Duval County Family Court Records
Duval County family court records are filed with the District Clerk in San Diego, the county seat of this South Texas county. These records include divorce cases, child custody and support orders, paternity filings, and protective orders heard in the county's district court. You can look up Duval County family court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal, contact the District Clerk's office in San Diego, or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office keeps all active and closed family law case files available to the public under Texas open records law.
Duval County Overview
Duval County District Clerk
The District Clerk in San Diego handles all family court filings for Duval County. Staff maintain divorce case files, custody and support orders, and protective order records. Court dockets and hearing information are kept here as well. If you need a court document or want to check on a past case, start with the District Clerk's office.
The 229th Judicial District Court serves Duval County along with other South Texas counties. Family cases for Duval County residents are heard in San Diego. Because Duval County has a relatively small population, the clerk's office has limited staff. Calling ahead before a visit is a smart step, and providing specific party names and filing dates will make any search faster.
| Office | Duval County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 E. Gravis St, San Diego, TX 78384 |
| Phone | (361) 279-6272 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk in San Diego handles vital records, marriage licenses, and land recordings. Both offices are at the Duval County Courthouse. For family court case files, contact the District Clerk. For vital records or property documents, contact the County Clerk at the same address. Both are at 400 E. Gravis Street in San Diego, Texas.
The re:SearchTX portal covers Duval County cases e-filed since November 2018 and provides a quick online view of case status and docket entries.
How to Access Duval County Family Court Records
Start with the statewide re:SearchTX portal. It covers e-filed cases from November 2018 to the present. Search by party name, case number, or date range. Results are unofficial. For certified copies, you need to contact the District Clerk in San Diego.
For older cases not in the e-filing system, contact the clerk by phone at (361) 279-6272 or visit in person at 400 E. Gravis Street. Bring a valid ID. Have party names and filing dates ready. In-person access is available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Mail requests are also accepted at the same address.
Include party names, approximate dates, and case number with any mail request. Enclose payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Standard fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certification plus copy fees. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days to process.
Attorneys must file new Duval County family court cases through eFileTexas.gov, the state's mandatory electronic filing system for civil and family matters.
Types of Duval County Family Court Records
The District Clerk in San Diego keeps the full range of Texas family law case files. Divorce cases include the petition, temporary orders, the final decree, and any later modifications. When children are involved, the case file holds conservatorship orders and a possession schedule.
Child custody and support cases can be filed separately from divorce. Paternity cases are also heard in district court. The court can set a parent-child relationship, assign conservatorship, and order support. Enforcement is handled by the Texas AG's Child Support Division at 800-840-8757. Protective order cases are part of the family docket, and the statewide registry under Monica's Law lets the public search for active orders by county and name.
Note: Adoption records, juvenile files, and child abuse investigation materials are confidential under Texas law and are not accessible through the public case index.
Filing Family Cases in Duval County
To file a divorce or family case in Duval County, one spouse must meet the Texas residency requirement under Texas Family Code section 6.301. One party must have lived in Texas for six months and in Duval County for 90 days before the filing date. Once residency is met, attorneys file through eFileTexas.gov. Non-attorneys file in person at the clerk's office. Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized under Family Code section 6.702. Texas is a community property state under Family Code Chapter 6.
Legal Resources for Duval County
The Texas Judicial Branch self-help page at txcourts.gov helps people navigate family court on their own. The Texas State Law Library at guides.sll.texas.gov has family law form guides. TexasLawHelp.org provides free guides and links to legal aid offices in South Texas. Vital records for Duval County residents are available through DSHS at dshs.texas.gov.
Cities in Duval County
San Diego is the county seat and largest city in Duval County, Texas. All family court cases from communities throughout the county are filed and heard at the courthouse in San Diego. No cities in Duval County meet the threshold for a dedicated city page.
Nearby Counties
Duval County is in South Texas, between the border and Corpus Christi. Check which county you lived in for the 90 days before filing to confirm jurisdiction.