San Augustine County Family Court Records

San Augustine County family court records are maintained by the District Clerk at the county courthouse in San Augustine, Texas. The District Clerk serves as the registrar, recorder, and custodian of all court documents for the district courts. This includes divorce case files, child custody orders, child support filings, paternity actions, and protective orders. San Augustine County is one of the original 23 counties of Texas, and the County Clerk holds records going back as far as 1828 for probate and 1833 for land records. If you need to search San Augustine County family court records, the statewide re:SearchTX portal is the first place to look online. This page covers how to access records, how the court system is organized, and what to expect when filing a family law case in San Augustine County.

San Augustine County District Clerk

The San Augustine County District Clerk serves as the registrar, recorder, and custodian of all court pleadings and instruments for the district courts. The office maintains all family court records including divorce filings, custody orders, child support documents, paternity cases, and protective orders. Two district courts serve San Augustine County, along with an Attorney General Court and a CPS Cluster Court for child protective services matters. This multi-court structure means the county has broader family law capacity than many similarly sized rural counties.

The District Clerk is described in Texas law as a link between the courts and the people. This includes providing vital information to other agencies, maintaining official case files, and making records available to the public. The office is at the San Augustine County Courthouse at 100 W Columbia, Room 202. For vital records including birth records from 1905 and marriage records from 1837, contact the County Clerk at the main courthouse address on N Harrison Street.

Note: For family court records including divorce and custody, contact the District Clerk at (936) 275-2231. For vital records and marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk at (936) 275-2452.

Searching San Augustine County Family Court Records

The primary online tool is re:SearchTX, the free statewide case portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers district court records from all 254 Texas counties including San Augustine County. You can search by party name or cause number to find divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases. The system shows case numbers, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. Active and many closed cases are searchable through the portal.

For records not available online, contact the District Clerk at (936) 275-2231. The office can search by name or cause number. In-person visits to Room 202 at 100 W Columbia in San Augustine are available during business hours. Bring a full party name or cause number. Staff will locate the case file and allow you to review public documents. Copies are $1.00 per page and certified copies carry an additional $5.00 per document fee. Mail requests are accepted with a self-addressed stamped envelope and prepayment.

Electronic filing in San Augustine County district court is handled through eFileTexas for attorneys. Self-represented parties may file paper documents at the clerk's office. The Texas self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help has resources for unrepresented filers. The CPS Cluster Court and Attorney General Court serve specific child welfare and support functions in San Augustine County beyond what is typical of most rural district courts.

The re:SearchTX portal from the Texas Office of Court Administration covers San Augustine County family court records filed in the district courts, including divorce, custody, and protective order cases.

Select San Augustine County and search by party name or cause number to find active and closed family law case records filed in the courthouse in San Augustine.

Family Court Records in San Augustine County

San Augustine County family court records include all cases handled by the two district courts. Divorce cases are the most common. A divorce file includes the Original Petition for Divorce, any response from the other party, temporary orders, and the Final Decree of Divorce. The Final Decree covers property division, conservatorship, the possession schedule, and support. These are public records unless sealed by a judge. San Augustine County also has an Attorney General Court that handles child support enforcement and paternity matters through the Office of the Attorney General.

Custody cases follow the conservatorship structure in Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The CPS Cluster Court in San Augustine County handles child protective services cases, which involve children who have been removed or are at risk. These cases are different from standard custody disputes but are part of the family court system. Standard custody cases assign managing and possessory conservatorship. All decisions are made on the basis of the child's best interest.

Child support follows the income guidelines in Texas Family Code Chapter 154. The County Clerk in San Augustine holds some of the oldest records in Texas, including probate records from 1828, land records from 1833, and marriage records from 1837. These historical records are the county clerk's purview. Family court records from the district courts go back to when the county was established, though older records may be in paper form only and require an in-person visit.

Filing Family Court Cases in San Augustine County

To file for divorce in San Augustine County, meet the residency requirement in Texas Family Code Section 6.301. At least one spouse must have lived in Texas for six months and in San Augustine County for 90 days. Once met, file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office at 100 W Columbia, Room 202. Pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 if needed.

After filing, Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period before the divorce can be granted. Texas Family Code Section 6.702 establishes this rule. The waiting period starts on the day of filing. Once it expires, uncontested cases can move quickly to a final hearing. Contested cases take longer. The other spouse must receive formal service of the divorce papers after you file.

Official forms for San Augustine County family law cases are at txcourts.gov and the Texas State Law Library. Free guides and forms are also at TexasLawHelp.org. For cases involving children, the required forms include a child support worksheet and a standard possession order. For child support enforcement matters, contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General through the Attorney General Court that serves San Augustine County.

Fees and Access to San Augustine County Records

San Augustine County family court records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. You can inspect records in person at no charge during business hours. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 per document certification fee. Mail requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope and prepayment. Contact the District Clerk at (936) 275-2231 to confirm current fees before submitting a request.

Some records are restricted. Sealed court files need a court order. Juvenile records are confidential. Adoption records are not public. Social Security numbers and financial account information are redacted from public copies under Texas Family Code Section 105.006. CPS-related records may have additional restrictions depending on the case. Anyone with standing can seek access to restricted records through the appropriate court process in San Augustine County.

Legal Help in San Augustine County

San Augustine County residents who need help with family court matters have access to several resources. Lone Star Legal Aid serves Deep East Texas and handles family law cases for income-eligible residents. They cover divorce, custody, and protective order cases. For private representation, the Texas State Bar referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a family law attorney who handles San Augustine County cases.

The Texas Office of the Attorney General handles child support enforcement through the Attorney General Court that serves San Augustine County. For child support establishment and enforcement, visit the OAG child support division at texasattorneygeneral.gov. For self-help resources, TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for all major family law case types. Official forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library has online form packets and guides you can use without charge.

The Texas court rules and forms page provides the official forms used in San Augustine County family court cases, including divorce petitions, custody worksheets, and child support calculation forms.

Forms approved by the Texas Supreme Court are used in San Augustine County district court for all family law case types including divorce, conservatorship, and protective orders.

Nearby Counties

San Augustine County is in Deep East Texas. Neighboring counties have their own District Clerk offices and family court systems.