Tyler County Divorce Records

Tyler County divorce records are filed and stored at the District Clerk's office in Woodville. The District Clerk is the custodian of all family law case files, including divorce petitions, court orders, and Final Decrees of Divorce. If you need to look up a divorce case, get certified copies, or verify that a divorce was granted in Tyler County, this is the office to contact. In-person visits and mail requests are the main ways to access records here.

Tyler County District Clerk

The Tyler County District Clerk office in Woodville is where all divorce records for the county are kept. The office maintains the case index and stores case files for both active and closed matters. Staff can look up cases by party name or cause number and provide copies of documents. Tyler County is in the Deep East Texas region and has two district courts that share jurisdiction over family law matters.

The 1st District Court and the 88th District Court both serve Tyler County. Divorce and family law cases may go through either court. To find which court handled a specific case, call the District Clerk or search by name. The courthouse is in Woodville, and all divorce records are stored there. The Tyler County website at co.tyler.tx.us has additional contact information and office details.

The Tyler County official website at co.tyler.tx.us lists county offices, courthouse contact details, and resources for accessing public records.

The site provides contact information for the District Clerk's office and other county departments in Woodville.

How to Search Tyler County Divorce Records

The best way to get Tyler County divorce records is to visit the courthouse in Woodville. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties. Staff can search the case index and make copies. If you know the cause number, the search is faster. If you only have names, the clerk will search by name for a small fee.

Mail requests are another option. Write to the Tyler County District Clerk at the courthouse address in Woodville. Include the full names of both parties, an approximate filing year, and the cause number if you have it. Include payment for copy fees and a search fee if you do not have the cause number. The clerk will process your request and send the documents back to you.

You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal to search for case index information at no cost. This can help you confirm a case exists and get the cause number before you place a formal request. For divorces from 1968 to present, the Texas DSHS offers a verification letter at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics that confirms the divorce took place but does not include the decree itself.

Note: Tyler County is not the same as the city of Tyler, which is in Smith County. The Tyler County courthouse and District Clerk are in Woodville. If your divorce was filed in Smith County, contact the Smith County District Clerk in Tyler instead.

Tyler County Divorce Fees

Filing fees for divorce in Tyler County are set by Texas law. Most petitions cost around $300 or more to file. Cases with children may be slightly higher due to additional state surcharges. Copy fees are typically $1 per page. Certified copies add $5 per document. A name search without a cause number usually adds a $5 search fee.

If you cannot pay court costs, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Forms are available free at txcourts.gov/rules-forms/forms. Contact the clerk before your visit if you have questions about what documents you need to qualify.

Filing for Divorce in Tyler County

Divorce in Tyler County follows Texas Family Code Chapter 6. You or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Tyler County for at least 90 days before you file, as required by Texas Family Code § 6.301. If you meet that test and live in Tyler County, you file at the courthouse in Woodville.

The most common reason for divorce in Texas is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. It means the marriage has broken down and cannot be saved due to conflict. No fault has to be proven. Other grounds include cruelty under § 6.002, adultery under § 6.003, abandonment under § 6.005, and conviction of a felony under § 6.004.

After the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, a mandatory 60-day waiting period begins. Texas Family Code § 6.702 requires this before the court can sign a Final Decree of Divorce. The exception is when a protective order is in place due to family violence. Once the waiting period ends, agreed cases can close. Disputes go to mediation or a court hearing before a judge.

Tyler County applies Texas community property rules under Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Property earned or acquired during the marriage is divided in a just and right manner. What each spouse brought into the marriage, plus gifts and inheritances kept separate, stays with that spouse.

Legal Help in Tyler County

East Texas Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents in Deep East Texas, including Tyler County. The State Bar of Texas runs a referral service at (800) 252-9690. Search for a local attorney at texasbar.com.

Self-help divorce forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are available for free at txcourts.gov/rules-forms/forms. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides step-by-step guides for divorce cases, custody, child support, and name changes in plain language.

Communities in Tyler County

Tyler County includes Woodville and several smaller communities. All divorce cases filed by residents go through the Tyler County District Court in Woodville.

Communities in Tyler County include Woodville, Spurger, Colmesneil, Chester, and Hillister. City offices in these communities do not handle divorce records. The District Clerk in Woodville is the only office with divorce case files for Tyler County.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Tyler County. Make sure your address is in Tyler County before filing here.