Tyler Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Tyler dissolution of marriage records are filed and kept by the Smith County District Clerk. Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, and the District Clerk's office is located in the courthouse annex on East Ferguson Street. Whether you need to find an old dissolution case, request a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, or file a new petition, the Smith County District Clerk is your point of contact. You can also search Tyler dissolution cases online through the re:SearchTX public case portal without visiting in person.
Tyler Overview
Smith County District Clerk in Tyler
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, which means the District Clerk's office where dissolution of marriage cases are filed is located right in the city. The Smith County District Clerk's office is in the Smith County Courthouse Annex Building on East Ferguson Street. All dissolution filings, docket records, and certified copy requests go through this office. Staff can search by name or cause number and assist with record requests on the same visit.
Smith County has several district courts that hear family law cases. When you file your petition, the clerk assigns the case to a court. The cause number on your paperwork tells you which court your case is in. If you're searching for someone else's case, the District Clerk can direct you once you give them the party names and approximate filing year.
| Office | Smith County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Smith County Courthouse Annex 200 East Ferguson Street Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-1600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | smith-county.com |
Certified copies cost $5.00 each, and plain copies cost $1.00 per page. The office accepts cash, check, and most forms of payment. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring for your specific request. If you are requesting records by mail, include party names, filing date, case number if known, and a money order or check made payable to the Smith County District Clerk.
Search Tyler Dissolution Of Marriage Cases
The Smith County District Clerk uses the Odyssey case management system provided by Tyler Technologies. Through this system, you can search records online by name, date, or case number. Access is free to view basic case information. The Odyssey portal shows party names, case type, filing date, court assignment, and status. It won't give you the full decree document, but it confirms a case exists and provides the cause number.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Smith County cases. This free tool from the Texas Office of Court Administration is useful if you are not sure which county to search or want a broader look across Texas courts. It pulls from the same data as the Odyssey system and is accessible to anyone without creating an account.
See the Smith County official records portal. The Smith County website provides access to the District Clerk's online resources and case search tools for dissolution of marriage filings in Tyler.
Smith County maintains an official records portal covering dissolution of marriage filings in Tyler and throughout the county.
Filing for Divorce in Tyler
To file for dissolution of marriage in Tyler, go to the Smith County District Clerk's office on East Ferguson Street. File your Original Petition for Divorce and pay the current filing fee. Texas law under Texas Family Code Chapter 6 sets the rules for all Texas dissolution cases. The clerk will assign a cause number and let you know which district court has your case.
You must satisfy the residency requirement before filing. Under Texas Family Code Section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Smith County for 90 days. After you file, the mandatory 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702 begins. No final decree can be signed until that waiting period is complete. Agreed cases can be scheduled for a final hearing shortly after the 60 days pass.
Tyler courts handle both agreed and contested cases. If both spouses agree on everything, the case is uncontested and can be resolved without a trial. If there are disputes over property, children, or support, the case may go to mediation or trial. The District Clerk's office handles the paperwork throughout the process. All documents filed become part of the public court record.
Tyler Technologies, the company behind the Odyssey case management system used in Smith County, is actually named after the city of Tyler, Texas. The system is widely used in Texas courts.
re:SearchTX and eFile Texas
The re:SearchTX portal is the statewide public court record search tool maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers Smith County and lets anyone search dissolution of marriage cases without paying a fee. You can look up cases by party name or cause number, see the docket, and confirm case details. If you are looking for an old case or need to confirm a cause number before contacting the clerk, this is the right tool.
For electronic filing, Tyler residents can use eFile Texas to submit dissolution documents to the Smith County District Court. You register for a free account and submit documents through the system. The court receives them electronically and the clerk processes them. This option lets you avoid a trip to the courthouse on East Ferguson Street, which can be convenient if you live farther from downtown Tyler.
See the Smith County court records search portal. The Smith County court records system provides additional online access to dissolution of marriage filings in Tyler.
The Smith County court records portal allows you to search for dissolution of marriage cases filed in Tyler and verify case status online.
Texas DSHS Divorce Verification
For a quick proof of divorce without the full decree, you can order a divorce verification letter from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. The fee is $20. DSHS has records of Texas divorces from 1968 forward. The verification letter confirms the divorce occurred but does not include property division or custody terms. Order online through the DSHS vital records ordering system or submit a mail request.
For the complete, certified Final Decree of Divorce, the Smith County District Clerk is the right source. The clerk has dissolution records going back to 1846, which is a significant historical record. For recent cases, copies are available within a short turnaround. For older records, call ahead to confirm availability and retrieval time.
Legal Aid and Self-Help in Tyler
Tyler residents have several options for legal help with dissolution of marriage cases. Legal Aid of East Texas serves Smith County and takes family law cases for qualifying individuals. Call to ask about income guidelines and eligibility. The Smith County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program for those who need a family law attorney. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can also connect you to a local attorney.
If you want to file without a lawyer, Texas Court Help has step-by-step self-help guides for unrepresented filers. All official Texas divorce forms are free at the Texas Courts website. This includes the petition, citation, financial disclosure forms, and the final decree. The Texas State Law Library also has research tools available online at no cost to any Texas resident.
Smith County Dissolution Records
Tyler is in Smith County, and all dissolution of marriage cases are handled by the Smith County District Court. For more details on the court system, courthouse location, and records access, see the Smith County dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Tyler with dissolution of marriage records pages: