Garland Dissolution Of Marriage
Garland dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the Dallas County District Clerk's office in downtown Dallas. Garland is a major northeast suburb of Dallas with a population over 239,000, making it one of the largest cities in the Dallas metro area. Like other Dallas County cities, all dissolution of marriage cases for Garland residents go through the Dallas County District Court. To find a case, get a certified copy, or check on a pending dissolution, start at the Dallas County Records Building on Commerce Street. A small part of Garland extends into Collin and Rockwall counties.
Garland Overview
Where Garland Residents File
Garland residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Dallas County District Court in downtown Dallas. There is no family court in Garland itself. All dissolution filings for Dallas County go to the District Clerk's office in Dallas. It is about a 20-minute drive from Garland to the courthouse complex on Commerce Street.
Dallas County has multiple family law district courts. Cases are assigned to one of these courts based on the cause number and case type. The District Clerk keeps all filings and manages records requests for the county. Garland is primarily in Dallas County, though a small portion extends into Collin and Rockwall counties. Most Garland addresses fall in Dallas County jurisdiction.
| Office | Dallas County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103 Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Phone | (214) 653-7099 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | dallascounty.org |
The Records Building on Commerce Street in Dallas is where you go to file documents or pick up copies. Bring a photo ID and any case numbers you have. Paid parking is available near the courthouse. Call ahead at (214) 653-7099 to confirm hours and procedures before making the trip.
Garland Dissolution Records Search
You can search Dallas County dissolution records online through the Dallas County records portal. It covers District Court cases including family law matters for Garland and all other Dallas County cities. Search by party name or cause number to find case information, docket entries, and status.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Dallas County and can be searched the same way. Both are free. For certified copies or the full case file, you need to contact the Dallas County District Clerk directly. Mail requests are accepted. Include full names of both parties, the filing year, and a copy of your ID.
The City of Garland's official website provides city services information. Dissolution filings for Garland residents go through the Dallas County District Court in downtown Dallas.
Note: If your Garland address falls in Collin County, you would search the Collin County District Clerk records instead. Verify your county when looking up cases that may have been filed in a different jurisdiction.
Garland Dissolution Filing Process
Garland residents follow Texas state law when filing for dissolution under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Cases go to the Dallas County District Court. The District Clerk processes all documents and keeps the public case record from the initial petition through the final decree.
Residency requirements apply under Texas Family Code Section 6.301. One spouse must have lived in Texas for six months. That same spouse must have lived in Dallas County for at least 90 days right before filing. If you recently moved to Garland from another county, wait until you hit the 90-day mark before filing your petition.
Texas offers no-fault and fault-based grounds. The no-fault ground is "insupportability" under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. You state that the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no chance of reconciliation. That is all you need. Fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, living apart for three years, and confinement in a mental hospital. Most dissolutions in Dallas County are filed on no-fault grounds.
Filing begins with an Original Petition for Divorce at the Dallas County District Clerk. The respondent must be served or sign a Waiver of Service. After service, the case moves through the legal process. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a judge can sign the Final Decree of Dissolution.
Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before the dissolution can be finalized. Dallas County family courts handle dissolutions for Garland and dozens of other Dallas County communities.
Dallas County Records Access
Dallas County has multiple ways to access dissolution records. The Dallas County records portal lets you search online by name or cause number. The Dallas County Courts website provides information on family law courts, schedules, and procedures. Both are maintained by Dallas County and are free to use.
For certified copies, call (214) 653-7099 or go in person to the Records Building. You can also mail a written request to the Dallas County District Clerk at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202. Include the party names, filing year, and your photo ID copy. Standard copy fees apply.
The Dallas County Courts website covers family law court information including dissolution of marriage procedures for Garland and other Dallas County cities.
Statewide Search Options
The re:SearchTX portal covers Dallas County District Court records. It is free and maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration. You can search dissolution cases by name or cause number and see docket entries and case status. For a certified divorce verification, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit charges $20 and provides a letter confirming a dissolution was recorded in Texas since 1968.
The re:SearchTX portal is the official statewide court records system covering Dallas County dissolution cases for Garland and surrounding cities.
Legal Resources for Garland
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas serves the Dallas area including Garland. They provide free family law assistance for people who qualify by income. The Dallas Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service at 214-220-7444. Garland family law attorneys are also available through the bar association's directory.
TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for filing dissolution of marriage without a lawyer in Texas. Official court forms are available at txcourts.gov/forms. The Texas Court Help site provides plain-language explanations of the dissolution process. The Texas State Law Library has free online legal research tools and resources for looking up Texas statutes and court procedures.
Garland residents filing on their own in Dallas County may be able to use eFile Texas for mandatory electronic filing of civil and family court documents, including dissolution petitions.
Nearby Cities
These nearby qualifying cities have dissolution of marriage information pages.
- Dallas - Dallas County
- Mesquite - Dallas County
- Richardson - Dallas County
- Plano - Collin County
Dallas County Dissolution Records
Garland is in Dallas County, and dissolution of marriage cases go through the Dallas County District Court in downtown Dallas. For more details on county court procedures, filing fees, and records access, visit the Dallas County dissolution records page.