Find Divorce Decrees in Galveston County
Galveston County divorce decree records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Galveston. The office maintains all divorce case files, including final decrees, settlement agreements, and custody orders. You can search records online using the county's Odyssey portal or visit the courthouse in person. The District Clerk handles certified copy requests, name searches, and records going back many years. If you need to look up a Galveston County divorce case or get a certified copy of a decree, this page covers what you need to know.
Galveston County Overview
Galveston County District Clerk
The Galveston County District Clerk maintains all divorce records for the county. This includes the original petition, any court orders, the final decree, and all other case documents. John D. Kinard serves as the District Clerk. The office is at 600 59th Street in Galveston and is open on regular business days. Staff can help you find records and answer questions about copy requests.
Galveston County is part of the Houston metropolitan area. It covers the island city of Galveston, League City, Texas City, Friendswood, La Marque, and many other communities along the Gulf Coast. Divorce cases from across the county are all handled by the District Court in Galveston. The county has multiple district courts that hear family law cases.
| Office | Galveston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 59th Street Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Phone | (409) 766-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | galvestoncountytx.gov/districtclerk |
Searching Galveston County Divorce Records
Galveston County has an online case search portal. You can use the Galveston County Odyssey Portal to look up civil and family cases by name or cause number. The portal shows party names, filing dates, docket entries, and case status. You can also purchase document images directly through the portal in some cases.
The statewide re:SearchTX system also covers Galveston County and can be a good starting point. To search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Cause number from the original filing
- Approximate year the case was filed
For certified copies of the final decree, you need to go through the clerk's office directly. You can request copies in person, by mail, or by calling the office. The Galveston County District Clerk requires e-filing for new cases. All new divorce petitions must be submitted electronically through the state's e-filing system.
Galveston County Divorce Fees
Filing fees in Galveston County vary by case type. A basic divorce without children typically starts around $300. Cases involving children run a bit higher. The exact total depends on the specific filings required and any court surcharges in effect at the time.
Copy fees are set by the District Clerk. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. The certification fee covers the clerk's signature and court seal on the document. You pay the full amount before the clerk releases the copies.
If money is tight, you can ask for a fee waiver. You file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Forms are at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your income and decides if you qualify. You may also qualify for free legal help if your income is below a certain level.
Fee schedules can change. Call the Galveston County District Clerk at (409) 766-2200 or check galvestoncountytx.gov for current filing fees before you go to the courthouse.
Divorce Filing Process in Galveston County
To file for divorce in Galveston County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Galveston County for at least 90 days before the filing date. This is required under Texas Family Code § 6.301. If you live in League City or any other part of the county, you still file at the courthouse in Galveston.
Texas allows no-fault divorce. The most common ground is "insupportability" under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord, and there is no chance of fixing it. You do not have to prove anyone did anything wrong. Fault grounds like adultery, cruelty, and abandonment are also available.
After filing, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be granted. Under Texas Family Code § 6.702, the court cannot sign the final decree until 60 days have passed from the filing date. If both spouses agree on everything, the case can be finalized soon after that waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer.
Community Property: Texas is a community property state. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides marital property in a just and right manner. This may not be an equal split in every case.
When children are involved, the court also deals with conservatorship, a possession schedule, and child support. Support amounts are calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. All of these orders go into the final decree and become court orders both parents must follow.
Galveston County Divorce Decree Contents
The Final Decree of Divorce is the key document in any Galveston County divorce file. It is the court order that formally ends the marriage. The decree includes the names of both parties, the date of marriage, the grounds for divorce, and a full list of terms. Property division, debt assignment, conservatorship of children, the possession schedule, and any support orders all appear in the decree. The judge signs it, and it becomes a binding court order.
Beyond the decree itself, the case file at the Galveston County District Clerk's office contains the original petition, citations, waivers, and any temporary orders. If mediation was used, the mediated settlement agreement is in the file too. Financial affidavits and inventory sheets may also be included. Most of these records are public. Some parts of cases involving children or sensitive financial data may have limited access.
Certified copies of the decree are what most people need for practical use. You need a certified copy to change your name with the Texas Department of Public Safety or the Social Security Administration. You also need it to update bank accounts, transfer real estate, or show proof of divorce for a new marriage.
The Galveston County District Clerk provides online case search and handles all divorce record requests for the county.
All divorce decrees in Galveston County go through the district court system, which keeps records on file and available to the public through the clerk's office.
Legal Help for Galveston County Divorce
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Gulf Coast region, including Galveston County. They provide free legal help to people with low income for family law cases including divorce, custody, and child support. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org to check if you qualify.
For self-help resources, texaslawhelp.org has guides on Texas divorce law in plain English. The Texas State Bar also runs a lawyer referral service. You can search for attorneys near Galveston County at texasbar.com. Court forms are at txcourts.gov.
Cities in Galveston County
Galveston County includes several cities along the Gulf Coast and in the Houston metro area. All divorce cases from the county go through the District Court in Galveston.
Other communities in Galveston County include Galveston, Texas City, Friendswood, La Marque, Dickinson, and Jamaica Beach. All divorce filings go to the same courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are close to Galveston County. If you are unsure which county to file in, check where you have lived for the past 90 days.