Are Fort Bend County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records are public in Fort Bend County under the Texas Public Information Act. However, although basic information such as the names of the involved parties, dates of the divorces, case numbers, and final orders are public, public access to sealed divorce records is restricted.

Also, the public cannot access Fort Bend County divorce records if there are judicial restrictions against public access. The Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office will also redact information that will violate privacy or compromise security.

Who Can Access Fort Bend County Divorce Records?

Unless there are judicial restrictions or the documents are sealed, Fort Bend County divorce records are accessible to all interested individuals; this includes the general public, legal representatives, government agencies, and researchers.

However, access to Fort Bend County divorce records depends on the type of divorce information. While the public can obtain basic information, only the subjects and authorized entities can access sensitive information and sealed records. The list below outlines some of Fort Bend County divorce information accessible to various entities:

• Public members - names of the divorced spouses, case numbers, dates of divorce, and court orders
• Parties to the divorce - access to the complete divorce case files (this includes sealed records and sensitive information)
• Legal representatives to the owners of the divorce records - full access to divorce case files (including sealed and restricted information) if the petitioner or respondent authorized it
• Individuals with judicial orders (this includes journalists, researchers, and other third parties with valid legal claims) - full access to divorce case files.

Individuals seeking to confirm if they are eligible to access non-public Fort Bend County divorce information need to demonstrate legitimate needs to the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office. The requester should:

• Provide valid government-issued photo IDs (for instance, a current passport or driver's license)
• Prove relationship to the case (as a party to the divorce, attorney to any of the subjects, or provide a court order)
• Submit the above document to the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office.

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

No, Texas laws do not require individuals to state reasons for accessing publicly accessible divorce records. However, requesters seeking access to sealed Fort Bend County divorce information have to prove their relationship to the case or obtain court orders and may have to state their reasons for accessing the documents.

Furthermore, Texas and federal laws mandate legitimate use of public information. Hence, requesters of Fort Bend County divorce can use them for legal purposes, genealogical research, and other personal interests.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Fort Bend County?

Access to Fort Bend County divorce records is through the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office. Seekers of Fort Bend divorce records should:

• Log into the Fort Bend County Civil, Family Case Records Portal
• Enter the divorce date and name of a party to the specific divorce case into the search tools
• Select the divorce type from the Case Type menu and search for divorce information.

Alternatively, visit or send mail requests to the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office at:

The Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Room 10142,
Richmond,
TX 77469
Phone: (281) 341-4509
Fax: (281) 341-4519
Email: districtclerk@fortbendcountytx.gov

Mailing Address
The District Clerk's Office
301 Jackson Street, Suite 101,
Richmond,
TX 77469.

Requesters should note that access to Fort Bend County divorce records may require fee payments.

What Information is Included in a Fort Bend County Divorce Record?

The information on a divorce record in Fort Bend County depends on the type of divorce document. The following details outline the info available on Fort Bend County divorce records:

Fort Bend County divorce decrees

• Names of the parties to the divorce
• Case number and other court information
• Date of divorce
• Division of property
• Spousal support/alimony
• Child custody agreements
• Child support information
• Restraining orders and other court-imposed conditions

Fort Bend County divorce case files

• Petitions for divorce
• Affidavits
• Motions and responses
• Financial disclosures
• Court transcripts
• Settlement agreements
• Temporary orders

Fort Bend County confidential divorce information:

• Financial account numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Medical and mental health evaluation details
• Residential addresses.

Requesters should note that confidential divorce information is not public, and their access requires proof of legitimate interests or court orders.

Fees for Accessing Fort Bend County Divorce Records

• The Texas Public Information Act permits the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office to charge fees to offset the costs of making public documents available to interested individuals. Hence, the following charges apply to accessing Fort Bend County divorce records:
• Certified copies - $1.00 per page and an additional $5.00 certification fee
• Non-certified copies - $1.00 per page of document
• Search fees (if the requester does not provide the case number) - $5.00 to $10.00 non-refundable fees (the actual costs depend on the complexity of the search.

The Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office accepts cash payments for in-person requests. Also, credit cards (this attracts processing fees) and check/money orders are acceptable forms of payment. Payments through credit or debit cards attract a $2.49 convenience fee.

Although the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office does not routinely offer payment waivers, it may allow exceptions or fee reductions for certain groups under specific conditions. For instance, veterans, senior citizens, government agencies, low-income earners, and legal aid services may qualify for fee reductions.

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

How long it takes to obtain Fort Bend County divorce records depends on the request method and the complexity and volume of the documents.

The list below gives the general timeline for obtaining Fort Bend County divorce records:

In-person request - same-day delivery if the records do not require processing or retrieval from archives. Else, it may take between 1 to 3 business days

Mail requests through the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office - 7 to 10 business days (excluding mail time).

Online request through the Fort Bend County Civil, Family Case Records Portal - instantly or between 1 and 3 business days.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Fort Bend County?

Yes, interested individuals can request Fort Bend County divorce records online. The Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office offers online access to divorce records through their Civil, Family Case Records Portal. Also, Fort Bend County divorce records may be accessible through Texascourtrecords.us and other private online databases. However, it is noteworthy that documents and information from some independent platforms may contain inaccuracies.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Fort Bend County Divorce Records?

Yes, there are exceptions to accessing Fort Bend County divorce records. Under Texas and federal laws, the public cannot access information that infringes privacy and constitutional rights. Also, custodian agencies will not disclose information relating to sealed documents, minor children of divorced spouses, financial account details, Social Security Numbers, domestic violence or abuse, ongoing legal proceedings, or protective orders.

Access to sealed or confidential divorce information in Fort Bend County requires proof of legitimate interests or court orders.