Search Georgia Divorce Records
Georgia divorce records are public documents kept by county Superior Courts and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Each of the 159 counties in Georgia stores its own divorce case files at the Superior Court Clerk office. The state health agency has divorce certificates going back decades. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses across the state.
Georgia Divorce Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Georgia Divorce Records
There are two main places to get divorce records in Georgia. County Superior Courts hold the full case files for every divorce filed in Georgia. These files include the divorce petition, the answer from the other spouse, settlement papers, and the final decree signed by the judge. The Superior Court Clerk in each county keeps these records and can make copies for you. You can visit in person at the courthouse or search some records online through the state court system in Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps divorce certificates. A certificate is not the same as a decree. It shows only basic facts: the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where it took place. You can order these by mail, online through VitalChek, or at a county health office in Georgia. Certificates cost $25 for a certified copy.
Note: Divorce certificates show less detail than full court records from the Superior Court Clerk in Georgia.
How to Search Divorce Records in Georgia
Georgia offers several ways to look up divorce records. Online access is the fastest method for most searches. You can search from home any time of day. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to see the full case file. Both options are open to anyone in Georgia.
Many Georgia counties offer online case search through their Superior Court Clerk websites. You can search by name or case number to find divorce cases. Some counties use statewide systems while others have their own portals. This is a fast way to find divorce records in Georgia from home.
To search divorce records online, you typically need the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the divorce filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any Superior Court Clerk office in Georgia. Go to the county where the divorce was filed. Staff can help you find records and make copies. Most clerks charge a small fee for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce certificates only, use VitalChek online at vitalchek.com or call 1-888-279-9888. Extra service fees apply on top of the state fee in Georgia.
Types of Divorce Records in Georgia
Georgia divorce records include several types of documents. The divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is done. The decree states the marriage is over and covers child custody, support, and property terms. This is the most complete divorce record you can get in Georgia. It comes from the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the case was heard.
The divorce certificate is a shorter document from the Georgia Department of Public Health. A certificate proves that a divorce took place but does not show the details of the settlement. Many people need a certificate for things like changing their name, getting remarried, or updating other legal papers in Georgia. You can get a certificate from the state vital records office or order one online.
Divorce records in Georgia typically contain the following:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the divorce was filed
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the divorce
- Terms of property division
Court case files may also hold motions, responses, and other papers filed during the case. These show the full history of the divorce proceedings in Georgia. You can get copies of any paper in a case file from the Superior Court Clerk.
Georgia Divorce Laws and Rules
Georgia law sets the rules for getting a divorce. These laws affect how long the process takes and what records are created. The state legislature has set specific rules for residency, grounds, waiting periods, and property division. You must follow these rules to file for divorce in Georgia.
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. This is the residency rule. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives now. The petition must state that you meet this rule, and you must prove it to the court in Georgia.
Georgia allows both fault and no-fault divorces. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 lists thirteen grounds for divorce. The no-fault ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Most divorces in Georgia use this no-fault reason since it is easier to prove. Fault-based grounds include adultery, desertion, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment. Fault grounds may affect alimony awards in Georgia.
Georgia has a 30-day waiting period after you file for divorce. The court cannot hold a final hearing until at least 30 days after the respondent is served. During this time, the court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or who uses the home. This wait applies to all divorce cases in Georgia.
Georgia is an equitable distribution state. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13, property is divided fairly but not always equally. The judge looks at many factors when splitting assets in divorce cases. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and what each person put into the marriage in Georgia.
Divorce Record Fees in Georgia
Fees vary based on what you need and where you get it in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health charges $25 for a certified divorce certificate. VitalChek charges its own service fees on top of state fees when you order online in Georgia.
County Superior Courts charge their own fees for divorce cases and records in Georgia. Filing for divorce costs about $200 to $250 in most counties. Fees go up if children are part of the case. Getting copies of existing divorce records costs less. Most clerks charge per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones at any court in Georgia.
Fee waivers are available for people with low income who need to file for divorce in Georgia. You can ask the court to waive the fees by filing an In Forma Pauperis form. You must show proof of low income. The judge will decide if you qualify for a fee waiver in Georgia.
Note: Filing fees and copy fees can change, so contact the court or agency to confirm current costs in Georgia.
How to Get Copies of Georgia Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records in Georgia in several ways. For divorce certificates from the Department of Public Health, you have three choices. First, order online through VitalChek for the fastest service. Second, mail your request to the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Unit, 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 with the names of both spouses, the divorce date, the county, and your payment. Third, visit the vital records office in person.
For full divorce decrees and case files, go to the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed in Georgia. You can ask in person or call ahead to check what you need. Some clerks accept mail requests for copies. You will need to know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search the records and make copies for a fee in Georgia.
Wait times vary by method and location in Georgia. In-person requests at a health department are often same-day. Mail requests to the state take 10 to 15 business days. Rush orders through VitalChek take 3 to 5 business days. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office in Georgia.
Legal Help for Divorce in Georgia
Several groups offer help with divorce cases in Georgia. Georgia Legal Services Program gives free legal help to people with low income. They focus on family law cases that involve domestic violence. Their website at glsp.org has more info on getting help with divorce in Georgia.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney in Georgia. Visit gabar.org to get connected with a family law lawyer. They can refer you to an attorney in your area who handles divorce cases in Georgia.
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org offers self-help forms and legal facts for people who want to file on their own. You can find guides for handling your own divorce case in Georgia. The site also has a list of legal resources across the state.
Are Divorce Records Public in Georgia
Yes, divorce records are public in Georgia. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70) gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. This is Georgia's public records law. It applies to divorce records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The records are open to anyone in Georgia.
Some limits apply to what you can see in divorce records in Georgia. Certain facts may be blacked out from public copies. These include financial account numbers and details about minor children. A party can also ask the court to seal their divorce records. A judge may seal records after a hearing if the person shows a strong reason why this is needed. Sealed divorce records are rare in Georgia.
Note: Divorce certificates from the health department may have some access rules, but full court records at the Superior Court Clerk are generally open to all in Georgia.
Browse Georgia Divorce Records by County
Each county in Georgia has its own Superior Court Clerk who keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Georgia Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at their county Superior Court. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.