Divorce records in Smith County, Texas, are available through several channels. SmithCourt.us allows for a quick start in searching for public divorce information. Additionally, records are kept at the county court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the Texas Department of State Health Services' Vital Statistics Section. Online tools, a personal visit, or a written request — each of these methods is suitable for obtaining the necessary documents.
Smith Divorce Records Search
In Smith County, the District Clerk is responsible for handling divorce cases and maintains complete court records: divorce decrees, property division agreements, child custody orders, and all related procedural documents. Separate from court records, there is a divorce certificate — a brief document maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Vital Statistics Section.
Record searches can be initiated online through the Smith County Clerk's official records portal, where indexed documents are available for quick search. To obtain the full text of a court decision, contact the District Clerk directly.
Smith County District Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Smith
In Texas, divorce cases are handled by District Courts. In Smith County, several District Courts operate, and they issue divorce decrees. Once a decision is made, the original decree is stored with the District Clerk — this is the only office where a complete copy of the court decision with all attachments can be obtained.
Meanwhile, the DSHS Vital Statistics Section registers the fact of divorce and issues a divorce verification letter — a brief document confirming the event without details of property or custody decisions. It can be ordered through the DSHS online portal.
Which office to choose depends on what is needed:
- Full court decision, property agreement, custody order → Smith County District Clerk.
- Confirmation of divorce (verification letter) → DSHS Vital Statistics Section.
DSHS Vital Statistics Section
Filing documents in Smith County courts is done electronically through eFileTexas.gov — the official electronic filing system for Texas courts. Paper filing is allowed only in exceptional cases.
Appeals of Smith County District Court decisions are handled by the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Smith
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copy of court decision (District Clerk) | $1.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page | 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of court decision (District Clerk) | $2.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page | 1–5 business days |
| Divorce verification letter (DSHS, standard order) | $20.00 | Up to 4 weeks |
| Divorce verification letter (DSHS, expedited order) | $20.00 + additional delivery fee | Up to 2 weeks |
| Record search at DSHS (if exact date unknown) | $20.00 for every 5 years searched | Up to 4 weeks |