Harris County Divorce Records
Understanding Harris County TX Divorce Records
Divorce records are considered vital records, which means that they are a record of a life event. These are also considered part of the public record system in Harris County, Texas which is accessible to anyone upon request. These records are often used by researchers, genealogists, or someone directly involved in the divorce. Other vital records include birth and death records
To run a Harris County divorce records search you only need to know the names of the parties involved, you do not need to know the divorce date. Then using either state run agency resources, or privately run third-party resources, you can quickly track down the records you need.
How to Run a Harris County Divorce Records Search
The primary source for Harris County Texas divorce records is the County District Clerk's office. This office maintains a comprehensive database of divorce records, divorce decrees and other publicly available records. You can go to their website and search for divorce records online, or you can also inquire over the phone or in-person. If you need official documentation then you can contact the clerk of the court for a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Another option to running a Harris County TX divorce records search is using a public records site. These resources are designed for quick access to all types of public records with an online name search. These types of website are typically used for reference only, but they offer quick results and anonymous searching. It can be useful if you want to confirm someone's divorce, or if they are still married without alerting anyone. These are totally legitimate resources that can be helpful in tracking down information quickly.
How to Get a Copy of a Divorce Decree in Harris County
Divorce decrees are official court documents that officially ends a marriage and dictates the terms of a divorce. These are typically only available for the divorcees, unless you have a court order to obtain one. The process of getting a copy of a divorce decree may vary depending on the method of request.
For online requests, visit the Harris County District Clerk's website. Navigate to the records request section and register your information. Since these are official court documents you are requesting, they will need to verify your identity. Then you can file for the official divorce documents and an official copy will be mailed to you after processing. There will be a fee for this, and expedited processing typically costs extra.
If you really need to documents quickly, then you may want to visit the District Clerk's office in person. Be prepared to provide necessary information and multiple forms of identification. While they will still need to process the request for a divorce decree, the verification process will be a lot quicker. You can typically call the District Office in person to setup an appointment @ 832-927-5800
How to Verify if My Harris County Divorce is Finalized
If you want verification of a divorce being finalized, you can contact the County Vital Statistic's Office, or the District County Clerk's Office. You can search for your divorce records online through the County Clerk's office but for very recent divorces you may want to contact them in person as sometimes there is a delay in reporting for online requests.
Is Dissolution of Marriage the Same as a Divorce?
Yes, a dissolution of marriage and divorce are similar terms but are used in different legal contexts. Generally speaking, both dissolution of marriage and divorce refer to the ending of someone's marriage. However, these terminologies can vary slightly. A divorce in many counties and jurisdictions is the formal legal process of ending a marriage, but for all intents and purposes they are virtually the same.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Harris County Divorce Certificate?
You can obtain an official copy of your divorce certificate in a couple different ways. First, you can contact the clerk of the courts where you filed your divorce decree. Second, you can visit the Texas Department of State Health Services to order a divorce certificate copy. They manage all the vital records for the state and is a good option if you don't remember the specific courthouse you filed for divorce in.
