Garland Divorce Records Database
Divorce records for Garland residents are maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk, the official custodian of all family law case files in Dallas County. Garland is located in Dallas County, so divorce cases filed by city residents go to Dallas County District Court. If you need to search for a case, request a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, or look up a cause number, contact the Dallas County District Clerk's Records Information Office. The City of Garland does not hold divorce records of any kind.
Garland Overview
Where Garland Divorce Cases Are Filed
Garland is a city in eastern Dallas County. All divorce cases filed by Garland residents are handled by Dallas County District Court, and the Dallas County District Clerk keeps all the case records. The District Clerk's main office is in downtown Dallas at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103. This is the office you contact for all Garland divorce records, whether you are searching for an old case or requesting a certified copy of a decree.
The Dallas County District Clerk has a dedicated Records Information Office that handles all document requests, including divorce decrees. Dallas County removed family court records from online access in 2018 to protect the privacy of children. Because of this policy, you cannot look up Garland divorce cases through the county's general online record search. You must contact the Records Office directly.
| Office | Dallas County District Clerk - Records Information |
|---|---|
| Address | George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103 Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7307 |
| DCRecords@dallascounty.org | |
| Website | dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk |
The Garland city website at garlandtx.gov has city departments and services, but none of them relate to divorce records. Garland Municipal Court handles traffic citations and city ordinance violations only. For anything divorce-related, go to the Dallas County District Clerk.
The Dallas County main website at dallascounty.org is the starting point for finding the District Clerk and using the county's record search system for Garland divorce cases.
Dallas County serves all municipalities within its boundaries, including Garland. The District Clerk office at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building maintains all family court records for the county.
How to Find Garland Divorce Records
Because Dallas County family court records are not in the online search portal, requesting Garland divorce records requires a direct contact with the Records Information Office. You can reach them by email at DCRecords@dallascounty.org or by phone at (214) 653-7307. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A cause number, if you have it, makes the search faster.
The Dallas County District Clerk website has a Divorce Decree Request Form at dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk/records-information.php. Filling out this form and submitting it to the Records Office is the standard process for requesting a copy of a divorce decree in Dallas County. Staff can pull the file, make copies, and arrange for certification.
For a quick confirmation that a Texas divorce occurred, the DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics provides divorce verification letters for events from 1968 to present. The letter is not the full decree but confirms the names, date, and county. It costs $20 and can be ordered through vitalchek.com. This is often enough for insurance, name changes, or Social Security purposes.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal covers some Dallas County records. Try searching there first for basic case info, keeping in mind that family court records may be restricted. If the search does not return results, fall back on the direct DCRecords email route.
Filing for Divorce in Garland
Garland residents file for divorce at Dallas County District Court under the rules in Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Filing information for Dallas County is available on the District Clerk website at dallascounty.org. Once you file, the cause number is assigned and the case is tracked by the District Clerk's case management system.
The residency requirement under Texas Family Code § 6.301 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Texas for six months and in Dallas County for 90 days before the case is filed. Garland is in Dallas County, so a Garland resident who has been here at least 90 days meets the county part of the rule. You still need the full six months in Texas.
Texas no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001 is the most common approach. Insupportability means the marriage has broken down to the point where it cannot be repaired due to conflict or discord. You do not need to prove fault. If both spouses agree, an uncontested divorce can move through the court relatively fast once the 60-day waiting period has passed. Contested cases, or ones involving children and significant property, take longer and often require mediation before trial.
Dallas County may require a parenting class for cases involving minor children. Check with the District Clerk or a family law attorney for current local requirements before your final decree is entered.
Garland Divorce Filing Costs
Dallas County divorce filing fees for Garland cases are approximately $350 for a case without children and around $365 for cases involving minor children. These figures can change, so confirm the current amount with the District Clerk at (214) 653-7307 or via DCRecords@dallascounty.org before you file.
Copy fees are $1 per page for plain copies and $5 per document for certification, in addition to the per-page rate. A $5 search fee applies when you do not provide a cause number. Process server fees for serving the respondent typically run $75 to $125. If your case is contested and goes to trial, attorney fees and other costs will be higher.
Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the costs. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. You will need to show your income, assets, and expenses. People receiving government assistance or earning below 125% of the federal poverty guideline generally qualify. The form is available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov.
Legal Help for Garland Residents
Garland residents can access Dallas County legal aid resources for divorce cases. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the greater Dallas area and handles family law matters for qualifying individuals. Check eligibility and contact information at lonestarlegal.org. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas also covers the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and may be able to assist with Garland cases.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 connects you with family law attorneys in Dallas County. The online directory at texasbar.com lets you search by city and specialty. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has step-by-step divorce guides and free printable forms. All official Supreme Court approved divorce forms are also at txcourts.gov.
Filing without a lawyer is possible for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on everything. The Texas Courts website and TexasLawHelp both have packet guides for self-represented filers. The Dallas County courthouse has a self-help center with assistance for pro se litigants. If children or significant property are involved, consulting with a family law attorney before filing is a good idea.
Dallas County Divorce Records
Garland is in Dallas County, and all divorce cases for city residents go through Dallas County District Court. The District Clerk handles Garland cases along with those from Dallas, Irving, Mesquite, Richardson, and every other city in the county. For full details on county court procedures, record request options, and search tools, see the Dallas County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Garland with divorce records pages include:
- Dallas (Dallas County)
- Richardson (Dallas County)
- McKinney (Collin County)
- Frisco (Collin County)