Find Divorce Records in Galveston County
Galveston County divorce records are maintained by the District Clerk's office in Galveston, Texas. All divorce cases filed in the county are on file there, including petitions, agreed decrees, and final judgments. Whether you live in Galveston, League City, or another community in the county, all divorce filings go through the same District Clerk. You can search for cases in person at the courthouse, and online search tools are available for some records. If you need a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, visit the District Clerk at 600 59th Street in Galveston.
Galveston County Overview
Galveston County District Clerk
The Galveston County District Clerk's office is the official keeper of all divorce records in the county. The main office is at 600 59th Street in Galveston. Staff maintain divorce case files, process records requests, and provide certified copies of court documents. The county has a population over 360,000, which means it handles a significant volume of divorce cases each year.
Galveston County also has a branch office of the County Clerk at 174 Calder Road, Room 149, in League City, which handles vital records such as birth and death certificates and marriage licenses. Divorce records are not held at the branch office. For divorce case files and decrees, you must contact the District Clerk at the main courthouse in Galveston. The county courts at law in Galveston include three judges handling civil and family matters.
| Office | Galveston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
600 59th Street Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Phone | (409) 766-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Clerk | Mary Ann Daigle |
| Website | galvestoncountytx.gov |
How to Search Galveston County Divorce Records
Online search tools are available for some Galveston County court records. The re:SearchTX statewide portal lets you search by party name across Texas counties, including Galveston. You can find basic case info like party names, case number, and docket entries. For full documents, you still need to contact the District Clerk.
In-person searches are the most complete option. Visit the District Clerk's office at 600 59th Street in Galveston. Bring your photo ID and any details you have about the case, such as a party name, approximate filing date, or cause number. Staff can search the records system and help you request copies. Certified copies require an additional fee on top of the per-page cost.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Galveston County District Clerk at 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and your return mailing address. The clerk will confirm available records and fees.
For a basic divorce confirmation from 1968 forward, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains a statewide divorce index. This index has names, date, and county but not the actual decree or case details.
Filing for Divorce in Galveston County
All divorce petitions in Galveston County are filed with the District Clerk at the courthouse in Galveston. Before filing, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Galveston County for at least 90 days. This residency rule is set by Texas Family Code § 6.301.
Texas allows no-fault divorce under Texas Family Code § 6.001, known as insupportability. This is the most common ground cited. It means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no chance of fixing things. Fault grounds are also an option and include cruelty, adultery, conviction of a felony, abandonment for at least one year, living apart for three years, and confinement in a mental hospital.
A 60-day waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702. The court cannot sign the final divorce order until this period ends from the date the petition was filed. Exceptions exist for cases involving family violence. Once both parties reach an agreement or a judge rules on contested issues, the Final Decree of Divorce is signed and the divorce is complete.
Electronic filing is available through efile.txcourts.gov. Court forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are available at txcourts.gov.
Note: Texas is a community property state. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, property acquired during the marriage is divided in a just and right manner by the court.
What Galveston County Divorce Records Include
Galveston County divorce records include everything filed in the case from start to finish. The case file starts with the Original Petition for Divorce and grows from there. If the other spouse responds, that response is part of the file. Temporary orders, any mediation agreements, and the Final Decree of Divorce are all included.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the document most people need. It sets out all the terms agreed to or ordered by the court. That includes property and debt division under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, spousal maintenance if ordered, and if there are children, the conservatorship arrangement and possession schedule. Child support amounts are also listed in the decree.
A typical Galveston County divorce record shows the names and addresses of both parties, the date of marriage, grounds for divorce, property and debt terms, and any orders about children. Most of these records are public. You don't have to be a party to request copies. Sensitive financial documents filed with the case may be sealed, and some child-related records have restricted access.
Legal Help in Galveston County
Several resources are available for people who need help with a divorce in Galveston County. Some offer free assistance to people who qualify based on income.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the greater Houston area and Galveston County. They handle family law cases including divorce for low-income residents. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org to see if you qualify. They can provide legal advice and may help with paperwork or representation in some cases.
TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free self-help guides for Texas divorces. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at texasbar.com. Court forms are available for free at txcourts.gov. The District Clerk's staff can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal advice.
Cities in Galveston County
Galveston County includes several cities and communities. All divorce cases in the county go through the Galveston County District Court at the main courthouse in Galveston.
Other communities in Galveston County include Galveston, Texas City, Friendswood, Dickinson, La Marque, and Santa Fe. All divorce filings for residents of these communities are processed by the Galveston County District Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Galveston County. File your divorce where you have lived for at least 90 days. Confirm your county of residence before filing.