Uvalde County Public Records /Uvalde County Divorce Records

Uvalde County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Uvalde County in 2026

UvaldeRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Uvalde County, Texas. Members of the public may locate divorce decrees, case filings, final judgments, and related court documents through official county and state resources. Available records may include:

Final divorce decrees
Case docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Divorce verification certificates
Supporting case documents

Divorce records in Uvalde County are maintained primarily by the 38th Judicial District Clerk and may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The 38th Judicial District Clerk maintains the official case index for divorce proceedings filed in Uvalde County. Members of the public may search case information online at no charge; however, obtaining certified copies or full document sets requires payment of applicable fees.

2. State Vital Records — Texas DSHS

Texas registers divorce verifications through the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office issues divorce verifications for dissolutions that occurred in Texas. These verifications confirm that a divorce was granted but do not contain the full case file. Members of the public may also order vital records online through the official Texas.gov application.

3. Local Vital Record Offices

The Texas DSHS maintains a directory of local vital record offices where members of the public may obtain divorce-related records at the county level. The Uvalde County Clerk is listed as a local issuing authority for Texas birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.

In-Person Searches

38th Judicial District Clerk — Family Division

38th Judicial District Clerk's Office
Courthouse Plaza, Box 15
Uvalde, Texas 78801
Phone: (830) 278-3918
Fax: (830) 591-1344
38th Judicial District Clerk

Members of the public visiting the District Clerk's office in person may:

Search case files by party name or case number
View documents at public access terminals
Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
Receive staff assistance with record location

Uvalde County Clerk's Office
Courthouse Plaza
Uvalde, Texas 78801
Uvalde County Clerk

The County Clerk, currently Donna M. Williams, serves as the local issuing authority for vital records including divorce verifications. Members of the public should note that a notice of address change is effective May 5, 2026; requestors are advised to confirm the current mailing address directly with the office prior to submitting written requests.

By Mail

Written Request to the District Clerk:

Mail to: 38th Judicial District Clerk, Courthouse Plaza, Box 15, Uvalde, Texas 78801
Include the following:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- 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 of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests.

By Phone

The District Clerk's office may be reached at (830) 278-3918. 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, confidential information, or copies of records by telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Texas may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be subject to restricted access. The State Bar of Texas maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in connection with divorce record matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or date range
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and county of marriage
Previous addresses in Texas
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, a suit for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where either spouse has resided for the preceding 90-day period. Accordingly, members of the public must search the county where one of the spouses resided at the time of filing — not necessarily the county where the marriage occurred.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces: Records may not appear in the online index 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 be archived in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a specific written request.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include:

The record 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 encountering difficulty locating a record may contact the District Clerk at (830) 278-3918, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Texas DSHS vital records portal for a statewide divorce verification.

What Are Uvalde County Divorce Records?

Uvalde County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the 38th Judicial District Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the District Clerk and serve as the authoritative legal documentation of a marriage's dissolution.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file includes all documents filed with the court from initiation through final judgment, including:

Petition for divorce (Original Petition for Divorce)
Respondent's answer or waiver of service
Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
Proposed or agreed parenting plans (if children are involved)
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings (if ordered)
Final Decree of Divorce

Final Decree of Divorce

The Final Decree of Divorce is the controlling legal document establishing:

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
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the Final Decree are available through the District Clerk's office.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents filed in the case record may include property appraisals, business valuations, retirement account division orders (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), income withholding orders, and post-judgment modification orders.

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The 38th Judicial District Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files in Uvalde County. The Uvalde County Clerk serves as the local issuing authority for divorce verifications as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

At the state level, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit maintains a statewide index of divorce verifications for dissolutions occurring in Texas.

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in Texas are governed by the Texas Family Code, which establishes grounds for divorce, residency requirements, property division standards, and child-related provisions. Under Texas Family Code § 6.001, insupportability — the equivalent of no-fault divorce — is the most common ground cited in Texas dissolution proceedings. Public access to court records is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Public Information Act.

Are Uvalde County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Uvalde County are public court records subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and final judgments without demonstrating a specific need or interest.

What Is 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 final judgments
Final Decree of Divorce
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c)
Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluation reports (may be sealed)
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses 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 Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 154.073 and are not part of the public case file.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor Category	Level of Access
General public	Public documents, docket entries, final decrees
Parties to the case	Full access to own case file
Attorneys of record	Full access; may petition for sealed documents
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted information
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Uvalde County?

