San Antonio Divorce Decree Records
San Antonio divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the Bexar County District Clerk's office in downtown San Antonio. If you need to find a divorce case or get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, you start at that office. The city itself does not hold divorce records. All divorce filings for San Antonio residents go through the Bexar County District Court system, which handles family law cases for the entire county. You can search cases online or visit the courthouse in person. Searches by party name, case number, or date are available through the county's public portal.
San Antonio Overview
Bexar County Handles San Antonio Divorces
San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County, and all divorce cases for city residents go through Bexar County District Court. The District Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce records. That office holds every document in a case file, from the original petition to the signed Final Decree of Divorce. The city of San Antonio has no role in divorce proceedings. The San Antonio City Clerk manages city council records and municipal functions only. If you call the city for divorce records, they will send you to the county.
Bexar County has 15 district courts that handle family law cases. The family courts phone line is (210) 335-2591. The District Clerk's office has maintained divorce records going back to 1837. Whether your case was filed last year or decades ago, the District Clerk is the place to look. The online portal gives public access to case information around the clock, and staff at the courthouse can pull paper records and older files from the archives.
For full details on the county court system and how to get records, visit the Bexar County divorce records page.
| Office | Bexar County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Dolorosa St. San Antonio, TX 78205 |
| Phone | (210) 335-2591 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bexar.org/District-Clerk |
Note: The Bexar County Courthouse is in downtown San Antonio near Military Plaza. You need a photo ID to enter the building.
Search San Antonio Divorce Records Online
Bexar County uses the Tyler Technologies Odyssey portal for public case access. You can search by party name, case number, or date range without creating an account. The portal shows party names, docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Go to portal-txbexar.tylertech.cloud to start a search. Guest access is free. You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX system, which covers most Texas counties including Bexar.
When searching for a San Antonio divorce decree, it helps to have the full name of at least one spouse and an approximate filing year. Case numbers follow a standard format that includes the year and a sequence number. If you have the cause number, searching by that is the fastest method. The portal shows whether a case is active or disposed. For cases filed before the digital era, you may need to visit the courthouse or contact the archives department directly.
In-person searches are available at the District Clerk's office at 100 Dolorosa. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number and print records from the file. Call (210) 335-2591 to ask what to bring before your visit.
San Antonio Divorce Decree Filing Fees
Divorce filing fees in San Antonio are set by the Bexar County District Clerk. The cost to file a divorce without children is roughly $300 to $350. Cases involving children cost slightly more. These amounts can change, so confirm the current fee schedule with the District Clerk before you file. Fees are paid at the time of filing and are generally not refunded if the case is dismissed later.
Copy fees at the District Clerk's office are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. If staff has to search for a record by name, there is a $5.00 search fee per name. Service of process through a constable typically costs between $75 and $100. Private process servers usually charge $50 to $125 depending on complexity.
If you can't pay the fees, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse or on the Texas Courts website. You show your income and expenses, and the court decides if you qualify for a waiver. People who receive government assistance or earn below 125% of the federal poverty level usually qualify. The court may also allow payments in installments in some cases.
Note: Fee waiver forms must be filed at the same time as or before your original petition to avoid delays in processing.
San Antonio Divorce Filing Process
San Antonio residents follow Texas state law to file for divorce. The governing law is Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Since San Antonio is in Bexar County, you file at the Bexar County District Court. Every document filed in your case becomes a public record unless the court seals it.
Before you can file, you must meet the residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Bexar County for at least 90 days before the petition is filed. If you just moved to San Antonio, you may need to wait before filing.
Texas allows no-fault divorce on the ground of insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This means you do not have to prove that anyone did something wrong. You just need to show that the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord. Fault grounds are also available, including cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, and abandonment.
After filing the original petition, the other spouse must be served or must sign a Waiver of Service. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a judge can sign the Final Decree of Divorce. Most agreed cases in Bexar County take a few months from filing to final decree. Contested cases can take longer, especially if mediation or a trial is needed. Property division follows Texas Family Code Chapter 7.
Texas requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed. Bexar County has self-help resources and family law information available at the courthouse for people who need guidance without hiring an attorney.
What San Antonio Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file at the Bexar County District Clerk can include many documents. The main documents most people want are the Original Petition for Divorce, the Final Decree of Divorce, and any orders on children or property. Most of these are public records that anyone can view or get copies of.
Common documents in a San Antonio divorce case file include the petition, citation, answer or waiver, financial disclosure statements, property settlement agreement, parenting plan, child support order, conservatorship order, and the signed Final Decree of Divorce. Some documents may be sealed by the court, such as records involving minors or sensitive financial information. Those require a court order to access. The decree itself is almost always public and is the main document people request when they need proof of a divorce.
Note: The State of Texas vital records office at DSHS does not issue certified divorce decrees. Those come from the District Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed.
Legal Help for San Antonio Divorce Cases
Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help for divorce cases in San Antonio. These resources can help you understand Texas law, fill out court forms, or find an attorney if your case is complex.
Bexar County Legal Aid covers San Antonio and surrounding areas. They offer free civil legal services to people who qualify based on income. Call their main line or check their website for eligibility information. TexasLawHelp.org is a statewide resource with step-by-step guides for filing divorce without a lawyer. All official court forms, including the divorce petition and financial statements, are available at txcourts.gov. The State Law Library divorce guide is also a good starting point if you want to research Texas divorce law on your own.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney for a reduced-cost initial consultation. Call (800) 252-9690 or use their online directory. If children are involved in your divorce, you can also contact the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division for help with support orders.
Search Bexar County Divorce Cases | Get Self-Help Legal Guides
The official San Antonio city website directs all divorce record requests to Bexar County District Clerk, which maintains all family court filings for the city.
San Antonio residents must contact the Bexar County District Clerk, not city offices, to access divorce decree records.
Bexar County Divorce Records
San Antonio is in Bexar County, and all divorce filings go through the Bexar County District Court. The county handles divorce cases for San Antonio and surrounding communities including Helotes, Converse, Leon Valley, and Universal City. For more detail on the county court system, search options, and local resources, visit the Bexar County divorce records page.
Nearby Texas Cities
Looking for divorce records in nearby cities? These Texas cities also have pages with local filing information.