Divorce Records
Bryan is the county seat of Brazos County, and all divorce filings are handled by the Brazos County District Court. The county page has more information on the court system, records search options, and other resources for residents throughout the county.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Texas cities near Bryan with divorce decree information: