San Antonio Divorce Records
San Antonio divorce records are filed and maintained by the Bexar County District Clerk, not the city itself. If you need to search for a divorce case or get a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce in San Antonio, the Bexar County District Clerk's office at 100 Dolorosa Street is where you start. The county serves over two million residents and is the fourth largest county in Texas. Cases can be looked up by party name or cause number, and staff can help you pull records or make copies in person during business hours.
San Antonio Overview
Where to File in San Antonio
All divorce filings for San Antonio residents go through the Bexar County District Court. The District Clerk handles every step from filing the initial petition to issuing certified copies of the final decree. San Antonio is the county seat, so the courthouse is right in the city. You do not file with the City of San Antonio or any city department. The county is your point of contact for all divorce-related court records.
Bexar County is one of the most populous counties in the state. It covers San Antonio and 25 other municipalities. The Commissioners Court and all district courts are located at or near the Bexar County Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa Street. Parking is available in the county garage at 211 S. Flores Street for $5 to $12 on weekdays. Juror parking is $3 with a validated ticket.
| Office | Bexar County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Dolorosa Street San Antonio, TX 78205 |
| Phone | (210) 335-2507 |
| Website | bexar.org |
The Bexar County official website at bexar.org provides an open records portal, court information, and general contact details. The District Clerk page lists services and forms. If you are not sure which court your case is in, call the District Clerk at (210) 335-2507 first.
The City of San Antonio has its own government at sanantonio.gov, but that office has no role in divorce cases. Traffic court, parking citations, and city ordinance matters go through San Antonio Municipal Court. Divorce cases are strictly in county district court.
The official San Antonio city homepage shows what city departments are available and who to contact for local services. But again, if your question is about a divorce filing or a copy of a decree, call the District Clerk directly.
The City of San Antonio's official website at sanantonio.gov covers municipal services, but divorce filings belong with Bexar County, not city government.
How to Search San Antonio Divorce Records
You can search San Antonio divorce records through the Bexar County system or the Texas statewide court records portal. Online results show party names, case status, filing dates, and docket entries. They won't show the full file or a certified copy, but they're useful for confirming a case exists and getting a cause number.
The re:SearchTX statewide portal indexes divorce and family cases from counties across Texas. You can search by name and filter by case type. If you find the case there, use the cause number to request copies from Bexar County directly. For in-person searches, visit the District Clerk at 100 Dolorosa Street. Staff can pull cases by party name or cause number and make copies while you wait.
To search or request divorce records in San Antonio, you will generally need the full name of at least one spouse, an approximate filing year, and the cause number if you have it. Certified copies are more expensive than plain copies. Call (210) 335-2507 to ask about current copy fees before you go.
The Texas Department of State Health Services also maintains a divorce verification index at dshs.texas.gov for divorces from 1968 to the present. A verification letter confirms the divorce happened and identifies the county and date, but it does not include the full decree. This is useful if you need a quick confirmation of marital status rather than a complete case file.
Filing for Divorce in San Antonio
San Antonio residents file for divorce under Texas state law. The process begins at the Bexar County District Court. Each document filed becomes part of your case record and is maintained by the District Clerk. Texas law governs all aspects of filing, from grounds to waiting periods to property division.
Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Bexar County for at least 90 days before filing. If you just moved to San Antonio, you may need to wait before you can file in this county. You could file in another Texas county where you meet the residency requirement instead.
Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001. The ground is called insupportability. You do not have to prove fault. You just need to show the marriage is broken due to conflict that makes reconciliation unrealistic. Fault grounds are also available: cruelty under § 6.002, adultery under § 6.003, felony conviction under § 6.004, abandonment under § 6.005, living apart for three years under § 6.006, and confinement in a mental hospital under § 6.007.
The petitioner files an Original Petition for Divorce and serves the other spouse. If the other spouse agrees to everything, they can sign a Waiver of Service and both parties can proceed with an agreed decree. Contested cases take longer and may go to mediation or trial. Either way, no divorce can be finalized until after the 60-day waiting period that begins when the petition is filed.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a court can sign a Final Decree of Divorce. Most uncontested cases in Bexar County are resolved within a few months of the waiting period ending.
Divorce Filing Fees in San Antonio
Filing fees for divorce in Bexar County are set by the District Clerk and can change from year to year. A divorce without children typically runs around $350. Cases involving children may cost a bit more. Check with the District Clerk at (210) 335-2507 for current amounts before filing.
Other costs that come up in a San Antonio divorce case include service of process fees if you need a constable or private process server to deliver papers to your spouse, certified copy fees for the final decree, and any parenting class fees required by the court when children are involved.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Texas law provides a way to request a waiver. Under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. You show your income and living expenses, and the court decides if you qualify. People who receive public assistance or earn below 125% of the federal poverty line usually qualify. The form is available on the Texas Courts website and at the courthouse.
Note: Court costs and fees are set locally and are subject to change. Always confirm current fees with the Bexar County District Clerk before you file.
Legal Help for Divorce in San Antonio
Several organizations serve San Antonio residents who need legal help with divorce cases. Some are free for those who qualify based on income. Others charge reduced rates. Getting at least some guidance before you file can save time and help you avoid costly mistakes in the paperwork.
Lone Star Legal Aid covers the San Antonio area and provides free civil legal services to those who qualify based on income. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org to learn more about eligibility and how to apply. They handle family law cases including divorce.
The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for attorneys online at texasbar.com. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people filing on their own, and official Supreme Court Approved Divorce Forms are available for free at txcourts.gov. If children are part of your case, those forms include conservatorship and child support worksheets as well.
Filing Without a Lawyer in San Antonio
Many San Antonio residents handle their own divorces without an attorney. This works well when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complicated issues like a lot of shared property or custody disputes. Even so, the paperwork has to be right. Small mistakes can slow things down or cause the judge to send documents back.
All the official forms you need are on the Texas Courts website. There are forms for divorces with children and without. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org walks you through the steps. You can also file electronically through efile.txcourts.gov, which accepts filings from self-represented parties in Bexar County.
Property division in Texas follows community property rules under Chapter 7 of the Texas Family Code. Assets and debts built up during the marriage are split in a way the judge finds just and right. If children are involved, the court will require a parenting plan, a conservatorship order, and child support calculated under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. Bexar County may also require a parenting class in cases involving minor children.
Bexar County Divorce Records
San Antonio is the county seat of Bexar County. All divorce filings go through the Bexar County District Court, and all case records are maintained by the District Clerk at 100 Dolorosa Street. For more details on the county court system, fees, and resources, visit the Bexar County divorce records page.
Nearby Texas Cities
Other major Texas cities also have divorce records pages with local court details and resources.