Smith County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Smith County dissolution of marriage records go back to 1846 and are stored at the District Clerk's office in Tyler. Smith County is one of the larger East Texas counties, with Tyler serving as the regional center. The District Clerk maintains all dissolution of marriage filings, provides certified copies of decrees, and makes records available to the public. An Odyssey online portal gives free access to case records by name or cause number. Certified copies cost $5.00 each in person or by mail, and plain copies are $1.00 per page. Whether you are searching for a recent case or an older filing, the Smith County District Clerk's office in Tyler is where to start.
Smith County Overview
Smith County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Tyler holds all dissolution of marriage records for Smith County. The office handles new case filings, maintains case files, and provides public access to records. Staff can search by party name or cause number and make copies. Smith County uses an Odyssey portal, provided by Tyler Technologies, for free online case record access.
Smith County has two district courts that handle family law cases, the 7th and 114th Judicial Districts. Tyler is the county seat and the largest city in East Texas. Dissolution of marriage cases from Tyler and all surrounding communities in Smith County are filed here. Records go back to 1846. Marriage certificates date from the same year, and the Texas DSHS has maintained divorce records since 1968.
| Office | Smith County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Smith County Courthouse Annex Building 200 East Ferguson Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-1600 |
| Certified Copies | $5.00 per copy (in person or mail) |
| Plain Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
How to Search Smith County Dissolution Records
Smith County offers free online access to dissolution of marriage records through the Odyssey portal provided by Tyler Technologies. You can search by name or case number and view case records without coming to the courthouse. This is one of the better online access options among East Texas counties. You can also use the statewide re:SearchTX portal for another free search option.
For in-person access, visit the courthouse annex at 200 East Ferguson in Tyler. Bring the name of at least one party or a cause number. Staff can pull the case file and make copies. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Call (903) 590-1600 before visiting to confirm current hours and any additional fees.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request to the District Clerk at 200 East Ferguson, Tyler, TX 75702. Include party names, year filed if known, and a check or money order. The clerk will process and mail back what you need. Turnaround time varies but usually takes a few business days.
To file a dissolution case, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Smith County for at least 90 days. This requirement comes from Texas Family Code Chapter 6. A 60-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed before the divorce can be granted.
Online Access to Smith County Cases
Smith County offers online access through the Odyssey portal, which provides free case search by name or case number. The re:SearchTX portal is also available as a statewide alternative. Both systems let you view case details for dissolution of marriage filings in Smith County without going to the courthouse.
Online records from both systems are unofficial copies. They are useful for tracking a case, confirming filing dates, or checking case status. For a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, you need to go through the District Clerk directly. Certified copies from Smith County cost $5.00 each. Attorneys file through the eFile Texas system. Pro se parties may also use eFile Texas to submit documents electronically.
Note: Smith County's Odyssey portal provides stronger online access than many Texas counties. You can search case records without registering for an account.
Divorce Records Through DSHS
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics keeps a statewide divorce index starting in 1968. Smith County dissolution records from 1968 onward are included in this index. If you need to confirm a divorce happened in Texas but do not know the county, the DSHS Vital Statistics page explains how to request a verification letter.
Smith County marriage certificates go back to 1846. For divorce records before 1968, contact the District Clerk directly since DSHS does not have records that old. Order verifications through the Texas vital records portal. DSHS verification letters confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full court decree.
Texas Dissolution of Marriage Law
Smith County dissolution cases follow Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The most common ground is insupportability, the no-fault option. It means the marriage has broken down due to conflict or discord with no reasonable hope of reconciliation. No wrongdoing needs to be proved by either spouse.
Texas is a community property state. Property and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided between both spouses. The court divides them in a way that is just and right. Separate property, including premarital assets and gifts or inheritances received during the marriage, stays with the original owner as long as it can be clearly traced.
Cases with children require conservatorship and possession orders. The court defaults to the standard possession order for the non-primary parent. Joint managing conservatorship is the presumed arrangement in Texas. Child support is based on the paying parent's net income using state guidelines. Either party can ask the court to adjust the standard order if needed.
Free self-help forms and guides are at Texas Court Help and TexasLawHelp.org. Official court forms are at txcourts.gov/forms. The Texas State Law Library also provides free research guidance.
Legal Help in Smith County
Lone Star Legal Aid serves East Texas including Smith County. They provide free legal services to low-income residents for family law cases including dissolution of marriage. Call (800) 733-8394 to ask about eligibility. More details are at lonestarlegal.org.
The State Bar of Texas referral line is (800) 252-9690. Search for local attorneys at texasbar.com. Self-help guides and free forms are at TexasLawHelp.org and Texas Court Help. The Texas State Law Library provides free research help by phone and email for people who cannot visit a law library in person. Official forms are posted at txcourts.gov/forms.
The Texas State Law Library has free research guides and tools for Smith County residents handling dissolution of marriage cases on their own.
The law library provides remote research assistance by phone and email, which is helpful for people outside of Austin who need legal research support.
Cities in Smith County
Tyler is the county seat and the main city in Smith County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Smith County residents are filed at the District Court in Tyler.
Other communities in Smith County include Lindale, Whitehouse, Bullard, and Troup. All dissolution cases for these communities go through the Smith County District Court in Tyler.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Smith County in East Texas. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse lives.