Search Kaufman County Family Court Records
Kaufman County family court records are kept by the District Clerk's office in Kaufman and cover all family law cases in the county, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence restraining orders. Kaufman County offers free online access to family and civil case records through the Tyler Odyssey Portal. If you need to search Kaufman County family court records, you can use this online portal, the statewide re:SearchTX system, or visit the courthouse in person. Kaufman County is a fast-growing East Texas county east of Dallas with a busy court docket.
Kaufman County Overview
Kaufman County District Clerk Office
The Kaufman County District Clerk is located at 100 W. Mulberry Street in Kaufman, Texas. The same building houses both the District Clerk and the County Clerk. Phone for both offices is (972) 932-4331. The District Clerk maintains all family law case records for Kaufman County, including divorce filings, child custody orders, support decrees, paternity records, and protective orders.
Kaufman County operates a Tyler Odyssey online portal that gives free public access to view civil, family, and probate case records. You can search by full name on a court record or by case number. This portal covers Kaufman County cases and is a convenient way to look up case status, docket entries, and filing dates without visiting the courthouse. Certified copies are not available through the portal and must be ordered in person or by mail.
Kaufman County's courts handle the full range of family law matters common in Texas. These include dissolution of marriage (divorce and annulments), child custody and support matters, paternity suits, domestic violence restraining orders, and modifications of existing orders. Like all Texas counties, family law matters are heard at the District Court level since Texas does not have standalone family courts in most jurisdictions.
| Office | Kaufman County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Mulberry Street Kaufman, TX 75142 |
| Court Department Mailing | 1902 US HWY 175, Kaufman, TX 75142 |
| Phone | (972) 932-4331 |
| Online Portal | Kaufman County Online Records |
| Website | kaufmancounty.net |
How to Search Kaufman County Family Cases
The Kaufman County Tyler Odyssey Portal allows free viewing of civil, family, and probate case records. Search by the full name on the court record or by case number. This system is accessible through the county website at kaufmancounty.net. The portal is convenient for checking case status, filing dates, and docket entries for Kaufman County divorce and custody cases.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Kaufman County cases filed electronically since November 2018. Both portals are free to search. For written requests, include the name on the record and approximate case date. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Mail requests and in-person visits are both accepted.
Electronic filing goes through eFileTexas.gov. For public access at the courthouse, in-person visits are available during business hours. Staff can look up cases by name or cause number.
Note: Kaufman County juvenile records, child custody and visitation records, and paternity records are inaccessible to the general public under Texas state law.
Kaufman County Family Case Resources
The Texas courts FAQ page covers how family court cases work in Texas, including the rules and procedures that apply to cases filed in Kaufman County.
This resource answers questions about Texas court structure, filing requirements, and how family cases move through the system in Kaufman County and across the state.
The Texas DSHS vital statistics office maintains statewide divorce record indexes, but certified copies of Kaufman County divorce decrees must be obtained from the District Clerk in Kaufman, not from DSHS. DSHS also handles birth and death certificate requests at the state level.
Filing Family Cases in Kaufman County
To file for divorce in Kaufman County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Kaufman County for 90 days. This comes from Texas Family Code Section 6.301. Kaufman County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, so many residents are relatively new. If you moved to the county recently, confirm you have been there for the full 90 days before filing.
After filing, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be granted. This is in Family Code Section 6.702. Contested cases in Kaufman County may take much longer due to the county's growing caseload. Budget at least three to six months for cases with disputed custody or property issues.
Child custody follows Texas Family Code Chapter 153. Joint managing conservatorship is the default. Agreed plans are approved readily. Property division in Kaufman County divorces follows Texas community property rules under Family Code Chapter 7. Note that while many records are public, certain Kaufman County family records are restricted under state law, including juvenile matters, adoption records, and sealed files.
Legal Help in Kaufman County
Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Kaufman County area and provides free family law help to qualifying low-income residents. Call (800) 733-8394 to check eligibility. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides on divorce, custody, and protective orders. The State Bar referral line is (800) 252-9690. The Texas Attorney General Child Support Division can be reached at 800-252-8014 for support enforcement.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Kaufman County east of Dallas. File where you meet the residency requirement.