Denton County Divorce Records
Denton County divorce records are kept by the District Clerk at the courthouse in Denton, Texas. You can look up cases online through the county portal or the statewide re:SearchTX system, or come in person to get certified copies. Denton County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, covering a large stretch of the Dallas-Fort Worth area that includes the cities of Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and parts of Frisco and Carrollton. The District Clerk manages all divorce filings for the district courts, so if you or your spouse filed here, that office is your first stop for records.
Denton County Overview
Denton County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office is the keeper of all divorce case files in Denton County. The Honorable David Trantham serves as District Clerk. His office handles new filings, stores case files, and provides copies of court orders and decrees. If you need a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, this is the place to go.
The office supports all district courts in Denton County as registrar, recorder, and custodian of records. Divorce cases from the 16th, 158th, and 477th District Courts are all filed and stored here. The county has grown a lot in recent years, and the District Clerk processes a high volume of family law matters including divorce, custody, and support cases.
You can reach the office by phone, mail, fax, or in person. All record requests require a completed Record Request Form. The office does not perform records searches without one. You can pick up the form at the courthouse or download it from the county website before your visit.
| Office | Denton County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
1450 E McKinney Street, 1st Floor Denton, TX 76209 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 2146, Denton, TX 76202 |
| Phone | (940) 349-2200 |
| Additional Phone | (972) 434-8822 |
| Fax | (940) 349-5754 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | dentoncounty.gov/Departments/District-Clerk |
The Denton County official website has department listings, court schedules, and links to county services. The District Clerk page provides the record request form and details on how to submit your request by mail, fax, or in person.
Lead-in: The Denton County homepage shows current office hours, holiday schedules, and department contact info.
Use the county website to confirm office hours before you visit, as holiday closures can affect availability.
Lead-in: The Denton County District Clerk page has the record request form and details on how to submit.
The District Clerk page is where you find everything you need to request divorce case copies in Denton County.
How to Find Denton County Divorce Records
You have two main ways to search divorce records in Denton County: online or in person at the courthouse. Online is faster for basic case lookups. In-person visits are better if you need certified copies right away or want to review the full case file.
Denton County has offered e-filing since 2012, and many of those records are now searchable through the statewide re:SearchTX portal. You can search by party name or cause number. The system shows filing dates, docket entries, and case status. Registration is required to get electronic copies of orders and notices. It's free to register and use the basic search.
To search divorce records in Denton County, you will need at least one of these:
- Full legal name of either spouse
- Case or cause number
- Approximate year the case was filed
For in-person searches, go to the courthouse at 1450 E McKinney Street in Denton. Bring your ID and a completed Record Request Form. Staff can look up the case and make plain or certified copies for you. For copy requests you submit by mail or fax, include the form along with a check or money order for the applicable fee. The office does not accept verbal requests or searches without the form. Fax it to (940) 349-5754 or mail to P.O. Box 2146, Denton, TX 76202.
Note: Electronic copies of orders require a re:SearchTX account. Register at the portal before you try to download documents.
Filing for Divorce in Denton County
Denton County divorce filings follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Before you can file, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Denton County for 90 days. That residency rule comes from Texas Family Code Section 6.301.
The no-fault ground for divorce in Texas is "insupportability" under Section 6.001 of the Family Code. It means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no real hope of getting back together. You don't have to prove fault. Most Denton County divorces are filed on this ground. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also available but less common.
Once you file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office, the other spouse must be served or sign a Waiver of Service. Texas law also requires a 60-day waiting period before the court can grant a divorce, per Section 6.702. There are limited exceptions for cases involving family violence. After the waiting period, if both sides agree on all terms, they can file a Final Decree of Divorce and set a hearing. Contested cases may go to mediation or trial.
Waiting Period: Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period after the original petition is filed before any divorce can be finalized, under Texas Family Code Section 6.702.
Property is divided under community property law in Texas. Texas Family Code Chapter 7 says the court divides marital property in a way that is just and right. Property you owned before the marriage, or that came to you by gift or inheritance and was kept separate, is generally not divided. All of this gets documented in the case file and the Final Decree.
What Denton County Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file in Denton County contains everything filed with the District Clerk from the first petition to the final decree. The Original Petition for Divorce opens the case and states the grounds. Any motions, temporary orders, and agreements filed along the way become part of the permanent record. The Final Decree of Divorce is the last document and the one most people need copies of.
Divorce records from Denton County typically include names of both parties, the date and county of marriage, grounds for divorce, property division terms, and any conservatorship or child support orders. The state also keeps a separate index. The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide divorce index going back to 1968. That index has basic info like names, county, and date, but it does not have the actual decree. For the full record, you go to the Denton County District Clerk.
Most Denton County divorce records are public. Anyone can request a search or copies. Some information, like sealed financial documents or records involving minors, may be restricted by court order. A certified copy of the Final Decree is needed for many legal purposes, including name changes, remarriage, Social Security updates, and loan applications.
Note: Divorce verification letters confirming a divorce is on file can be requested from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section at dshs.texas.gov for divorces from 1968 forward.
Legal Help in Denton County
If you need help with a divorce case in Denton County, several resources are available. Legal aid, self-help guides, and attorney referral services can all point you in the right direction, whether you're just trying to understand the process or you need someone to represent you.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas serves the Denton area and provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Family law is one of their core practice areas. You can reach them through their website or by calling the intake line. The Texas Law Help website has free self-help forms and guides for divorce, custody, and child support. All Supreme Court Approved Divorce Forms are available at txcourts.gov.
To find a private attorney in Denton County, use the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at texasbar.com. Many family law attorneys offer a first consultation at reduced cost. The Texas Judicial Branch also has resources for self-represented parties who want to handle their own divorce case.
Cities in Denton County
Denton County covers a large area of North Texas. Several major cities are located here, and all divorce cases from these communities go through the Denton County District Court system.
Other communities in Denton County include Carrollton (partial), The Colony, Little Elm, Corinth, Highland Village, and many more. Divorce cases from all parts of the county are filed at the District Clerk's office in Denton.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Denton County. If you are not sure which county handles your divorce, check the address where you or your spouse lives. You must file in the county where residency has been established.