Harrison County Family Court Records

Harrison County family court records are filed and maintained at the District Clerk's office in Marshall, Texas. Divorce cases, custody and conservatorship orders, child support filings, paternity suits, and protective orders all go through the Harrison County district court system. You can search Harrison County family court records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal or contact the courthouse in Marshall for copies and case information. This guide explains how to access those records and find legal help in Harrison County.

Harrison County District Clerk and County Clerk

The Harrison County District Clerk's office handles all district court records in the county, including family law matters such as divorce, custody, and child support. The County Clerk handles vital records, marriage licenses, deeds, and probate separately. Both offices are located at the Harrison County Courthouse, 200 W. Houston St., Marshall, TX 75670. Harrison County is an East Texas county in the Longview-Marshall area. It has a larger population than many surrounding counties and sees a steady volume of family court cases.

The 71st Judicial District Court covers Harrison County and has jurisdiction over all family law proceedings filed there. When contacting the courthouse or submitting a mail request, include the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. That information helps staff locate the case in the index quickly. Courthouse hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Communities in Harrison County include Marshall, Hallsville, Waskom, and Elysian Fields. All family court cases for Harrison County residents are filed at the district courthouse in Marshall. The U.S. Eastern District, Marshall Division, handles federal court matters for Harrison County residents.

Searching Harrison County Family Court Records Online

The statewide re:SearchTX portal is the best online tool for Harrison County family court records filed electronically. This free system from the Texas Judicial Branch covers district court filings made through the Texas e-filing system since 2018. Search by party name or case number to find Harrison County records. Results show unofficial case index information including party names, filing dates, and case status.

The re:SearchTX portal lets you look up electronically filed family court records from Harrison County and all other Texas counties at no cost, which is a good first step before contacting the clerk's office.

re:SearchTX is maintained by the Texas Office of Court Administration and provides a statewide index of electronically filed cases, making it the easiest way to start a search for Harrison County family court records from any location.

For older records or cases not captured in the electronic filing system, a request to the Harrison County Courthouse in Marshall is necessary. You can visit in person or send a written request by mail with the party names and filing year. The District Clerk will search the index and provide a cost estimate before pulling copies. Include a check or money order to cover copy fees with a mailed request.

Family Law Cases in Harrison County

The 71st District Court in Harrison County handles all family law cases filed under the Texas Family Code. Divorce is the most frequently filed case type. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, either spouse may file for divorce on the no-fault ground of insupportability or on fault grounds such as cruelty, adultery, abandonment, or felony conviction. Texas is a community property state, so the court divides marital property in a just and right manner when parties cannot reach an agreement.

Conservatorship and possession orders follow Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The Harrison County court sets managing and possessory conservatorship and a possession schedule based on what serves the child's best interest. The Standard Possession Order is the default schedule used in most Texas family courts, though judges can modify it based on the specific facts of a case. Child support follows the guideline formula in Texas Family Code Chapter 154.

Paternity suits, protective orders, modification proceedings, and adoption cases also come before the Harrison County district court. Adoptions are sealed once finalized. Juvenile proceedings are kept separate and are confidential under Texas Family Code Chapter 58. Protective orders may restrict access to certain case details.

Filing Family Court Cases in Harrison County

At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Harrison County for at least 90 days before filing for divorce, per Texas Family Code Section 6.301. After the petition is filed, the 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702 starts. No divorce can be granted until those 60 days pass, except in family violence situations.

Attorneys must file all court documents through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants can file paper documents at the Harrison County Courthouse in Marshall or use e-filing voluntarily. Court forms are available at the clerk's office, from the Texas courts forms library, and from the Texas State Law Library family law guide. All of these forms are free to download online.

Note: If you cannot pay court costs, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs, available at the courthouse or at txcourts.gov. The court will review your financial situation and decide.

Record Fees and Public Access in Harrison County

Harrison County uses standard Texas copy fee rates. Regular copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. Staff search fees may apply when clerk staff conduct a name-based index search. The re:SearchTX portal is free for basic case index searches online.

Family court records are public documents under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed records, juvenile files, adoption records, and certain personal identifiers are not available to the public. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers are redacted from public court documents under Texas Family Code Section 105.006. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit holds a statewide divorce index but does not issue certified copies. Those must come from the Harrison County District Clerk.

If a records request is denied, reach out to the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division to understand your rights and options under the Texas Public Information Act.

Legal Help for Harrison County Residents

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help offers free resources for people who represent themselves in Texas family courts. Guides on divorce, custody, support, and protective orders are written in plain language and explain the court process step by step. This is useful if you plan to handle your own case in Harrison County.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has step-by-step guides and downloadable forms for Texas family law cases. East Texas legal aid programs may assist qualifying Harrison County residents who cannot afford a private attorney. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 connects you with private family law attorneys in the Marshall area. The Texas State Law Library provides free family law forms and guides accessible online.

Cities in Harrison County

Harrison County includes Marshall (county seat), Hallsville, Waskom, and Elysian Fields, among other communities. No cities in Harrison County currently meet the threshold for a dedicated dedicated city page. All family court cases for Harrison County residents are filed at the District Clerk's office at the Harrison County Courthouse in Marshall.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Harrison County. Verify your county of residence to file in the correct court.