Limestone County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Limestone County in 2026
LimestoneRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Limestone County, Texas. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official county and state resources. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage petitions, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and spousal support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the date of filing and the nature of the case.
Divorce records in Limestone County may be searched through the District Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the state. The following resources are available to members of the public seeking divorce-related court records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Limestone County District Clerk maintains court case records for family law matters, including divorce proceedings. Members of the public may contact the District Clerk's office directly to inquire about online case lookup availability. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies of documents.
2. State Vital Records
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) registers divorce records at the state level. Members of the public may order vital records online through the official Texas.gov application. This service is available for divorces that occurred in Texas and provides divorce verification letters rather than full court case files. Fees apply per record ordered.
In-Person Searches
District Clerk – Family Law Division:
Limestone County District Clerk
200 W. State St., Groesbeck, TX 76642
Phone: (254) 729-3206
District Clerk – Limestone County
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records
Limestone County Clerk's Office
200 W. State St., Groesbeck, TX 76642
Phone: (254) 729-5504
Limestone County Clerk's Office
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Maintains civil, misdemeanor, probate, and commissioner court records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Limestone County District Clerk, 200 W. State St., Groesbeck, TX 76642
- Include the following in the written request:
- Full 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: Requests are processed within 1–2 weeks, subject to office workload
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- District Clerk: (254) 729-3206
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
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 family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Limestone County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Texas are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, at least one spouse must have been a domiciliary of Texas for six months and a resident of the filing county for 90 days preceding the filing of the petition.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Records may not appear in the system immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final decree is entered.
- Older divorces: Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Not all historical records have been digitized.
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 between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case has not yet been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
If a record cannot be located, members of the public may contact the District Clerk at (254) 729-3206, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or check the Texas DSHS marriage and divorce records portal for a state-level verification letter.
What Are Limestone County Divorce Records?
Limestone County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the county's district courts. These records are maintained by the Limestone County District Clerk as part of the family law case file and constitute part of the public court record under Texas law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
- Petition for divorce (original filing)
- Respondent's answer or counterpetition
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Hearing notices and docket entries
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree of Divorce
The final decree is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal 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
- Name restoration, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the District Clerk's office.
Supporting Documents
- Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Financial disclosure documents
- Post-divorce modification orders
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Limestone County District Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce case files, indexing records by party name and case number. At the state level, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Section maintains divorce verification records. Members of the public may order Texas vital records online for a state-issued divorce verification letter.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Texas are governed by the Texas Family Code § 6.001 et seq., which establishes grounds for divorce, residency requirements, and procedural rules. Public access to court records is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., which establishes a presumption of openness for government records.
Are Limestone County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Limestone County are public court records, accessible to any member of the public under the Texas Public Information Act. Basic case information, docket entries, and final orders are available for inspection and copying. Certain categories of information within a case file may be restricted or redacted pursuant to court rule or statute.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Final divorce decree and 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 evaluations (may be sealed by court order)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. High-profile cases, cases involving abuse, and cases with confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Access Level |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents, docket entries, final orders |
| Parties to the case | Full access to own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
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 protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification of marital status.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Limestone County?
The Limestone County District Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Texas Government Code § 118.052, which sets the fee schedule for county clerk and district clerk services.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of document | $5.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Divorce verification letter (state DSHS) | $20.00 per record |
| Online vital record order (DSHS) | $20.00 per record + processing fee |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours at the District Clerk's office.
- Electronic copies: Availability and fees for electronic format copies should be confirmed directly with the District Clerk's office at (254) 729-3206.
- Search fees: The District Clerk does not charge a separate search fee for locating records by party name or case number.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon submission of a sworn statement of inability to pay, pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
- Payment methods: The District Clerk's office accepts cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods prior to submitting a request.
State-level divorce verification letters ordered through the Texas DSHS vital records portal carry a separate fee of $20.00 per record and may be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the DSHS Vital Statistics headquarters in Austin.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Limestone County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Limestone County District Clerk contains all documents filed with the court from the initial petition through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption (case number, court name, parties' names, judge assigned, attorneys of record)
- Filing date and case type
- Jurisdictional basis for filing
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of marriage, the date of separation if applicable, grounds for divorce (in Texas, insupportability under Texas Family Code § 6.001 is the most common no-fault ground), information regarding minor children, property claims, and relief requested. The respondent's answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterpetition.
Financial Documents:
- Inventory and appraisement of marital assets and debts
- Financial affidavits disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
- Tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements (submitted as exhibits)
- Business financial statements, if applicable
- Retirement account statements
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan or agreed order for conservatorship and possession
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income withholding orders
- Custody evaluations (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Settlement and Judgment Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement or agreed final decree
- Mediation agreement, if applicable (terms incorporated into final order; communications confidential)
- Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Final judgment of divorce, including all property division, support, and custody provisions
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement accounts are divided
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody, conservatorship, or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Redacted or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Minor children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Limestone County
Proof of divorce in Limestone County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final decree from the District Clerk, or a divorce verification letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Certified Copy of Final Decree (District Clerk):
- Contact the Limestone County District Clerk at (254) 729-3206 to confirm the case number and document availability.
- Submit a written request in person, by mail, or as directed by the office, including the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification fee (currently $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page).
- Receive the certified copy bearing the court's official seal, which serves as legal proof of divorce for remarriage, name change, immigration, and other legal purposes.
Limestone County District Clerk
200 W. State St., Groesbeck, TX 76642
Phone: (254) 729-3206
District Clerk – Limestone County
Divorce Verification Letter (Texas DSHS):
The Texas Department of State Health Services issues divorce verification letters for divorces that occurred in Texas. This document confirms that a divorce was granted but does not contain the full terms of the decree. Members of the public may apply through the Order Vital Records application on Texas.gov or by mail to the DSHS Vital Statistics Section.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section
1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756
Phone: (512) 776-7111
Marriage and Divorce Records – Texas DSHS
- Fee: $20.00 per verification letter
- Processing time: Varies; expedited service available for in-person requests during office hours
- In-person services at DSHS headquarters are limited to issuance of certified records during published office hours
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Limestone County?
Divorce proceedings in Limestone County are presumptively public, but Texas law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be sealed or restricted under defined circumstances.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion to seal all or part of a divorce case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open records against the privacy interests of the parties or children. A sealing order must be supported by specific findings.
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may restrict access to addresses and identifying information for victims of family violence pursuant to Texas Family Code protections and applicable protective order statutes.
- Children's information: Information identifying the residence, school, or medical condition of minor children may be withheld from public access to protect the children's welfare.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible filings pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: These records, when submitted as exhibits, may be filed under seal upon motion and court order.
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 Limestone County Keep Divorce Records?
Limestone County retains divorce records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for district court records.
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final divorce decrees are never destroyed and remain part of the permanent court record.
- Complete case files: District court case files, including all pleadings, orders, and exhibits, are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case for most civil matters. Family law cases involving children may be retained longer.
- Docket sheets and indexes: Retained permanently as part of the court's official record.
- Archived paper records: Older case files that predate electronic filing may be stored in off-site archives. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.
- State vital records: The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section retains divorce registration records indefinitely. Members of the public may obtain verification letters for divorces registered with the state regardless of the date of the divorce.
The applicable retention authority is the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule DC, which governs retention of district and county court records in Texas.