College Station Divorce Decree Search
College Station divorce decree records are filed with the Brazos County District Clerk in Bryan, which is the county seat just a few miles from College Station. The city itself does not keep divorce records. When a College Station resident files for divorce, all paperwork goes into the Brazos County District Court system and is maintained permanently by the District Clerk. You can search for a case online through the county's public records portal or contact the clerk's office in Bryan to get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce.
College Station Overview
Brazos County Clerk for College Station Divorces
College Station is in Brazos County. The Brazos County District Clerk handles all divorce decree filings for College Station, Bryan, and other communities in the county. The clerk's office is at the Brazos County Courthouse in downtown Bryan. Bryan is the county seat, located just a short drive from College Station on Texas Avenue.
Brazos County was incorporated in 1836 as one of Texas's original counties. District court divorce records date back to 1841. The District Clerk Travis L. Bryan III oversees the office and maintains civil, criminal, and family law records for the county. This is the official source for all divorce decrees and related court filings.
| Office | Brazos County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. 26th St., Suite 120 Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4230 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov/departments/district-clerk |
The courthouse in Bryan is on East 26th Street in downtown. Parking is available near the building. Take Texas Avenue north from College Station and it runs directly into Bryan. The drive takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Note: The Brazos County Clerk is a separate office at the same address and handles marriage licenses, not divorce records. Go to the District Clerk for divorce decrees.
Find College Station Divorce Decree Records
Brazos County provides online access to court records including divorce decrees. The county's official records search portal is at brazoscountytx.gov. The county also has a public records search hosted through Tyler Technologies that allows searches by name, date, and document type. Records from 1976 to the present are available online for most document types.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another option. It pulls case data from Brazos County and other Texas courts. You can search by party name or cause number and see case status, hearing dates, and party information without making a trip to Bryan.
For in-person searches, go to the District Clerk's office at 300 E. 26th Street. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number. A name search by staff costs $5.00 per name per 10-year search period. For cases before digital records, older files may be in paper or microfilm format and may take additional time to pull.
Mail requests are an option if you can't go in person. Send the full names of both spouses, an approximate filing year, a check or money order for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for certified copies. The clerk's office handles requests under the Texas Public Information Act timeline of 10 business days.
Fees for Divorce Decree Records in College Station
Brazos County District Clerk copy fees follow the standard Texas schedule. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. Name searches conducted by staff cost $5.00 per name per 10-year period.
Filing a new divorce case in Brazos County involves a filing fee set by the District Clerk. The exact amount depends on whether children are involved and how many documents you file at once. Call (979) 361-4230 to get the current schedule before you go in to file. The county accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card.
If fees are too much, Texas allows a fee waiver request using a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. That form is at the courthouse or on the Texas Courts website. Income level, expenses, and receipt of government benefits all factor into whether the court approves the waiver.
Divorce Decree Process for College Station Residents
College Station divorces follow Texas state law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Before filing in Brazos County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Brazos County for 90 days. That residency rule is in Texas Family Code Section 6.301.
Most College Station divorces use the no-fault insupportability ground under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. That means neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing. The marriage just has to be broken in a way that can't be fixed. Fault grounds like adultery or cruelty are still available but not required.
The case starts when one spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce with the Brazos County District Clerk. Texas law then imposes a 60-day waiting period. After that, the judge can sign the Final Decree of Divorce. An agreed divorce where both spouses sign off on all terms can finish fairly quickly once the waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer, sometimes needing mediation or trial before the decree is entered.
E-filing is required for most Texas court cases and is done through efile.txcourts.gov. Pro se filers (self-represented) use the same system. Forms and guides are available at texaslawhelp.org.
What College Station Divorce Decrees Include
A College Station divorce decree is a court order signed by a Brazos County district judge. It is the final document in the case and the legal proof that the marriage has ended. The decree is filed with the District Clerk and stays in the public record indefinitely.
The decree includes both spouses' names, the date of marriage, the grounds for divorce, and the date the court granted the dissolution. Property division terms are spelled out, including which assets and debts each party gets. Texas is a community property state, and judges divide marital property in a just and right way.
Cases with children produce decrees that also cover conservatorship, a possession and access schedule, and child support amounts. If spousal maintenance was ordered, the terms appear in the decree or a separate order, consistent with Texas Family Code Chapter 8. The decree is what you need to show a bank, title company, or government agency to confirm your marital status has changed.
Legal Help in the College Station Area
Legal aid resources are available for College Station residents who qualify based on income. Lone Star Legal Aid covers the Brazos County area. Call (800) 733-8394 for information or visit lonestarlegal.org. They handle family law matters including divorce and custody cases.
The TexasLawHelp.org website provides free self-help guides for people handling their own divorce. It covers everything from filing the petition to getting the final decree signed. The Texas State Law Library divorce guide is a useful companion resource with links to statutes and court procedures.
The State Bar of Texas referral service can match you with a family law attorney in the Bryan or College Station area. Call (800) 252-9690 or search online at texasbar.com. Texas A&M University's law school clinic may also offer limited legal services to local residents. Check directly with the law school for availability and eligibility.
Note: The Brazos County District Clerk's staff can answer questions about filing and fees, but they cannot give legal advice on how to handle your case.
The City of College Station official website provides city government information and direct links to county resources for residents needing divorce decree records or court information.
College Station divorce cases are filed in Brazos County, not the city. The Brazos County Courthouse in Bryan is where all district court proceedings take place and where divorce decrees are stored permanently.
Brazos County Divorce Records
College Station is in Brazos County. All divorce decrees and family law filings go through the Brazos County District Court in Bryan. Visit the Brazos County divorce records page for more details on the court system, fees, and how to search or get copies.
Nearby Cities
Other Texas cities near College Station with divorce decree information: