Laser induced damage threshold values are reported for two metal‐organic complex crystals, zinc tris(thiourea) sulfate, and bis(thiourea) cadmium chloride. These crystals have single shot and multiple shot damage thresholds which are the highest among the solution grown crystals. The damage morphology, obtained by irradiating with fluences close to the threshold, reflects the symmetry of the face of the test site. At higher fluences the damage leads to stress‐induced fracture or thermo‐chemical degradation. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.