Collin County Divorce Records
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Divorce records show the outcome of marriage dissolution cases. In Collin County, the District Court Clerk's Office maintains these documents as evidence of divorce trials within the Collin County District Court. Collin County divorce records are public documents that may play crucial roles in:
- Remarriage
- Legal proceedings
- Genealogical research
- Government/administrative uses, such as:
- Social Security
- Passport
- Name change
Understanding how to find divorce records in Collin County largely depends on the type of documents and their use. While copies of these documents may be accessible online, only the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office may issue certified copies of Collin County divorce records.
Texas Divorce Rate: Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that as of 2023, the divorce rate for Texas (including Collin County) ranges between 0.9 and 2.2 per 1,000 persons. This shows an increase from 0.7 to 2.1 per 1,000 for 2022. A similar trend may apply for Collin County.
Are Divorce Records Public in Collin County?
Yes, anyone may access Collin County divorce records. Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code establishes public rights to access Collin County divorce records. Nonetheless, there are important distinctions and limitations to this access. The law permits access to basic divorce case information, including:
- Court filings & motions
- Final divorce decree
- Case filing details, such as names of the divorced parties, case number, and case status.
In contrast, the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office redacts sensitive information to protect privacy. They will not release:
- Social Security Numbers
- Bank account, tax, and other financial account details
- Medical or mental health records
- Child custody evaluations and adoption-related information
- Protective order details in cases involving domestic violence
- Material sealed by court orders.
How to Find Divorce Records in Collin County
The Collin County District Court Clerk's Office offers online and offline access to Collin County divorce records. Depending on preferences and convenience, information seekers may access Collin County divorce records through any of the following options.
Online Access
Collin County provides online access to court records through its Collin County Courts Records Inquiry Portal (Odyssey Public Access). This online search tool allows information seekers to look up divorce records in Collin County using party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date as a search criterion.
Mail-in & In-person Access
For access to certified copies of Collin County divorce records or information about documents that are not available online, call, mail, or visit the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office at:
Russell A. Steindam Courts Building
2100 Bloomdale Road,
McKinney,
TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-4320 (McKinney), (972) 424-1460 ext. 4320 (Metro).
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Collin County Courts Records Inquiry Portal (Odyssey Public Access) |
| Access to divorce information is free | Instant |
| Mail-in | Collin County District Court Clerk's Office at: Russell A. Steindam Courts Building 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071 |
|
| 3 to 15 business days |
| In-person | Collin County District Court Clerk's Office at: Russell A. Steindam Courts Building 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071 |
|
| Same day |
Overview of the Collin County Court System
Collin County's judicial structure includes the District Courts, a Constitutional County Court, and County Courts. Under the Texas trial system, the Collin County District Court serves as a general jurisdiction court. It handles civil and criminal cases that other courts lack the authority to preside over. The Family Law Divisions of Collin County District Courts manage all divorce cases within the county. All Collin County District Courts are located at the Collin County Courthouse at:
2100 Bloomdale Road,
McKinney,
TX 75071.
Individuals may access Collin County family court divorce filings or Collin County District Court records through the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office at:
Russell A. Steindam Courts Building
2100 Bloomdale Road,
McKinney,
TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-4320, (972) 424-1460 extension 4320.
Online Access to Collin County Divorce Records
Online access to Collin County divorce records is through the Collin County Courts Records Inquiry Portal. This access tool allows free online divorce lookup for Collin County marriage dissolution cases. Users may search for Collin County divorce records and other court-related documents by party names, case numbers, attorney names, and filing dates.
To find Collin County divorce records online:
- Log in to the Collin County Odyssey Public Access Portal
- Expand the "Select a Location" menu and tick "All Civil & Family Courts"
- Click the "Civil & Family Case Records" link to access the search portal
- Choose any of the search criteria and provide the required information
- Filter the search results by "Case Status" and "Date Field"
- Click "Search" to submit the query.
Collin County divorce records may also be accessible online through third-party platforms. However, it is advisable to verify their authenticity and completeness through official sources.
A search for Collin County divorce records through the Collin County Court Records Inquiry Portal will provide access to:
- Party Information (including names of petitioner and respondent, and attorneys, if any)
- Case details, such as:
- Case number
- Style of case
- Case type (for instance, divorce or divorce with Children)
- District Court number
- Filing date
- Case status
- Docket sheet containing a list of filings and events, hearing dates and results, and orders.
What's Typically Included in a Collin County Divorce Record
Per the Texas Public Information Act, Collin County divorce records are generally accessible to all interested individuals. However, Texas laws also recognize individuals' right to privacy. Hence, certain divorce records are not public. For instance, the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office will deny public access to sealed divorce records. Additionally, non-parties cannot access divorce-related information, including:
- Identities of minor children
- Sensitive financial details
- Allegations of abuse
- Medical and mental health history.
For individuals seeking access to Collin County divorce records, the following information is publicly accessible:
- Case filings
- Party names
- Case numbers
- Final divorce decree
- Court orders.
| Collin County Divorce Record Information | Available to the Public |
|---|---|
| Case filing | Yes |
| Party names | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Final divorce decree | Yes |
| Court orders | Yes |
| Identities of minors in a divorce | No |
| Financial account details | No |
| Allegations of abuse | No |
| Medical and mental health records | No |
| Sealed divorce records | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Collin County Divorce Records
Access to Collin County divorce records is through the Collin County District Court's Clerk's Office. The Collin County Courts Records Inquiry Portal provides case information only.
To get an official divorce record copy in Collin County, visit or send a mail request to:
The Collin County District Clerk
Collin County Courthouse
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132
McKinney,
TX 75071.
While requests for copies of Collin County divorce records through the Collin County District Court Clerk's Office do not require special forms, a mail-in request for a certified copy of a divorce record should include:
- Parties' names
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate divorce date
- The requester's contact info
- Payment (check or money order payable to Collin County District Clerk)
- A photocopy of a government-issued ID.
Certified copies of Collin County divorce records cost $1.00 per page and a $5.00 certification fee per document. Additionally, processing after payments may take between 1 and 10 business days, and an additional 2 to 7 days for delivery by mail.
Unlike informational copies that may not have official values, a certified copy of a certified divorce decree in Collin County is a legal document individuals may use for:
- Remarriage
- Legal proceedings
- Name change
- Property transfer.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who may Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy |
|
| Yes |
| Informational Copy |
| Anyone (if public) | No |
Why People Request Collin County Divorce Records
People request copies of Collin County divorce records for various purposes. Some of the common reasons to request divorce records in Collin County include:
- Remarriage
- Name change
- Legal and financial proceedings
- Property transfer
- Genealogical research
- Personal reference
- Updating official records.
Employers may also request Collin County divorce records as background checks on their employees.
Collin County Divorce Records Summary
The table gives a summary of various options for accessing Collin County divorce records.
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collin County District Court Clerk's Office (Court Records) | Full case files | Public portal/mail/in person | Collin County Courts Records Inquiry Portal - free of charge Collin County District Court Clerk's Office:
|
| Texas Department of Health & Human Services (Vital Records) | Verification copies of Collin County divorce records from 1968 to the present | Mail-in via form | $20.00 per record |
| Third-Party Websites | Basic information, such as party names, docket or register of actions, and case details | Online search (paid) | Fees may vary from about $5.00 per record search to upward of $100.00 for premium subscriptions. |