Austin County Dissolution of Marriage Filings

Austin County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the District Clerk at the Austin County Courthouse in Bellville, Texas. This is Austin County the geographic county, not the city of Austin, which is in Travis County. If you lived in Austin County at the time of your divorce, that is where your records are filed. The District Clerk's office holds all district court civil and family law records and can provide certified copies of final decrees.

Austin County District Clerk

The District Clerk's office in Austin County handles all filings for the 155th Judicial District Court. This includes dissolution of marriage, civil, and criminal cases. The County Clerk's office, which is a separate office, handles marriage licenses and other county records. For divorce records, contact the District Clerk.

Austin County is one of the original 23 Texas counties, established in 1836. Divorce records go back to 1837, making the county's records some of the oldest in Texas. Marriage records for the county go back to 1824. If you are researching historical dissolution records, the courthouse in Bellville is the primary source. The County Clerk is Carrie Gregor, and the County Clerk's phone is (979) 865-5911 for general inquiries. For the District Clerk specifically, use the main courthouse contact line.

The Austin County official site at austincounty.com has contact information for county offices including the District Clerk.

Visit the site to verify current hours and find specific contact details for the District Clerk's office before making a trip to Bellville.

How to Look Up Austin County Divorce Records

Austin County dissolution records can be searched in person at the courthouse in Bellville or through the statewide online search system. For in-person access, visit the Austin County Courthouse at One East Main Street in Bellville. Bring the names of both parties and any case information you have, like an approximate year. Staff can search the index and provide copies for a fee.

For online searches, use the statewide re:SearchTX portal. This system connects to Texas district court records and allows searches by party name or cause number. Availability varies by county, but it is worth checking for Austin County records. You can also try the Texas courts e-filing portal at efile.txcourts.gov, which has a public case search component.

For mail requests, write to the District Clerk at One East Main Street, Bellville, TX 77418. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and payment for the applicable fees. Plain copies cost $1 per page; certified copies add a $5 certification fee per document.

Divorce verification letters for Texas divorces from 1968 to the present are available through Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. These letters are not full copies of the decree but confirm a dissolution occurred and are processed online.

Filing for Dissolution in Austin County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Austin County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Austin County for at least 90 days. This residency requirement is in Texas Family Code § 6.301. If neither party satisfies the 90-day county residency rule, you must file in a different county.

Texas allows no-fault divorce on the ground of insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. This is the most common ground used in Texas. It simply means the marriage cannot continue because of conflict or discord. No proof of fault is needed. You can also file on fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, abandonment, or felony conviction when those apply.

Once the Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the Austin County District Clerk, the other spouse must be served or must sign a Waiver of Service. A mandatory 60-day waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702. No decree can be signed before those 60 days are up. The exception is cases involving documented family violence.

If both spouses agree on everything, an agreed final decree can be prepared. Cases with disagreements may require temporary orders, mediation, and possibly a trial before a judge. Cases involving children address conservatorship under Chapter 153 of the Family Code. Property division follows community property rules in Chapter 7, and spousal maintenance may be ordered under Chapter 8.

Filing and Copy Fees

Dissolution filing fees in Austin County follow Texas state statutes. The total amount depends on the case type, whether children are involved, and how the other party is served. Call the District Clerk at (979) 865-5911 to confirm current fees before you file. As a general guide, Texas divorce filing fees typically run from $300 to $400 or more depending on surcharges.

Copy fees are $1 per page for plain copies and $5 per document for certification. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. Use the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, available at txcourts.gov. The court will review your situation and decide if you qualify.

Legal Help for Austin County Residents

Free self-help resources for dissolution cases in Austin County are available at TexasLawHelp.org. The site has guided forms and plain-language instructions for filing divorce in Texas courts. For video tutorials and step-by-step guides, visit TexasCourtHelp.gov.

Lone Star Legal Aid covers the region around Austin County and provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents. Call (800) 733-8394 or visit lonestarlegal.org. The State Bar of Texas can refer you to a licensed attorney at (800) 252-9690 or through texasbar.com. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov has research guides and links to Texas family law statutes.

Cities in Austin County

Austin County (not to be confused with the city of Austin in Travis County) includes Bellville as the county seat and several smaller communities. All dissolution of marriage cases in this county are filed at the District Clerk's office in Bellville.

Communities include Bellville, Sealy, Wallis, Cat Spring, and Industry. No cities in Austin County have a separate city-level page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Austin County is in Southeast Texas, west of Houston. The counties below are adjacent and may be relevant if you are checking where your case was or should be filed.