Kaufman County Divorce Decree Records

Kaufman County divorce decree records are filed and stored at the District Clerk's office in Kaufman, the county seat east of Dallas. The county is one of the fastest-growing in Texas, and its court system handles a rising volume of family law cases each year. Online access to case information is available, and the clerk's office accepts in-person and mail requests for certified copies of divorce decrees. If you need to find a case or get a copy of a divorce document filed in Kaufman County, this page covers what to do and what to bring.

Kaufman County District Clerk

The District Clerk's office in Kaufman is the official custodian of all divorce records for the county. Two district courts serve Kaufman County: the 86th and 422nd Judicial District Courts. Both handle family law cases. The clerk maintains filings from the original petition through the final decree and any post-decree modifications. If you need to access a Kaufman County divorce record, the District Clerk office is where you go.

Kaufman County sits on the eastern edge of the Dallas metro and has seen substantial population growth over the past decade. That growth means more cases in the court system and more records to search. The clerk's office has online access and their own records portal in addition to the statewide re:SearchTX system, making initial searches easier than in smaller counties.

Mail requests go to the office at 100 W Mulberry St. Include both party names, the filing year, and your preferred copy type. Payment can be made by check or money order payable to the Kaufman County District Clerk. Call the office at (214) 932-4331 to confirm the current fee schedule before mailing.

Searching Kaufman County Divorce Records

Kaufman County has online case access available through their county records system at kaufmancounty.net. You can also search the statewide re:SearchTX portal for basic case information. These tools show party names, filing dates, cause numbers, and docket entries. Document images and certified copies require a request to the clerk's office.

To search effectively, it helps to have the full legal names of both parties as they appeared at the time of the divorce. A filing year or date range also narrows results quickly. If you have a cause number, that is the most direct path to finding the right case.

For in-person visits to the Kaufman courthouse, bring your photo ID and any information you have about the case. The clerk can search their internal system and pull the file while you wait in most cases. Certified copies are issued at the window once payment is made. Copies of very old records may take additional time if the files are in storage rather than active cabinets.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Kaufman County

Under Texas Family Code section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Kaufman County for 90 days before you can file a divorce petition here. This applies regardless of where the marriage took place. If you moved to Kaufman County recently but have not yet reached the 90-day mark, you will need to wait before filing.

Texas uses a no-fault divorce system. The most common ground is "insupportability" under Texas Family Code section 6.001. You do not have to prove wrongdoing. You just need to show the marriage cannot continue due to conflict or discord. For agreed divorces where both parties have settled all issues, the process can move fairly quickly once the mandatory waiting period ends.

Texas law imposes a 60-day waiting period after you file under Texas Family Code section 6.702. The judge cannot sign the final decree until that period has passed. Cases involving family violence may qualify for an exception to the waiting period. Once the 60 days are up and all terms are settled, an agreed divorce can often be finalized quickly.

Property is divided under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, which requires the court to divide marital property in a just and right manner. Texas is a community property state, which generally means property acquired during the marriage belongs to both spouses equally, though the court has discretion in how it divides assets.

Fees in Kaufman County

Filing a divorce petition in Kaufman County runs about $325 for a case without children. Cases with children are a bit higher due to additional required filings and surcharges. The clerk can tell you the exact amount at the time you file. Fee schedules can change when the state updates statutory court costs, so always confirm before you pay.

For copies of existing records, standard Texas rates apply. Plain copies are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus $5 per document for the certification stamp. If you need the clerk to search by name, a small search fee may apply. Large files with many pages can add up, so ask the clerk for an estimate if you are requesting a lengthy case file.

People who cannot afford the filing fee can submit the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The judge reviews the application and decides whether to grant full or partial relief from court costs. Low-income residents in Kaufman County may also qualify for free legal help from Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas.

What Is in a Kaufman County Divorce File

A divorce file in Kaufman County contains every document filed during the case, from the Original Petition for Divorce through any post-decree orders. The petition identifies both parties and states the grounds and relief requested. A Citation is issued to serve the other spouse, and their response or waiver also goes into the file. All these early documents establish the record and give the court what it needs to proceed.

The Final Decree of Divorce is the central document. It is the judge's signed order ending the marriage and setting out all terms. The decree covers property division, conservatorship and possession arrangements for any children, child support under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, and any spousal maintenance. You will need a certified copy of the decree to change your name, update records, or prove your marital status for legal purposes.

Other documents in the file may include temporary orders, mediated settlement agreements, income withholding orders, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for retirement accounts. Financial disclosures attached to the case may be sealed. The clerk can tell you which portions of a specific file are open to the public.

Legal Resources in Kaufman County

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves the Dallas area including Kaufman County and provides free legal assistance to qualifying low-income residents in family law matters. Call (888) 529-5277 for information on eligibility and services. Their staff can help with divorce forms, custody, and support matters at no cost for those who qualify.

The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. Find a licensed attorney at texasbar.com. Free self-help guides are at texaslawhelp.org, and official court forms are at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The Texas State Law Library also has a detailed divorce guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce that walks through each stage of the process.

The Texas courts eFileTexas portal allows electronic filing for many Texas district courts, which may include Kaufman County's 86th and 422nd District Courts.

Electronic filing through eFileTexas can save a trip to the courthouse for attorneys and eligible self-represented filers. Check the portal to confirm Kaufman County is enrolled before using this option.

Cities in Kaufman County

Kaufman is the county seat and main city in Kaufman County. Other communities include Terrell, Forney, Seagoville, and Mesquite (which extends into Dallas County). No cities in Kaufman County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site based on population within the county. All divorce cases are filed at the District Clerk's office in Kaufman.

Nearby Counties

Kaufman County borders Dallas, Rockwall, Hunt, Van Zandt, Henderson, and Navarro counties. If you are unsure which county to file in, the key question is where you have lived for the past 90 days.

Dallas County | Rockwall County | Hunt County | Van Zandt County | Henderson County