Gonzales County Divorce Records
Gonzales County divorce decree records are kept at the District Clerk's office in Gonzales. The clerk maintains all divorce case files for the county and handles requests for certified copies and case lookups. Online search access is limited, so most record requests go through the office directly. If you need to find a Gonzales County divorce case or get a copy of a final decree, this page walks you through the process, the office location, and how Texas divorce law applies in this area of Central Texas.
Gonzales County Overview
Gonzales County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Gonzales keeps all divorce records for the county. The office files new petitions, maintains case files throughout the process, and provides copies of completed decrees. Staff can search by party name or cause number. If you are looking for an older case, they can pull paper records as well.
Gonzales County sits in Central Texas between San Antonio and Houston. The county seat is Gonzales, where the courthouse and District Clerk's office are located. The county is served by the 25th Judicial District. If you or your spouse lived in Gonzales County for at least 90 days before filing, you can file here. The clerk can answer questions about requirements if you are not sure.
| Office | Gonzales County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 414 St. Joseph St, Suite 300 Gonzales, TX 78629 |
| Phone | (830) 672-2801 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.gonzales.tx.us |
How to Search Gonzales County Divorce Records
Gonzales County has limited online search access. The statewide re:SearchTX portal may have some case data for Gonzales County. It is worth checking before making a trip. On that site, you can search by party name or cause number.
For a reliable search, contact the District Clerk directly at (830) 672-2801. The clerk can look up cases by name and pull documents from the file. In-person visits are also an option. Come during business hours, bring a photo ID, and have as much case information as possible with you.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk's office, describe the case you are looking for, and include payment for copy fees. For certified copies, say so in your letter. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents returned by mail. Make checks or money orders out to the Gonzales County District Clerk.
For a statewide divorce index search, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit can provide a verification letter showing that a divorce occurred in Texas. This does not include a copy of the decree, but it works for many official purposes and is often faster to obtain.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs
Filing a divorce petition in Gonzales County typically costs around $300. The exact total depends on the case type and current fee schedules. Cases involving children may cost more because of additional required filings. Always call ahead to get the current fee list before you go.
Certified copies of the final decree cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for the certification. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. The certification adds the court seal and clerk's signature, which is required for legal use. Ask how many pages the decree is before you pay so you know what to expect. Payment is due before copies are released.
If you cannot pay, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Get the form from the clerk or download it at txcourts.gov.
Gonzales County Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Gonzales County starts with meeting the residency rule. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Gonzales County for 90 days before filing the petition. If you do not meet that threshold yet, you may need to wait or consider filing in a county where you do qualify.
Texas allows no-fault divorce. The most common ground is insupportability, which is defined in Texas Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord, and there is no chance of reconciliation. You do not need to prove either spouse did anything wrong. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are also an option in Texas when they apply.
Once you file, the 60-day waiting period begins. Texas Family Code § 6.702 says the court cannot sign a divorce decree until those 60 days have passed. If both spouses agree on all issues, the case can finish quickly after the waiting period. If there are disputes, it can take much longer.
Property is divided under community property rules. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides what the spouses acquired during the marriage in a just and right manner. That is not always a 50-50 split. Separate property owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance is usually excluded from the division.
What Is in a Gonzales County Divorce Case File
The divorce case file at the Gonzales County District Clerk starts with the Original Petition for Divorce and contains every document filed after that. This can include temporary orders for support or property use, the other spouse's response or counter-petition, financial affidavits, and a mediated settlement agreement if one was reached. The file closes when the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce.
The final decree is the document that ends the marriage. It lays out all the terms. Property is assigned, debts are split, and if children are involved, the decree sets up a conservatorship plan, a possession schedule, and child support. Support amounts follow the guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. The decree is binding on both parties from the day the judge signs it.
Most divorce records in Gonzales County are public. You can ask for copies without being a party to the case. Some records may be sealed by court order, and information about children is sometimes protected. The clerk can tell you what is available and whether any part of a file has restrictions.
The Texas State Law Library divorce guide provides step-by-step guidance for anyone going through a divorce in Texas, including Gonzales County.
The library's guide covers Texas family law from residency rules through the final decree and post-divorce steps.
Legal Resources for Gonzales County
For self-help guidance on Texas divorce, visit texaslawhelp.org. This site has free guides and forms. Court forms are also at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Bar can connect you with a licensed attorney through its referral service at texasbar.com.
People with low income may qualify for free legal help from regional legal aid programs. Call the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 to ask about referrals. Legal aid organizations cover the Central Texas region and can help with divorce, custody, and support cases for those who qualify.
Cities in Gonzales County
Gonzales is the county seat and the main city in the county. All divorce cases are filed at the District Court in Gonzales. No cities in Gonzales County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Gonzales County in Central Texas. File in the county where you have lived for the past 90 days.
Guadalupe County | Lavaca County | DeWitt County | Caldwell County | Wilson County