Johnson County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Johnson County in 2026
JohnsonTXRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Johnson County, Texas. Members of the public may find final divorce decrees, case filing dates, party names, court orders, and related family law documents. Record categories available through official channels include dissolution of marriage filings, certified decree copies, docket entries, and state-level divorce verification letters. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the case date and filing jurisdiction.
Divorce records in Johnson County may be searched through the District Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Texas state vital records system, and authorized online court portals. The following resources and methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Johnson County District Clerk maintains an online case search portal where members of the public may search active and historical divorce cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.
2. State Court System Portal
The Texas Judicial Branch case search provides a statewide portal through which members of the public may search court records across multiple Texas counties and jurisdictions, including Johnson County District Court family law cases.
3. State Vital Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics section maintains divorce indexes and issues verification letters confirming whether a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas. As the agency states, "Vital Statistics issues letters verifying if a marriage or divorce was recorded with the State of Texas based on the application for marriage or divorce." Certified divorce certificates and verification letters may be ordered through the DSHS vital records online ordering system.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Family Division:
Johnson County District Clerk
2 North Mill Street, Suite 260
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: (817) 556-6830
Johnson County District Clerk
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching active and archived case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and court orders
- Staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
Historical and archived divorce case files, including cases predating electronic filing, are maintained by the District Clerk's records division at the same address. Older cases may require additional retrieval time and may not be fully digitized.
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to:
Johnson County District Clerk — Records Division
2 North Mill Street, Suite 260
Cleburne, TX 76033
Phone: (817) 556-6830
Johnson County District Clerk
Written requests should include:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time for mail requests is two to four weeks, depending on case age and volume.
By Phone
Limited Information:
The District Clerk's office may be reached at (817) 556-6830. Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- The original filing date
Staff are not authorized to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Texas may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through proper court motion, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service.
Information Needed for Search
To conduct an effective search, the following information is recommended:
Essential:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Johnson County
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Texas law, a divorce petition is filed in the county where either spouse has resided for the preceding 90 days, pursuant to Texas Family Code § 6.301. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in Johnson County should consider whether the divorce may have been filed in an adjacent county. Divorce records may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless that county also served as the residence of a party.
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 two weeks for processing after the final decree is signed.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format and require additional retrieval time. Digitization of older records varies by case year.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not be located 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 off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may contact the District Clerk at (817) 556-6830, attempt alternate name spellings, search both spouses' names independently, or consult the Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records verification service.
What Are Johnson County Divorce Records?
Johnson County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Johnson County District Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the District Clerk and are subject to the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq.
Types of Divorce Records
Court Case Files include the complete set of documents filed in a dissolution of marriage proceeding:
- Petition for divorce
- Respondent's answer or counterpetition
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Motions, temporary orders, and court rulings
- Hearing transcripts and exhibits
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property and debts, spousal support terms if applicable, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the District Clerk.
Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, property appraisals and business valuations, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records
Divorce records serve legal purposes including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer proceedings, estate planning, immigration applications, and Social Security benefit determinations. These records also serve personal purposes such as genealogical research and family history documentation.
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Johnson County District Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files and provides certified copies to authorized requestors. At the state level, the Texas Vital Statistics Section maintains divorce indexes compiled from records reported by county district clerks. As DSHS notes, the Vital Statistics Section "maintains vital records for the state of Texas, including birth and death certificates, marriage applications, and divorce" indexes. The state-level record provides verification of the divorce event but does not contain the full case file.
Legal Framework
Divorce proceedings in Texas are governed by the Texas Family Code § 6.001 et seq., which establishes grounds for dissolution of marriage, residency requirements, and procedural requirements. Public access to court records is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Public Information Act.
Are Johnson County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Johnson County District Court are public court records subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.
What Is Public
The following information is available to any member of the public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted
Financial Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order.
Children's Information: The names, addresses, schools, and medical information of minor children may be restricted or redacted. Child custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children are subject to restricted access and may be sealed by court order.
Sensitive Personal Information: Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence, mental health records, medical records, and substance abuse treatment information may be sealed or restricted. In cases involving family violence, the personal addresses and contact information of protected parties are withheld from public access.
Sealed Records: A court may seal an entire case file or specific documents upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.
Who Can Access Records
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents otherwise restricted from public view.
- Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order and a showing of legitimate purpose under First Amendment principles.
Prohibited Uses
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Johnson County?
The Johnson County District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Texas Government Code § 51.318, which governs fees charged by district clerks.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (per document) | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Online document access/download | Varies by portal |
| State divorce verification letter (DSHS) | $20.00 per search |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public case files at the courthouse at no charge during regular business hours.
- Certified copies: A certification fee of $5.00 applies per document in addition to the per-page copy fee.
