Albany Divorce Records
Albany divorce records are on file at the Dougherty County Superior Court, the official custodian of all domestic case filings for the Albany area. Albany is the county seat of Dougherty County, so the courthouse is right in the city. This guide covers how Albany residents can search, request, and use these records.
Albany Quick Facts
Where Albany Divorce Records Are Kept
Albany serves as the county seat of Dougherty County, so the Dougherty County Superior Court is located right in the city. This is convenient for Albany residents who need to file, search for records, or request copies in person. All divorce cases filed by Albany area residents are handled at this courthouse and stored in its records system.
The Dougherty County Superior Court at 225 Pine Avenue handles all civil and domestic cases for the county. The clerk's office maintains divorce filings, decrees, and related documents. Online case search is available, and staff can assist with in-person and mail requests during business hours.
| Court | Dougherty County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 Pine Avenue, Albany GA 31701 |
| Phone | (229) 431-2100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.doughertyga.gov/ |
Albany residents have the advantage of living in the same city as the courthouse. You don't need to travel to another town to file in person or pick up documents. The 225 Pine Avenue courthouse is centrally located in downtown Albany and accessible during standard business hours.
Note: The Dougherty County courthouse handles both divorce filings and record requests for Albany residents; there is no separate city office for domestic court matters.
How to Search Albany Divorce Records
Dougherty County has an online case search system that Albany residents can access before visiting the courthouse. Use the Dougherty County government site at https://www.doughertyga.gov/ to find the court records search portal. You can look up cases by party name or case number to get basic case information.
GSCCCA at https://www.gsccca.org is a statewide index that includes Dougherty County records. Search by name across the state or filter by county. This is a useful backup when the local search doesn't return results or when you need to confirm case details before contacting the clerk.
The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA statewide portal, which Albany residents can use to search Dougherty County divorce records without visiting the courthouse.
GSCCCA is free and searches the clerk's index, giving you case numbers, party names, and filing dates. With that information in hand, you can contact the courthouse directly to request specific documents.
Georgia Courts eAccess at https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional online court record access for Georgia courts including Dougherty County. For in-person visits, the 225 Pine Avenue courthouse is open Monday through Friday. Mail requests are also accepted; call (229) 431-2100 first to confirm fees.
Filing for Divorce in Albany
Albany residents file for divorce at the Dougherty County Superior Court at 225 Pine Avenue. Georgia's six-month residency rule under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 applies: at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Filing goes to the county where either spouse currently lives.
Most Albany filers use the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown. Georgia's fault grounds under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 are also available, including adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment. Whether fault grounds are worth raising in your case depends on the specific facts and what you want to achieve in the final decree.
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, divorce must be filed in superior court. Get official Georgia forms at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/. Submit completed forms to the Dougherty County Superior Court clerk at 225 Pine Avenue. After filing, the other party must be served. Uncontested divorces can be finalized through a consent order. Contested cases go before a judge for a hearing.
Albany Divorce Record Fees
The Dougherty County Superior Court charges copy fees for divorce records. Certified copies cost more than plain copies, and the per-page rate varies. Call the clerk at (229) 431-2100 to get the current fee schedule before mailing a check or making a special trip to the courthouse just to pay for copies.
Most people requesting copies of a divorce decree need just a few pages. A certified copy of the final decree is what's usually required for legal purposes like name changes, remarriage in another state, or government benefit claims. Plain copies work for personal reference. Know which type you need before you request.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords holds divorce verification records for cases from 1952 through 1996. The fee is $10 per verification. This is a simple way to confirm a divorce occurred in the Albany area during those years without needing a certified court copy.
For divorces before 1952 or after 1996, only the Dougherty County Superior Court has official records. The DPH doesn't cover dates outside that 44-year window.
Note: Albany residents visiting the courthouse in person can request copies at the counter and pay on the spot; call (229) 431-2100 ahead of time to avoid waiting if the clerk's office is busy.
Legal Help for Albany Residents
Georgia Legal Aid serves Albany and Dougherty County. Apply online at https://www.georgialegalaid.org/ to see if you qualify. They handle family law cases for income-eligible residents and provide self-help resources covering the Georgia divorce process. Their local staff are familiar with Dougherty County procedures.
The Southwest Georgia Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia both provide attorney referrals for Albany area residents. Albany has local family law attorneys who regularly handle divorce cases at the Dougherty County Superior Court. A brief consultation can help you understand what to expect and how to prepare your case.
For pro se filers, the Georgia E-Forms portal at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ provides official Georgia divorce forms. The Dougherty County Superior Court clerk at 225 Pine Avenue can answer procedural questions about filing. Because the courthouse is in Albany, it's convenient for residents to stop by with questions during the filing process.
Dougherty County Divorce Records
Albany is in Dougherty County. All divorce records for Albany go through the Dougherty County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on fees, forms, and search options.