College Station Dissolution Of Marriage
College Station dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Brazos County District Clerk in Bryan. While College Station is its own city, divorce filings for College Station residents go to the Brazos County District Court, which is located at the courthouse in Bryan, the county seat. If you need to find a dissolution of marriage case, request a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, or learn about the filing process, this page covers what you need to know. You can search Brazos County cases online through re:SearchTX or contact the District Clerk's office directly.
College Station Overview
Where College Station Cases Are Filed
College Station residents file for divorce at the Brazos County District Court in Bryan. Bryan is the county seat and is just a short drive from College Station. Both cities make up what is commonly called the Bryan-College Station metro area. The Brazos County Courthouse in Bryan is where the District Clerk's office is located. That office handles all dissolution of marriage filings, certified copy requests, and docket records for Brazos County.
| Office | Brazos County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Brazos County Courthouse 300 E. 26th Street Bryan, TX 77803 |
| Phone | (979) 361-4230 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | brazoscountytx.gov |
The trip from College Station to the Bryan courthouse typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. You need a valid photo ID to request records or file documents. The clerk can search by name or cause number. For certified copies, bring payment. Cash, check, and credit cards are generally accepted. Call ahead if you are unsure of accepted payment methods or want to confirm the clerk's current hours.
Search College Station Divorce Records
The quickest way to find a dissolution of marriage case tied to College Station is through the re:SearchTX portal. It is free and open to the public. You can search by party name, cause number, or filing date. The system pulls results from Brazos County and most other Texas district courts. It shows case status, party names, attorney info, and docket entries. You don't see the full decree through re:SearchTX, but you get the cause number you need to request documents from the clerk.
The Brazos County District Clerk's office also handles direct record requests. Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, and a valid photo ID. Non-certified copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Mail requests are accepted as well. Write to the Brazos County District Clerk at the courthouse address in Bryan and include all required identifying information.
Note: The Brazos County website at brazoscountytx.gov may have links to the case search system. Check there for any online portal specific to Brazos County records.
See the Brazos County official website for court records access. The Brazos County government portal provides information on the District Clerk and available case search resources for dissolution of marriage filings.
The City of College Station maintains municipal records, while dissolution of marriage filings are handled at the Brazos County level through the District Clerk in Bryan.
Filing for Divorce in College Station
If you live in College Station and want to dissolve your marriage, you file in Brazos County District Court. The process follows Texas Family Code Chapter 6. You start by filing an Original Petition for Divorce with the District Clerk. The clerk assigns a cause number and gives you stamped copies. The other spouse must then be served with the petition or sign a Waiver of Service.
You must meet the residency requirements first. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Brazos County for at least 90 days before filing. After you file, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702. The court cannot enter a final decree until those 60 days pass. Even in a simple agreed case, that wait is mandatory.
College Station has a significant student population. If you are a student, keep in mind that the 90-day county residency requirement is based on your actual place of residence in Brazos County. Student addresses in College Station typically satisfy this rule. If you recently moved here, confirm the 90-day period is met before filing. The District Clerk can give you guidance on when you are eligible.
Brazos County also has a separate county court system. Make sure you file in the District Court, not the county court. Divorce cases in Texas go to the District Court. The District Clerk is the right office.
re:SearchTX and Online Case Access
The re:SearchTX portal is the statewide public access system for Texas court records. It is operated by the Texas Office of Court Administration and covers Brazos County. Anyone can use it for free. You search by name or cause number, and the system returns case-level information. It is useful for confirming whether a dissolution case exists, finding the cause number, and seeing what stage the case is at.
For electronic filing of new divorce cases, use eFile Texas. This system allows you to submit documents to the Brazos County District Court without visiting the courthouse in Bryan. You create an account, complete your forms, and send them through the e-filing system. The clerk's office processes them and you receive a confirmation. Not every filer uses e-filing, but it can save a trip if you are comfortable submitting documents online.
The Texas A&M University Law Library in College Station also has legal research resources. While it primarily serves law students, some resources may be available to the public. The Texas State Law Library is accessible online and provides free legal research tools for everyone.
Texas DSHS Divorce Verification
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit maintains divorce verification records for Texas divorces from 1968 forward. If you need to confirm a divorce occurred but don't need the full decree, you can request a verification letter from DSHS Vital Statistics. The fee is $20. The letter confirms the divorce but does not contain the terms. You can also order online through the DSHS vital records ordering portal.
For the complete Final Decree of Divorce, contact the Brazos County District Clerk. That is the only office that holds the actual case file and can issue certified copies. DSHS records are useful for verification purposes, but the certified decree is what you need for name changes, property matters, or legal proceedings.
Legal Aid and Self-Help in College Station
Legal Aid of Central Texas serves Brazos County and may take family law cases for people who qualify based on income. Call their office or visit their website to check eligibility. The Brazos County Bar Association offers lawyer referral services for residents in the Bryan-College Station area. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you to a family law attorney in the area.
For those who want to handle their own dissolution case, Texas Court Help provides guides specifically designed for self-represented litigants. All official divorce forms are available at no cost on the Texas Courts website. These include the petition, citation, waiver of service, and final decree forms. The Texas State Law Library also provides free online legal research tools and guides.
Brazos County Dissolution Records
College Station is in Brazos County. All dissolution of marriage cases are filed with the Brazos County District Court in Bryan. For more on the county court system and record access options, see the Brazos County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near College Station with dissolution of marriage records pages: