Kaufman County Divorce Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Kaufman County are kept by the District Clerk in the city of Kaufman. You can search for divorce cases, get copies of final decrees, and review filed documents by contacting the clerk's office or searching the statewide court portal. Kaufman County is a fast-growing county east of Dallas in the DFW metro area. Court records go back to 1848. Whether your case is recent or historical, the District Clerk is the official source.

Kaufman County District Clerk

The Kaufman County District Clerk's office handles all dissolution of marriage filings for the county. The office files petitions, records court orders, stores case documents, and issues copies of final decrees. Staff are available Monday through Friday at the county courthouse in Kaufman. The county has grown substantially in recent years as part of the Dallas metro expansion, and the court system processes a growing number of family law cases each year.

If you or your spouse lives in Kaufman County, you file your dissolution petition here. This applies to residents throughout the county including Terrell, Forney, Crandall, and other communities. Jurisdiction follows your 90-day residency requirement under Texas Family Code Section 6.301.

The Kaufman County official website provides contact information for the District Clerk and other county offices, as well as general guidance on court services.

This screenshot shows the Kaufman County official web portal, where you can find links to court offices and county services related to dissolution of marriage filings.

How to Search Kaufman County Dissolution Records

You can search Kaufman County dissolution records online or in person. The statewide re:SearchTX portal includes case data from many Texas district courts. Search by party name or cause number. For records that are not in re:SearchTX, call the District Clerk at (972) 932-4331 or visit the courthouse at 100 W. Mulberry St.

In-person searches let you view the full case file. Bring the full name of at least one party or the cause number for your search. Staff can pull up the case and print documents. Certified copies of the Final Decree require a certification fee on top of the per-page charge. Plain copies are less expensive but may not be accepted by agencies that require official certification.

The court records portal for Kaufman County gives you online access to case docket information and party name searches for dissolution of marriage filings.

For statewide verification of a divorce record, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office maintains an index of Texas divorces since January 1968. A verification letter costs $20 and can confirm the record exists and identify the county where it was filed.

Filing Process for Dissolution of Marriage

Before you file in Kaufman County, make sure you meet the residency requirement. You or your spouse must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in Kaufman County for at least 90 days prior to filing. This is set out in Texas Family Code Section 6.301.

Texas allows no-fault divorce. Under Section 6.001, insupportability is the most common ground. It means the marriage has become unworkable because of conflict, with no reasonable expectation of getting better. No proof of fault is needed. If your situation involves cruelty, adultery, abandonment, or felony conviction, those fault grounds are also available under Texas law.

After you file, there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702. The court cannot finalize the divorce until those 60 days pass. Uncontested cases can often wrap up quickly after the waiting period ends. Contested cases may take longer and could involve mediation or a trial.

Community property rules apply to the division of marital assets. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 7, the court divides property acquired during the marriage in a way it finds just and right. Property each spouse owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, is separate property and is not divided by the court.

What Kaufman County Dissolution Records Contain

Kaufman County dissolution records include the complete case file from initial petition to final order. The Original Petition for Divorce is the first document. Subsequent filings include the citation, any temporary orders issued by the court, financial affidavits, and the settlement agreement if both parties agree. The judge's signed Final Decree of Divorce ends the case and is the most important record in the file.

The Final Decree states when the marriage is ended, how property and debts are split, and the terms for any child-related issues. If children are involved, the decree includes conservatorship designations, a possession schedule, and child support amounts. The decree is what agencies and institutions need when you prove your divorce, change your name, or update financial accounts. Certified copies are available from the District Clerk in Kaufman.

Dissolution of marriage records are public unless sealed. Anyone can request copies. Records involving minor children may have limited access in some cases, and financial source documents filed under seal are restricted. Ask the clerk if you have questions about what is or is not available.

Fees in Kaufman County

Filing a dissolution case in Kaufman County requires paying the District Clerk's fee. Fees include a base charge plus state-mandated add-ons for courthouse technology, court security, and related services. Texas district court filing fees typically run from $250 to $400. Contact the Kaufman County District Clerk at (972) 932-4331 or check kaufmancounty.net for the current fee schedule.

Additional costs include service of process, certified copies of orders, and any court hearing fees. If you cannot pay, you may be able to get a fee waiver by filing a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. The form is available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov/forms.

Legal Resources in Kaufman County

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Kaufman County area and provides free or reduced-cost legal help for qualifying residents, including assistance with dissolution of marriage cases. Visit lonestarlegal.org for eligibility information and contact details.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has self-help guides and links to approved divorce forms for people who want to file without an attorney. The Texas State Law Library provides free access to Texas legal texts and court rule references online. If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of Texas offers a referral service at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. Electronic filing is available through efile.txcourts.gov for attorneys handling cases in Kaufman County.

Cities in Kaufman County

Kaufman County includes the city of Kaufman, as well as Terrell, Forney, Crandall, Seagoville, and other communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for county residents are filed at the District Court in Kaufman. If you live in Terrell or Forney, you still file your dissolution case at the Kaufman County District Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Kaufman County sits east of Dallas and borders several counties in the DFW region and East Texas. File in the county where you have lived for at least 90 days.