Find Divorce Decrees in Refugio County
Refugio County divorce decree records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Refugio, the county seat. Refugio County is a small South Texas county northeast of Corpus Christi near the Gulf Coast. The District Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce case files for the county, including the Final Decree of Divorce and all other documents filed in the case. Online access to records is limited, so most searches are done by calling the clerk or visiting the courthouse in person. This page explains how to find and request Refugio County divorce decree records.
Refugio County Overview
Refugio County District Clerk
The Refugio County District Clerk's office in the Refugio County Courthouse is where all divorce records are stored. The office serves the district court covering Refugio County and handles all civil filings, from the initial divorce petition through the signed final decree. Staff can search for cases by name or cause number and process copy requests for people who contact them or visit in person.
Online court record access is limited in Refugio County. The county does not operate a public search portal for district court cases. To find a divorce record, call the clerk or try the statewide re:SearchTX portal. Coverage on re:SearchTX for smaller South Texas counties can be incomplete, so the phone call is often the more reliable first step. The clerk's number is listed below.
| Office | Refugio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Refugio County Courthouse 808 Commerce Street Refugio, TX 78377 |
| Phone | (361) 526-2233 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.refugio.tx.us |
Tip: Call ahead before visiting. Small county courthouses can have limited staff on any given day, and a quick phone call will confirm hours and let the clerk know what you need before you arrive.
Searching Refugio County Divorce Decrees
Calling the Refugio County District Clerk at (361) 526-2233 is the most direct way to search for a divorce record. Have the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the case was filed. The clerk can check the records index and tell you whether a case is on file and what documents are available. For a county this size, these calls are usually answered promptly and resolved quickly.
You can also check re:SearchTX, the statewide court records portal. It is free to use and lets you search by name or cause number. Coverage for Refugio County may be limited, especially for older cases, but if the record appears there, you can note the cause number before contacting the clerk for copies.
Mail requests are another option. Write to the Refugio County District Clerk at 808 Commerce Street, Refugio, TX 78377. Include both parties' names, the approximate year of the divorce, what type of copy you need, and payment for estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Allow additional processing time for mail requests from small county offices.
In-person visits to the Refugio courthouse during business hours are the most direct way to get copies quickly. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can locate the case and make copies during your visit if workload allows. Refugio is about 70 miles northeast of Corpus Christi off US Highway 77.
The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks vital records data at the state level, but the certified copy of a divorce decree comes from the county district clerk where the case was filed, not from the state health department.
For all Refugio County divorces, the District Clerk in Refugio holds the records and is the only source for certified copies of those decrees.
Refugio County Divorce Filing Fees
Filing fees in Refugio County are set by the District Clerk in accordance with Texas guidelines. A standard divorce case without children runs around $300. Cases involving children require more filings and typically cost more. The filing fee includes several mandatory Texas surcharges that cover court technology, operations, and other required costs. Call (361) 526-2233 before filing to confirm the current amount.
Copy fees are separate from the filing fee. Non-certified copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies run $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. If the clerk has to search for a record by name without a cause number, expect an additional search fee. Ask for a complete cost breakdown before mailing any payment.
If you cannot afford the fees, you can ask the court to waive them. File the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs along with your divorce petition. The form is available free at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your income, expenses, and assets and decides whether to waive some or all of the costs.
Filing for Divorce in Refugio County
Texas residency requirements apply to all divorces filed in Refugio County. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Refugio County for at least 90 days before the petition is filed. Refugio County is located in the coastal bend region of South Texas, northeast of Corpus Christi.
The most widely used ground for divorce in Texas is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This is a no-fault ground meaning the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable expectation of things improving. Most divorce petitions in Refugio County use this ground. Fault-based grounds including cruelty, adultery, abandonment, and felony conviction are also available when relevant.
Once the petition is filed, a mandatory 60-day waiting period begins under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot sign the Final Decree of Divorce before those 60 days have passed. An exception applies in cases involving a family violence protective order. After the waiting period, agreed cases can be finalized quickly. Contested ones may take longer if issues go to a hearing or trial.
Marital property in Refugio County divorces is divided under Texas community property law. Texas Family Code Chapter 7 says the court splits marital assets in a way that is just and right. Property earned or acquired during the marriage is community property. Property owned before marriage, gifts, and inheritances are separate property and are generally not divided in the divorce.
What Refugio County Divorce Records Contain
The Final Decree of Divorce is the key document in any Refugio County divorce case. It is the court's signed order ending the marriage. The decree names both spouses, states the grounds, and sets out all the judge's rulings. Property and debt assignments are listed. If children are part of the case, the decree includes the conservatorship arrangement, a possession and access schedule, and child support amounts. Spousal maintenance terms appear if ordered by the court.
The full case file held by the District Clerk may include additional documents from throughout the case. These can include the Original Petition for Divorce, service of process papers, any temporary orders issued early in the case, financial affidavits, and a settlement agreement if the parties agreed on terms. Most of these are public records. Some financial exhibits may be sealed. Documents related to minor children can have access restrictions under court order.
When you need the decree for a legal or financial purpose, you need a certified copy. The certification includes the court's official seal and the clerk's signature, making it valid as legal proof. Non-certified copies are acceptable for personal reference but are not recognized by most agencies as official documentation. The Refugio County District Clerk can provide certified copies for a per-page fee plus the certification charge.
Legal Help in Refugio County
Legal resources are available for Refugio County residents even in a small rural county. These include free online guides, legal aid services, and attorney referrals.
TexasLawHelp.org is a free website with step-by-step guides and official forms for Texas divorce cases. It is a practical tool if you want to understand the process or file on your own. The forms on the site are approved by the Texas Supreme Court and can be printed or filled out online.
Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents across South Texas, including Refugio County. Call (800) 733-8394 to ask about eligibility and coverage in your area. The Texas Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 252-9690 can help you find a licensed attorney in the Corpus Christi and South Texas area. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov.
Cities in Refugio County
Refugio County is a small South Texas county with a rural character. Refugio is the county seat and the largest community. Woodsboro is another small city within the county. None of the communities in Refugio County meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All divorce cases in Refugio County are filed at the District Clerk's office in Refugio.
Nearby Counties
Refugio County sits in South Texas surrounded by several neighboring counties. Nearby counties include Aransas County to the southeast, San Patricio County to the south, Bee County to the west, Goliad County to the north, and Victoria County to the northeast. Check your home address to confirm which county is the right place to file.