Wood County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Wood County in 2026
WoodCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Wood County, Texas. Members of the public may find case filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official county and state resources. Available record categories include divorce decrees, dissolution petitions, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and court docket entries. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through the Wood County District Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Texas Judicial Branch statewide portal, and the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Wood County District Clerk maintains divorce case records filed in the county's district courts. Members of the public may search available case information through the clerk's online portal. 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 provides a statewide case search tool that allows members of the public to search court records across multiple Texas jurisdictions from a single interface. This consolidated database is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain.
3. State Vital Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section maintains divorce verification records for proceedings that occurred in Texas. The Vital Statistics Section issues letters verifying whether a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas. These verification letters are distinct from full court case files and carry applicable fees. Members of the public may also order vital records online through the official DSHS application portal.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Wood County District Clerk
Wood County District Clerk
100 S. Main Street
Quitman, TX 75783
Phone: (903) 763-2361
Wood County District Clerk
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived or older case files
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to:
Wood County District Clerk
P.O. Box 1796
Quitman, TX 75783
Include the following with each written request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- 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 correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Wood County District Clerk: (903) 763-2361
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
- Staff cannot 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 documents upon a proper showing of need, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service for assistance 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
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Wood County
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- 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 resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Texas Family Code § 6.301 requires that at least one spouse have been a domiciliary of Texas for the preceding six-month period and a resident of the county in which the suit is filed for the preceding 90-day period.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately
- Allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for records to be indexed
- Contacting the clerk's office directly may yield faster confirmation for recent cases
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
- Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
- Not all historical records have been digitized; in-person or mail requests are advisable for older cases
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed or subject to confidentiality order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Wood County District Clerk at (903) 763-2361
- Attempt alternate name spellings and both spouses' names
- Search the Texas Judicial Branch statewide portal
- Request a divorce verification letter from Texas Vital Records
- Consult a licensed Texas family law attorney for complex searches
What Are Wood County Divorce Records?
Wood 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 family law case file maintained by the Wood County District Clerk and are classified as public court records subject to applicable access provisions under Texas law.
Types of Divorce Records
Court Case Files contain the complete procedural history of a dissolution proceeding, including:
- Petition for divorce (Original Petition for Divorce)
- Respondent's answer or waiver of service
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Temporary orders issued during the proceeding
- Motions, responses, and supporting exhibits
- Court hearing notices and docket entries
- Final Decree of Divorce
Final Decree of Divorce is the controlling legal document that formally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:
- The official date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debt
- Spousal maintenance provisions, if any
- Child conservatorship and possession schedules, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Name restoration, if requested
- Any injunctive or other relief ordered by the court
Supporting Documents filed as part of the case record may include property inventories and appraisements, parenting plans, child support calculation worksheets, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division, and post-decree modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records
Legal Purposes:
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes with government agencies
- Supporting immigration proceedings requiring marital history
- Facilitating property transfers ordered by the court
- Verifying terms of support or custody for enforcement purposes
- Estate planning and Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal recordkeeping and verification of divorce terms
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Wood County District Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce case files, maintaining complete records indexed by party name and case number. At the state level, the Texas Vital Statistics Section maintains divorce verification records and issues official letters confirming whether a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas.
Legal Framework
Divorce proceedings in Texas are governed by the Texas Family Code § 6.001 et seq., which establishes the grounds for dissolution, residency requirements, and procedural requirements for obtaining a divorce. Public access to court records is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code § 552.001 et seq., which establishes a presumption of openness for government-held information.
Are Wood County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Wood County are public court records under Texas law, and members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction, redaction, or sealing pursuant to court rules and applicable statutes.
What Is Public
The following information is accessible to members of the general public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the 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 and disposition
What May Be Restricted
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
- Bank account and financial account numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools minor children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluation records pertaining to children
- Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses and contact information in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records
A court may seal divorce records upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of family violence, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Texas law and are not part of the public case record.
Who Can Access Records
| Requestor Category | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General Public | Public documents; redacted sensitive information |
| Parties to the Case | Full access to own case file |
| Attorneys of Record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Law Enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
| Researchers and Media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
Restrictions on Use
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting protected by the First Amendment, and personal verification of divorce terms.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Wood County?
The Wood County District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 51.318, which governs fees charged by district clerks for court records.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 certification fee + $1.00 per page |
| Online document access | Varies by document; basic case information free |
| Divorce verification letter (state) | $20.00 per request (DSHS) |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order payable to Wood County District Clerk (mail requests)
- Credit or debit card (availability subject to clerk's office policy)
Fee Waivers:
- Indigent parties to the original case may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees
- Fee waivers are not available to third-party requestors under standard public records access
What Is Available at No Charge:
- Viewing case docket entries and basic case information at public access terminals in the courthouse
- Confirming case existence and status by telephone
- Accessing basic case information through the Texas Judicial Branch online portal
Members of the public seeking a state-level divorce verification letter may submit requests through the DSHS vital records online ordering system, with applicable fees payable at the time of submission.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Wood County
A complete Wood County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the District Clerk from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-decree actions. The scope of documents varies depending on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information
The case caption identifies the court, case number, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record. Filing information reflects the date the original petition was filed, the case type, and the jurisdictional basis for the proceeding.
