Written by Background Check Repair
Background Checks | June 7, 2024
Table of Contents
With over 2.5 million residents, Dallas county is among the most populated areas in the state of Texas, many of whom are divorced and wondering how to get copies of their Dallas county divorce records.
Fortunately, there are several ways to find divorce records for the county of Dallas, TX and even search them for free!
Access a free search tool for Dallas County divorce records here and then use the following comprehensive guide for essential information about obtaining official divorce records and other public records in Dallas County, Texas.
The United States Census Bureau’s12 2020 census data found that the state of Texas has a divorce rate of approximately 9.9 which is fairly consistent with the national divorce rate (see “Divorce Rate By Each State”).14 According to the Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary, nearly half of the civil cases in the state are family court cases, and almost 40% of those are divorce cases.9
In other words, divorce cases comprise a substantial portion of the overall civil caseload. This is one reason why the question of “Are divorce records available to the public in Texas?” is so relevant.
As with most states, the state of Texas considers divorce records public. However, they are not quite as readily available or easily accessible as many other public records due to their often sensitive nature.4
The path to accessing these records depends upon the county where the record is stored.5
Knowing that Texas divorce records are generally accessible to the public at large, many people may assume that all Dallas county divorce records are public. For the most part, this is true, except for cases where the divorce record has been sealed for confidentiality or sensitivity reasons.
In Dallas county, divorce records and other family case records are not available for online viewing due to the sensitive nature of some of the information. Therefore, divorce records must often be obtained by mail or in person.3
Finding Dallas county divorce records are not quite as simple as one might hope, especially since most people want to know how to obtain divorce records online for free. Texas divorce records and other family court records are handled in the District Court. In the county of Dallas, Texas, most civil court records can be accessed through the Dallas County, Texas Courts Portal.15
However, this does not include Family Court records which so often have sensitive information and data.3, 5
Thus, Dallas county divorce records cannot be accessed via the online portal. The best recommendations for finding Dallas county divorce records are:8
1. Conducting an online search for divorce records from a trusted site such as this one.
2. Ordering a verification letter through the Texas Health & Human Services Commission via their Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Records Online Ordering system.16, 17
3. Search the Texas Vital Statistics Indexes at the Texas State Library.18, 19
4. Order a certified copy of the divorce decree through the Dallas County District Clerk, using the Civil & Family Court Record Request Form.20
There are several types of Dallas county records searches that can be conducted for free. For example, individuals can conduct a search for a property deed record or marriage record through the Dallas County Official Records Search.21
Additionally, criminal records can be searched for free through the Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Document Information and civil case records can be searched for free through the Dallas County, Texas Courts Portal.15, 22
The divorce decree is one of the most informative records pertaining to divorce cases as it is the final judgment of the case. Knowing the steps for how to get a copy of my divorce decree online in Dallas county, Texas mean that residents need to know where to look.
While unofficial divorce records (such as a divorce verification) can be acquired through the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Records Online Ordering system, an official, certified copy of a divorce decree can only be obtained through the District Clerk for the county where the divorce occurred.3, 17
To obtain a Dallas County divorce decree, follow these steps:
1. Complete the Civil & Family Court Record Request Form.20
2. Email the form to [email protected].2
or
Mail the form to:
Dallas County District Clerk
Attn: Civil & Family Court Records
George Allen Courts Building
600 Commerce St. Ste. B-30
Dallas, Texas 75202
or
Submit the form in person at the address above. Note that certified copies cost $1 per page in any form.
There are a lot of resources for individuals looking for Dallas county divorce records and many other types of public records, and the following table provides useful links, forms, and contact information for relevant offices in the county of Dallas, Texas.
