Sooner or later, many people need proof of a divorce. You might be refinancing a house, remarrying, applying for a passport in a former name, sorting out retirement benefits, or settling a parent’s estate. If the divorce happened in New Braunfels or elsewhere in Comal County, the records are local, and knowing where to ask saves time. This page explains how to find divorce records for New Braunfels, Comal County and Guadalupe County, and which document you probably need.
Which Divorce Record Do You Need?
People often use “divorce certificate,” “divorce papers” and “divorce decree” as if they mean the same thing. In Texas, they do not.
| Record | Who keeps it | What it shows | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Decree of Divorce | District clerk in the county where the divorce was granted | The full terms: property division, debts, custody, support, name change | Title transfers, refinancing, enforcement, retirement division, name changes |
| Certified copy of the decree | Same district clerk | The decree, with the clerk’s certification | Anywhere an official copy is required |
| Divorce verification letter | Texas DSHS Vital Statistics | That a divorce is recorded, with names, county and date | Proof of divorce when a full decree is not required, or to locate the county |
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics keeps divorce indexes and issues verifications. It does not keep copies of decrees. For the decree itself, you need the district clerk.
Divorce Records for New Braunfels and Comal County
Most divorces granted to people living in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Bulverde, Spring Branch and Garden Ridge are kept by the Comal County District Clerk in New Braunfels.
How to Request Records from the Comal County District Clerk
- Gather the basics. Full names of both spouses, the approximate year of the divorce and, ideally, the cause number. The cause number appears at the top of every page filed in the case.
- Search the case index. Many Texas counties offer an online case search for basic case information. If an online search is available, it may show the cause number, parties and filing dates. If not, the clerk’s office can search for you.
- Ask for the specific document. Usually that is the Final Decree of Divorce. You may also need a related order, such as a QDRO or a later modification.
- Choose plain or certified. Plain copies are fine for your own reference. Choose a certified copy when a bank, title company, agency or court needs an official record.
- Pay the copy and certification fees. Fees change, so check the current fee schedule with the district clerk.
Requests may be made in person, by mail or through an online request process if the county offers one. Ask the clerk what is currently accepted.
Divorce Records for New Braunfels Residents in Guadalupe County
Part of New Braunfels lies in Guadalupe County. If you lived on that side of the county line when the divorce was filed, the case was probably handled in Guadalupe County, and the records are kept by the Guadalupe County District Clerk in Seguin. The same is true for divorces from Seguin, Marion, McQueeney and much of Schertz and Cibolo.
The steps are the same: identify the case, request the decree and decide whether you need a certified copy. See our Seguin and Guadalupe County page for more on that courthouse.
Searching Online: What Works and What Does Not
Online tools can help, but they have limits:
- County case search portals. Where available, these usually show case information such as party names and filing dates. Documents may not be viewable online, especially in family cases.
- Statewide e-filing records. Texas has a statewide system that provides access to some documents filed electronically. Access rules vary, and family case documents are often restricted.
- Third-party “records” websites. These sites collect data from many sources. They can be outdated or wrong, and they cannot provide a certified decree.
Older divorces may not appear online at all. For those, the clerk’s office is the reliable source.
Texas DSHS Divorce Verification Letters
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics maintains a statewide divorce index. You can request a verification letter that confirms a divorce took place. It is useful when:
- You need proof of divorce for a purpose that accepts a verification
- You do not know the county where a divorce was granted
- You are researching a family history or an old marriage
A verification letter is not a decree. It will not show the property division or custody terms. If a title company, court or retirement plan administrator asks for “the divorce decree,” a verification letter usually will not do. Check the requirements with whoever is asking for proof.
Privacy, Sealed Records and Sensitive Information
Divorce cases are generally public, but there are protections:
- Sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and dates of birth, should be redacted or filed in a protected way.
- A court can seal records or restrict access in certain circumstances.
- Some documents, such as those identifying a victim of family violence, may carry extra protection.
If a decree you are about to share includes sensitive information, ask whether a redacted copy will meet the need.
When the Records Raise Legal Questions
Sometimes getting the decree is the easy part. You may find that:
- The decree awards you part of a retirement plan, but a QDRO was never entered. See retirement and QDROs.
- Your former spouse never refinanced or transferred property as ordered. See enforcing a divorce decree.
- The custody or support terms no longer fit your family. See post-divorce modifications.
- You were never actually divorced from an earlier spouse, which matters before you remarry.
These problems are more common than people think, and many can be fixed.
Talk With a New Braunfels Divorce Attorney
If you have your decree in hand and are not sure what it means, or the records show a problem, our family law team can help. We work with New Braunfels, Comal County and Guadalupe County decrees every week. Call (830) 302-4071 for a free consultation by phone, video or in person. Se habla español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a copy of my New Braunfels divorce decree?
Contact the district clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. If the case was filed in New Braunfels, that is usually the Comal County District Clerk. If you lived on the Guadalupe County side, check with the Guadalupe County District Clerk in Seguin.
What is the difference between a certified copy and a verification letter?
A certified copy is a copy of the actual decree, stamped and certified by the district clerk. A verification letter from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics only confirms that a divorce is recorded in the state index, with basic details. Many agencies require the certified decree.
Can anyone look up my divorce?
Divorce files are generally public court records, but some information is protected. Sensitive data such as Social Security and bank account numbers should be redacted, and some records or documents may be sealed or restricted by court order.
I do not know which county my divorce was in. What should I do?
A DSHS divorce verification search can help identify the county and approximate date if the divorce was granted in Texas within the years the state index covers. Once you know the county, contact that district clerk for the decree.
Do I need a lawyer to get my divorce records?
Usually not. Most people can request copies directly from the clerk. A lawyer becomes helpful if the decree is unclear, a required order is missing, such as a QDRO, or you need to enforce or change the decree.
Last reviewed November 13, 2026. General information only, not legal advice.