The 38th Judicial District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certifications of divorce records. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Copies (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy (per document)	$5.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page
Search fee (if applicable)	Varies; confirm with clerk's office
Electronic copies	Confirm availability and fee with clerk's office

These fees are established pursuant to the Texas Government Code and the local fee schedule adopted by the 38th Judicial District Court. Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the District Clerk's office at (830) 278-3918 prior to submitting a request, as fee schedules are subject to revision.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Money order (mail requests)
Check payable to the District Clerk (confirm acceptance prior to submission)
Credit or debit card (confirm availability with clerk's office)

Fee Waivers:

Members of the public who are indigent may petition the court for a waiver of court costs pursuant to applicable Texas law. A sworn statement of inability to pay must be filed with the court for consideration.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries online (where available)
Confirming case existence and status by telephone
Reviewing documents at public access terminals in the clerk's office (no copy fee for viewing only)

Texas DSHS divorce verifications ordered through the online vital records portal carry a separate state fee schedule; members of the public should consult the DSHS portal for current pricing.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Uvalde County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the 38th Judicial District Clerk contains all documents filed from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment 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: Every file includes the case caption (case number, court, parties' names, assigned judge, and attorneys of record), the filing date, case type designation, and the jurisdictional basis for the filing.

Initial Pleadings: The Original Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the marriage date and location, the grounds for divorce, information regarding any children of the marriage, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer, waiver of service, or counter-petition is also included.

Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to disclose income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. These affidavits form the evidentiary basis for property division and support determinations. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible copies.

Property-Related Documents: The case file may contain inventories of marital assets and debts, real property appraisals, business valuations, retirement account statements, and proposed or court-ordered division schedules. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), when applicable, are filed as separate orders directing retirement plan administrators.

Children-Related Documents: When minor children are involved, the file includes a parenting plan or final order establishing legal and physical conservatorship, a possession and access schedule, child support calculation worksheets, and any custody evaluation reports. Certain children's identifying information may be redacted or restricted.

Settlement Documents: An agreed Marital Settlement Agreement, if executed, is incorporated into the Final Decree of Divorce and constitutes a binding court order. Mediation agreements are referenced but mediation communications remain confidential.

Court Orders and Final Judgment: Temporary orders, injunctions, and the Final Decree of Divorce are all part of the permanent record. The Final Decree constitutes the court's definitive resolution of all issues and bears the judge's signature and court seal.

Post-Judgment Documents: Modification petitions, contempt motions, enforcement actions, income withholding orders, and orders on post-judgment motions are filed in the original case and become part of the permanent record.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Minor children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiation correspondence (not filed with the court)

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Uvalde County?

Proof of divorce in Uvalde County may be obtained in two primary forms: a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce from the District Clerk, or a divorce verification issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Certified Copy of the Final Decree of Divorce:

A certified copy of the Final Decree is the most comprehensive form of proof and is accepted for legal purposes including remarriage, name changes, property transfers, and immigration proceedings. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:

Visiting the 38th Judicial District Clerk's office in person at Courthouse Plaza, Box 15, Uvalde, Texas 78801
Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the required identifying information and payment
Contacting the clerk's office at (830) 278-3918 to confirm current procedures and fees

Texas DSHS Divorce Verification:

For purposes requiring only confirmation that a divorce occurred — rather than the full decree — members of the public may request a divorce verification through the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. This document confirms the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date the divorce was granted. The fastest method is to order the verification online through the official Texas.gov application.

Uvalde County Clerk — Local Vital Records:

The Uvalde County Clerk is designated by Texas DSHS as a local vital record office authorized to issue divorce-related vital records at the county level. Members of the public may contact the County Clerk's office directly to inquire about locally issued divorce verifications.

Required Information for Any Request:

Full legal names of both parties at the time of divorce
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if available
Requestor's name, address, and contact information
Valid government-issued identification (for in-person requests)
Payment of applicable fees

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Uvalde County?

Divorce proceedings in Uvalde County are presumptively public; however, Texas law provides mechanisms through which certain records or entire cases may be made confidential under defined circumstances.

Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion to seal records pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in access against the specific harm that disclosure would cause. Sealing requires a written order supported by specific findings.
Domestic violence cases: When a party has obtained a protective order or demonstrates a credible threat of family violence, the court may restrict public access to addresses, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of the victim.
Children's information: Under Texas law, certain identifying information regarding minor children — including residential addresses, school enrollment, and medical records — is subject to restricted access regardless of whether the case is sealed.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and inadmissible pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 154.073 and do not become part of the public case file.
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible copies as a matter of standard court procedure under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c.
Sealed settlements: Parties may petition the court to seal specific settlement terms upon a showing of good cause, though the existence of the case and the fact of dissolution remain public.

How Long Does Uvalde County Keep Divorce Records?

Divorce records filed in the 38th Judicial District Court are subject to the retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for district court records.

Final Decrees of Divorce and permanent court orders: Retained permanently. These documents are never destroyed and constitute part of the court's permanent record.
Complete case files (contested and uncontested): District court case files are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the date of final judgment under the Texas State Records Retention Schedule. Many jurisdictions retain family law case files permanently given their ongoing legal significance.
Docket sheets and indexes: Retained permanently as part of the court's administrative record.
Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
Archived records: Older paper records that predate electronic filing may be stored in off-site archives. Members of the public requesting archived records should allow additional processing time and contact the District Clerk's office at (830) 278-3918 to confirm availability.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission publishes the Local Schedule DC governing retention of district and county court records, which serves as the authoritative reference for record-keeping obligations applicable to Uvalde County divorce records.