Wilson County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Wilson County in 2026
WilsonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Wilson County, Texas. Members of the public seeking divorce decrees, case filings, or dissolution judgments may find relevant data through official court repositories, the District Clerk's office, and state vital records systems. Available record categories may include final divorce decrees, case dockets, settlement agreements, child custody orders, and property division documents.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Wilson County District Clerk's office, the county's online public search portal, public access terminals at the courthouse, and the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit. The following sections outline each available search method in detail.
Online Searches
1. Wilson County Official Record Search
The Wilson County Official Record Search portal maintained by County Clerk Genevieve Martinez provides online access to indexed county records. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. Document retrieval may require payment of applicable copy fees.
2. Texas District Court Case Search
The Texas Judicial Branch case search system allows members of the public to search district court cases statewide, including divorce proceedings filed in Wilson County's 81st or 218th Judicial District Courts. This consolidated database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain.
3. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics
The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a statewide index of divorce records. The Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records page explains that the agency issues Divorce Verification Letters, which confirm that a divorce occurred but do not constitute certified copies of the decree. Certified copies of the actual divorce decree are available only from the district clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
In-Person Searches
Wilson County District Clerk (Primary Custodian of Divorce Records)
Wilson County District Clerk's Office
1420 3rd Street, Suite 108
Floresville, TX 78114
Phone: (830) 393-7322
Wilson County District Clerk
Members of the public may visit the District Clerk's office during regular business hours to:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Obtain file-stamped copies of pleadings and orders
- Receive staff assistance with record location
Wilson County Clerk's Office (Supporting Records)
Wilson County Clerk's Office
1420 3rd Street, Suite 110
Floresville, TX 78114
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27, Floresville, TX 78114
Wilson County Clerk's Office
By Mail
Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records by mail to the Wilson County District Clerk. Each request should include:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
- Approximate date the divorce was finalized
- Case number, if known
- Requester's full name and return mailing address
- Purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is subject to current office workload and is typically completed within one to two weeks of receipt.
By Phone
The District Clerk's office may be reached at (830) 393-7322. Staff can confirm by telephone whether a case exists in the system, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date. Detailed document contents and copies of records cannot be provided by telephone.
Through Attorneys
Licensed attorneys may access divorce case files on behalf of clients, including petitioning the court for access to sealed or restricted documents upon a showing of good cause. The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or date of filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and county of marriage
- Previous addresses of either party
- Names of children, if any
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, a suit for divorce must be filed in the county where either spouse has resided for the preceding 90 days, provided that at least one spouse has been a domiciliary of Texas for the preceding six months. Members of the public who are uncertain of the county of filing may need to search multiple counties or consult the statewide court portal.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final decree is signed.
- Older divorces: Records predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Some older records may not be digitized.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not appear in a search include:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations or spelling differences between the search query and the filed record
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in archival format
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may contact the District Clerk's office at (830) 393-7322, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit for statewide verification.
What Are Wilson County Divorce Records?
Wilson County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the county's district courts. These records constitute part of the permanent public court file and are maintained by the Wilson County District Clerk as the primary custodian.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file for a divorce proceeding includes:
- Petition for divorce (original filing)
- Respondent's answer or waiver of service
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Proposed or agreed parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders issued during the proceeding
- Transcripts of court hearings, if prepared
- Final Decree of Divorce
Final Decree of Divorce
The Final Decree of Divorce is the controlling legal document that dissolves the marriage. It establishes:
- The official date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debts
- Spousal maintenance orders, if any
- Child custody and conservatorship arrangements, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Name restoration, if requested
Certified copies of the Final Decree are available from the Wilson County District Clerk.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents within the case file may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, property appraisals, business valuations, financial disclosure records, and post-decree modification orders.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Wilson County District Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit maintains a statewide index and issues Divorce Verification Letters, but does not hold certified copies of decrees. Under Texas Family Code § 3.001 and related provisions, the district court retains jurisdiction over divorce proceedings, and the district clerk maintains the resulting records.
Are Wilson County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Wilson County district courts are public court records subject to the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the Final Decree of Divorce
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from public-facing documents pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld
- Schools children attend may be restricted
- Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
- Psychological evaluations of children are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and related evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse records are subject to confidentiality protections
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims may be withheld
Sealed Records:
A court may seal divorce records upon a showing of good cause. Parties seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the district court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requester Category | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; sealed records upon court order |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to relevant records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; sealed records require court permission |
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Wilson County?
The Wilson County District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certifications of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 51.318, which governs district clerk fees statewide.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 certification fee + $1.00 per page |
| Divorce Verification Letter (DSHS) | $20.00 per letter |
| Online record search (basic) | No charge |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public divorce records at the courthouse at no charge.
- Certified copies: A certification fee applies in addition to the per-page copy fee.
