Refugio County Dissolution Of Marriage
Dissolution of marriage records in Refugio County are held by the District Clerk at the Refugio County Courthouse. Refugio County is a small coastal county in South Texas, one of the oldest counties in the state with records going back to 1836. The District Clerk maintains all dissolution of marriage filings and provides access through in-person visits or mail requests. Online access is limited in this small county. Call the office to confirm hours and current procedures before making the trip to Refugio.
Refugio County Overview
Refugio County District Clerk
The District Clerk's office in Refugio handles all court records for the county, including all dissolution of marriage case files. The office is located at 808 Commerce Street in Refugio. This office is responsible for storing and providing access to all civil and family court records, including petitions, decrees, and orders in dissolution cases.
Refugio County has historical court records going back to the county's formation in 1836. Court records from 1879 to 1922 are held by the County Clerk. Land records from 1839 to 1904, marriage records from 1851 to 1956, and naturalization records are also available through the county offices. For dissolution of marriage records from 1922 onward, the District Clerk's office at 808 Commerce Street is the right contact.
| Office | Refugio County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
808 Commerce Street, Room 112 Refugio, TX 78377 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 736, Refugio, TX 78377 |
| Phone | (361) 526-2721 |
| Website | co.refugio.tx.us |
Accessing Refugio County Dissolution Records
In-person visits to Room 112 at 808 Commerce Street in Refugio are the best way to access dissolution records. Bring a valid photo ID and as much case information as you have. Staff can search by name or cause number and make copies on request. Call ahead to confirm office hours before making the drive to this rural county.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter with the full names of both spouses, the approximate year of the dissolution, and the cause number if you know it. Send to P.O. Box 736, Refugio, TX 78377. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order. Processing times vary, so allow at least 7 to 14 business days.
Copy fees follow the standard Texas schedule: $1.00 per page for plain copies, $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee for certified copies. A $5.00 search fee may apply if no cause number is provided. Contact the office to confirm current fees before sending payment.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal may have some Refugio County case data online. This free tool shows unofficial case information. For certified copies, contact the District Clerk in Refugio directly.
Online and Statewide Resources
Texas Court Help provides free step-by-step guidance for dissolution of marriage filings that applies to Refugio County residents filing in the 24th Judicial District.
The re:SearchTX portal is the official statewide case search system for Texas courts. It may include Refugio County dissolution case data. Registration is free, and you can search by name or cause number. Documents are unofficial copies only. Certified copies require contacting the District Clerk directly.
Texas court forms including dissolution petitions, waivers, and agreed decrees are available at txcourts.gov. These standard forms are accepted in Refugio County as in all Texas counties. If you are filing without an attorney, start with these forms and the guides at Texas Court Help.
DSHS Dissolution Verification
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit provides dissolution verification letters for Texas divorces finalized since 1968. For Refugio County cases from that period, a $20 letter confirms the names, county, and dissolution date. DSHS does not have the full decree or the terms. For the complete record, contact the Refugio County District Clerk.
Refugio County also has marriage records dating to 1851. These older records may require special handling and advanced notice for retrieval. Order DSHS letters at ovra.txapps.texas.gov or by mail. Expedited processing is available for an extra fee.
Legal Help for Refugio County
Refugio County does not have local legal aid offices. Statewide resources are available online. The Texas Court Help website has guided dissolution instructions for self-represented filers. TexasLawHelp.org provides free Texas Supreme Court-approved forms. The Texas State Law Library offers research help by phone and online.
Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Refugio County for at least 90 days before filing. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a dissolution can be granted. Affidavit of Indigence forms for fee waivers are available through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.
The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with an attorney in South Texas. Legal aid organizations in the Coastal Bend area may also offer help for qualifying individuals.
Cities in Refugio County
Refugio County includes the towns of Refugio and Woodsboro. All dissolution of marriage cases are filed with the Refugio County District Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Refugio County along the South Texas coast. File in the county where you have lived for the past 90 days.