Searching For Texas Divorce Records Online
Texas Divorce Records are considered public records in all states although there may be variations in the way they are governed and treated from one state to another. To search divorce records in any of the states, there are basically two options: government or private. Government sources are generally thought to be Free Texas Divorce Records, albeit largely the contrary in Texas while higher expectations are placed upon private ones. Either will work and is a matter of individual preference or situation.
Texas Divorce Records is placed under the Texas Department of State Health Services. Along with Marriage, Birth and Death records, Divorce Records Texas are available through their Vital Statistics Unit and are sectioned under the Report of Divorce Index. They can be downloaded free of charge from the department website and are available to the public. Conditions and procedures apply. About a hundred thousand Texas Divorces since 1968 are on file but the office only issues their Letters of Verification.
A Divorce Letter of Verification from the Vital Statistics Office only states whether or not a divorce was issued in the state of Texas. It contains the names of the divorcing parties, the county where the divorce was granted and the court case number. Fees are $20.00 for a letter. They are considered searching charges and hence not refundable or transferable to another record whether or not a search yields any results. However if a search results in a 'no record found', it can be used as proof of single-status (marital). Verification letters are available to divorces that occurred from 1968 to the last day of the year preceding the current one.
Reports of Divorce Indexes were not filed with the State offices until 1968 so Texas Divorce Records before that would have to be obtained from the office of the District Clerk at the county where the divorce happened. Likewise, certified copies of major divorce documents such as Divorce Certificates and Divorce Decrees are only obtainable directly from the office of the specific county of origin.
Texans are a special lot. The reasons behind their search for Texas Divorce Records are varied and flowery. There are also Texans who have resided in multiple states or county prior to Texas. As such, the complete divorce records of these folks will cut across state borders and the various state public record databases are not linked. As a result, employing government agencies for multiple-state divorce record searches becomes unfeasible. That's why private record providers are the preferred option for Texas Divorce Records Search especially when time and personal bandwidth are a constraint. Their databases typically cover all states.
Commercial record providers are a great relief for a small fee and there are plenty to expect and choose from. Online Divorce Records search is the most popular and not without reasons. It's convenient, instant and competitively priced but scams abound so shop around a little before committing any fees. Good information and tips are readily found free of charge at review and other promotional sites. These guys know their business and their recommendations are rarely off the mark.