| Dallas County Records | Resource | Contact Information |
| Dallas County Marriage Records | Dallas County Marriage Records – Marriage License Marriage License Application Informal Marriage Certificate Application | Vital Records Division 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099 Fax: (214) 653-7176 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm M-F Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Divorce Filings | Dallas County Divorce Filings – Family Court Forms Uncontested Divorce Form Guide to Representing Yourself in a Divorce | Family Court Division George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street Basement “B” Floor West Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7307 |
| Dallas County Divorce Records | Request For Divorce Decree | Dallas County District Clerk 600 Commerce Street, Records Department, Suite B-30, Dallas, Texas 75202 Phone: (214) 653-6076 Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Vital Records Search | Dallas County Vital Records Search – County Clerk Vital Records Division Dallas County Vital Certificates Application Form | Vital Records Division 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099 Fax: (214) 653-7176 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm M-F Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Public Records | Dallas County Public Records Official Records Search | Dallas County District & County Courts Case and Document Information Civil District Courts Family District Courts (Case Information Only) County and Probate Courts Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Online Records | Dallas County Online Records Official Records Search | Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Criminal Records | Dallas County Criminal Records Request Criminal Records Search Request Form Dallas County Criminal Records – Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Document Information Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Case Information | Make a request in person or in writing to: John F. Warren Dallas County Clerk ATTN: Central Records 600 Commerce Street B-1, Dallas, TX 75202 or Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Clerk Records | Dallas County Clerk Records Central Records Division | Dallas County Clerk’s Office 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099 Fax: (214) 653-7176 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm M-F Central Records Division George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building 600 Commerce Street, B-1 Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099 Fax: (214) 653-7176 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm M-F |
| Dallas County Family Court Records | Dallas County Family Court Records Request Form | Visit in-person: Dallas County District Clerk George Allen Courts Building 600 Commerce Street Basement “B” Floor West, Dallas, TX 75202 Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F Phone: (214) 653-6076 or Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Felony Court Docket | Dallas County Felony Court Docket – Criminal Courts Daily Docket Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Document Information | Criminal Section Resources Frank Crowley Courts Building 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Dallas, Texas 75207 Phone: (214) 712-3088 or Email: [email protected] |
| Dallas County Civil Court Records | Dallas County Civil Court Records Requests Dallas County Civil Courts Division Online Record Search | Make requests for CLOSED civil records in person or by writing to: John F. Warren Dallas County Clerk ATTN: Central Records 600 Commerce Street B-1 Dallas, TX 75202 or Email: [email protected] |
Each individual state has a court system that is organized to serve that specific state’s needs. In general, though, court cases tend to be divided up by the type of case (criminal vs. civil) and the level of the court (county, district, supreme).
Dallas county courts handle both criminal and civil cases, and while the following section explores criminal record access in more detail, this section elaborates on how to search Dallas county court records for civil cases.
To view civil case records, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Dallas County, Texas Courts Portal.15
2. Click the icon “Smart Search” at the bottom of the webpage.
3. Enter the record number or full name to search records and click “Submit.”
Browse search results and click the case number or party name to select a case.
Questions about case information can be emailed to [email protected] (county courts) or [email protected] (district courts).2
Many people want to know about Dallas county criminal records public access and how to search the public database of criminal records. There are several ways to see arrest records in Texas and conviction records, and Dallas county has online resources available as well.
Persons looking for public access to Dallas county court records can search and view Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Document Information by entering the case number. Alternatively, interested parties can also access Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Case Information,22, 23 with a name search or case number search.
Conducting the latter, case information search with a party name can be useful to find the case number needed to conduct the former document search.
To conduct a Dallas county marriage records search by name, individuals should use the Dallas County Official Public Records/Vital Records Search21 and follow these steps:
1. Select “Marriage” from the gray drop-down menu box.
2. Enter the name and date range to be searched and click the orange search button.
3. Scan the search results for the person of interest, or change the search criteria to generate more results.
While this search does not generate the full marriage license document, it does provide the names of the parties and the date of the marriage for recording purposes.
According to the Texas State Law Library,24 the marriage license is the document that both makes a marriage legal and valid and provides legal proof of a marriage contract. It is the only official marital record in Texas. Therefore, knowing how to apply for a Dallas county marriage license online is essential!
Texas Family Code Chapter 2A25 governs the process of application for a marriage license in the state of Texas. To apply for a marriage license, an individual must go through the county clerk in the Texas county of residence, many of which do have online routes. Follow these steps to get a Dallas county marriage license online:
1. Navigate to the Dallas County Clerk webpage.26
2. Complete the Marriage License Application online.27
3. Write down the order number given on completion of the application (required to schedule an appointment).
4. Call the Dallas County Clerk’s Office at (214) 653-7099 to schedule the appointment.
Note: Both parties are usually required to be present at the appointment to receive the marriage license. Valid identification is required.
