Are Divorce Records Public in Texas?
Divorce is a sensitive, emotionally-challenging process. Most people want to keep their divorce private. This raises an important question: Are divorce records public? The short answer is “yes”—but you can keep most of the actual details out of the public spotlight by avoiding litigation. Within this blog post, our Houston divorce attorney explains the most important things to know about Texas records laws for divorce.
Divorces are Part of the Public Record (The Fact of Divorce)
First and foremost, it is important to clarify that marriages and divorces—the mere fact that they happened—are public records in Texas. In other words, once a divorce is finalized, the occurrence of the divorce itself is recorded and accessible by the public. These records typically include the names of both parties, the county in which the divorce was filed, the case number, and the date the divorce decree was issued. The information is maintained to preserve the legal validity of the divorce and to ensure that any interested party can verify someone’s marital status.
The Details of Your Divorce Can Largely Be Kept Out of the Public Record
Most people want to keep their divorce out of the public spotlight. With that being said, it is generally not the fact of the divorce that people are worried about keeping confidential, it is the details, such as financial record, custody arrangements, and why the marriage broke down. Here is the good news: You can generally maintain the confidentiality of divorce details in Texas.
Although the occurrence of a divorce is public, many of the details can be kept confidential through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation. In contrast to traditional litigation, which is conducted openly and can lead to many personal details being entered into the public record, mediation allows couples to negotiate terms privately.
The Bottom Line: If your divorce is litigated, some or even many details can become part of the public records. However, if your divorce is settled, the details can largely be kept private.
Marriage and Divorce Records are Generally Held at the County Level in Texas
In Texas, both marriage and divorce records are maintained at the county level. As explained by the Texas Department of State Health Service (DSHS), “certified copies of marriage/divorce records must be obtained in the county or district in which they were originally filed.” For example, if you get divorced in Houston, your case will likely be handled by a Harris County court and your divorce records will likely be held by the district clerk’s office in Harris County.
Contact Our Houston Divorce Attorney Today
At Lindamood & Robinson, P.C., our Houston divorce lawyers are standing by, ready to help our clients work towards the solution that best protects their rights and sets them up for a better tomorrow. Contact us today to arrange your strictly private, no obligation initial divorce consultation. From our office in Houston, we provide family services across the region, including in Harris County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County.
