Search Aransas County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Aransas County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk's office in Rockport, Texas. If your divorce was granted in Aransas County, that office holds the full case file and can provide certified copies of your decree. The District Clerk handles requests by in-person visit. They do not conduct phone searches. Knowing your case number or the full names of both parties will help speed up your request.

Aransas County District Clerk

The District Clerk serves as the official custodian of all district court records in Aransas County, including dissolution of marriage files. Three district courts serve the county: the 36th, 156th, and 343rd Judicial Districts. The courthouse is located on Highway 35 North in Rockport. The County Clerk's office, which handles separate matters like marriage licenses, is also at the same general courthouse campus.

The Aransas County District Clerk's office handles copies of divorce decrees filed in the county. According to the official FAQ page, a physical copy costs $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Acceptable payment methods include personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. A convenience fee applies to card transactions. The office does not conduct telephone searches, so you must appear in person or send a written mail request.

The Aransas County District Clerk FAQ page at aransascountytx.gov explains the process for obtaining copies of divorce decrees in detail.

The page confirms copy fees, payment methods, and the steps to follow when requesting records from the District Clerk's office.

The Aransas County Clerk also maintains a records portal for county-level documents at aransascountytx.gov/clerk.

The County Clerk handles property records and marriage licenses. Divorce records are strictly within the District Clerk's jurisdiction.

How to Get Aransas County Divorce Records

The Aransas County District Clerk does not conduct telephone searches. To access dissolution records, you must visit the office in person during business hours or send a written request by mail. When visiting, bring a valid photo ID. A photo ID is required under Local Government Code 191.010 and S.B. 16 to file or request records. Bring whatever case information you have, such as both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce.

For mail requests, address your letter to the Aransas County District Clerk at 301 N Live Oak, Rockport, TX 78382. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and your contact information. Enclose payment in the form of a check, cashier's check, or money order. The office does not accept out-of-state personal checks.

For statewide case searches, the re:SearchTX portal may show Aransas County records. This system pulls data from Texas district courts and allows you to search by name or cause number. Results show basic case information and may link to publicly available documents.

Divorce verification letters, which confirm a divorce occurred in Texas, are available through the Texas DSHS at dshs.texas.gov for divorces since 1968.

Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process

To file for dissolution of marriage in Aransas County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Aransas County for at least 90 days. This residency rule is set by Texas Family Code § 6.301. If neither spouse has lived in the county for 90 days, you must file in the appropriate county based on residency.

Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, you can file on the no-fault ground of insupportability. This means the marriage has broken down due to conflict with no reasonable chance of getting back together. No proof of fault is needed. Other grounds, including cruelty, adultery, and abandonment, are available under Texas law when the facts support them.

After the Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the District Clerk, the other spouse must be served with a citation or must sign a waiver. A mandatory 60-day waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702 before any judge can sign a final decree. Cases involving children require the court to address conservatorship under Chapter 153 of the Family Code. Property is divided under community property rules in Chapter 7.

Aransas County historical divorce records go back to 1871. The courthouse has been operating as a civil records office since that time. E-filing is available for new cases through efile.txcourts.gov.

Fees for Copies and Records

The Aransas County District Clerk charges $1.00 per page for physical copies of court documents, including dissolution decrees. To certify a copy, there is an additional $5.00 certification fee. This means a five-page certified decree would cost about $10 total. These fees are paid directly at the clerk's office and must be in an accepted form of payment.

Acceptable payment methods are personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards. If you pay by debit or credit card, a convenience fee will be added. Out-of-state personal checks are not accepted. If you need an expedited copy and are mailing your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster return.

For original divorce filing fees, contact the District Clerk to get the current fee schedule. Filing fees in Texas vary by case type and include statutory surcharges. If you cannot afford to pay, you can apply for a fee waiver using the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, available at txcourts.gov.

Legal Resources for Aransas County

For free help with dissolution cases in Aransas County, visit TexasLawHelp.org. The site has fillable court forms, guides on filing divorce in Texas, and information about child custody and support. TexasCourtHelp.gov also has step-by-step videos on how to navigate a divorce case as a self-represented litigant.

For free or low-cost legal representation, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) serves South Texas including Aransas County. Their phone number is (888) 988-9996, and their website is trla.org. The State Bar of Texas can refer you to a licensed attorney through their referral service at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov offers research materials and links to the Texas Family Code.

Cities in Aransas County

Aransas County is a coastal county in South Texas. Rockport is the county seat and handles all dissolution of marriage filings.

Communities in Aransas County include Rockport, Fulton, and Lamar. None of these cities has a separate city-level page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Aransas County. If you are unsure where to file, verify your 90-day residency requirement before choosing the filing county.