Knowing how to apply for a legally valid marriage license is the first step, but it is also important to know how to obtain a Dallas county marriage certificate copy.
There are a couple of options here as individuals can apply for the official marriage license or an unofficial marriage verification, depending on the demands of the situation.10
A certified copy of a marriage license must be purchased through the county clerk where the license was granted. In Dallas county, individuals must complete the Certified Copy of Marriage Record Request Form28 and submit it in person or by mail to the clerk’s office at the following address.
Dallas County Clerk’s Office
ATTN: Marriage License
500 Elm St., Ste 2100 – 2nd Floor
Dallas, TX 75202
There is a $10 fee for the purchase of the marriage record, and only money orders are accepted by mail. This process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to return results.
Option 1: Individuals can request an informal marriage verification from the state of Texas by completing the Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record and submitting it to the Texas Department of State Health Services in person or by mail at:2, 29
DSHS – VSS
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040
Option 2: Alternatively, the State of Texas30 has an online route for ordering vital records as well, including marriage and divorce records, and this often has a much faster turnaround time (10 to 15 days). Follow the instructions on the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Records Online Ordering17 page to complete this process.
One of the most common reasons people find themselves searching for their divorce records is because they need to know their divorce date. Any person who runs up against the issue of finding divorce date online for free can try one of the following methods.
1. Use the free search box provided in this article to see divorce records!
2. Use the federal PACER application to search cases and see court records.31
3. Order an unofficial divorce verification through the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Records Online Ordering (free downloads available).11, 17
There are various instances when a person may want to know how to find out if someone is divorced for free online, such as when they:
In Texas, divorce documents are family court records that are held by the District Court. Online access to family court records in Dallas county is limited due to the sensitive nature of information in the documents, but records may be viewed in person at the Civil & Family Records Desk (George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Basement “B” Floor West, Dallas, TX 75202) or requested by emailing the Civil & Family Court Record Request Form to [email protected].3, 20
Alternatively, individuals can find divorce information by conducting a quick search with the search tool provided here. The federal database, PACER,31 may also prove useful in some situations.
People often want to know what is included on a background check and specifically whether a Dallas county background check shows divorce status. A typical background check screening includes personal information about an individual such as current and former addresses, current and former names, and current marital status, and a background check in Texas is no exception.6 Individuals can expect their background check to show that they are divorced once the case has been finalized.
Many individuals find themselves in need of certified copies of their divorce records at some time in their lives, for legal or personal reasons. In Texas, there are many ways to access divorce records, and this website even provides a free search tool that is both fast and convenient.
Review this comprehensive guide for all the best ways to get Dallas county divorce records today!
In the state of Texas, the marriage license is the document which serves as proof of a marriage, and therefore marriage license records are the only legally approved method to validate or verify a marriage.10
Marriage and divorce records encompass some of the most private areas of an individual’s life, leading many to wonder “Are marriage records public to third parties?” In many cases, marriage records are public to anyone able to provide the information to locate the record, but some counties may only provide certified copies or certificates to named parties.
Learning that divorce records are public in most states across the U.S., many people want to know are divorce records public in special cases, such as when domestic violence or abuse is a concern. In these cases, a court may grant a protective order and individuals are also more likely to have a confidentiality request granted, rendering the case inaccessible to the public.7
Because Texas divorce cases are handled in District Court, Harris County Divorce Records must be accessed through the Harris County District Clerk.13 The District Clerk website requires a log-in but allows individuals to search and view public records for free!
