Garland Divorce Decree Database
Garland divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk in downtown Dallas. Garland is in Dallas County, so residents who file for divorce do so at the county courthouse at 600 Commerce Street. The city of Garland does not keep divorce records. If you need to find a divorce case, request a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, or look up case status for a Garland resident, you go to the Dallas County District Clerk. The Odyssey online portal at portal-txdallas.tylertech.cloud is available around the clock for searching Garland divorce decree records by name or cause number. In-person requests are handled Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Garland Overview
Dallas County Handles Garland Divorces
Garland sits within Dallas County, so the Dallas County District Court handles all divorce filings for Garland residents. The Garland City Secretary at 200 N. Fifth St manages city records, agendas, and ordinances, but does not have family law records. Garland's Municipal Court handles only local code violations and traffic matters. Family law is strictly a district court function handled at the county level.
The Dallas County District Clerk is one of the largest district clerk offices in Texas. The office processes tens of thousands of family law cases each year. Historical records go back to 1846, and the online portal gives public access to case information from recent decades. For a Garland resident, the filing location is always the Dallas County courthouse at 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas.
| Office | Dallas County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7421 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Portal | Dallas County Odyssey Portal |
| Civil Records | Dallas Civil and Family Records System |
Note: Public access terminals are available at 600 Commerce Street for searching records on-site. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person.
Searching Garland Divorce Records Online
The Dallas County Odyssey Portal is the main tool for searching Garland divorce decree records online. Go to portal-txdallas.tylertech.cloud and search by party name, cause number, or attorney name. You can filter by case type (family), date range, and case status. Results display party names, the court assigned to the case, file date, and current status. Registered users can purchase document images directly through the portal.
Dallas County also has the civil and family records system at dallascal.ci.dallas.tx.us. That system allows case inquiry and document purchasing for civil and family cases. It covers divorce, custody, and other family law matters. The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another option and includes Dallas County records along with other Texas courts.
For in-person searches, visit the District Clerk at 600 Commerce Street. Staff can search by name or cause number. If you need a name search (no cause number provided), expect a $5.00 search fee per name per 10-year period. Mail-in requests should include the party names, approximate case year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The City of Garland's official site handles city government services and refers residents to Dallas County for all divorce case information.
Garland divorce filings are processed and maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk at 600 Commerce Street in Dallas.
Garland Divorce Decree Fees
Filing a divorce in Dallas County costs $297.00 for a base filing. That rate applies to Garland residents and everyone else in Dallas County. Cases with children or requests for modifications may have different fees. Verify exact amounts with the District Clerk before filing since fees can change.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. A name search without a cause number runs $5.00 per name per 10-year search period. Dallas County accepts cash, checks payable to Dallas County District Clerk, money orders, and Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards. No refunds are issued on filing fees, even if the case is dismissed.
If paying the full fee is a hardship, Texas law allows you to ask for a waiver. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. People who receive public benefits like food stamps or Medicaid typically qualify, as do those earning below 125% of the federal poverty line. Find the form at txcourts.gov.
Note: E-filing is required for all civil cases in Dallas County. Use the Texas e-filing portal at efile.txcourts.gov. E-filing vendors may charge a small convenience fee.
Divorce Filing Process in Garland
Garland residents follow Texas divorce law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Dallas County for 90 days before filing under Section 6.301. Once those requirements are met, you file an Original Petition for Divorce at the Dallas County District Clerk and serve the other spouse with a Citation. If both spouses agree to all terms, one can sign a Waiver of Service and the case moves faster.
Texas allows no-fault divorce on the ground of insupportability under Section 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no reasonable hope of getting it back on track. No evidence of wrongdoing is needed. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or felony conviction are also available and can sometimes affect property division or custody decisions.
After filing, the 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702 must pass before a judge signs the final decree. Agreed cases can go before the judge right after that 60 days. Contested cases take longer and often involve mediation before trial. Dallas County standing orders restrict both parties from certain actions during this period, like removing children from Texas or canceling health insurance.
Property division follows Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state, so marital property is divided in a way the court finds just and right. Separate property stays with its owner. If there are children, the decree must include a conservatorship order and a child support calculation based on state guidelines.
Dallas County standing orders apply automatically to all family law cases when the petition is filed. Both parties are bound by these orders from the start, even before formal service of process is complete.
What a Garland Divorce Decree Contains
The Final Decree of Divorce is the document that legally ends a marriage. It identifies both parties by their full legal names, states the date the judge signed the order, and resolves all outstanding issues from the case. Property division, debt allocation, and spousal support are the common topics addressed. Each decree is different based on what the parties contested and what the judge or agreed settlement resolved.
When children are involved, the decree is much more detailed. It names the conserving parent, sets out a possession and access schedule, and includes child support amounts. Texas courts follow state guidelines in calculating child support, which are based on the paying parent's net monthly income and the number of children. If retirement accounts need to be split, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order handles that transfer separately from the main decree.
Certified copies of a Garland divorce decree carry the official court seal and are needed for legal transactions like name changes, updating Social Security or financial accounts, or proving marital status for a future marriage license. Plain copies serve general reference purposes. Both are available from the Dallas County District Clerk for a per-page fee plus certification charge for the certified version.
Legal Help for Garland Residents
Garland residents can access legal aid through several programs in the Dallas area. Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP) runs free legal clinics for low-income individuals with family law matters. Call (214) 748-1234 for current clinic schedules and intake. Lone Star Legal Aid at (800) 733-8394 and lonestarlegal.org also serves Dallas County residents who qualify based on income.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 can match you with a Garland-area family law attorney for an initial consultation. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for filing your own divorce in Texas and links to all required court forms. The Texas State Law Library's divorce guide is a well-organized resource for self-represented filers. All official forms are at txcourts.gov.
If child support is part of your case, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division provides enforcement and modification services at texasattorneygeneral.gov. For vital records separate from the divorce decree itself, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit handles birth and death certificates.
Dallas County Divorce Records
Garland is in Dallas County. All divorce filings go through the Dallas County District Court, which serves Garland, Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, and all other Dallas County communities. For full details on the county court system, online search tools, and records request procedures, visit the Dallas County page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Garland with divorce decree pages: