Family Court Records in San Jacinto County
San Jacinto County family court records are maintained by the District Clerk in Coldspring, Texas, the county seat. These records include all family law cases handled by the district courts, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity actions, and protective orders. The county is served by two district courts: the 411th and 258th District Courts. Court records go back to 1907, with land and probate records extending further into the 1800s. If you need to search San Jacinto County family court records, the statewide re:SearchTX portal is available online, or you can contact the District Clerk directly in Coldspring. This page explains how the court system works and how to access family law records in San Jacinto County.
San Jacinto County Overview
San Jacinto County District Clerk
The San Jacinto County District Clerk maintains all family court records in the county. District Clerk Tammy Currie runs the office at 1 State Hwy 150, Room 4, in Coldspring. The office handles all district court records including divorce filings, custody orders, child support documents, paternity cases, and protective orders. Two district courts serve the county, giving San Jacinto County more judicial capacity than many similarly sized rural East Texas counties.
The 411th District Court is presided over by Judge John Wells, whose main address is in Livingston at 101 West Mill Street, Suite 279. The 258th District Court is presided over by Judge Travis E. Kitchens, Jr. The County Court is presided over by Judge Fritz Faulkner. For all family law matters in San Jacinto County, the district courts are the relevant courts and the District Clerk's office in Coldspring maintains those records.
The County Clerk's office at the same courthouse location maintains birth, marriage, and death records from 1888, along with land and probate records from the 1800s, and court records from 1907. For vital records, go to the County Clerk. For family court case files and district court records, go to the District Clerk.
| Office | San Jacinto County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| District Clerk | Tammy Currie |
| Address | 1 State Hwy 150, Room 4 Coldspring, TX 77331 |
| Phone | (936) 653-2909 |
| County Clerk Website | co.san-jacinto.tx.us |
Note: The phone number (936) 653-2909 serves both the District Clerk and County Clerk. Call ahead to confirm which office you need and their current hours before visiting.
Searching San Jacinto County Family Court Records
The main free online tool is re:SearchTX, the statewide case portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers district court records across all Texas counties, including San Jacinto County. You can search by party name or cause number. The portal returns case numbers, party information, filing dates, and docket entries. Most active cases and many closed cases are searchable. Court records for San Jacinto County go back to 1907.
San Jacinto County's judicial records are also available through LGS Online Solutions, accessible through the County Clerk's website. Land records are available at www.texaslandrecords.com. For family court case files specifically, re:SearchTX and an in-person visit to the District Clerk are the most reliable options. In-person searches at 1 State Hwy 150, Room 4 in Coldspring require a full party name or cause number. Staff will pull the case file and allow you to review public documents. Copies are $1.00 per page and certified copies cost an additional $5.00 per document.
For electronic filing in San Jacinto County district court, attorneys use eFileTexas. Self-represented parties may file paper documents. The Texas courts self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help provides guides for unrepresented filers in East Texas district courts including San Jacinto County.
The re:SearchTX portal provides free access to San Jacinto County family court records from the 411th and 258th District Courts, covering divorce, custody, and other family law filings in Coldspring.
Select San Jacinto County and search by party name or cause number to find family law case records filed in the Coldspring courthouse.
Family Court Records Available in San Jacinto County
San Jacinto County family court records cover all family law matters handled by the two district courts. Divorce cases are the most common. A divorce case 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 obligations. These are public records in Texas unless a court has sealed them.
Child custody cases follow Texas Family Code Chapter 153. The court assigns managing and possessory conservatorship. In most cases one parent serves as the managing conservator with the child's primary residence. The other has scheduled possession time under a standard or modified possession order. The court always decides custody based on the best interest of the child. Having two district courts in San Jacinto County means cases can be assigned across both judges depending on the docket.
Child support is set using income-based guidelines from Texas Family Code Chapter 154. San Jacinto County's birth, marriage, and death records going back to 1888 are maintained by the County Clerk and are separate from the family court records at the District Clerk. Paternity cases, protective orders, and modification petitions for existing orders are also part of the San Jacinto County family court record system. A courthouse fire in 1915 destroyed the original wooden courthouse, but records from 1907 onward have been preserved.
Filing for Divorce or Family Court in San Jacinto County
To file for divorce in San Jacinto County, meet the residency requirement first. Texas Family Code Section 6.301 requires that at least one spouse has lived in Texas for six months and in San Jacinto County for 90 days before filing. Once that requirement is met, file the Original Petition for Divorce at the District Clerk's office at 1 State Hwy 150, Room 4 in Coldspring.
After you file, Texas law imposes a 60-day waiting period. Texas Family Code Section 6.702 requires the court to wait 60 days from the filing date before granting the divorce. If both parties agree on all terms, a final hearing can be set once that period expires. If the case is contested, additional hearings before one of the two district court judges will be needed. The other spouse must be formally served after you file.
Forms for San Jacinto County family law cases are at txcourts.gov and the Texas State Law Library. Free guides and downloadable forms are at TexasLawHelp.org. For cases with children, the child support worksheet, possession order, and medical support order are all required. If you cannot afford the filing fee, request a waiver under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Electronic filing for attorneys is through eFileTexas.
Fees and Record Access in San Jacinto County
San Jacinto County family court records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. You can inspect records at no charge during business hours at the courthouse in Coldspring. 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. Call (936) 653-2909 to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods.
Some records are not public. Sealed court records require a court order to access. Juvenile records are confidential under the Texas Family Code. Adoption files are restricted. Social Security numbers and financial information are removed from public copies under Texas Family Code Section 105.006. Anyone with standing in a case can request restricted records through the court. Military discharge records in San Jacinto County go back to 1919 and are held by the County Clerk at the same courthouse location.
Legal Help for San Jacinto County
San Jacinto County residents who need legal help with family court matters have several options. Lone Star Legal Aid serves East Texas and may cover San Jacinto County residents who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, and protective order cases for eligible clients. For private legal representation, the Texas State Bar referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Coldspring or Conroe area who handles San Jacinto County cases.
For self-help, TexasLawHelp.org has free guides for divorce, custody, child support, and other family law matters. Official approved forms are at txcourts.gov. The Texas State Law Library also has free online form packets. The Texas courts self-help center at txcourts.gov/programs-services/self-help walks you through the filing process step by step for San Jacinto County district court cases. For statewide vital records, the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office maintains central records that complement what the San Jacinto County clerks hold.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office provides statewide divorce verifications and marriage records, supplementing what the San Jacinto County County Clerk and District Clerk maintain in Coldspring.
DSHS vital statistics provides certified divorce verifications and vital record copies for San Jacinto County cases when local records are not sufficient.
Nearby Counties
San Jacinto County is in East Texas, north of Houston. Neighboring counties have their own District Clerk offices and family court systems.