Brazos County Divorce Decree Records

Brazos County divorce decree records are kept by the District Clerk at the courthouse in Bryan. The county includes Bryan and College Station, home to Texas A&M University, and serves a large and growing population in the Brazos Valley. Divorce records in Brazos County go back to 1841, and the District Clerk handles all civil and family court filings including divorces, custody cases, and child support matters. You can search records online through the county's public records portal, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a mail request to get certified copies of divorce decrees.

Brazos County District Clerk

Travis L. Bryan III serves as the District Clerk for Brazos County. His office at Suite 120 of the courthouse at 300 E. 26th Street in Bryan handles all civil, criminal, and family court records, including divorce cases. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 extra for certified copies. The search fee when staff conducts a name search is $5.00 per name.

Online case search is available through the Brazos County public records portal. Official public records from 1976 to present are searchable at the Tyler Technologies online portal. The statewide re:SearchTX system also covers Brazos County and is a good option for searching by party name without a county portal account. The County Clerk at the same address handles marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and property records separately from divorce records.

The County Clerk's office for marriage records is at the same address. Mary R. Dyer serves as the County Clerk. Phone for County Clerk is (979) 361-4130. Make sure you are calling the right number when requesting divorce records (District Clerk) versus marriage records (County Clerk).

How to Search Brazos County Divorce Records

The Brazos County public records portal at brazoscountytx-web.tylerhost.net gives you online access to official public records from 1976 to present. You can search by party name or case number. Index access is free. Document images may be available for purchase. This system works well for cases filed in the past few decades. For older records going back to 1841, contact the District Clerk directly.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another good option for Brazos County divorce case searches. Enter both party names and look for family law cases. Use this as a cross-reference if the county portal does not return what you need. For cases before 1976, in-person or phone requests to the clerk's office are the most reliable approach.

The Brazos County District Clerk website has the portal link, contact information, and details on requesting certified copies of divorce decrees from Bryan.

Brazos County divorce records are part of the Texas statewide court system, with the District Clerk in Bryan maintaining all official case files and final decrees.

For in-person searches, go to Suite 120 at 300 E. 26th Street in Bryan. Give the clerk both party names and the year of the divorce. A cause number helps. Staff can search and make copies. Bring photo ID. Call (979) 361-4230 if you are visiting from out of town to confirm what you need and whether the records are readily accessible for your request.

Brazos County Divorce Filing Fees

Filing fees in Brazos County follow the Texas state fee schedule. A new divorce case typically costs around $300. The total includes the base filing fee plus mandatory surcharges for court facilities and other required costs. Cases with children may have slightly different totals. Call (979) 361-4230 to confirm the current fee before you file.

Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. Staff search fees are $5.00 per name when the clerk searches by name. The County Clerk's recording fee starts at $26 for the first page for property recordings, which is different from the District Clerk's copy fees for divorce records. Make sure you use the District Clerk's schedule for divorce copies.

Fee waivers are available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 for people who cannot afford court costs. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with proof of financial hardship. The court reviews your request. Get the form at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. TexasLawHelp.org also walks through the fee waiver process.

Divorce Filing in Brazos County

Brazos County divorces follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The residency rule under Section 6.301 requires one spouse to have lived in Texas for six months and in Brazos County for at least 90 days. The county covers Bryan and College Station, so if you or your spouse has lived in either city for 90 days or more, you can file here.

The no-fault ground of insupportability under Section 6.001 is the most common reason given for divorce in Texas. It means the marriage is broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable chance of reconciliation. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available and can matter when the court divides marital property.

After filing the Original Petition for Divorce, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702. The other spouse must be served with the petition or sign a Waiver of Service. If both agree on all terms after the waiting period, the case moves to the judge signing the Final Decree of Divorce. Contested matters go to mediation or trial. Property division follows community property rules under Texas Family Code Chapter 7.

Spousal maintenance in Texas is addressed in Texas Family Code Chapter 8. It requires meeting specific conditions and is not automatic. E-filing in Brazos County is required for civil cases through eFileTexas.gov. If you are self-represented, you can file in person at the clerk's office if you prefer not to use the electronic system.

What Brazos County Divorce Decrees Contain

The Final Decree of Divorce in Brazos County is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It covers all the terms: how property and debts are divided, whether spousal maintenance is awarded, child conservatorship designations, the possession and access schedule for children, and child support amounts. A certified copy of this decree is what you need for name changes, real estate transactions, retirement account division, and most legal purposes that require proof of divorce.

The full case file maintained by the Brazos County District Clerk includes the original petition, any temporary orders, financial affidavits from both parties, a settlement agreement if applicable, and all court filings and motions from the case. Records from 1976 onward are in the online system. Records going back to 1841 are available in some form, though older records may require direct contact with the clerk's office.

Most Brazos County divorce records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. You do not have to be a party to request copies. Social Security numbers and certain financial account details are typically redacted. Cases involving domestic violence or sealed by court order have restricted access. Ask the clerk about any limitations for specific records when you make your request.

Legal Resources in Brazos County

Bryan and College Station have legal aid and self-help resources available for divorce cases. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Brazos Valley area, including Brazos County. Call (800) 733-8394 to check eligibility for free legal help. TexasLawHelp.org is free to use and has guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for Texas divorces. The site is a good starting point whether you have a lawyer or not.

The Texas State Law Library divorce guide explains the full legal process and links to key statutes and resources. For attorney referrals, call the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. For child support issues, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division serves all Texas counties. Texas A&M University's law school may also offer limited family law clinics for the community; check their website for availability.

Cities in Brazos County

Brazos County includes Bryan and College Station as its two main cities. Both are served by the Brazos County District Court. All divorce cases filed anywhere in the county go through the District Clerk at 300 E. 26th Street in Bryan.

Other communities in Brazos County include Hearne, Calvert, Wellborn, and Millican. All residents use the Brazos County District Clerk in Bryan for divorce filings and records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Brazos County in the Brazos Valley region. Make sure you have lived in Brazos County for 90 days before filing your divorce petition here.