Family Intake

Family Intake accepts pleadings, filings and documents on family-related matters filed in the Harris County District Courts. This section also produces the service documents as requested on family cases (causes) and accepts out-of-county family transfers for filings in Harris County.

Filings

There are several ways to file your legal documents. You do not have to file in person. Alternate methods include:

• Internet
• Fax
• Mail
• 24-Hour Drop-Box

Protective Orders (Family Violence)

Matters concerning family violence are handled by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office located at 1201 Franklin, 8th Floor. If you wish to file the paperwork yourself, visit the Office of the Attorney General's Web site to retrieve the packet of information needed for filing.

In-Coming Transfers

In-coming transfers happen when another county transfers a case (cause) to the Harris County court system. An order is signed transferring the case (cause) to Harris County. The process generally takes a month for the transfer to complete. Once our office receives the out-of-county transfer paperwork:

• A $45 fee is due to our office for the filing
• Notification will be mailed to the attorneys and/or filing parties for the incurred fees
• After payment, the case (cause) will be assigned a case (cause) number and a family court

Legal Advice

The District Clerk’s Office cannot dispense legal advice or carry forms to file a case (cause) in the Family District Courts. However, there are different options and alternatives you can use to seek legal advice:

• The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program provides services free of charge. See below for more information:
  • Located in the basement of the Family Law Center
  • Open Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Operates on a first-come, first-serve basis
• The Harris County Domestic Relations Office provides legal representation for parents seeking to establish, enforce or terminate child support and/or visitation.
• Office of the Attorney General provides parents with a full range of child support services at no cost.
• Contact a private attorney. For assistance in locating an attorney, contact the State Bar of Texas.

Online Forms

Family forms are available on our Forms page.