You may need a copy of a divorce decree to remarry, change your name, refinance a house, apply for benefits, divide a retirement account or prove your marital status for immigration. Sometimes you just need to confirm that a divorce was actually finalized. Here's how to find divorce records for Seguin and the rest of Guadalupe County, and which kind of record you need.
Decree, case file or verification letter?
| Record | What it is | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Final Decree of Divorce | The judge's signed order ending the marriage, dividing property and setting custody and support | Guadalupe County District Clerk |
| Certified copy of the decree | A copy with the clerk's seal, accepted by banks, agencies and courts | Guadalupe County District Clerk |
| Case file | Everything filed in the case: petition, answer, motions, orders | District Clerk (some documents may be sealed) |
| Divorce verification letter | A state letter confirming that a divorce took place, with names, county and date | Texas Department of State Health Services |
Most people who need "divorce papers" need a certified copy of the final decree. A verification letter is useful when you don't know the county or just need proof that the divorce happened, but it isn't a substitute for the decree.
Step 1: Find the case
Divorces in Guadalupe County are filed with the Guadalupe County District Clerk and decided by the district courts in Seguin. To find a case:
- Search by name in the county's public access case search, which the county links as its judicial records search.
- Call the District Clerk's civil and family desk at 830-303-8873, or visit the office at the Guadalupe County Justice Center, 211 W. Court Street, Seguin, or the Schertz satellite office at 1101 Elbel Road.
- Write down the cause number. Guadalupe County cause numbers end in a letter showing which district court has the case: A for the 2nd 25th, C for the 25th, and E for the 456th. Older cases ending in B were in the 274th District Court.
Our Guadalupe County judicial records search page lists every official search link in one place.
Step 2: Order a copy
- Online certified copies: the District Clerk links to Clerk eCertify for electronic certified copies.
- By e-filing a request: the District Clerk accepts civil and family copy requests through eFileTexas.
- In person: at the District Clerk's office in Seguin or Schertz.
Under the District Clerk's fee schedule, copies are $1 per page, plus $5 for the certification. If you were a party, bring a photo ID. The clerk can also issue a short certificate of divorce for a name change.
Step 3 (if needed): Get a state verification letter
If you don't know where a divorce happened, or you only need proof that it happened, order a divorce verification letter from Texas Vital Statistics. The state has verification records for divorces since 1968 and publishes searchable marriage and divorce indexes. The letter shows the names, the county and the date, which tells you which district clerk has the decree.
Records that may be confidential
Most divorce records are public, but not everything in the file is. Sensitive information such as Social Security and bank account numbers is protected, some documents may be filed under seal, and records involving children, such as social studies or psychological evaluations, are often restricted. If you're a party and can't access something, the clerk or your attorney can explain the options.
When a records search turns up a problem
- The divorce was never finalized. Sometimes a case was filed but dismissed, or a decree was never signed. If so, you may still be legally married. Talk to a lawyer before you remarry.
- The decree has a mistake. Clerical errors can sometimes be corrected with a judgment nunc pro tunc. Substantive changes generally require a modification or are no longer possible.
- The decree divided a retirement account, but nothing was done. A qualified domestic relations order may still be needed. See retirement accounts and QDROs.
- Your ex isn't following the decree. See modification and enforcement.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone look up a divorce in Guadalupe County?
Generally yes. The fact of a divorce and most of the file are public records, but some information is protected or sealed.
How much does a certified copy of a decree cost?
The District Clerk's fee schedule lists $1 per page plus $5 for the certification. A card processing fee applies to card payments.
Is a DSHS verification letter the same as a divorce decree?
No. The letter only confirms that a divorce occurred. Certified copies of decrees are only available from the district clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
I got divorced in another county. Can Guadalupe County give me a copy?
No. You need to contact the district clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. A state verification letter will tell you which county that was.
Have questions about your situation? Talk with a Seguin divorce lawyer. Consultations are free, by phone or in person, in English or Spanish.
Related guides
This article is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Laws change, and every case is different.