Leon County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Leon County dissolution of marriage records are held by the District Clerk in Centerville, the small county seat in East-Central Texas. The District Clerk maintains all divorce case files for Leon County and handles records requests from anyone who needs access to these documents. If you are looking for a past case, need a certified copy of a final decree, or want to know what was filed in a specific dissolution matter, the Leon County District Clerk is the right office. Court records here date back to 1846.
Leon County Overview
Leon County District Clerk
The Leon County District Clerk in Centerville serves the 87th Judicial District Court and maintains all dissolution of marriage records for the county. Every petition, temporary order, and final decree filed in a Leon County divorce case is on file at this office at 151 N. Main Street in Centerville. The courthouse is in the center of the small community of Centerville, southeast of Waco.
Records requests can be made in person or by mail. For mail requests, provide the full names of one or both parties, the filing year, and the cause number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will confirm costs before processing your request. Certified copies of the final decree carry a higher fee than plain copies.
| Office | Leon County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
151 N. Main St. Centerville, TX 75833 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 39, Centerville, TX 75833 |
| Phone | (903) 536-2352 |
| Fax | (903) 536-9206 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Try the statewide re:SearchTX portal for online access to Leon County dissolution case records before reaching out to the clerk directly.
Searching Leon County Divorce Records
The re:SearchTX portal at research.txcourts.gov is the primary online tool for accessing Texas district court records, including Leon County. Search by party name or cause number to find dissolution cases. The portal allows you to view documents and get automatic notifications for case activity. Registration is free.
Leon County is a small rural county without its own dedicated public search portal for dissolution cases. If a case is not available in re:SearchTX, call the District Clerk at (903) 536-2352. Provide the full name of at least one party and the filing year. The clerk can search the records and tell you what is available and how much copies cost.
All attorneys must use eFile Texas for new civil and family law filings. Self-represented filers may also use the system or submit paper documents in person or by mail. Documents accepted through eFile become part of the official record at the District Clerk's office. Rejected filings come back with notes explaining what needs to be corrected.
How Dissolution of Marriage Works in Leon County
Divorce in Leon County follows Texas Family Code Chapter 6. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Leon County for 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the District Clerk, who assigns it to the 87th District Court and collects the filing fee.
The most common ground is insupportability under Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This means the marriage has become insupportable because of conflict or discord, with no reasonable hope of reconciliation. No proof of wrongdoing is needed. Fault grounds are available under Chapter 6 if the facts support them, including cruelty, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, and living apart for three or more years.
A 60-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed, required by Texas Family Code Section 6.702. The other spouse must be served with the petition or execute a notarized waiver. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can be finalized with an agreed decree after the waiting period. Disagreements require hearings and can take longer to resolve.
Texas community property rules under Texas Family Code Chapter 7 govern how the court divides marital property. Spousal maintenance must meet the criteria in Texas Family Code Chapter 8, which limits both amounts and duration of payments.
Contents of Leon County Dissolution Records
A Leon County dissolution of marriage file includes the original petition, service or waiver documents, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, property agreements, and the signed final decree. When children are involved, the file adds conservatorship orders, a possession schedule, and child support provisions. These documents are all public record after the case is closed.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the document most people need. It is the signed court order ending the marriage and stating all terms. Certified copies are necessary for name changes, updating government records, and proving marital status. Plain copies are cheaper and fine for personal reference. You can also order a divorce verification letter from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics for $20 if you only need to confirm the divorce took place.
Records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Protected personal information, including Social Security numbers, is typically redacted from copies provided to the public. The Texas Courts FAQ provides more detail on how these records are accessed across the state.
Legal Resources for Leon County Residents
Attorney referrals for Leon County residents are available through the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. Family law attorneys in the Corsicana and Waco areas handle cases for East-Central Texas counties. Lone Star Legal Aid at (800) 733-8394 may assist qualifying low-income residents with dissolution cases.
Free self-help resources are at TexasLawHelp.org, which covers Texas divorce law, forms, and step-by-step guides for people who represent themselves in court. The Texas State Law Library provides research guides and an Ask a Librarian service. Official Supreme Court approved forms are at txcourts.gov/forms.
The Texas Court Help website gives visual guidance on court procedures. Visit it to understand what to expect at each stage of a dissolution case in Leon County.
The Court Help site walks through the dissolution process step by step, which is especially useful for Leon County residents who represent themselves without an attorney.
Cities in Leon County
Centerville is the county seat of Leon County. All dissolution of marriage filings for residents of Centerville and surrounding communities are handled by the District Clerk in Centerville.
Nearby Counties
Leon County sits in East-Central Texas on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. These counties border Leon. File your dissolution in the county where you have lived for at least 90 days before filing.