Brownsville Divorce Records Lookup
Brownsville divorce records are maintained by the Cameron County District Clerk, located at 1100 E. Monroe Street in Brownsville. Since Brownsville is the county seat of Cameron County, both the court and the records office are right in the city. If you need to find a divorce case filed in the area, request copies of a Final Decree, or look up case status, the Cameron County District Clerk is where you go. The office handles all divorce filings for Brownsville and Cameron County residents.
Brownsville Overview
Cameron County District Clerk in Brownsville
The Cameron County District Clerk office is the official keeper of all divorce records for Brownsville and the rest of Cameron County. The office is at 1100 E. Monroe Street, Dancy Building, Brownsville, TX 78520. The phone number is 1-866-544-0830. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The county website is at cameroncountytx.gov. That site has information on services provided by the District Clerk and other county offices. Divorce records held in this office include all case files from the district courts in Cameron County. The Dancy Building is centrally located and accessible during regular business hours.
| Office | Cameron County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 E. Monroe St., Dancy Building Brownsville, TX 78520 |
| Phone | 1-866-544-0830 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | cameroncountytx.gov |
Brownsville city government operates at brownsvilletx.gov and handles city services. It does not hold divorce court records. All divorce filings and case history go through the Cameron County court system.
How to Search Brownsville Divorce Records
To search divorce records in Brownsville, you contact the Cameron County District Clerk directly by phone or in person. To find a specific case, it helps to have the full names of both parties and an approximate filing date. A case number speeds things up significantly if you have it. Staff can search by party name and pull the case file for you to review or request copies from.
The city of Brownsville's website provides information about city departments and local services. It does not have access to court-level records for divorce cases.
For court records including divorce filings, residents should contact the Cameron County District Clerk at the Dancy Building, not city offices.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is another option. That system lets you search across Texas courts using a registered account. It may show basic case information and help confirm whether records exist before you travel to the courthouse to request physical copies. Cameron County participates in that statewide system.
The Texas Department of State Health Services also maintains a divorce index at dshs.texas.gov. That index covers divorces granted in Texas from 1968 to the present and shows names, county, and date. It does not include the full decree, but it can confirm that a divorce was granted in Cameron County.
Filing for Divorce in Brownsville
Brownsville residents file for divorce at the Cameron County District Court. Texas Family Code Chapter 6 governs all divorces in the state, and that chapter requires at least one spouse to have lived in Texas for six months and in Cameron County for at least 90 days before the petition can be filed here.
The most common divorce ground in Texas is insupportability under Family Code Section 6.001. This is a no-fault ground that says the marriage has broken down due to conflict between the spouses and there is no reasonable hope of saving it. You do not have to blame your spouse or prove wrongdoing. If both of you agree on property, debts, and any custody arrangements, an uncontested divorce can be resolved at a short hearing once the waiting period ends.
Texas requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before any judge can finalize a divorce. That waiting period applies to all cases, even fully agreed ones. Contested cases where the parties disagree on major issues may require additional hearings, mediation, or a trial. Everything filed throughout that process becomes a permanent record with the Cameron County District Clerk.
Note: Cameron County covers the Brownsville area and several other south Texas communities. All divorces filed in this county are processed through the district court in Brownsville at the E. Monroe Street courthouse.
Divorce Fees in Brownsville
Filing fees for divorce in Cameron County are set by the district clerk. The base fee for filing a divorce petition runs several hundred dollars and varies depending on whether children are part of the case. Call the Cameron County District Clerk at 1-866-544-0830 to ask for the exact current amount before you file.
Certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce are available for a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Non-certified copies cost less. If you need documents for legal purposes such as a name change, remarriage, or immigration matter, you will need a certified copy. The clerk's office can tell you the current rate and what forms of payment they accept.
Fee waivers are available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. If you qualify by income, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs and ask the court to waive the fees. Forms are available at the courthouse and at txcourts.gov. People who receive public benefits or earn below 125% of the federal poverty guideline generally qualify.
Legal Help for Brownsville Divorce Cases
Brownsville residents who need help with divorce can turn to several resources. TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides and approved forms for people handling their own divorce. The Texas Supreme Court approved forms available at txcourts.gov are available in both English and Spanish, which is helpful in the bilingual community of Brownsville and Cameron County.
The State Bar of Texas referral service connects residents with family law attorneys at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for attorneys online at texasbar.com. For residents who cannot afford an attorney, Lone Star Legal Aid at (800) 733-8394 and lonestarlegal.org handles family law cases for qualifying applicants. Their website lists eligibility rules and how to apply for help.
The Cameron County District Clerk can tell you about local resources and any self-help options the courthouse provides. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to forms and explain the filing process.
Cameron County Divorce Records
Brownsville is the county seat of Cameron County, and the Cameron County District Clerk office in Brownsville holds all divorce records for the area. For full details on court procedures, fees, copy requests, and other resources, visit the Cameron County divorce records page.