Athens Divorce Records
Athens divorce records are held at the Clarke County Superior Court, which operates within the Athens-Clarke County unified government. Residents can search online through the court's portal, visit the courthouse, or mail a written request to get copies of divorce decrees and other case documents.
Athens Quick Facts
Where Athens Divorce Records Are Kept
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated government formed when the city of Athens and Clarke County merged in 1991. As a result, all divorce records for the Athens area are maintained at the Clarke County Superior Court. There's no separate city court for domestic matters , the county court is it.
The Clarke County Superior Court is located at 325 East Washington Street in downtown Athens. The clerk's office handles all civil and domestic case records, including divorce filings, decrees, and modifications. Staff can search the records system by party name or case number and can pull files for in-person review or copy requests.
| Court | Clarke County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 East Washington Street, Athens GA 30601 |
| Phone | (706) 613-3190 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.athensclarkecounty.gov/ |
The Athens-Clarke County government website at https://www.athensclarkecounty.gov/ provides information on all county departments including the Superior Court. The court's direct page is at https://www.athensclarkecounty.gov/187/Superior-Court and includes case search access and clerk contact details.
Note: The consolidation of Athens and Clarke County means you only need to check one court for any divorce filed in Athens, regardless of when it occurred.
How to Search Athens Divorce Records
The Clarke County Superior Court online search is accessible through the Athens-Clarke County government site at https://www.athensclarkecounty.gov/187/Superior-Court. This is the most direct way to look up Athens divorce cases before contacting the clerk's office. The search lets you find case numbers and basic case information.
The GSCCCA statewide search at https://www.gsccca.org also covers Clarke County. If you're searching for an older case or want to cross-reference results, GSCCCA is a solid backup option. Both tools are free to use and accessible without an account.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia Courts eAccess portal, which Athens residents can use alongside the Clarke County search to find divorce records across Georgia courts.
Georgia Courts eAccess at https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ aggregates records from courts across the state and may include Clarke County data. This is worth checking if the local search doesn't return what you need.
For in-person visits, the clerk's office at 325 East Washington Street is open Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID and whatever case details you have. Mail requests are accepted; include a description of the record you need and payment for the copy fee. Call (706) 613-3190 to confirm current fees before sending payment.
Filing for Divorce in Athens
Athens residents file for divorce at the Clarke County Superior Court. Georgia's six-month residency requirement under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 applies , at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Filing happens in the county where either spouse lives.
No-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common choice for Athens filers. Georgia's fault grounds under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 provide thirteen alternative bases for divorce, including adultery and cruel treatment. For most uncontested cases in Athens, the no-fault ground is simpler and faster.
Divorce is a superior court matter under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Georgia E-Forms portal at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ has the official divorce forms including the petition, financial affidavit, and parenting plan. Submit your completed forms to the Clarke County Superior Court clerk at 325 East Washington Street.
University of Georgia students and faculty who live in Athens and are seeking divorce should be aware that residence for divorce purposes requires domicile in Georgia, not just temporary student housing. If you've been in Athens for six months as a permanent resident rather than a student, you likely meet the requirement , but this is worth confirming with an attorney if you're unsure.
Athens Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees at the Clarke County Superior Court are charged per page, with higher rates for certified copies. The clerk's office can quote you the current rate when you call (706) 613-3190. Athens residents requesting a certified copy of a final decree for a name change or other legal purpose should ask specifically about certification fees.
Standard per-page fees apply for both plain and certified copies of any document in a divorce file. If you need multiple documents, the total cost is based on the combined page count. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Clarke County Superior Court; call first to get the right amount.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords handles divorce verifications from 1952 to 1996 for $10 each. This covers divorces filed in the Athens area during that period and can serve as proof for insurance, benefits, and similar administrative needs.
For divorces outside the 1952 to 1996 range, you must go through the Clarke County Superior Court. The DPH does not hold records from before 1952 or after 1996.
Note: The Clarke County Superior Court may have fee schedules posted on the Athens-Clarke County government website, which is worth checking before your visit.
Legal Help for Athens Residents
Georgia Legal Aid provides services to Athens-area residents who qualify based on income. Apply at https://www.georgialegalaid.org/ or contact the Northeast Georgia office. They handle family law matters including divorce, custody, and support cases, and their site has useful self-help materials for pro se filers.
The University of Georgia School of Law operates legal clinics that may assist qualifying Athens residents with family law matters. While not every case is eligible, the clinics can be a resource for low-income residents who can't get help elsewhere. Contact the law school directly for current clinic availability and intake procedures.
For self-represented filers, the official forms at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ are the right starting point. The Clarke County Superior Court clerk can answer questions about local procedures. If your case involves significant assets, a business, a retirement account, or contested custody, speaking with a local family law attorney before filing is worth the time and cost.
Clarke County Divorce Records
Athens is in Clarke County. All divorce records for Athens go through the Clarke County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on fees, forms, and search options.