Galveston County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Galveston County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the District Clerk's office on the fifth floor of the courthouse at 600 59th Street in Galveston. One of the oldest counties in Texas with records dating to 1838, Galveston County offers both online case search and in-person access to dissolution filings. Whether you need to look up a past case or request a certified copy of a final decree, the District Clerk handles those requests. The county also participates in the statewide re:SearchTX and eFileTexas systems.
Galveston County Overview
Galveston County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office at 600 59th St., 5th Floor in Galveston maintains all dissolution of marriage records for the county. The office handles filings, certified copy requests, and records searches. Staff can search by party name, case number, or date range. For large requests or expedited copies, the clerk may require a phone call or written request in advance.
Galveston County has online case inquiry access through the District Clerk's website. You can look up dissolution cases by party name or case number and see docket entries and status without going to the courthouse. The county is also compatible with the statewide re:SearchTX portal for case searches. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for people who cannot access the internet from home.
Court records for Galveston County dissolution cases were captured through a third-party portal for reference.
Third-party court records portals can help you locate dissolution case index information for Galveston County, though official certified copies must be obtained from the District Clerk's office directly.
| Office | Galveston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 59th St., 5th Floor Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1727 Galveston, TX 77553 |
| Phone | (409) 770-5100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| districtclerk@co.galveston.tx.us | |
| Website | galvestoncountytx.gov |
How to Search Galveston County Divorce Records
Galveston County provides online case search through the District Clerk's website at galvestoncountytx.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. The system shows basic case information and docket entries. This is a good first step before visiting the courthouse or making a formal request.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also works for Galveston County cases. You need a free account to view documents. Some documents can be downloaded at no cost, while others may have a fee. These are unofficial copies. Official certified copies require a formal request to the District Clerk.
For in-person access, visit the courthouse at 600 59th Street with a photo ID. Staff can help search and prepare copies. For mail requests, send a written letter to the P.O. Box with the names of both parties, the approximate filing year, the cause number if known, and payment. Mail processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days. The county accepts cash, check, credit card, and money order for payment. For state-level divorce verification, use the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics service for $20 per search.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing in Galveston County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Galveston County, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement under Texas Family Code § 6.301: six months in Texas and 90 days in Galveston County. Residents of League City and other Galveston County communities all file at the courthouse in Galveston.
The petitioner files the Original Petition for Divorce and pays the filing fee. Attorneys must file through eFileTexas. Pro se filers may use e-filing or submit paper documents at the clerk's window. After the petition is filed, the respondent must be served. Texas then requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period under Texas Family Code § 6.702 before the court can grant the dissolution.
The most common ground for dissolution is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001. Property is divided under the community property rules of Texas Family Code Chapter 7. If children are involved, custody and support orders are made under Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Spousal maintenance is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 8 when applicable.
Note: Galveston County may have local standing orders that automatically apply when a dissolution petition is filed. Check with the District Clerk about any local rules that affect your case.
Galveston County Divorce Filing Fees
Dissolution of marriage filing fees in Galveston County generally range from $300 to $385, depending on the case type and whether children are involved. Service of citation by a constable adds $75 to $100 to the initial cost.
Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page. The clerk charges $5.00 for a name search. The county accepts cash, check, credit card, and money order. Expedited service may be available for an additional fee. If you cannot afford the costs, a fee waiver is available under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Court forms are at txcourts.gov.
What Galveston County Dissolution Records Contain
A dissolution case file in Galveston County contains all documents from filing to final decree. The final decree is the most commonly requested. It states the names of both parties, the date the marriage ended, property and debt terms, and any child custody and support orders. The file may also hold financial affidavits, service documents, temporary orders, and the civil case information sheet.
Most dissolution records are public. Any person can request copies. However, sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers is removed from public copies. Information identifying children may also be restricted in some cases. Galveston County records date back to 1838, and some historical records may only be available in paper form. Expedited service for certified copies is available at the courthouse for an additional fee.
Legal Help in Galveston County
Galveston County has a range of legal services available for dissolution cases. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 connects you with licensed attorneys. Search online at texasbar.com for family law attorneys serving the Galveston area.
Lone Star Legal Aid serves Galveston County and offers free legal help for qualifying low-income residents in family law cases. Their number is (800) 733-8394 and their site is lonestarlegal.org. For self-help, texaslawhelp.org has free guides and standardized divorce forms. Official court forms are free at txcourts.gov. The Texas Court Help site at texascourthelp.gov also has step-by-step instructions for divorce and family law cases.
Cities in Galveston County
Galveston County includes several cities. All residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the District Clerk's office in Galveston.
Other communities in Galveston County include Texas City, Friendswood, La Marque, Dickinson, and Bacliff. All dissolution cases for county residents go through the Galveston County District Court system.
Nearby Counties
Galveston County is on the Gulf Coast southeast of Houston. These neighboring counties each have District Clerks handling dissolution cases.