According to the Dallas County website, Dallas County Family Court divorce cases have varying durations, with a minimum of 61 days.1
1Dallas County Texas. (2022). Civil and Family Case Filing FAQ’s. Dallas County Texas. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk/civil-faqs>
2Dallas County Texas. (2022). Online Record Search. Dallas County Texas. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/services/record-search/>
3Dallas County Texas. (2022). Records Information Office. Dallas County Texas. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/government/district-clerk/records-family.php>
4The Larson Law Office. (2021, January 22). Can You Access Texas Divorce Records? The Larson Law Office. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.thelarsonlawoffice.com/texas-divorce-records>
5Law Office of Bryan Fagan PLLC. (2017, June). Confidentiality Laws in a Texas Divorce. Law Office of Bryan Fagan PLLC. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.bryanfagan.com/family-law-blog/2017/june/confidentiality-laws-in-a-texas-divorce/>
6Perinic, M. (2021, April 27). What Will Show Up On a Background Check? Secure Thoughts. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://securethoughts.com/will-show-background-check/>
7Powers & Kerr, PLLC. (2017, June 21). Are Divorce Records Confidential? Powers & Kerr, PLLC. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.powersandkerr.com/familylawblog/are-divorce-records-confidential>
8Ramos Law Group, PLLC. (2018, May 2). How to Access Texas Public Divorce Records. Ramos Law Group PLLC. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.ramosfamilylaw.com/blog/access-texas-public-divorce-records/>
9Texas Courts. (2021, March 10). Annual Statistical Report For the Texas Judiciary. Texas Courts. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1451853/fy-20-annual-statistical-report_final_mar10_2021.pdf>
10Texas State Law Library. (2022). Marriage in Texas. Texas State Law Library. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/marriage-licenses>
11United States Probation and Pretrial Services – Northern District of Texas. (2022). Verification of a Marriage or Divorce in Texas. United States Probation and Pretrial Services – Northern District of Texas. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from <https://www.txnp.uscourts.gov/content/marriagedivorce-records>
12United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Explore Census Data. Census Bureau Data. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://data.census.gov/cedsci/>
13Harris County Texas. (n.d.). Search Our Records and Documents. Harris County District Clerk Office of Harris County District Clerk – Marilyn Burgess. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.hcdistrictclerk.com/edocs/public/search.aspx>
14United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Texas. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile/Texas>
15Dallas County. (n.d.). Home. Texas Courts Portal. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://courtsportal.dallascounty.org/DALLASPROD>
16State of Texas. (n.d.). Home. Texas Health and Human Services. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.hhs.texas.gov/>
17Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Order vital records. Texas Department of State Health Services. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://ovra.txapps.texas.gov/ovra/order-vital-records>
18State of Texas. (2022, October 4). Texas Vital Statistics Indexes. Texas State Library And Archives Commission. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/vitalfaq.html>
19State of Texas. (n.d.). Home. Texas State Library And Archives Commission. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.tsl.texas.gov/>
20Pitre, F. (n.d.). Civil & Family Court Record Request Form. Dallas County, Texas, 1. <https://www.dallascounty.org/Assets/uploads/docs/district-clerk/Civil-FamilyRecords_RequestForm.pdf>
21State of Texas. (n.d.). Official Records Search. The County of Dallas. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://dallas.tx.publicsearch.us/>
22State of Texas. (n.d.). Public Access Search. Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Document Information. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://obpublicaccess.dallascounty.org/PublicAccessEP1/CriminalCourts/>
23State of Texas. (n.d.). Criminal Background Search. Offiial Site of Dallas County, TX. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/criminalBackgroundSearch/captcha>
24State of Texas. (2022, September 26). Marriage Licenses – Marriage in Texas – Guides at Texas State Law Library. Texas State Law Library. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/marriage-licenses>
25State of Texas. (n.d.). Family Code. Texas Statutes. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.2.htm>
26State of Texas. (n.d.). County Clerk | Vital Records Division – Marriage License. Dallas County. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/government/county-clerk/vital-records/marriage-license.php>
27State of Texas. (n.d.). Marriage License. Dallas County. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://dallastx.eforms.kofile.com/48113/mlpublicformal/>
28State of Texas. (n.d.). Certified Copy of Marriage Record Request. Dallas County. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.dallascounty.org/Assets/uploads/docs/county-clerk/vital-records/Marriage%20License%20Application%20-%20updated.pdf>
29Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record. Texas Department of State Health Services. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <http://www.dshs.texas.gov/vs/doc/marr-div-verification-wedding.pdf>
30State of Texas. (n.d.). Texas Vital Records. Texas.gov. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://www.texas.gov/texas-vital-records/>
31United States Government. (n.d.). Home. Public Access to Court Electronic Records | PACER: Federal Court Records. Retrieved October 24, 2022, from <https://pacer.uscourts.gov/>
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