Are Travis County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records generated in Travis County are typically classified as public records. This means under the Texas Public Information Act, divorce records can be obtained by the general public. However, the law makes exceptions to restrict divorce records that contain any sensitive or exempted information. This means that while basic divorce records are public and can be accessed by anybody, some divorce records may be sealed or otherwise restricted and can only be obtained by eligible parties. A judge may seal divorce records because they contain sensitive information such as child custody settlements and records of domestic abuse. The record may also be restricted to protect private data such as financial information or business trade secrets. Interested parties may request divorce records from the Gwinnett County District Clerk and the Texas Vital Statistics Office.

Who Can Access Travis County Public Records?

Unless a court has sealed the record, the general public can obtain Travis County divorce records. The following parties are generally eligible to obtain divorce records in Texas.

• Government agencies and their officials may request divorce records. Law enforcement agencies may request divorce records as part of an investigation while child protective services may require such records to handle child custody arrangements.
• The couple involved in the divorce and their lawyers may request full divorce records for personal reasons or as part of their records.
• The couple's immediate family and legal representatives may request divorce records for records or to settle an estate.
• The general public may access basic divorce information including location, date, case numbers, and parties of the divorce.
• Researchers may request basic divorce records when looking up genealogy.

It should be noted that full divorce decrees may be restricted to protect the privacy of the parties involved. To obtain a full decree, the requester will typically require a court order from the court where the divorce was granted. The children requesting a full divorce decree must show proof of relationship while legal representatives may require a notarized consent form from one of the couple involved.

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

Record seekers requesting Travis County divorce records do not need to state their purpose or intended use when requesting the records. Divorce records are considered public information, hence obtaining them from their custodians does not require a reason. However, if seeking a court order to access a more comprehensive divorce decree, the court may request more detailed information including a purpose.

Requesters may require a divorce record for various reasons. They may be needed for personal reasons or legal reasons such as estate management, child custody arrangements, and genealogical research. Government agencies may also check for divorce records during background checks.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Travis County?

Record seekers may obtain copies of Travis County divorce records from the Travis County District Clerk. Requests for physical copies can be made in person at the clerk’s office, by mail, or online. To request a divorce record by mail, interested parties may mail a written request to the District Clerk at:

Travis County District Clerk
Records Request
P.O. Box 679003
Austin, TX 78767

The request must contain specific information to help staff locate the divorce record such as the names of the parties involved in the divorce, the date/year of the divorce, the location, and a case number if available.

In-person requests are made during business hours at the Travis County District Clerk’s Office located at:

Civil and Family Court Facility
1700 Guadalupe
Room 3.200
Austin, TX 78701

Requesters may be required to show a valid government-issued photo ID when requesting divorce records. Divorce records from Travis County cost $10 per copy and certification of the record costs an additional $5. Payment is accepted in checks and money orders that should be included in mailed requests. Cash and credit card payments are also accepted during in-person requests. Credit cards are accepted for a minimum payment of $3 and incur an additional 3% convenience fee. Requesters with any questions may contact the District Clerk by calling (512) 854-9457 or emailing districtclerkhelp@traviscountytx.gov.

Divorce records can also be searched online using the Free Online Search tool to look up court records on the District Clerk’s website. An online paid request system for physical copies is available simply fill out the online Court Records Request form and follow the instructions.

The Texas Vital Statistics Office has maintained Public Indexes for divorces since 1968. Users can check to confirm that a divorce occurred in a certain year. Record seekers can also Order a Verification Letter confirming that a particular divorce was registered in Texas. Verification letters can be requested for all the divorces registered in the indexes. For any inquiries about how to order verification letters, record seekers may call (888) 963-7111.

What Information is Included in a Travis County Divorce Record?

Information found in a divorce record may vary depending on the type of record which was accessed. For example, a full divorce decree or final judgment is more detailed than a divorce verification letter. The decree is the most comprehensive divorce record and usually contains the following information.

• The full names of the parties getting divorced
• The filling date and final date of the divorce
• The case number
• The reason for the divorce
• Decisions and orders concerning division of assets, alimony, and child support
• Child custody agreements
• Signatures of all parties and the judge who granted the divorce

A verification letter only provides the names of the divorced couple with the date and location of the divorce. Only the subjects of the divorce and select persons may obtain a full divorce decree. The general public may request divorce records but information such as financial arrangements, child custody details, and any confidential agreements may be restricted.

Fees for Accessing Travis County Divorce Records

A certificate for Divorce record for Travis County costs $10 per copy while certification of the document costs an additional $5. Payment can be made using checks and money orders during a mailed request. Credit cards and cash are accepted during in-person requests at the clerk’s offices. It should be noted that credit cards can only be used to pay fees of $3 and above and incur a 3% convenience fee. Verification letters cost $20 each from the Texas Office of Vital Statistics.

Requesters who are unable to pay fees may be able to request a waiver by filling out and submitting an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs or pauper’s oath. This may extend to the unemployed, and persons on government assistance. or with low income The requester may be required to show proof of hardship. For information concerning fee waivers and exemptions, record seekers may call the District Clerk at (512) 854-9457

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

Typically the time taken to obtain divorce records from the Travis County District clerk will depend on the mode of request. In-person requests at the clerk’s office will usually be fulfilled on the same day while the request waits. Mailed and online requests will usually be processed in a few business days. The processing time may be affected by the volume or complexity of the request. The larger or more complicated the request, the longer it will take the clerk's office to process it. It is recommended that record seekers contact the clerk's office ahead of their request by calling (512) 854-9457 or emailing districtclerkhelp@traviscountytx.gov for information about processing times and the possibility of expedited requests.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Travis County?

There are several options available when attempting to request Travis County divorce records online. Record seekers may use the Free Online Search tool that allows users to search for and view basic divorce record information online for free. The next option provided by the Travis County District Clerk is the online Court Record Request. This is a paid option where for a fee record seekers may request official and certified physical copies of court records including divorce records.

Third-party websites such as Texascourtrecords.us may also provide an option for looking up Travis County divorce records online. Such websites are valid options for obtaining online records as they allow record searches to be done online via any internet-capable device. Users should note that as these sites are not official government sources, the records they offer cannot be guaranteed.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Travis County Divorce Records?

Although Travis County Divorce records are typically considered public records, there are some cases where the record may be restricted from the public. Full divorce decrees may be restricted to eligible parties such as the divorce couple and their legal representatives. Restricted records may contain information concerning custody agreements, private financial information, confidential settlements, ongoing criminal investigations, and details concerning the abuse of minors. Records containing such information may be restricted or sealed by a court making them inaccessible to the public. Record seekers who wish to obtain a sealed divorce record will require a court order from the court where the record was sealed.