Are Grayson County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, Grayson County divorce records are public. Title 5, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (the Texas Public Information Act) grants individuals the right to access Grayson County divorce records and other official documents in the custody of government agencies. The public can access Grayson County divorce records if the documents are unsealed or there are no legal restrictions.

In addition to the Public Records Act, Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure outlines the terms for sealing documents (this includes divorce information relating to minors). Chapters 6 and 153 of the Texas Family Code and Chapter 191 of the Texas Health and Safety Code restrict access to divorce information about medical and mental histories.

Who Can Access Grayson County Public Records?

Grayson County divorce records are accessible to any interested entity. This means they are accessible to the general public, legal representatives, law enforcement, and government agencies. However, the level of information accessible depends on the requester's legal authorization. For instance, the public can access details such as the names of the divorced spouses, dates of divorce, case numbers, and final judgments. However, access to complete divorce information may require legal authorization, judicial orders, or the consent of the involved parties.

Individuals seeking to verify their eligibility to access Grayson County divorce information should complete Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record forms and submit along with copies of their valid government-issued Identification documents and necessary payments to the Grayson County District Clerk's Office at:

200 S. Crockett Street,
Sherman,
TX 75090
Phone: (903) 813-4352

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

No, the Texas Public Records Act does not require individuals to state their purpose when requesting access to divorce records. However, access to public documents (including Grayson County divorce records) must be for non-criminal and legitimate uses. Texas laws permit Grayson County divorce records for genealogical and historical research, legal trials, personal interests, and other purposes that do not violate state or federal statutes.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Grayson County?

Interested individuals can request Grayson County divorce records through the Grayson County District Clerk's Office and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The Department of Public Health offers access to divorce verification letters for non-official use. Individuals seeking access to Grayson County divorce records should apply the following steps:

The Texas Department of State Health Services

• Log into the Texas Department of State Health Services Divorce Verification Letter Ordering Page
• Select Texas from the drop menu
• Provide the necessary information and order Grayson County divorce records.

Alternatively:

• Download a Marriage or Divorce Records Application Form
• Complete the request form and mail it along with the necessary payments to:

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

Grayson County District Clerk's Office

The Grayson County District Clerk's Office is the custodian of divorce records in Grayson County. Requesters for Grayson County divorce decrees or case files should:

• Log into the Grayson County District Clerk's Office Judicial Records Search Portal and use the search tools and applicable criteria to request Grayson County divorce records
• Visit in person or submit formal requests through mail to the Grayson County District Clerk's Office.

Applicants should note that access to Grayson County divorce records may attract fees. Payments for copies of Grayson County divorce records may be cash (for in-person requests at the District Clerk's Office), checks/money orders, or debit or credit cards.

In addition, to speed up the search process, requesters should include the names of the involved parties, case numbers, and approximate dates of divorce in their requests.

What Information is Included in a Grayson County Divorce Record?

The information on a Grayson County divorce record depends on the type of divorce document. The table below outlines the information on various Grayson County divorce documents.

For privacy and safety reasons, the Grayson County District Clerk's Office will redact sensitive divorce information like financial details, Social Security Numbers, and information about juvenile children.

Fees for Accessing Grayson County Divorce Records

The following fees apply to access to Grayson County divorce records:

Divorce Verification letter through the Texas Department of State Health Services Divorce Verification Letter Ordering Page - $20.00 per individual verification

Divorce records through the Grayson County District Clerk's Office

• Non-certified copy - $1.00 per page
• Certified copy - $1.00 per page and an additional $5.00 certification fee

The Grayson County District Clerk's Office does not specify waivers or price reductions for copies of documents. However, low-income earners, seniors, and veterans can inquire about potential accommodation for access to divorce records.

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

How long it takes to receive copies of Grayson County divorce records after payments depends on the type of divorce document, request method, and the availability of staff to handle the requests. The following time frame applies to the delivery of Grayson County divorce record requests.

Online and mail requests through the Texas State Department of Health Services - 20 to 25 business days

Requests through the Grayson County District Clerk's Office

• In-person requests - same day if the records are available
• Mail requests - 5 to 10 business days for processing and an additional 2 to 5 days for delivery by the mail services
• Online requests through the Grayson County District Clerk's Office Judicial Records Search Portal - immediately if the records are available online. Otherwise, it takes 24 to 48 hours, and the actual delivery time depends on the mail delivery services.

Individuals requesting divorce verification letters from DSHS should note that for additional costs, expedited delivery services are available.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Grayson County?

Yes, requesters can access Grayson County divorce records online through the Grayson County District Clerk's Office Judicial Records Search Portal. Interested individuals can also request Grayson County divorce verification letters online through the Texas Department of State Health Services Divorce Verification Letter Ordering Page.

Furthermore, Grayson County divorce records may be accessible online through third-party platforms like Texascourtrecords.us and other private online repositories. However, users should note that the accuracy of documents from non-government sources is not guaranteed.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Grayson County Divorce Records?

Yes, there are exceptions to public access to Grayson County divorce records. Under Texas laws, individuals cannot access Grayson County sealed divorce records or information that is sensitive or under restrictions. For security and safety reasons, the Grayson County District Clerk's Office will redact divorce information relating to:

• Financial account details
• Minor children of divorced couples
• Social Security Numbers
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Medical and mental health history.

Access to non-public Grayson County divorce documents requires legal authorization, judicial orders, or the consent of the records' owners.