Find Divorce Records in Tyler
Tyler divorce records are kept by the Smith County District Clerk's office in downtown Tyler. If you need to search for a divorce case or get a copy of a divorce decree, that office handles all requests for Smith County. The District Clerk is at 100 N. Broadway and maintains records for all district court cases filed in Smith County, including every family law and divorce proceeding. Basic case information is available online, and full documents can be requested in person or by mail.
Tyler Overview
Where to File for Divorce in Tyler
Tyler residents file for divorce at the Smith County District Court. The District Clerk's office at 100 N. Broadway in downtown Tyler is the place to file your petition, get case documents, and request certified copies of divorce decrees.
Smith County is the county that handles all divorce filings for Tyler and surrounding communities. If you or your spouse lives anywhere in Smith County, you file at this office. Tyler is the county seat, so the main courthouse and District Clerk are right in the city.
| Office | Smith County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Broadway, Room 204 Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-1660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| City Website | cityoftyler.org |
The Smith County District Clerk maintains all district court records including divorce proceedings, civil cases, and criminal records. The office also processes passport applications and child support payments. For any question about your case or how to get copies, call (903) 590-1660 directly.
The Smith County District Clerk's official page at smith-county.com provides access to the public records portal and contact information for all county offices.
The county site links to the public records search portal, which covers filings from recent years and allows you to search Tyler divorce cases by party name or case number.
How to Search Tyler Divorce Records
You can search for Tyler divorce records online or in person. The Smith County public records portal is available through the county website at smith-county.com. You can search by party name or cause number and get basic case information at no charge.
For older records or full case files, you need to visit the District Clerk at 100 N. Broadway in person. Staff can look up cases and pull files for you. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate year the divorce was filed. If you have the cause number, searching goes faster.
You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX system to look up case information across Texas counties. This can help if you're not sure which county a case was filed in. For certified copies of a divorce decree, you will need to request them from the District Clerk's office directly, either in person or by written request.
Note: Tyler Municipal Court at the city level handles only traffic violations and Class C misdemeanors. That office does not have divorce records and cannot help with divorce case searches.
Smith County Vital Records
The Smith County Clerk's office is separate from the District Clerk and handles vital records like marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates. If you need a marriage license after your divorce is final, you go to the County Clerk, not the District Clerk.
| Office | Smith County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Ferguson, Suite 300 Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-4601 |
The County Clerk can provide birth certificates (first copy $23, additional copies $4 each when purchased together) and death certificates (first copy $21, additional copies $4). Marriage licenses cost $82 without a premarital course or $21 with a Twogether in Texas certificate.
For birth and death certificates in the Tyler area, you can also contact NET Health (Northeast Texas Public Health District) at 815 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75702. They provide vital records for Tyler and surrounding areas, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Texas Divorce Process for Tyler Residents
Filing for divorce in Tyler follows Texas state law. The governing statute is Texas Family Code Chapter 6, which covers all grounds and procedures for dissolving a marriage in Texas.
Residency is the first thing to check. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Smith County for at least 90 days before filing. If you recently moved to Tyler, you may need to wait before you can file in Smith County.
Texas allows no-fault divorce on the ground of insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This is the most common ground used. You just have to show the marriage has broken down because of personality conflict or discord. Fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, living apart for three years, and confinement in a mental hospital.
Once you file the Original Petition for Divorce, the other spouse must be served with papers or sign a Waiver of Service. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before the judge can sign the Final Decree of Divorce. Agreed cases with no disputes move fastest. Contested cases may go through mediation or a trial before the judge rules.
Note: All official Texas divorce forms are available for free on the Texas Courts website, including petition forms, financial statements, and decree templates.
Legal Help for Tyler Divorce Cases
If you need legal help with a divorce in Tyler, several resources are available. Some provide free services for people with low income. Others can refer you to local attorneys.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves East Texas including Smith County. They handle family law matters for qualifying individuals. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org to apply. The State Bar of Texas also has a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690, and you can search for Tyler-area attorneys at texasbar.com.
TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org offers step-by-step guides for filing without a lawyer. This is especially useful for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on everything. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov.
Smith County Divorce Records
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, and all divorce filings for Tyler residents go through the Smith County District Court. For more details on the county court system and records access, visit the Smith County divorce records page.