Initial Pleadings
The Original Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the marriage date and location, the grounds for divorce (in Texas, insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001 is the no-fault ground), information regarding minor children, and the relief requested including property division, support, and name restoration. The respondent's Answer or Waiver of Service reflects the respondent's position and any counterpetition for affirmative relief.
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, as well as all liabilities.
Property-Related Documents
The case file contains a Marital Property Inventory and Appraisement listing all community and separate property claimed by each party, along with supporting appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on asset values. Debt inventories reflect mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card obligations, and other liabilities subject to division.
Children-Related Documents
When minor children are involved, the case file includes a Parenting Plan or Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) establishing legal and physical conservatorship, a possession and access schedule (including holidays and summers), child support calculation worksheets, and health insurance provisions. If ordered by the court, custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports are also part of the file, though these documents may be subject to restricted access.
Settlement and Judgment Documents
An Agreed Final Decree of Divorce or Final Decree of Divorce (in contested cases) constitutes the court's controlling order. It incorporates all property division terms, support obligations, conservatorship arrangements, and any name restoration. Where retirement accounts are divided, a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) instructs the plan administrator on the division of benefits.
Post-Judgment Documents
Post-decree filings include petitions to modify conservatorship or support, enforcement and contempt motions, income withholding orders, and any subsequent court orders on those matters. These documents are part of the original case file and are accessible under the same public access rules applicable to the original proceeding.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as filed)
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Domestic violence evidence in cases with protective orders
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Trade secret information in business valuations (may be sealed)
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Wood County
Proof of divorce in Wood County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce from the Wood County District Clerk, or a divorce verification letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section.
Certified Copy of Final Decree (District Clerk):
- Contact or visit the Wood County District Clerk at 100 S. Main Street, Quitman, TX 75783, or call (903) 763-2361
- Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce or case number
- Submit the applicable fee ($5.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page)
- Certified copies bear the clerk's official seal and are accepted as legal proof of divorce by courts, government agencies, and financial institutions
Divorce Verification Letter (State Vital Records):
- Members of the public may request a divorce verification letter from the Texas Vital Statistics Section, which confirms whether a divorce was recorded with the State of Texas
- Requests may be submitted online through the DSHS vital records ordering portal or by mail to DSHS Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040
- The current fee is $20.00 per verification letter
- Verification letters confirm the existence of a recorded divorce but do not contain the full terms of the decree
Mail Request to District Clerk:
- Submit a written request to Wood County District Clerk, P.O. Box 1796, Quitman, TX 75783
- Include party names, approximate divorce date, case number if known, requestor contact information, and payment
- Allow one to two weeks for processing
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Wood County?
Divorce proceedings in Wood County are presumptively public, but Texas law and court rules permit certain records or entire cases to be sealed under defined circumstances.
- A party may file a Motion to Seal requesting that the court restrict public access to all or part of the case file; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open records against the privacy interests asserted
- Cases involving family violence may have victim addresses, contact information, and related evidence restricted from public access pursuant to Texas Family Code provisions protecting domestic violence victims
- Mental health records, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological evaluations submitted as evidence are subject to restricted access under applicable state and federal privacy laws
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or accessible as part of the public record
- Children's sensitive information, including residential addresses, school information, and medical records, may be redacted or sealed to protect minor children
- A court may seal records in a high-profile case upon a specific showing that sealing is necessary to protect a compelling interest and that no less restrictive means is available
- Sealed records are not accessible to the general public; parties and their attorneys retain access to their own sealed files, and law enforcement may access records pursuant to statutory authority
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Wood County Keep Divorce Records?
Wood County divorce records are subject to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under authority of the Texas Local Government Code.
- Permanent retention applies to final judgments and decrees of divorce; these records are maintained indefinitely and are never destroyed
- Complete case files are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the date of final judgment for most civil family law cases
- Cases involving minor children (conservatorship, child support) are retained for a minimum of 10 years after the youngest child reaches the age of majority (18), effectively extending retention well beyond the standard period
- Docket sheets and indexes are retained permanently, ensuring that a record of the case's existence is always available even if supporting documents have been archived
- Archived paper records from older cases may be stored off-site; retrieval requires additional processing time and should be requested directly from the Wood County District Clerk
- Electronic records created under the Texas e-filing system are maintained in accordance with the same retention schedules applicable to paper records
- The Texas State Library and Archives Commission's Local Schedule TX governs retention periods for county court records, including family law case files
Members of the public seeking records from cases filed many years ago are advised to contact the Wood County District Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.