Are Harris County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, most Harris County divorce records are classified as public records. This means the general public can inspect or obtain the records from designated government entities. The Texas Public Records Act governs public access to government-generated records, including divorce records. The law also determines the process and requirements for obtaining the records.

Under the law, certain records are excluded from public view. Such exempt documents may contain information whose disclosure is deemed not to be in the public interest. Personal information, including birth dates and social security numbers, is exempt from public access.

Note: Per Rule 76 (a) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, a divorce party can file a motion to keep divorce records confidential. The party must file the notion with the Harris County Family Court and post a notice informing the public about the motion.

Who Can Access Harris County Public Records?

Per the Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, persons or entities, including government agencies, can access Harris County public records. State law generally allows the public to inspect or obtain records from record custodians without providing a reason for the request. Record custodians are mostly government agencies tasked with creating and maintaining public records.

Note that custodians may set limitations on who can access public records. For instance, third parties are mostly unable to access records that contain confidential or sensitive data. Parties seeking to obtain sensitive data must have a tangible and direct interest in the record. Furthermore, they must provide a proof of relationship document to back up their request.

Interested parties must contact the record custodian to determine if they are eligible to access public records. For instance, the Harris County district clerk offers divorce court records to only the record subjects and legally eligible parties. In contrast, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS) discloses divorce verification information to all requestors.

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

No, interested parties are not required to state their reason for requesting divorce records in Harris County. Nevertheless, they must provide a valid proof of relationship document to obtain divorce records from the county district clerk’s office. The clerk’s office only releases full records to legally-eligible persons, such as the case party, close family relations, and legal representatives.

How to Request Divorce Records in Harris County

In Harris County, persons or entities can request divorce records by following these steps:

1. Determine the agency holding the preferred type of divorce record.
   The TxDSHS maintains divorce verification records, while the Harris County district clerk holds complete divorce records.
2. Select your preferred method of obtaining divorce records.
   Harris County divorce records are accessible online or offline. For instance, the TxDSHS provides an online index of divorce cases handled in the county. The county district court also operates an online request platform for accessing divorce case records. Note that the agency maintains a separate request platform for government entities seeking to obtain the records.

Applicants can inquire about divorce records by visiting the district clerk’s office during open hours at:

Harris County District Clerk
201 Caroline
Suite 420
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (832) 927-5800

What Information is Included in a Harris County Divorce Record?

According to the TxDHHS, Harris County divorce records may include the following details:

• Personal information about the divorce parties, including names, age, and address;
• Marriage date and location
• Number of the parties’ children under 18 years old.
• Marriage dissolution date.
• County name and code where the divorce was filed.

Note: Divorce records may include sensitive information that is not publicly accessible. For instance, custodian agencies may redact divorce information, such as custody and financial arrangements.

Fees for Accessing Harris County Divorce Records

There are no specific fees for accessing Harris County divorce records. However, the county district clerk may charge the following fees for printing out copies of the record:

• $5 for a certified copy.
• $1 per page of physical copy.
• $1 per page per electronic for up to 10 pages. It costs $0.1 per page if the requested copies exceed 10.

Note: There is no information on fee waivers for any group, including veterans, low-income applicants, or senior citizens. Nevertheless, state laws allow record custodian agencies to grant fee waivers if the record disclosure benefits the public.

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

As of January 2025, there is no information on the processing time for obtaining divorce records in Harris County. However, the Texas Open Records Policy requires record custodians to process and release requested documents within ten business days. If the timeframe exceeds this, the custodian must provide in writing the date when the records will be available.

The processing time for accessing records may vary depending on the volume of requested documents and the availability of the document type. Inquirers may also face delayed access if they fail to keep appointments to inspect or pick up the records.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Harris County?

In Harris County, interested parties can request divorce records online through the district clerk’s online request platform. Requesters must create an account to request records on the platform.

In contrast, third-party search sites like Texascourtrecords.us offer access to Harris County divorce records online. The sites are typically user-friendly and may allow direct download of divorce documents. Despite the perks of using these sites, users should note they are mostly unregulated and may not contain accurate or updated divorce records.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Harris County Divorce Records?

There are no exceptions to accessing Harris County divorce verification records. However, the records are publicly exempt if they contain sensitive information about the record subjects or other concerned parties. For example, the county judge may redact personal information concerning minors and financial agreements from public view.

Parties seeking to obtain redacted or exempted Harris County divorce records must provide a proof of relationship document to the district clerk’s office. Proof of relationship documents may include valid photo IDs, birth certificates, or marriage certificates.