Hood County Family Court Records

Hood County family court records are held by the Hood County District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Granbury, Texas. Divorce cases, custody and conservatorship matters, child support orders, paternity filings, and protective orders all go through the Hood County district court system. You can search and request Hood County family court records in person at the county courthouse in Granbury, by mail, or through the statewide online portal for electronically filed cases. This page covers the courts that handle family matters, how to find records, fees, and where to get legal help in Hood County.

Hood County District Clerk and County Clerk

The Hood County District Clerk is responsible for maintaining all district court records in Hood County, including family law case files. The courthouse is located at 100 E. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048. The District Clerk's office handles filings, copies, and records requests for divorce, custody, and other family court matters. The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse complex and handles marriage licenses, vital records, and property records.

Hood County is served by the 355th Judicial District Court, which handles family law cases for the county. As Hood County has grown in recent decades, its court system has become more active. The county seat of Granbury is where all family court cases for Hood County residents are filed and heard, regardless of which part of the county you live in.

For certified copies of a divorce decree or other family court orders from Hood County, contact the District Clerk's office. Bring or include the case number or full names of the parties along with a payment for the applicable copy fees. The office can provide certified copies for legal purposes such as name changes or remarriage.

Finding Hood County Family Court Records Online

The statewide re:SearchTX portal gives you free access to case index information for Hood County family court records filed electronically since 2018. Search by party name or case number to pull up Hood County district court cases. The system shows basic case details and docket activity. For full document access, you may need to contact the clerk's office directly.

The Texas courts FAQ page answers common questions about accessing court records statewide, including how the decentralized Texas system works.

The Texas courts FAQ explains how public access to court records works across Texas counties, including how to locate specific clerk offices and what types of records are publicly available.

For older Hood County records or files not in the statewide system, visit the courthouse in Granbury or mail a written request to the District Clerk. Include the party names and approximate year of filing. Staff will conduct the search and let you know the cost before pulling copies. Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies.

Types of Family Court Cases in Hood County

The 355th District Court handles all family law matters in Hood County. Divorce cases are filed under Texas Family Code Chapter 6. Either spouse can file for divorce on the no-fault ground of insupportability. Fault-based grounds are also available in Texas, including cruelty, adultery, and abandonment. Texas community property law means the court divides marital property in a just and right way when spouses can't agree.

Custody matters in Hood County are handled under Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The court sets conservatorship, whether joint or sole managing, along with a possession and access schedule. The Standard Possession Order is the default schedule but can be modified based on a child's age and the parents' circumstances. Child support is calculated using the guideline formula under Texas Family Code Chapter 154.

Hood County district court also hears paternity suits, modification cases, protective orders, and adoption matters. Adoptions are confidential and sealed once finalized. The Texas Protective Order Registry, established under Monica's Law, allows limited public lookup of active protective orders when the protected person has opted in.

How to File a Family Case in Hood County

To file a divorce in Hood County, you must satisfy the residency requirement under Texas Family Code Section 6.301: at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Hood County for 90 days before filing. Once the petition is filed, the 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702 runs before the court can sign a final divorce decree. In family violence cases, the court may waive this period.

Attorneys file all court documents through eFileTexas.gov. Self-represented litigants can file paper documents at the Hood County Courthouse or use the e-filing system. Forms for divorce, custody, and support are available at the clerk's office, through the Texas courts forms page, and through the Texas State Law Library family law guide. If you cannot afford court costs, a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs can be filed at the courthouse.

Record Access and Fees

Hood County charges $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies, plus $1.00 per page. Search fees may apply when clerk staff conducts a name search. The re:SearchTX portal is free for online case index searches. Certified copy fees are charged when you need an official copy of a court order with the clerk's seal and signature, which is often required for legal proceedings like name changes.

Hood County family court records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed files, juvenile records, and adoption cases are not public. Under Texas Family Code Section 105.006, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers are redacted from public court documents. For statewide divorce indexes, contact Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Certified divorce decrees must come from the Hood County District Clerk.

Legal Help for Hood County Residents

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help provides free guides for people handling family court cases without an attorney. Topics include how to file for divorce, custody basics, and what to expect in Texas family courts. This is a good starting point if you're representing yourself in a Hood County case.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has plain-language guides and downloadable forms for family law matters. Legal aid programs serving the North Texas region may provide free services for qualifying Hood County residents. Call the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690 to find a private attorney in the Granbury area. For family law forms and instructions, the Texas State Law Library is a free, comprehensive resource.

Cities in Hood County

Hood County includes Granbury, Lipan, Tolar, and several other communities. No cities in Hood County currently meet the threshold for a dedicated city page. All family court cases for Hood County residents are filed at the county courthouse in Granbury.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hood County. Verify your address to confirm which county's court handles your case.