Fort Bend County Divorce Records
Fort Bend County divorce records are on file with the District Clerk in Richmond. The clerk's office serves as the official custodian of all divorce case files, decrees, and court orders for cases filed in the county's district courts. Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States and covers a large suburban area southwest of Houston. It includes Sugar Land, Missouri City, and parts of Pearland. The county has its own public online case search portal and the District Clerk maintains a fully staffed office with e-filing capability and online payment options. Whether you need to search for a case or get a certified copy of a final decree, Fort Bend County has multiple ways to help you find what you need.
Fort Bend County Overview
Fort Bend County District Clerk
The Fort Bend County District Clerk is located in Richmond at the county courthouse. The clerk serves as registrar, recorder, and custodian of records for the district courts under Article 5, Section 9 of the Texas Constitution. All divorce cases, along with other civil and family law cases, are filed and maintained here. The office handles in-person requests, mail requests, online case lookups, and e-filing.
Fort Bend County recently expanded its court system. As of February 12, 2026, the county added two new district courts: the 501st District Court handles family cases including divorce, and the 502nd District Court handles civil and criminal cases. Cases were randomly transferred to the new courts. This means that a divorce case may be in the 501st or in one of the older district courts depending on when it was filed.
The main District Clerk office is open Monday through Friday. The county offers online payments and e-filing. Attorneys are required to e-file. Self-represented litigants can also use the Texas eFile portal. Passport services are also available through the District Clerk.
| Office | Fort Bend County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Fort Bend County Justice Center 301 Jackson Street Richmond, TX 77469 |
| Phone | (281) 341-4515 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | fortbendcountytx.gov |
The Fort Bend County official website shown below provides access to all county departments including the District Clerk's office and its online case search portal.
Visit fortbendcountytx.gov to navigate to the District Clerk's page, where you can find fees, forms, e-filing info, and case search access.
How to Search Fort Bend County Divorce Records
Fort Bend County has its own online case search portal. The Tyler PAW system at tylerpaw.fortbendcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/default.aspx lets you search by party name, cause number, or attorney. It shows docket entries, filing dates, case status, and party names. This is the best starting point for any online search of Fort Bend County divorce records.
The Fort Bend County case search portal is shown below. It covers both current and historical cases in the county's district courts.
Use the Tyler PAW public access system at tylerpaw.fortbendcountytx.gov to search Fort Bend County divorce cases online.
You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to search across multiple Texas counties. For full case documents or certified copies of a Final Decree, contact the District Clerk at (281) 341-4515 or visit the office in Richmond. Bulk data sales are also available for researchers needing large data sets.
The Texas DSHS divorce verification service at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics/marriage-divorce-verification can confirm whether a divorce was recorded in Texas from 1968 forward. That verification letter is separate from the actual court decree.
Fort Bend County Divorce Fees
Fort Bend County follows a fee schedule set by the District Clerk. Filing a divorce petition costs roughly $350, with the exact amount depending on case type and whether children are involved. The county also charges for service of process, certified copies, and other court services. Current fee details are posted at fortbendcountytx.gov/fees.
Online payments are accepted through the county's payment portal. E-filing information is at fortbendcountytx.gov/e-filing. Court forms for divorce cases are also available online at fortbendcountytx.gov/forms-library and through the statewide forms portal at txcourts.gov/rules-forms/forms.
If you cannot afford court costs, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. You need to show evidence of financial hardship. The judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify for a waiver.
Note: Fort Bend County fees can change. Always confirm current amounts with the District Clerk or check the fee schedule page before submitting your filing.
Divorce Process in Fort Bend County
Filing for divorce in Fort Bend County follows Texas state law. The residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301 requires that at least one spouse have lived in Texas for six months and in Fort Bend County for 90 days before filing. Fort Bend County is large and includes multiple zip codes, so make sure you are filing in the right county.
The most common ground for divorce is insupportability under Texas Family Code section 6.001. This is a no-fault ground. It means the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable hope of saving it. No proof of fault is needed. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, or abandonment under Chapter 6 can be used if the circumstances call for them.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be granted under Texas Family Code section 6.702. Once that period passes, the court can sign the Final Decree if all issues are resolved. Agreed divorces tend to move faster. Contested cases may require mediation, temporary orders hearings, and ultimately a trial.
New Courts in 2026: Fort Bend County added the 501st Family District Court and 502nd Civil/Criminal District Court effective February 12, 2026. Family cases including divorce are now assigned to the 501st court.
Property division in Texas follows community property law under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. The court divides marital property in a just and right way. What each spouse brought into the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, is separate property and generally not divided.
Fort Bend County Divorce Record Contents
A divorce case file in Fort Bend County includes all documents from filing to final order. The Original Petition for Divorce starts the case. In an uncontested case, the agreed final decree ends it. Contested cases may include temporary orders, motions, responses, mediation agreements, and a final trial order. All of these go into the case file maintained by the District Clerk.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the primary document. It records the court's orders on property division, debt allocation, child conservatorship, the possession schedule, child support amounts, and spousal maintenance if any was ordered. Certified copies of the decree carry the court's seal and are required for name changes, government agencies, and financial institutions. Plain copies work for personal reference.
A typical Fort Bend County divorce record includes:
- Names and contact information of both parties
- Date of marriage and date divorce was granted
- Grounds for divorce cited in the petition
- Property and debt division terms
- Conservatorship and possession orders for children
- Child support and any spousal maintenance ordered
- Judge's signature and case number
Most divorce records in Fort Bend County are public records. Anyone can request copies. Sealed documents, financial exhibits filed under seal, and certain records involving children may have restricted access.
Legal Help in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is part of the greater Houston area, so more legal resources are available than in rural counties. Lone Star Legal Aid covers this region and provides free or low-cost family law help for people who qualify by income. Call (800) 733-8394 or go to lonestarlegal.org.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers also serves the Houston metro area including Fort Bend County. Call (713) 228-0732 for information about free legal clinics. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line is (800) 252-9690, and you can search for attorneys at texasbar.com. For self-help guides on divorce, visit texaslawhelp.org. Approved court forms are free at txcourts.gov/rules-forms/forms.
Cities in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is one of the most populous counties in Texas and includes several large cities and communities. All divorce cases in the county are filed at the District Clerk in Richmond.
Other communities in Fort Bend County include Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, Katy, Fulshear, and Meadows Place. All divorce cases for these areas go through the Fort Bend County District Court system.
Nearby Counties
Fort Bend County is southwest of Houston and borders several other counties. File in the county where you live.