Bastrop County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Bastrop County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the District Clerk's office at the Bastrop County Courthouse on Pecan Street. If you need to find a divorce case filed in Bastrop County or request a certified copy of your final decree, contact the District Clerk in person or by mail. The office handles all civil and family district court filings, with records going back more than 180 years.

Bastrop County District Clerk

The Bastrop County District Clerk is the official custodian of all civil and criminal district court records in the county. This includes all dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, and related case documents. Bastrop County is served by two district courts: the 21st and 335th Judicial Districts. Both handle civil and family law matters, including divorce.

The courthouse is located at 804 Pecan Street in Bastrop, Texas. The County Clerk, Rose Pietsch, handles separate records including deed filings and marriage licenses. For divorce records specifically, you need to visit or contact the District Clerk's office. The main phone line at (512) 332-7234 connects to the County Clerk, so ask to be transferred if you need the District Clerk.

The Bastrop County website at co.bastrop.tx.us provides contact information for county departments including the District Clerk's office.

Visit the site or call ahead to confirm the District Clerk's direct phone number and current office hours before requesting dissolution records in Bastrop County.

Searching Bastrop County Divorce Records

To search Bastrop County dissolution records, visit the courthouse at 804 Pecan Street during regular business hours. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate filing year. Staff can search by name or cause number and provide copies. For certified copies, bring a valid photo ID and expect to pay a per-page fee plus a certification charge.

The statewide re:SearchTX portal provides online access to Texas district court records and is a good starting point for any Bastrop County dissolution case. You can search by party name or cause number. Results typically include case type, filing date, and basic party information. For full document access, a visit to the courthouse may still be needed.

Bastrop County is a growing county east of Austin and serves as part of the Austin metropolitan area. Given the recent population growth, the District Clerk handles an increasing volume of family court filings each year. Older historical records go back to the county's founding in 1837 and include district court records from 1837 to the present.

For Texas divorce verification letters (1968 to present), use the Texas DSHS portal at dshs.texas.gov. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days through the Texas.gov ordering system.

Bastrop County dissolution records are searchable through the District Clerk's office and the state court system.

For cases filed in recent years, the District Clerk may also have electronic access to documents through the e-filing system at efile.txcourts.gov.

How to File Dissolution of Marriage in Bastrop County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Bastrop County starts with meeting the residency requirement in Texas Family Code § 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Bastrop County for 90 days before the petition is filed. Bastrop County is growing quickly, and many residents commute to Austin while living in the county.

Texas allows no-fault dissolution under Texas Family Code § 6.001. The insupportability ground means the marriage cannot continue due to conflict, with no reasonable expectation of getting back together. No one has to be at fault. Fault grounds like cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also available when the facts support them.

The Original Petition for Divorce is filed with the Bastrop County District Clerk. The case is assigned to either the 21st or 335th District Court. The other spouse must be served with citation or must sign a Waiver of Service. A 60-day mandatory waiting period applies under Texas Family Code § 6.702 from the date of filing before any decree can be signed.

Property is divided under community property rules in Texas Family Code Chapter 7. When children are involved, the court addresses conservatorship under Chapter 153. Spousal maintenance may be ordered under Chapter 8 when the conditions are met. E-filing is available through efile.txcourts.gov.

Fees in Bastrop County

Bastrop County dissolution filing fees follow Texas state law and vary based on case type and service method. Contact the District Clerk at the courthouse before filing to get the current fee schedule. In general, Texas divorce filings run from roughly $300 to $400. Copy fees are $1 per page and $5 per document for certification.

Fee waivers are available using the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. Get the form at txcourts.gov. The court reviews your income and expenses when deciding if you qualify. You can also ask the clerk's office for the form in person.

Legal Help for Bastrop County Residents

For free guidance on Texas dissolution cases, visit TexasLawHelp.org. The site provides fill-in-the-blank forms and step-by-step guides for filing divorce in Texas. TexasCourtHelp.gov has video tutorials and written instructions. Both are official or officially supported resources for Texas courts.

Legal Aid of Central Texas at (800) 777-8561 serves Central Texas including the Bastrop area and provides free legal help to qualifying individuals. For a paid attorney, use the State Bar of Texas referral service at (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com. The Texas State Law Library at sll.texas.gov has research tools and links to the Texas Family Code.

Cities in Bastrop County

Bastrop County is east of Austin and includes several growing communities. All dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the District Clerk's office at the Bastrop County Courthouse.

Communities in Bastrop County include Bastrop, Smithville, Elgin, Cedar Creek, and Buescher. No cities in Bastrop County have separate city-level pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Bastrop County is in Central Texas. Check where you have lived for the past 90 days to confirm which county handles your dissolution filing.