- Electronic copies: Availability and fees for electronic document delivery should be confirmed directly with the District Clerk's office.
- Payment methods: The District Clerk's office accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Wilson County District Clerk. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods by contacting the office at (830) 393-7322.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available to indigent requesters upon submission of a sworn statement of inability to pay, subject to court approval.
- DSHS Divorce Verification Letters: Requests submitted to the Texas Department of State Health Services through the DSHS vital statistics portal carry a separate fee schedule established by the state agency.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Wilson County
A complete Wilson County divorce case file contains documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-decree proceedings. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents members of the public may encounter.
Basic Case Information: The case caption identifies the case number, court name, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record. Filing information reflects the date of filing, case type, and fees paid.
Initial Pleadings: The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and place of marriage, grounds for divorce (Texas is a no-fault state permitting divorce on the ground of insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001, as well as fault-based grounds), information regarding children of the marriage, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or waiver of service reflects the respondent's position and any counterpetition.
Financial Affidavits and Disclosure: Both parties are required to disclose income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Supporting financial documents may include tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents: The case file may contain inventories of marital assets and debts, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports establishing the value of contested property.
Children-Related Documents: Where the marriage produced children, the case file includes a parenting plan or final order establishing legal and physical conservatorship, a timesharing schedule, child support calculation worksheets, and any custody evaluation reports ordered by the court. Guardian ad litem reports, where appointed, may be subject to restricted access.
Settlement Documents: A Marital Settlement Agreement, if executed, comprehensively resolves all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions. Mediation agreements, where applicable, may be incorporated into the final decree.
Court Orders and Final Judgment: Temporary orders issued during the pendency of the case, the Final Decree of Divorce, and any Qualified Domestic Relations Orders dividing retirement accounts are all part of the permanent case file.
Post-Judgment Documents: Petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, enforcement actions, and income deduction orders filed after the final decree are maintained as part of the ongoing case file.
Confidential or Redacted Information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, children's residential addresses and schools, domestic violence details, mental health evaluations, and substance abuse records are subject to redaction or sealing.
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Wilson County
Proof of divorce in Wilson County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce issued by the Wilson County District Clerk, or through a Divorce Verification Letter issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Step 1 – Determine the appropriate document. A certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce is the most comprehensive proof of divorce and is required for most legal purposes, including remarriage, name change proceedings, and property transfers. A DSHS Divorce Verification Letter confirms that a divorce occurred but does not contain the terms of the decree.
Step 2 – Contact the Wilson County District Clerk. Members of the public may request a certified copy in person, by mail, or by telephone inquiry to confirm availability.
Wilson County District Clerk's Office
1420 3rd Street, Suite 108
Floresville, TX 78114
Phone: (830) 393-7322
Wilson County District Clerk
Step 3 – Provide identifying information. Requesters must supply the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known.
Step 4 – Pay applicable fees. Current copy and certification fees apply as described in the fee schedule above.
Step 5 – Request a DSHS Divorce Verification Letter (alternative). For purposes requiring only confirmation that a divorce occurred, members of the public may submit a request through the Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records page. The DSHS Vital Statistics Unit indexes divorces granted in Texas and issues verification letters upon payment of the applicable state fee.
Step 6 – Review court dockets. Members of the public may also review Wilson County court dockets to confirm case status and hearing history prior to requesting certified documents.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Wilson County?
Divorce proceedings in Wilson County are presumptively public, but Texas law and court rules permit certain records or entire cases to be sealed under defined circumstances.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion to seal records pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a, which requires the court to find that a specific, serious, and substantial interest outweighs the presumption of openness and that no less restrictive means will adequately protect the interest.
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may restrict public access to addresses and identifying information of domestic violence victims to protect their safety.
- Children's information: Information identifying the residence, school, or medical providers of minor children may be withheld from public-facing documents.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible filings as a matter of standard court practice.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse are subject to confidentiality protections under state and federal law.
- Mediation communications: Statements made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public case file.
- Sealed settlements: Confidential settlement terms may be incorporated by reference into the final decree without being disclosed in the public record.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the district court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
How Long Does Wilson County Keep Divorce Records?
Wilson County divorce records are subject to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the Texas Local Government Records Act.
- Final Decrees of Divorce: Permanent retention. Final decrees and judgments are maintained indefinitely as part of the permanent court record.
- Complete case files: District court civil case files, including divorce proceedings, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the date of final judgment under current Texas records retention schedules. Cases involving children may be retained longer.
- Docket sheets and indexes: Retained permanently as part of the court's official record.
- Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period.
- Post-decree modification records: Retained as part of the ongoing case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the original proceeding.
- Archived records: Older paper records may be transferred to archival storage. Members of the public requesting archived records should contact the Wilson County District Clerk's office directly to confirm availability and retrieval timelines.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's electronic case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.