Richardson Texas Divorce Records
Searching for Richardson divorce records requires knowing which county the case was filed in. Richardson sits across the border between Dallas County and Collin County, so the right office depends on which part of the city a person lives in. If the divorce was filed in Dallas County, you contact the Dallas County District Clerk. If filed in Collin County, you contact the Collin County District Clerk in McKinney. Both counties maintain separate record systems, and neither office has the other's records.
Richardson Overview
Richardson Spans Two Counties
Richardson is one of the Texas cities that crosses a county line. The southern and western portions of Richardson are in Dallas County. The northern and eastern portions are in Collin County. This matters for divorce records because in Texas, divorce cases are filed at the county level. The divorce decree is held by the District Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
If you are not sure which county applies to your case, start with the county where you lived at the time of filing. Alternatively, try the online search portals for both counties to see which one has your case. The statewide re:SearchTX system can also help you locate a case without knowing the county in advance.
Dallas County District Clerk - Family Court Records
Most divorce records for Richardson residents are at the Dallas County District Clerk. This office handles all family court cases for Dallas County, including divorce, child custody, and support matters. The office is in downtown Dallas.
| Office | Dallas County District Clerk - Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building 600 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7307 (Family Court Forms) |
| DCRecords@dallascounty.org | |
| Civil and Family Records Desk | West B, basement floor |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Dallas County offers an online case information portal for searching divorce and other district court cases. You can search by case number or party name for free. Full documents require an in-person request or written request. Certified copies are available for a fee. The county also offers eFileTexas for electronic filing of new cases and documents.
The Dallas County website at dallascounty.org provides access to online record searches, court information, and contact details for the District Clerk and other county offices.
Dallas County provides electronic certified copies of official public records, available 24/7 online with encrypted, tamper-proof technology. This is useful for Richardson residents needing certified divorce records quickly.
Collin County District Clerk - Divorce Records
If your divorce was filed in the Collin County portion of Richardson, or if the case involves a Collin County address, the records are at the Collin County District Clerk in McKinney. Collin County has 13 district courts and maintains its own record system separate from Dallas County.
| Office | Collin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132 McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Phone | 972-548-4320 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Collin County fees for records: certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. If you don't have a case number, there is a $5 search fee per name. Electronic copies are $1 for the first 10 pages, then $0.10 per page after that. The county has online case verification and attorney access portals available.
There is also a Collin County Clerk location in Plano at 900 East Park, Suite 140A, phone 972-881-3025, which is closer to Richardson residents in the Collin County portion of the city. That office handles vital records and marriage licenses, not divorce records. Divorce records are at the District Clerk only.
Dallas County Clerk - Vital Records
For marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates in Dallas County, you contact the Dallas County Clerk. This office is separate from the District Clerk. Marriage licenses for Richardson residents in Dallas County come from the County Clerk.
| Address | Records Building 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100 Dallas, TX 75202 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (214) 653-7099 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Dallas County offers electronic certified official public records available 24/7 online. These documents use advanced encryption and tamper-proof technology with a unique county digital signature on each record.
Texas Divorce Process for Richardson Residents
Richardson residents filing for divorce follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The process is the same whether you file in Dallas County or Collin County. The key difference is which courthouse you go to.
Residency requirements apply under Texas Family Code § 6.301. You or your spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in the county where you file for at least 90 days. If you live in the Dallas County part of Richardson, you file in Dallas. If you live in the Collin County part, you file in McKinney.
Texas law allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001 on the ground of insupportability. You don't need to prove fault if the marriage is simply broken down beyond repair. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, or abandonment are also available if they apply to your situation.
After filing the Original Petition for Divorce and serving the other spouse, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period. Uncontested cases where both spouses agree on all terms can move quickly once the waiting period passes. Contested cases involving property division or child custody may take longer and require mediation or a hearing.
Note: Richardson Municipal Court is a Court of Record under the Texas Government Code and handles city ordinance violations. It does not have divorce records and cannot help with divorce case searches.
Legal Help for Divorce in Richardson
Legal resources are available in both Dallas and Collin counties for Richardson residents. Whether your case is in Dallas County or Collin County, you can find help nearby.
Lone Star Legal Aid handles family law cases for qualifying individuals in the North Texas area. Call (800) 733-8394 or see lonestarlegal.org. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for North Texas family law attorneys at texasbar.com.
TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free guides for self-represented parties. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov. The Dallas County District Clerk also has a Self Help Legal Clinic for assistance with court forms, available to the public at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building in Dallas.
Nearby Cities
Richardson is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Nearby qualifying cities with their own pages include Dallas, Plano, Garland, Frisco, and McKinney. Each city's divorce records are handled by the county district clerk for that city's county.
Dallas and Collin County Records
Richardson sits across Dallas and Collin County lines. Divorce records are held by the District Clerk in whichever county the case was filed. Visit the appropriate county page for more details on court procedures, fees, and record access.