Madison County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Madison County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the District Clerk's office in Madisonville. If you want to look up a divorce case or get copies of a final decree, the clerk can help you. Records date back to 1854. You can call, mail a request, or visit the courthouse in person during business hours. The District Clerk is the office that handles all civil and family court filings for Madison County.
Madison County Overview
Madison County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Madisonville handles dissolution of marriage filings and maintains all case records for Madison County. The office processes new filings, stores court files, and provides copies of documents on request. The clerk can search by party name or cause number and let you know what is in each file.
Madison County is located in East-Central Texas between the Houston metro area and the Brazos Valley. The county is rural but sees a steady number of family court cases each year. There is one district court handling all district-level civil and family matters. The courthouse sits on West Main Street in downtown Madisonville.
The county's official website at co.madison.tx.us provides contact details for all county departments. The District Clerk's page has mailing address and phone information for records requests.
| Office | Madison County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 W. Main St. Madisonville, TX 77864 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1629, Madisonville, TX 77864 |
| Phone | (936) 348-3615 |
| Fax | (936) 348-3622 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Madison County official website provides office contact details and resources for residents looking to access dissolution of marriage records or file court documents.
The Madison County courthouse in Madisonville is where all civil and family court filings are processed, including divorce and dissolution of marriage cases dating back to 1854.
How to Search Madison County Dissolution Records
Madison County does not have a dedicated public online case search tool. To look up a dissolution of marriage case, contact the District Clerk by phone at (936) 348-3615 or send a written request to the mailing address. You can also check the statewide re:SearchTX portal, which may have some Madison County records indexed. Search by the full legal name of one or both parties.
In-person visits to the courthouse work well if you need to see the actual case file or get copies right away. Bring a valid ID. The clerk can pull up records by name or cause number. If you have a cause number, that is the fastest way to find the right file. If you don't, the clerk can search by name, though common names may return multiple results and take more time to sort through.
For certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce, you will pay a per-page fee plus a certification charge. The clerk can tell you the exact cost. Bring cash, a check, or a money order. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment are accepted.
How to File for Dissolution of Marriage in Madison County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Madison County follows Texas state law. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Madison County for at least 90 days before filing. You bring or mail the Original Petition for Divorce to the District Clerk, pay the filing fee, and receive a cause number. That number tracks the case from that point on.
The petition must be served on the other spouse. You can do this through the county constable, a private process server, or by getting the other spouse to sign a Waiver of Service. If the other party cannot be found, the court may allow service by publication. After service, the 60-day waiting period begins. The court cannot grant a divorce until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed.
Texas allows no-fault divorce under the ground of insupportability, defined in Texas Family Code Section 6.001. This is the most common ground used in Texas. Fault-based grounds are also available but require proof. After the wait, an agreed decree can be presented to the judge if both parties agree on all terms. Contested matters may require mediation or a hearing before a final decree is signed.
Residency Requirement: You must live in Madison County for at least 90 days before filing there. If you moved recently, check which county has the strongest connection to confirm you file in the right place.
Property division follows Texas Family Code Chapter 7. Texas is a community property state, so the court divides marital assets and debts in a just and right way. Each party keeps their separate property, which is what they owned before the marriage or received as an inheritance or gift.
What Madison County Divorce Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Madison County includes all documents filed from the time the case opened to the time it closed. The Original Petition starts the file. Service documents, financial records, any agreements the parties reached, and temporary orders from the court all get added as the case moves forward. The Final Decree of Divorce is the last document and the most important one.
The Final Decree is a signed court order that ends the marriage. It spells out property division, any spousal support, and for cases with children, the full custody and support arrangement. Most requests to the District Clerk are for certified copies of this document. People use it to change a name on a driver's license, close or update financial accounts, or prove marital status.
Madison County divorce records are generally public. You don't need to be a party to the case to request them. Some financial exhibits may be sealed if the court ordered it. Information about minor children, such as evaluator reports or detailed custody terms, may have limited access depending on court orders. The clerk can tell you what is open and what is restricted for any specific case.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs
Filing fees in Madison County are set according to state statutes and local court rules. A standard divorce case costs in the range of $250 to $325 to file. Cases with children are typically a bit more. These fees cover state-mandated surcharges as well as the basic filing cost. Confirm the exact amount with the clerk before filing.
Process server or constable fees add to the cost if the other spouse must be formally served. Copy fees are charged per page, with certified copies costing more than plain ones. Call (936) 348-3615 to ask about current rates before sending a request.
If you qualify for a fee waiver, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the court. Forms are available at txcourts.gov or from the District Clerk. The judge reviews the form and decides if the waiver is granted. Income, expenses, and assets are all considered.
Legal Resources for Madison County Residents
Madison County residents who need legal help with a dissolution of marriage case can contact Lone Star Legal Aid, which serves East and Southeast Texas. They offer free legal services to people who meet income guidelines. Family law is one of their practice areas. Visit lonestarlegal.org for eligibility information and contact details.
The State Bar of Texas offers a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search for a family law attorney by county at texasbar.com. Attorneys in Bryan or Huntsville may also handle cases in Madison County given its location between those two areas.
For free self-help resources, visit texaslawhelp.org for guides, forms, and plain-language explanations of Texas family law. The Texas Court Help website at texascourthelp.gov provides step-by-step assistance for people filing without an attorney.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Madison County. File in the county where you or your spouse has lived for at least 90 days.