Houston County Family Court Records

Houston County family court records are filed and maintained by the Houston County District Clerk and County Clerk in Crockett, Texas. Note that Houston County is a separate jurisdiction from the city of Houston, which is located in Harris County. Houston County is a rural East Texas county where divorce cases, custody and conservatorship filings, child support orders, paternity suits, and protective orders are handled through the county's district court in Crockett. This guide explains how to find and request Houston County family court records, what the clerk's offices handle, and where to get legal help in the county.

Houston County District Clerk and County Clerk

The Houston County District Clerk's office in Crockett maintains all district court records, including family law case files for divorce, custody, and child support matters. The County Clerk is a separate office in the same courthouse that handles vital records, marriage licenses, property records, and probate matters. The Houston County Courthouse is located at 401 E. Houston Ave., Crockett, TX 75835. Both offices serve residents throughout Houston County from this location.

Houston County is served by the 349th Judicial District, which handles family law matters for the county. As a smaller East Texas county, the court system is more intimate than what you'd find in a major urban county. Staff at the courthouse tend to be accessible, and cases generally move at a pace consistent with the county's smaller population and docket size. All family court cases for Houston County residents, no matter where in the county they live, are filed and heard in Crockett.

Important: Houston County, Texas is not the same as the city of Houston. The city of Houston is in Harris County and has a completely separate court system. If you are looking for Harris County family court records, visit the Harris County District Clerk's page. This page covers Houston County with its seat in Crockett.

Searching Houston County Family Court Records

For electronically filed Houston County family court records, the statewide re:SearchTX portal is the most accessible online tool. This free system from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers cases filed through the statewide e-filing system since 2018. You can search by party name or case number to find Houston County district court cases.

The Texas State Law Library provides a comprehensive guide to family law forms and resources that apply to family court cases in Houston County and throughout Texas.

The Texas State Law Library's family law guide provides free access to court forms, procedural guides, and resources for divorce, custody, and support cases applicable to Houston County residents.

For older Houston County records or cases not found online, visit the Houston County Courthouse in Crockett during business hours. You can also mail a written request to the District Clerk's office. Include the full party names and the approximate filing year. Staff will confirm whether the record exists and quote you the copy cost. Standard fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies.

Family Court Cases in Houston County

The 349th District Court handles all family law matters in Houston County. Divorce is the most common type of family court case. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, either party can file on no-fault grounds of insupportability, or on fault grounds such as cruelty, adultery, or abandonment. Texas community property law governs the division of marital assets when parties cannot reach an agreement.

Custody and conservatorship determinations follow Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Courts set conservatorship arrangements and possession schedules based on the best interest of the child. Child support is calculated using the state guideline formula under Texas Family Code Chapter 154. When a paying parent is behind on support payments, the Texas Office of the Attorney General handles enforcement.

Protective orders, paternity suits, modification cases, and adoptions are also part of the Houston County district court docket. Adoptions are sealed once finalized. The Monica's Law Protective Order Registry offers limited public access to active orders when the protected person opts in. Juvenile records are confidential under Texas Family Code Chapter 58.

Filing a Family Case in Houston County

To file for divorce in Houston County, at least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Houston County for 90 days before filing, per Texas Family Code Section 6.301. After filing, the 60-day waiting period under Section 6.702 begins. No final divorce decree can be signed until those 60 days have passed, except when family violence allows the court to waive the wait.

Attorneys are required to use eFileTexas.gov for all electronic filings. Self-represented litigants can file paper documents at the Houston County Courthouse or use e-filing if they prefer. Court forms are available from the clerk's office, through the Texas courts forms library, and through the Texas State Law Library's guide at guides.sll.texas.gov.

Fees and Public Access

Houston County charges $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies plus $1.00 per page. Search fees may apply when clerk staff performs a name search. The re:SearchTX portal is free for online case index searches.

Houston County family court records are public records under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Sealed cases, adoption files, and juvenile records are not publicly accessible. Personal identifiers including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public records per Texas Family Code Section 105.006. For a statewide divorce index, contact Texas DSHS Vital Statistics. Certified divorce decrees are obtained from the Houston County District Clerk. If a records request is denied, you can appeal to the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division.

Legal Help in Houston County

The Texas Judicial Branch self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help is a free online resource for self-represented litigants in Texas family courts. The site covers divorce, custody, support, and protective orders with step-by-step guides tailored for people who are handling their own cases in counties like Houston County.

TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org provides plain-language guides and downloadable forms for Texas family law. Legal aid organizations serving East Texas may be able to assist qualifying Houston County residents. Lone Star Legal Aid serves a broad region of East Texas and may have resources available. Call the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 to find a private attorney in the Crockett area.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, and several other small communities. No cities in Houston County meet the threshold for a dedicated city page. All family court cases are filed at the Houston County Courthouse in Crockett. Note: this is Houston County, not the city of Houston, which is in Harris County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Houston County in East Texas. Verify your address to confirm which county court has jurisdiction over your family law case.