Montgomery County Divorce Records
Montgomery County divorce decrees are on file with the District Clerk's office in Conroe. The District Clerk maintains all dissolution of marriage case records and provides certified copies on request. You can search for cases online through the Montgomery County court portal or the statewide re:SearchTX system. For certified copies and full file access, contact the District Clerk directly at the Conroe courthouse or one of the county's satellite offices.
Montgomery County Overview
Montgomery County District Clerk
The Montgomery County District Clerk is the official custodian of all divorce case records. The main office is in Conroe at 301 N. Main St. The clerk also operates satellite offices at the East County Annex in New Caney and the South County Annex in The Woodlands. All three locations can assist with records requests and court matters.
Montgomery County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. It is north of Houston and covers communities including Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, New Caney, and Magnolia. Multiple family district courts handle the high volume of divorce cases. Records from 1900 to the present are maintained in the Records and Research Department. The clerk can search by party name and accepts requests by mail or email at districtclerkrecords@mctx.org.
| Office | Montgomery County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N. Main St., Suite 103 Conroe, TX 77301 |
| Phone | (936) 539-7855 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | mctx.org |
The East County Annex is at 21130 Legion Rd, New Caney, TX 77357. The South County Annex is at 1520 Lake Front Circle, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Both annexes serve residents in their areas for court-related matters.
Searching Montgomery County Divorce Decrees Online
Montgomery County offers online case search through its Odyssey portal at portal-txmontgomery.tylertech.cloud. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or date range. The system shows party names, docket entries, and case status. Guest login is available for basic searches. Registered users get additional features like case alerts and document downloads.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another way to search Montgomery County divorce cases online. It covers many Texas counties and shows basic case information. For full document access or certified copies, go through the District Clerk directly.
In-person searches at the Conroe courthouse let you view the full case file. Bring a valid ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can look up the case and make copies for you at the counter. Public access terminals are available at 301 N. Main St. for self-service searching.
Name searches through the Montgomery County District Clerk cost $5.00 per name per 10-year search period. Plan accordingly if you are searching a broad date range.
Montgomery County Divorce Fees
Montgomery County follows the Texas standard for copy fees. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. Name search fees are $5.00 per name per 10-year period. E-filing is required for civil cases through eFileTexas.
Filing a new divorce case in Montgomery County costs around $350. Cases involving children may cost a bit more due to required parenting class fees and additional filings. The current fee schedule is available at the clerk's office or on the county website at mctx.org.
People who cannot pay may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. This form is available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your financial information and decides if a waiver is appropriate.
Divorce Filing Process in Montgomery County
To file for divorce in Montgomery County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Montgomery County for 90 days before filing. This requirement is in Texas Family Code § 6.301. The Original Petition for Divorce is filed at the District Clerk's main office in Conroe or through the state e-filing system at efile.txcourts.gov.
Most divorces in Montgomery County use the no-fault ground of "insupportability" under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no real chance of repair. Fault-based grounds are also recognized if they apply. After filing, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code § 6.702 before the divorce can be granted.
Standing Orders: Montgomery County has standing orders for family law cases that go into effect automatically when a divorce is filed. These cover things like moving children out of the area and disposing of marital assets. Ask the clerk for a copy of the standing orders when you file.
Property is divided under community property rules in Texas Family Code Chapter 7. The court splits what was acquired during the marriage in a just and right manner. The Final Decree of Divorce, once signed by the judge, becomes a permanent public record on file with the District Clerk.
The Montgomery County District Clerk's website has information on how to search for cases, request copies, and use the online court portal.
Texas.gov provides links to online services for divorce verification, vital records, and court information for Montgomery County and all other Texas counties.
What Montgomery County Divorce Records Include
A Montgomery County divorce file contains all the court documents from the case. This starts with the Original Petition for Divorce and includes the respondent's answer, any temporary orders, standing order compliance documents, mediation agreements, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The clerk holds records from the 1900s forward.
The Final Decree of Divorce contains all the terms of the dissolution. It covers how property and debts are divided, whether spousal maintenance is ordered under Texas Family Code Chapter 8, and all orders for minor children. This includes conservatorship, the possession schedule, and child support calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Financial documents filed in the case may have limited public access.
Juvenile records, adoption records, and mental health records are confidential and not accessible through the District Clerk's standard records process. Most divorce decrees and case summaries are public records.
Legal Help in Montgomery County
Several organizations can help with divorce cases in Montgomery County. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Houston and surrounding area, including Montgomery County. Their phone number is (800) 733-8394 and their website is lonestarlegal.org. They handle family law cases for people with qualifying income levels.
The Texas Bar's referral service is at (800) 252-9690 and at texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp has free guides and official court forms for self-represented filers. All court forms are also at txcourts.gov.
Cities in Montgomery County
Montgomery County includes many communities north of Houston. All divorce cases in the county go through the Montgomery County District Court system based in Conroe.
Other communities in Montgomery County include The Woodlands, Spring, New Caney, Magnolia, Willis, Splendora, and Panorama Village. All divorce filings for residents of these areas go through the Montgomery County District Clerk in Conroe.
Nearby Counties
Montgomery County borders Harris County to the south, where Houston is located. Other neighboring counties include Walker County, San Jacinto County, Liberty County, and Waller County. If you are not sure which county filed a divorce, check the address where the parties lived at the time.