Are Brazoria County Divorce Records Public?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, Brazoria County divorce records are accessible to the general public. The state law enables the public to inspect or obtain copies of divorce documents from designated government entities. These entities are required to release records upon requests from persons that fulfill the legal requirements. Requirements for accessing public records may include the provision of an oral or written request and the required fees.

Some divorce records in Brazoria County are exempt from public access. Exempted documents usually contain information whose disclosure does not serve the public interest. For instance, the public is unable to access bank statements or child custody agreements in divorce documents.

Who Can Access Brazoria County Public Records?

All persons or entities can access Brazoria County court records. In addition, the state law does not restrict out-of-state or country inquirers from obtaining public records. However, some divorce records are restricted from public access. Restricted records typically contain data whose disclosure may reveal sensitive details. Thus, record custodian agencies may only disclose the records to the following parties:

• The record subject
• Immediate family relations, such as parent and offspring.
• Legal representatives.
• Local and state-level entities, including the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Record custodians may disclose confidential information after receiving a proof of identity or relationship document from legally eligible parties.

In contrast, third parties seeking to access restricted divorce information must present one of the following documents:

• A court order that authorizes the release of the document.
• A signed letter of authorization or consent from a record subject.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Divorce Records in Brazoria County?

Under Texas state laws, public members are not required to state their purpose for requesting Brazoria County divorce records. Inquirers only need to provide enough information about the divorce event to access the record. It is, however, required to verify your identity when requesting restricted or confidential divorce records.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Brazoria County?

In Brazoria County, interested parties can request divorce records via the following steps:

1. Find the agency responsible for maintaining the record
   Brazoria County divorce records are under the jurisdiction of the district clerk’s office and the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS). The latter only offers divorce verification documents, which contain limited information.
2. Select an option for accessing the record.
   The district clerk offers online, mail-in, email, and in-person access to divorce court records. In contrast, the TXDSHS allows only mail or in-person requests.
3. Order Brazoria County divorce record through the selected option
   You can order divorce records from the district clerk by submitting a request form via mail, email, or in-person to:

Brazoria County District Clerk
Attention: Copy Request
111 East Locust
Suite 304
Angleton, Texas 77515

Applicants may order divorce records by using the clerk’s online request form. Applicants using this option must first submit an online payment with the BUREAU CODE 4375276.

In contrast, applicants can obtain divorce verification documents by sending a completed request form to the TxDSHS at:

Physical address
DSHS—Vital Statistics Section
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Mail address
DSHS - VSS
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040.

1. Pay the required fee and wait for the agency to process the request

The district clerk’s office charges $1 per page of certified and non-certified copies. However, non-certified copies above 10 pages are charged at $0.1 each per page.

What Information is Included in a Brazoria County Divorce Record?

Brazoria County divorce records may contain the following public information:

• The case parties’ names
• Case type and filing date.
• Divorce petitioner’s name and lead attorneys
• Number of the parties’ children under 18 years old.
• Marriage dissolution date.
• Court name and location.
• Court disposition, including transcripts and judgments.
• District court clerk’s name and signature.

In Brazoria County, divorce information, such as child custody agreements and financial payments, is exempt from public access.

Fees for Accessing Brazoria County Divorce Records

In Brazoria County, the district clerk generally charges a $5 search fee and $1 per page of certified or non-certified records. However, the TxDSHS charges a flat fee of $20 for divorce verification requests.

Note that the fees for accessing divorce records may differ based on the request option and volume. In addition, inquirers may pay additional fees for using expedited mail orders like overnight return mail.

Note: In Brazoria County, record custodians may grant fee waivers for public divorce records if the record disclosure is in the public interest. Interested inquirers may ask record custodians if the requested information is eligible for a fee waiver.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain Divorce Records in Brazoria County?

Per California state laws, government entities must process requests for divorce requests between 10 and 14 business days. However, the processing time may vary depending on the volume of the request and request option. For example, record custodians may process in-person requests within 24 hours, while mail-in requests may have a longer processing time. Inquirers can reduce the processing time for mail orders via expedited shipping options like UPS express return mail.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Brazoria County?

The Brazoria County district clerk’s case search database offers online access to divorce records. To view records on the platform, inquirers must provide relevant case information, such as the case party's name or number.

Alternatively, inquirers may access online divorce records through third-party search sites like Texascourtrecords.us. Such sites have user-friendly interfaces that enable users to easily locate records. However, they are unregulated and may not offer accurate divorce information.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Brazoria County Divorce Records?

California laws place restrictions or limitations on some divorce information. The restrictions generally help to prevent public access to sensitive information concerning minors, victims of domestic violence, or financial statements. To access a restricted divorce record, interest parties must have the legal right to obtain the record. Furthermore, the record custodian may require a valid ID or other relevant document before disclosing restricted information.