Cameron County Family Court Records
Cameron County family court records are filed with the District Clerk in Brownsville and cover all family law cases heard in the county's district courts, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order proceedings. Cameron County is one of the most populous counties in South Texas, and the District Clerk's office in Brownsville handles a high volume of family law filings. You can search Cameron County family court records online through the re:SearchTX statewide portal, visit the courthouse on East Monroe Street in Brownsville, or contact the clerk's office to submit a records request. The 103rd District Court and other Cameron County courts handle family law matters for residents of Brownsville and surrounding communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Cameron County Overview
Cameron County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Brownsville is the official keeper of all family court case records for Cameron County. The office handles filings for divorce, custody, support, paternity, and protective orders. With a county population over 400,000, the District Clerk's office processes a large number of family law cases each year. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or want to look up a current custody case, start here.
Cameron County has multiple district courts handling family law matters. The 103rd District Court at 1100 East Monroe Street handles civil and family cases. The Cameron County Court at Law also handles some family matters. For most family law filings, the District Clerk's office at the main courthouse is the starting point. Staff can direct you to the right court or provide docket information for pending cases.
| Office | Cameron County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 974 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, TX 78520 |
| Phone | (956) 544-0838 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | cameroncountytx.gov |
The 103rd District Court is located at 1100 East Monroe Street, Brownsville, TX 78520, and can be reached at (956) 544-0830. Cameron County also operates a County Court at Law at 974 East Harrison Street. If you are not sure which court has jurisdiction over your case, the District Clerk's office can advise you. For child support enforcement actions, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division has a regional office serving the Rio Grande Valley.
Searching Cameron County Family Court Records
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the most accessible way to search Cameron County family court records online. This free tool from the Texas Judicial Branch covers cases filed electronically since November 2018 and includes party names, case status, and docket history. You can search by full name, cause number, or filing date range. Use the county filter to narrow results to Cameron County specifically.
The re:SearchTX portal provides free online access to Cameron County family court cases filed through the state's e-filing system since 2018.
For older cases or when you need actual documents, contact the Cameron County District Clerk directly at (956) 544-0838 or visit 974 E. Harrison Street in Brownsville. In-person visits allow access to public case terminals at the courthouse. Staff can search by name or cause number and help identify the correct case files. Bring a valid ID and be ready to pay any applicable fees for copies.
The city of Brownsville maintains public records through the City Secretary's office at brownsvilletx.gov. For family law records specifically, though, the Cameron County District Clerk is the primary source. Municipal records at the city level cover different types of cases, so make sure you are contacting the right office for the type of record you need.
Types of Family Court Cases in Cameron County
Cameron County District Court handles all types of family law cases. Divorce cases include the petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and any modifications filed after the divorce is final. Cases that involve children also include conservatorship orders, a detailed possession and access schedule, and child support calculations based on the Texas Family Code guidelines.
Suits affecting the parent-child relationship are filed when custody, support, or visitation is at issue outside of a divorce. These include paternity cases, custody modifications, and support enforcement actions that have been referred from the Attorney General's office to the district court. Cameron County sees a significant number of these cases given the size of its population and the active family court docket in Brownsville.
Protective orders are part of the public family court docket. Texas maintains a searchable statewide registry under Monica's Law that allows the public to look up active protective orders by name, county, or birth year. Protective order filings in Cameron County follow the same rules as other Texas counties, though some details may be restricted to protect the safety of the petitioner.
Note: Cameron County juvenile records, adoption files, and sealed domestic violence cases are not part of the public case index and require a court order to access.
Filing Family Court Cases in Cameron County
Residency requirements apply to all divorce filings in Texas. Under Texas Family Code section 6.301, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Cameron County for 90 days before the petition is filed. Cameron County's southern location near the Rio Grande means it frequently handles cases for residents of Brownsville and nearby communities.
Attorneys must file through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented parties may file electronically or submit paper documents at the clerk's office. Once a petition is filed, the 60-day waiting period under Family Code section 6.702 applies. A divorce cannot be finalized until that period has passed. Contested cases typically take much longer once hearings, discovery, and scheduling are factored in.
Texas is a community property state, so property acquired during the marriage is generally split in a just and right manner under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. The final decree will identify how property and debts are divided. In Cameron County, as elsewhere in Texas, the court can also address issues of spousal maintenance when applicable.
Record Fees and Public Access
Cameron County family court records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Any person can request copies. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Contact the District Clerk at (956) 544-0838 for the current fee schedule before submitting a paid request.
In-person payments are accepted by cash, check, or money order. Some offices in larger Texas counties also accept credit cards. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Cameron County District Clerk, a list of the documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days to process.
The Texas Judicial Branch FAQ covers how to access court records, what fees apply, and how the court system is organized in Cameron County and across the state.
Legal Resources for Cameron County
Legal aid services are available in the Rio Grande Valley. TexasLawHelp.org connects residents with free legal help and has plain-language guides to family law topics in both English and Spanish. The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page also provides resources for people representing themselves in family court.
The Texas State Law Library's family law guide at guides.sll.texas.gov covers divorce, custody, support, and protective order forms and instructions. Given Cameron County's large population and high volume of family court cases, the Brownsville area has several legal aid organizations that may be able to assist eligible residents. Check TexasLawHelp for referrals to services in the Rio Grande Valley area.
For child support questions, the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division can be reached online at texasattorneygeneral.gov. The AG's office handles enforcement and payment tracking separate from the District Clerk's court records.
Cities in Cameron County
Cameron County is home to Brownsville, a major South Texas city and the county seat. Brownsville residents file family court cases with the Cameron County District Clerk in Brownsville.
Other communities in Cameron County include Harlingen, San Benito, Weslaco (partial), Edinburg (partial), McAllen (partial), and several smaller border cities. Harlingen and San Benito residents also file cases with the Cameron County District Clerk. For cities that fall in other counties, check the county page that covers the area where you live.
Nearby Counties
Cameron County is at the southern tip of Texas, bordered by Hidalgo County to the west and Willacy County to the north. Cases must be filed in the county where the petitioner has lived for 90 days.