Access Kerr County Family Court Records
Kerr County family court records are on file with the District Clerk's office in Kerrville, the county seat of this Hill Country county west of San Antonio. Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order cases all go through the Kerr County district court in Kerrville. The County Clerk maintains vital records including birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and property records separately. If you need Kerr County family court records, contact the Kerrville courthouse directly or use the statewide re:SearchTX portal for cases filed electronically in the county.
Kerr County Overview
Kerr County District and County Clerk
The Kerr County Clerk in Kerrville maintains vital records and property records for the county. For family law case files and certified court orders, the District Clerk is your primary contact. Both offices are at the Kerr County Courthouse in Kerrville. The District Clerk handles all district court records including divorce filings, custody orders, child support cases, paternity records, and protective orders. Contact the county at co.kerr.tx.us for current phone numbers and office hours.
Kerr County is well known as the Heart of the Texas Hill Country. Kerrville sits along the Guadalupe River and serves as a regional center for the surrounding area. The county's steady population of retirees and families generates a consistent volume of family court activity. Birth and death records are available from 1903 through the County Clerk. Marriage and divorce records are also accessible through their respective clerks in Kerrville.
Standard Texas fees apply for record copies in Kerr County. Certified copies require the certification fee plus per-page charges. Plain copies cost less. In-person visits during business hours are the most reliable way to access records and get assistance from staff. Mail requests are also accepted with payment and identification.
| Office | Kerr County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Kerrville |
| Location | Kerr County Courthouse Kerrville, TX |
| Website | co.kerr.tx.us |
Searching Kerr County Family Cases
The re:SearchTX portal is the free statewide tool for searching Texas court records and covers Kerr County cases filed electronically since November 2018. Search by party name or cause number. For certified copies of court orders or cases not in the online system, contact the Kerr County District Clerk in Kerrville.
For older Kerr County cases filed before the electronic era, an in-person visit to the Kerrville courthouse is the best route. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring photo ID. The county website at co.kerr.tx.us should have current contact information and any updates on online record access options.
Electronic filing uses eFileTexas.gov. Kerr County is a mid-size Hill Country county with a functional court system. Cases are generally accessible and staff is available to assist the public during regular business hours.
Note: Kerr County birth and death records from 1903 are held by the County Clerk, while divorce and family court records are maintained by the District Clerk.
Resources for Kerr County Family Cases
The Texas courts rules and forms page has court forms and procedural rules that apply to family cases in Kerr County, including forms for fee waivers and standard family law motions.
Kerr County family law litigants can use these forms as starting points for filings in the 198th or 216th District Court in Kerrville.
The Texas State Law Library guide on family law and children covers divorce forms, SAPCR kits, custody modifications, and protective order forms that apply to Kerr County cases. This is a useful resource for self-represented parties in Kerrville or the surrounding Hill Country area.
Filing Family Cases in Kerr County
To file for divorce in Kerr County, one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in Kerr County for 90 days. The residency rule is in Texas Family Code Section 6.301. File the petition at the District Clerk's office in Kerrville. The court will assign a judge and a cause number.
After filing, Texas requires a 60-day waiting period before the final divorce can be granted. See Family Code Section 6.702. Most uncontested cases take two to three months from filing to final decree. Contested cases with disputed custody or property issues take longer. Kerr County's court system handles the caseload for a county of its size with reasonable efficiency.
Child custody in Kerr County follows Family Code Chapter 153. Joint managing conservatorship is the default. Property division follows Texas community property rules under Chapter 7. All orders are filed with the District Clerk in Kerrville. The Texas Public Information Act governs access to these court records. Most family court documents in Kerr County are accessible to the public.
Legal Resources in Kerr County
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid covers the Hill Country region. Call 888-988-9996 to check eligibility for free legal help. TexasLawHelp.org has free guides on family law that apply to Kerr County cases. The State Bar lawyer referral line is (800) 252-9690 for attorney help in Kerrville. The Texas Attorney General Child Support Division is at 800-252-8014. The Texas courts self-help center provides useful guidance for self-represented parties.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Kerr County in the Texas Hill Country. File where you meet the residency requirement.