Kerr County Divorce Decree Records

Kerr County divorce decree records are maintained by the District Clerk's office in Kerrville, the county seat in the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio. The county is served by the 198th Judicial District Court, which handles all family law cases including divorce, custody, and property disputes. If you need to search for a divorce case filed in Kerr County or get a certified copy of a final decree, the District Clerk office in Kerrville is where you go. This page covers how records are accessed, what fees to expect, and what resources are available to help you through the process.

Kerr County District Clerk

The District Clerk in Kerrville maintains all divorce records for Kerr County. The office is at the county courthouse and handles filings, case storage, and records access for the 198th Judicial District Court. Staff can help you search for cases by name or cause number. The 198th District Court hears family law matters for Kerr County, and the District Clerk files and maintains all related court documents.

Kerr County has a moderate volume of cases compared to the larger metro counties in Texas. Kerrville serves as a regional center in the Hill Country, and residents from the surrounding area often file in this court. The clerk's office provides in-person access and accepts mail requests for copy orders. Some case information may be available through the statewide re:SearchTX portal as well.

Mail requests are accepted at the Kerrville courthouse address. Include both party names, the approximate filing year, and payment for copy fees. Confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk before sending your check or money order.

Searching Kerr County Divorce Records

Kerr County has limited online access, but the statewide re:SearchTX portal may have basic case index information for some Kerr County cases. That portal is free and can help you confirm a case exists and find the cause number. Document images and certified copies still require a request to the clerk's office at (830) 792-2281.

For in-person searches at the Kerrville courthouse, bring a photo ID and the names of both parties. A filing year or case number also helps. The clerk can look up the case in their internal index and pull the file if it is in active storage. Older archived files may take additional time to retrieve. Copies can usually be made the same day for accessible files.

If you are not sure whether a divorce was filed in Texas and just need to verify it, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at dshs.texas.gov/vs has a statewide index going back to 1968. They can issue a verification letter confirming the divorce without requiring you to order the full decree from the county. Call (512) 776-7111 for more information on that service.

Divorce Law in Kerr County

All divorces in Kerr County are governed by the Texas Family Code. The residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301 says at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Kerr County for 90 days before filing. If you meet those requirements, you can file your Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk in Kerrville.

Texas uses no-fault grounds for most divorces. The standard ground is "insupportability" under Texas Family Code section 6.001, which means the marriage can no longer continue due to conflict or discord. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment are available but require additional proof and may factor into property division.

A mandatory 60-day waiting period applies after you file under Texas Family Code section 6.702. The judge cannot sign the Final Decree of Divorce until that period has passed. Exceptions apply in family violence situations. For agreed cases, the final decree can be signed quickly once the wait is over and all terms are settled between the parties.

Fees and Copy Costs in Kerr County

Filing a divorce petition in Kerr County costs around $310 for a case without children. Cases with children are a little higher due to additional required filings and surcharges. The District Clerk can confirm the exact amount at the time you file. These fees are set by state statute and can change when the Legislature updates the fee schedule.

For copies of existing records, plain copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies are $1 per page plus $5 per document for the certification seal. If you need multiple certified documents, each carries its own $5 fee. Staff search fees may also apply if the clerk has to manually search their records. Ask for a total estimate before you pay.

Low-income filers can request a fee waiver using the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The form is at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov/rules-forms. Submit it with your petition. The judge will review your income and decide whether to grant a full or partial waiver of court costs.

What Kerr County Divorce Files Contain

A Kerr County divorce file includes all documents filed during the case. The file starts with the Original Petition for Divorce, which sets out the parties, grounds, and requested relief. The Citation and service of process records show when and how the other spouse was notified, or the Waiver of Service if they agreed to skip formal service. All these early documents form the foundation of the permanent court record.

The Final Decree of Divorce is the document most people request. It is the judge's signed order that ends the marriage. It covers property division under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, conservatorship and possession for children, child support under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, and any spousal maintenance ordered by the court. You will need a certified copy of this document for most post-divorce legal changes.

Additional documents may include temporary orders, mediated settlement agreements, income withholding orders, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for retirement accounts. Financial affidavits submitted during the case may be sealed. The clerk will tell you what is publicly accessible for any specific case you request.

Legal Help in Kerr County

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Hill Country region including Kerr County and provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org to learn about eligibility and services.

The State Bar of Texas referral line is at (800) 252-9690. Find a licensed attorney at texasbar.com. For free guides and court forms, go to texaslawhelp.org and txcourts.gov/rules-forms. The Texas State Law Library's divorce guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce explains every stage of the process in plain language.

The re:SearchTX statewide portal provides online access to case index information for many Texas district courts, which may include Kerr County filings.

The Texas Judicial Branch maintains the re:SearchTX portal and provides resources for accessing court records across all 254 Texas counties.

Cities in Kerr County

Kerrville is the county seat and the largest community in Kerr County. Other communities include Ingram and Center Point. No cities in Kerr County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All divorce cases for county residents are filed at the District Clerk's office in Kerrville.

Nearby Counties

Kerr County borders Kendall, Gillespie, Mason, Kimble, Real, Bandera, and Medina counties. The county you file in depends on where you have lived for the past 90 days.

Kendall County | Gillespie County | Kimble County | Bandera County | Medina County