Collin County Divorce Records

Collin County divorce decrees are filed with the District Clerk's office in McKinney. The clerk keeps all case files and handles records requests for divorce cases going back to 1846. If you need to look up a divorce decree, search online through the county's public case portal or visit the courthouse in person. Collin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, covering communities like Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, and Richardson. The District Clerk handles family law cases from all these communities and beyond. Online access is available around the clock, seven days a week.

Collin County District Clerk Office

The Collin County District Clerk is the office that stores and manages all divorce records in the county. This includes the Original Petition for Divorce, the Final Decree of Divorce, and all supporting documents filed during the case. District Clerk Lynne Finley oversees the office and its staff. All divorce cases filed in Collin County go through this office, regardless of which city the parties live in.

The main office sits at 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney. You can visit in person Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Staff can look up cases and make copies while you wait. If you prefer, you can send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card is accepted.

Note: The County Clerk at 2300 Bloomdale Road handles marriage licenses, deeds, and other public records but does not keep divorce records. For divorce decrees, go to the District Clerk.

How to Search Collin County Divorce Records

Collin County offers public online access to case records through its official case information portal at cijspub.co.collin.tx.us. This system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or date range. Results show the case status, docket entries, and party information. Document images are available for purchase online through a secure payment system.

To search, go to the portal and enter at least one of the following:

• Full name of either spouse (last name, first name)
• Cause number if you already have it
• Date range when the case was filed
• Attorney name or bar number

You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to find Collin County cases. This system covers courts across the state and is another way to find a case if you are not sure which county it was filed in. For certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce, you need to contact the District Clerk's office directly. Certified copies are not available to download from the portal.

Public access terminals are set up at the courthouse for people who prefer to search in person. Staff can assist with searches and show you how to use the system. A search fee of $5.00 per name applies when staff conducts the search for you.

Collin County Case Portal

The Collin County Case Information Portal gives the public access to court records including divorce cases. You can search by name, case number, or date without creating an account.

The portal displays party names, court assignments, docket history, and case status. Document images can be purchased directly through the site using a credit card.

Fees for Collin County Divorce Records

Collin County charges set fees for copies and searches. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. If a staff member conducts a name search for you, the search fee is $5.00 per name. These fees are standard across Texas but may be updated by the legislature or local rules from time to time.

Filing a new divorce case in Collin County involves a base filing fee set by the District Clerk. The fee varies based on case type and whether children are involved. Contact the clerk at 972-548-4180 or check the website for the current fee schedule before you file. All major payment methods are accepted at the office window.

People with low income can ask the court to waive filing fees. You file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at txcourts.gov/rules-forms or at the courthouse. The judge decides if you qualify based on income and expenses. If approved, you can proceed with your divorce without paying the filing fee upfront.

Filing for Divorce in Collin County

Texas law governs how divorce cases are filed and decided in Collin County. The process starts with meeting the residency requirement. Under Texas Family Code section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Collin County for at least 90 days before filing. If you just moved to the area, you may need to wait before you can file here.

Most divorces in Collin County are filed on no-fault grounds. Texas uses "insupportability" as its no-fault ground under Texas Family Code section 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict and there is no reasonable chance of fixing it. You do not have to prove anyone did something wrong to use this ground. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are also available but are used less often.

Once you file, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be granted. This rule comes from Texas Family Code section 6.702. The waiting period starts on the day you file the petition. Exceptions exist in cases with a history of family violence. After the waiting period, an agreed case can move quickly if both parties sign a Final Decree of Divorce. Contested cases may take much longer.

All new civil filings in Collin County must go through e-filing at eFileTexas.gov. This is mandatory for attorneys and strongly encouraged for those who represent themselves. The system walks you through uploading documents and paying the filing fee online. Standing orders apply automatically to all family law cases filed in Collin County and govern issues like finances and children during the pendency of the case.

What Collin County Divorce Decrees Contain

A Collin County divorce decree is the official court order that ends a marriage. The Final Decree of Divorce spells out all the terms both parties agreed to or that the judge ordered. It covers property division, debt allocation, and any orders about children. Most people need a certified copy of the decree for things like changing a name on a driver's license or showing proof of divorce to a government agency or bank.

The full case file in Collin County typically contains the Original Petition for Divorce, service of process documents, any agreed orders signed along the way, financial affidavits, and the final decree. If children are involved, the file also includes a parenting plan, a possession schedule, and child support terms under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Property division follows community property rules set out in Texas Family Code Chapter 7.

Most records at the Collin County District Clerk's office are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Some information may be sealed or redacted if the court ordered it. Financial source documents like tax returns attached to a sealed motion are not accessible without a court order. Cases involving adoption or certain mental health matters are also restricted.

Historical records go back to 1846. Older records may be on microfilm. Recent records from roughly the 1980s forward are available in digital form. Document images for cases in the online system can be purchased directly through the portal at cijspub.co.collin.tx.us.

Legal Help in Collin County

Several resources are available to people dealing with divorce in Collin County. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org offers free self-help guides, court forms, and plain-language explanations of Texas divorce law. This is a good starting point if you plan to handle your own case or just want to understand the process before hiring a lawyer.

The Texas State Law Library also maintains a divorce guide with links to forms, statutes, and local rules. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service you can reach at texasbar.com. Lawyers in the referral program offer an initial consultation at a set fee. Legal aid organizations serve people who cannot afford a private attorney. Lone Star Legal Aid covers parts of the Dallas-area region and may be able to help with family law cases.

The Collin County bar association and local law school clinics may offer additional resources. Court forms are available at the courthouse and online at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice, but staff can tell you what forms are needed and how to file them.

Note: If your case involves family violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Legal aid organizations often prioritize these cases for free help.

Cities in Collin County

Collin County includes several large cities. All divorce cases from these communities are filed with the Collin County District Clerk in McKinney.

Other communities in Collin County include Wylie, Celina, Prosper, Sachse, Murphy, and Anna. Divorce cases from all these areas go through the District Clerk in McKinney.

Nearby Counties

Collin County borders several other counties. If you are not sure whether to file in Collin or a neighboring county, the rule is to file where at least one spouse has lived for 90 days. Nearby counties include Dallas County, Denton County, Rockwall County, Hunt County, Grayson County, and Fannin County.