What is a Divorce Certificate in Texas?
In Texas, a divorce certificate (also known as a “divorce verification letter”) is an official document that contains details about a divorce that occurred in the state. Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vital Statistics Section is responsible for maintaining and issuing all Texas divorce records, including divorce decrees, divorce certificates, and all divorce documents in the state. Typical details on a Texas divorce certificate include the following:
- The names of the divorced spouses
- The divorce date
- Place of divorce
Are Divorce Certificates Public in Texas?
No. Under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 552 (the Texas Public Information Act or TPIA), records maintained, produced, and collected by government bodies are presumed to be publicly available. Hence, these records are public since divorce certificates are issued and maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vital Statistics Section, which is a government agency. This is unlike other vital certificates (such as birth and death certificates), considered protected records and can only be requested by a registrant's immediate family member. The TDHS places no restrictions on who can request Texas divorce certificates making these records public. However, persons seeking a certified copy of a divorce certificate or any other Texas vital record like a birth certificate, death certificate/death records, or marriage certificate will need to satisfy the state's eligibility requirements to be able to access them.
Where to Get a Divorce Certificate in Texas
In Texas, divorce certificates (also called divorce verification letters) are issued strictly by the state Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vital Statistics Section. Hence, those interested in getting a copy of a Texas divorce certificate would need to query the office for copies of the desired record. Record seekers should note that the TDSHS Vital Statistics Section only maintains divorce certificate issues from 1968 to the present.
How to Get a Divorce Certificate in Texas
Record seekers can order a Texas divorce certificate through the TDSHS online, by mail, or in person.
Ordering a divorce certificate online is the easiest and fastest way to get a divorce certificate in Texas. The TDSHS maintains a 24/7 online portal interested persons can use to order vital records they maintain online, including divorce certificates. Note that a requester must provide their driver's license or state-issued ID information and know specific information about the divorce to request a certificate online.
Inquirers can begin the ordering process by clicking the “Get Started” button on the portal’s homepage. Following that, they would be led to a page where they would be asked to select the type of vital record they need. Select the “Divorce Verification Letter” option (typically the last option on the page) and proceed to the 4-step application page and provide information about themselves and the desired record.
After filling out the application, the requester may be asked to pay a fee. Most online orders are processed within 20-25 business days; requesters can keep track of their orders through the “check order status” portal provided by the TDSHS. After an application has been processed and approved, the requested divorce certificate will be mailed to the mailing address the requester provided on their online application.
Record seekers who refer to order a Texas divorce certificate in person or by mail must complete the marriage/divorce application form (VS-142.9). The form would need to be completed with the requester's information, such as their name, address, and contact information. Requesters would also need to provide details about the desired certificate on the application. These include the names of divorced spouses, the divorce date, the place of the divorce, and the ages or dates of birth of the divorced parties during the divorce. On the application form, the requester should select “divorce verification” as the “record type” and indicate the number of copies they want. The TDSHS charges $20 per copy requested. This fee can be paid by checks or money orders payable to the DSHS - Vital Statistics. Requesters must also provide a copy of their current driver's license, passport, or state identification along with the application form. The completed application form, the required fees, and a copy of the requester’s required ID can be mailed or submitted in person at Texas DSHS - Vital Statistics Section.
The TDSHS offers walk-in service from Monday to Friday (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) at its Austin Office located at:
DSHS - Vital Statistics Section,
1100 W. 49th St.,
Austin, TX 78756
Alternatively, record seekers can mail a completed application to the TDSHS at:
DSHS - VSS,
P.O. Box 12040,
Austin, TX 78711-2040.
In some cases, completed applications submitted via the TDSHS walk-in service are processed on the same day. In comparison, mailed-in applications are processed within six (6) to eight (8) weeks. If the TDSHS finds the requested divorce certificate, the office will mail it to the address the requester provides on the application. Else, the office would issue a “not found” letter. Requesters should note that request fees are non-refundable.
What is a Dissolution of Marriage Certificate in Texas?
A “dissolution of marriage certificate” is one of several terms used interchangeably to describe a divorce certificate in Texas. The official term used by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) is “divorce verification letter”. Regardless of the terms used (“dissolution of marriage certificate,” “divorce verification letter,” or “divorce certificate”), this is a document that provides basic information about a divorce that occurred in Texas.
How Can I Get a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage in Texas?
A “certificate of dissolution of marriage” is another name for a “divorce certificate” in Texas. Hence, record seekers can use the aforementioned steps on “how to get divorce certificates in Texas” to get a certificate of dissolution of marriage in the state. Generally, divorce records are maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vital Section. Thus, interested persons can query the TDSHS to get a certificate of dissolution of marriage in Texas.
What is the Difference Between a Texas Divorce Decree and a Divorce Certificate?
A Texas divorce decree is a court document that contains a court's final judgment on issues brought up during a divorce proceeding. Meanwhile, a divorce certificate is an informative document that contains basic details about a divorce that has been finalized. It is important not to mistake one for the other, as both documents differ in different aspects. Among which includes the following:
- Content: Texas divorce decrees are generally more detailed than a divorce certificate. A divorce certificate contains basic identifying information about a divorce, such as the names of the divorced parties, the divorce date, and the place of divorce. On the other hand, a divorce decree contains the aforementioned details about a divorce and a court’s final decision on issues in the divorce proceedings. These include and are not limited to property division between the divorced parties, child custody, spousal support payments, child support payments, and visitation rights.
- Issuance and maintenance: the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Vital Section is responsible for the insurance and maintenance of divorce certificates in the state. Meanwhile, a divorce decree is a court document that is issued and maintained by the district clerk in the county or district where the divorce was filed.
- Application: a Texas divorce certificate is used as an informative document that verifies whether or not divorce has been recorded in the state. Meanwhile, a divorce decree is a court order which, when issued, finalizes a divorce. Although both documents can be used to prove a divorce has occurred, most divorce decrees can be used in other ways. These include as an enforcement tool if parties to the divorce fail to follow the divorce terms and a reference document to review the terms of a divorce.
How Can I Get My Divorce Certificate Online in Texas?
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) maintains a 24/7 online portal records seekers can use to order divorce certificates in the agency’s custody. The portal is not limited to divorce certificates alone; record seekers can also use the portal to request other types of vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage. After the TDSHS has processed and approved the online application, the agency would then send the requested record to the requester via the mailing address they provided on their application.
Where Can I Get a Copy of My Divorce Papers in Texas?
A record seeker can get a copy of their divorce papers in Texas by querying the district clerk’s office of the county, city, or district where they filed for divorce. Texas district clerks are generally responsible for maintaining the records of divorces filed in their respective jurisdictions. The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) provides an online directory interested persons can use to find local offices' websites by county/city, including district clerk offices. On the local office’s website, record seekers can obtain an office's contact information and address to make queries for their divorce papers.