- Electronic copies: Where available through the online case portal, electronic document fees may differ from paper copy fees.
- State-level verification: The Texas DSHS charges $20.00 per search for a divorce verification letter. Members of the public may order vital records online through the official DSHS application.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available to indigent parties upon submission of a sworn statement of inability to pay, pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 145.
- Accepted payment methods: The District Clerk's office accepts cash, money order, and credit or debit card for in-person transactions. Mail requests require a money order or cashier's check payable to the Johnson County District Clerk.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Johnson County
A complete Johnson County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the District Clerk from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.
Basic Case Information
The case caption identifies the case number, the court and division, the full legal names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and all attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the petition was filed, the case type, and the jurisdictional basis for the filing.
Initial Pleadings
The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (in Texas, the primary ground is insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001, though fault grounds including cruelty, adultery, and abandonment are also recognized), information regarding minor children, property claims, and the relief requested.
The Respondent's Answer states the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, and any counterpetition for divorce filed by the respondent.
Financial Affidavits filed by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Property-Related Documents
The case file includes a marital asset inventory listing all property subject to division, debt inventories, appraisals of real property and business interests, and expert valuation reports where applicable.
Children-Related Documents
Where minor children are involved, the case file contains the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and summer provisions, child support calculation worksheets, income information for both parties, health insurance and childcare cost documentation, and the child support amount ordered by the court. Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the case file but may be subject to restricted access.
Settlement Documents
A Marital Settlement Agreement, where the parties resolve issues by agreement, is incorporated into the final decree and addresses property division, debt allocation, spousal support terms, and child-related provisions. Mediation communications are confidential under Texas law and are not part of the public case file.
Court Orders and Final Judgment
Temporary orders addressing interim custody, support, and property use are filed in the case record. The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is the court's definitive order ending the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division awards, spousal support orders if applicable, child custody and support orders, any court-ordered name restoration, and the judge's signature and court seal.
Post-Judgment Documents
The case file may also contain petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions and enforcement actions, income deduction orders, and any liens filed in connection with support enforcement.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details and evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Johnson County?
Proof of divorce in Johnson County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce issued by the Johnson County District Clerk, or through a divorce verification letter issued by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section.
Certified Copy from the District Clerk
A certified copy of the final decree constitutes the primary legal proof of divorce recognized by courts, government agencies, and financial institutions. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:
- Visiting the Johnson County District Clerk's office in person at 2 North Mill Street, Suite 260, Cleburne, TX 76033, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the required identifying information and payment
- Searching the online case portal and requesting document copies where the system permits
State Verification Letter from DSHS
For purposes where a full certified decree is not required, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section issues verification letters confirming that a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas. The marriage and divorce records page of the DSHS website provides application instructions. Members of the public may also consult the marriage and divorce indexes maintained by DSHS, which compile records reported by county district clerks statewide.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Texas Vital Statistics — DSHS
Members of the public may also access Texas vital records information through the official Texas.gov portal, which provides guidance on ordering records online with a valid government-issued identification.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Johnson County?
Certain divorce records in Johnson County may be sealed or restricted from public access under specific legal circumstances. While the presumption under Texas law favors public access to court records, courts retain authority to seal records upon a showing of good cause.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:
- Family violence cases: Where a protective order has been issued or family violence is alleged, the court may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of victims.
- Sealed case files: A party may file a motion to seal the case file or specific documents. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in access against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
- Children's information: Information identifying the residence, school, or medical condition of minor children is subject to restriction and may be redacted from publicly accessible documents.
- Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, and medical conditions are restricted pursuant to applicable state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not filed in the public case record.
- Confidential settlements: Settlement terms not incorporated into a filed court order may remain outside the public record.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court rules on such requests on a case-by-case basis.
How Long Does Johnson County Keep Divorce Records?
Johnson County divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission records retention schedules applicable to district court records.
Retention periods for divorce-related records currently in effect include:
- Final decrees of divorce and permanent court orders: Retained permanently. These records are never destroyed and remain accessible through the District Clerk's office indefinitely.
- Complete case files (contested and uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the date of final judgment, with permanent retention for cases involving minor children or significant property matters, pursuant to applicable state records schedules.
- Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the complete case file for the applicable retention period.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; sensitive financial documents may be subject to restricted access during the retention period.
- Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file or as a separate supplemental file, subject to the same retention schedule as the underlying case.
- State-level divorce indexes (DSHS): The Texas DSHS maintains divorce indexes reported by county district clerks. These indexes are retained permanently and are accessible through the DSHS marriage and divorce indexes portal.
Members of the public seeking records from cases older than those available in the online system should contact the Johnson County District Clerk directly at (817) 556-6830 to inquire about archive retrieval procedures and any additional fees that may apply.