Access Free Johnson County Divorce Records: Resource

Track down Johnson County divorce records for free and check whether a married couple has dissolved their legal union. Divorce documents are typically considered public records, making them accessible to any interested party unless part has been redacted per the courts.

In most cases, it’s possible to determine whether a couple has finalized a divorce, and researchers can locate this information with the right tools at little to no cost. This brief article dives into how to search for records of divorces that occurred in Johnson County, Texas, and the agencies that provide this information.

How To Look Up Johnson County Divorce Records at No Cost

Individuals seeking divorce records in Johnson County have a few avenues they can take to attain the desired information for free. Through a combination of online resources, contacting county courts and third-party tools, it’s possible to review whether a marriage has ended in divorce. However, the exact information available may vary.

Typically, only parties to the divorce can receive certified decrees that outline the terms of the dissolution. These records may not include a common law divorce if the parties never registered their marriages or separations with the state. Certified Copies of Divorce Decrees can only be obtained by the Johnson County District Clerk.¹

Most official means to access divorce records in the state and county come with fees. However, individuals can access divorce records in Johnson County at no cost through the county’s court records inquiry.²

While this tool doesn’t provide much information about the divorce, it locates court cases that fall into the public record and reveals basic events throughout the hearing. It will detail the parties of the case, including naming the plaintiff and defendant and dates when temporary and final orders were ordered.

To use this tool, click the “civil and probate records” hyperlink to bring up a search form. Submit a last and first name, then browse the results.

There’s no way to limit the searches to those pertaining to divorce, but these cases typically have “In the matter of the marriage of:” preceding the party names and under the “Type/Status” column, will list “Divorce” either with or without children and completed cases will also display as disposed.

This is the only way to assess whether a marriage has ended in divorce at no cost in Johnson County.

Find Divorce or Dissolution Information Through Cities Within Johnson County

Throughout Johnson County, researchers can find divorce information through the county’s court records inquiry tool, as detailed above. This is the quickest way to locate whether a marriage has ended in divorce and comes with no cost, and the county endorses this as a major source for public record.

However, as noted above, these records do not serve as official documentation when a legal divorce record is necessary. Individuals attempting to change their name after a divorce, for example, need certified proof of the divorce.

Requesting certified or official copies of divorce records often comes with small fees set by the state that may vary based on which records a user requests. These requests must go through state or county agencies.

The largest city, Cleburne, holds the Johnson County Clerk’s office.³ Searchers can request divorce or dissolution information from this location. The office has a Vital Statistics Section, where individuals can use a Public Access Terminal to request birth records, death records, marriage license applications and marriage and divorce records. Request records in person at:

Johnson County Clerk’s office
Historic Courthouse
2 North Main Street, Rm. 128
Cleburne, TX 76033

Phone: 817-202-4000 Ext. 2532

The Johnson County Clerk also provides an email address for court research and public information requests. Contact them directly at [email protected] to discuss the records desired and any fees that may accrue. While the county has no specific form to submit to the clerk for a record search, it’s a good idea to include identifying information that can help them locate the correct information, such as the full names of both parties, the parties’ birthdays and approximate or exact date of divorce.

In Burleson, Texas, there’s a County Clerk Satellite Office at the Burleson Sub-Courthouse.⁴ This office also provides a Public Access Terminal that can process similar requests. However, this office operates under somewhat restricted hours. Researchers can access the terminal Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Contact or visit this location at:

Burleson Sub-Courthouse
247 Elk Drive
Burleson, TX 76028

Phone: 817-202-2968 (select Option 2 when prompted)

Regardless of the municipality in Johnson County, these two options will hold the pertinent records for marriages and divorces. People in other cities and towns, like Joshua or Keene, must go through these sources or complete a request.

How To Search Divorce Records in All of Texas via the Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Office

Sometimes, searchers may realize that a divorce occurred outside of their county or somewhere else in Texas. While a county custodian can only assist with locating records within its jurisdiction, it’s possible to complete a wider statewide search for information.

In Texas, Vital Statistics maintains public records pertaining to marriages since 1966 and has maintained a divorce index since 1968. The verification letters provided by Vital Statistics can inform researchers of the existence of a marriage or divorce but do not hold the legal weight of an official marriage license or a divorce decree.

For certified copies of a decree, or if Vital Statistics cannot locate records, individuals must contact the district clerk in the county or district where the divorce was finalized.

The department offers an Online Vital Records Order Form where users can request divorce verifications at any time for a fee of $20 per verification.⁵ Searchers must enter their personal information and identifying information about the parties of the divorce. It takes between 20 and 25 days to receive the verification records.

Individuals can also order these records by mail. Complete the Mail Application for Marriage or Divorce Record Form.⁷ Follow the instructions on the form and mail the completed document with a photocopy of a valid ID and the fee to:

DSHS – Vital Statistics Section (VSS)
P.O. Box 12040
Austin, TX 78711-2040

The Texas Department of State Health Services also handles in-person visits for the state, though it’s quite far from Johnson County. Make in-person requests at:

Texas Department of State Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Phone: 512-776-7111

Some Johnson County records are also archived on microfilm at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This includes court records, including marriage records, as far back as 1852.

Can Anyone in Johnson County Search Public Divorce Records?

Texas considers marriage and divorce information as part of the public record unless sealed through a court order. Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code details general provisions for what the state considers public record.⁸

As such, it’s possible for the general public to review divorce papers and confirm whether a marriage has ended. Decrees, however, outline the terms of the marriage’s dissolution and typically can only be accessed by the parties involved and their attorneys.

While researchers can request divorce records from Johnson County or from the state, other options exist for those searching for recent or archived records. Third-party record providers search online and government databases for relevant records and may reveal divorces or separations not provided by the county or those that happened elsewhere.

However, third-party records can’t be used for official purposes unless they’ve been endorsed by the state, county or city. If someone in Johnson County requires an official divorce certificate, it must be obtained from the Johnson County Clerk.

The above tools provide a solid starting point for individuals seeking Johnson County divorce records; it’s a good idea to begin the search with the free court record inquiry tool and then move on to requesting official records, as necessary, with the government agency holding them.