Richardson Divorce Decree Records

Richardson sits in both Dallas and Collin counties, which affects where your divorce decree was filed and where you search for it today. If you need to find a divorce decree from Richardson, the right starting point depends on which county had jurisdiction when the case was filed. Both Dallas County and Collin County district clerks maintain these records, and each has an online search portal you can use at no cost. This guide walks you through how to search, what to bring, and what to expect when requesting copies of a Richardson divorce decree.

Which County Handles Richardson Divorce Records

Richardson is one of the few Texas cities that straddles two counties. Most of Richardson falls in Dallas County, but the northeastern part of the city crosses into Collin County. This matters a lot when you're looking for a divorce decree. The county where at least one spouse lived at the time of filing is where the case was handled, and that's where the record lives now.

If you're not sure which county applies, check the address used when the case was filed. A zip code like 75080 or 75081 usually means Dallas County. Zip codes like 75082 or 75083 often fall in Collin County. When in doubt, try searching both portals. Most searches are free, and it only takes a few minutes to check both systems.

The Dallas County District Clerk office is at 600 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas. The Collin County District Clerk is in McKinney at 2100 Bloomdale Road. Both offices handle divorce records for their respective portions of Richardson.

View Dallas County Divorce Records

View Collin County Divorce Records

District Clerk Contact Information

Most Richardson divorce decrees are on file at the Dallas County District Clerk. That office serves the larger portion of the city. If you already know which county handled the case, go straight to that office. If not, the Dallas County office is a good first stop.

Note: Mail requests to either office should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order made payable to the county district clerk.

How to Search Richardson Divorce Decree Records

Both Dallas County and Collin County have free online portals for case lookups. You can search by party name or cause number without creating an account. These portals show case status, party names, and docket entries. They don't show the actual decree text, but they confirm that a case exists and give you the cause number you need to request copies.

For Dallas County, use the Dallas County Odyssey Portal. For Collin County, the public case search is at cijspub.co.collin.tx.us. You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX system, which pulls cases from multiple Texas counties in one search.

To find a case, you need at least one spouse's full legal name and a rough idea of when the divorce was filed. The more specific you can be, the faster the search will go. A cause number speeds things up considerably. If you have old paperwork from the case, the cause number is usually at the top of any court document.

When searching by name, use the legal name on file, not a nickname. Maiden names and name changes can sometimes complicate searches, so try both versions if the first search comes up empty.

Texas court records are also accessible through the eFileTexas system, which supports electronic filing and document access across the state.

Richardson Divorce Decree Fees

Filing fees and copy costs are set by each county, not the city. For Dallas County, plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. The clerk charges $5.00 to search by name when staff does it on your behalf. Online lookups through the portal are free.

Collin County uses the same basic structure. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies run $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Staff-assisted name searches cost $5.00 per name for each 10-year search period.

Filing a new divorce case in Texas costs roughly $300 or more depending on the county and whether children are involved. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The Texas Courts website at txcourts.gov has the form you need.

Filing for Divorce in Richardson

Richardson residents file for divorce at the district court in the county where they live. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in the county for 90 days before filing. If you live in the Dallas County portion of Richardson, you file in Dallas. If your address falls in Collin County, you file in McKinney at the Collin County courthouse.

Texas allows divorce on no-fault grounds under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. The no-fault ground is called "insupportability," meaning the marriage can't continue because of conflict or discord. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also available under Chapter 6 of the Texas Family Code.

Texas requires a 60-day waiting period between filing and finalizing a divorce. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.702, the court cannot grant a divorce before those 60 days have passed. If both spouses agree on everything, the process can move quickly once the waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings or mediation before the Final Decree of Divorce is signed.

Property division in Texas follows the community property rules laid out in Chapter 7 of the Texas Family Code. The Final Decree of Divorce is the document that ends the marriage and divides assets. It becomes a public record filed with the district clerk once the judge signs it.

What a Richardson Divorce Decree Contains

The Final Decree of Divorce is the core document that comes out of a Texas divorce case. It's more than just a statement that the marriage is over. It spells out every legal outcome of the case in one place, and courts treat it as a binding order.

A typical divorce decree from either Dallas County or Collin County includes the full legal names of both spouses, the date of marriage, the date the divorce is granted, and the grounds for divorce. If property was divided, the decree lists what each spouse receives, including real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, and retirement funds. Debts are also assigned.

If children were involved, the decree includes a parenting plan showing conservatorship, visitation schedules, and a child support order. The child support section references the guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 8. Spousal support or alimony, if any, is also included. The decree is signed by the judge and filed with the district clerk, which is when it becomes official.

Note: Anyone can request a copy of a final decree. The record is public unless the court issued a specific sealing order, which is rare in standard divorce cases.

Legal Help for Richardson Residents

Several resources are available to Richardson residents who need help with a divorce case or records request. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service you can reach at (800) 252-9690. Attorneys listed there handle family law matters including divorce, custody, and decree enforcement.

For free or low-cost help, TexasLawHelp.org has self-help guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for divorce cases in Texas. The site is well maintained and covers both simple and more complicated situations. Legal aid organizations in the Dallas area also serve Collin County residents. Check texaslawhelp.org for a list of groups near you.

The Texas State Law Library divorce guide is another solid resource. It covers Texas divorce law, statute links, and where to find court forms. All official court forms are available at no charge through txcourts.gov.

If child support is part of your case, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division handles enforcement and modification of child support orders statewide.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying Texas cities are close to Richardson and have their own divorce decree records pages.

• Dallas
• Plano
• Garland
• McKinney
• Allen
• Frisco