Find Divorce Records in Brookhaven

Brookhaven divorce records are on file at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. Whether you need to verify a past case, get a certified copy of a decree, or start a new filing, all divorce matters for Brookhaven residents run through that courthouse.

Where Brookhaven Divorce Records Are Kept

Brookhaven is a city in DeKalb County, and divorce filings for Brookhaven residents are stored at the DeKalb County Superior Court. The clerk's office in Decatur manages all domestic relations records, including divorce decrees, separation agreements, and related case documents. DeKalb County Clerk Debra DeBerry oversees this office and its records systems.

The courthouse is located on North McDonough Street in Decatur - about 10 minutes from most parts of Brookhaven. The clerk's ground-floor office handles walk-in requests during regular business hours. If you already have a case number, lookups are usually quick. If you only have names and an approximate year, staff can still search the index.

DeKalb County maintains a broad index of civil and domestic cases going back many decades. Records from before the digital era are stored in physical form and may take a bit longer to retrieve, but the clerk's office can still locate them with a name search. For older cases, calling ahead is a smart move.

How to Search Brookhaven Divorce Records

The DeKalb Superior Court clerk has an eCertification portal on its website. This tool lets you search the case index and order certified copies online without going to the courthouse. Head to https://www.dksuperiorclerk.com/ and look for the eCertification or online records link.

The GSCCCA statewide portal is another useful tool. Go to https://www.gsccca.org and you can search divorce case indexes from multiple Georgia counties, including DeKalb. The GSCCCA is especially helpful when you are not certain which county handled a case. Search results show case numbers, filing dates, and party names - enough to confirm whether a record exists and where to get copies.

The screenshot below shows the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk website, which Brookhaven residents can use to search divorce records and request certified copies online.

Once you find a record in the index, the next step is requesting a copy. The eCertification portal handles this online, or you can call the clerk's office and arrange a mail or in-person request.

Georgia Courts runs an eAccess platform at https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ that covers participating counties across the state. It's worth checking as a backup, particularly for older cases or if you are researching records across multiple counties. For most Brookhaven residents, the DeKalb clerk portal will be the main access point.

Note: Online indexes show case data but not the full text of documents. To get the actual divorce decree, you need to place a copy request with the clerk.

Filing for Divorce in Brookhaven

Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six full months before filing. This residency rule is set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. Brookhaven residents file at the DeKalb County Superior Court - the city itself does not have a divorce court.

Georgia law offers two paths: no-fault divorce and fault-based divorce. The no-fault ground is simply that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault grounds are listed in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 and include things like adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment. Both paths lead to the same outcome, but fault grounds can affect property division and support in some cases.

The state provides official divorce forms at no charge through https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/. You'll find petitions, financial affidavits, and parenting plans. These are the standard forms used in Georgia Superior Courts and are accepted in DeKalb County. Print, complete, and file them at the clerk's office along with the filing fee.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, the filing spouse must properly serve the other party with the divorce petition. Service can be done through the sheriff's office, a private process server, or by acknowledgment if the other spouse agrees to accept the papers. The case cannot move forward until service is complete.

Brookhaven Divorce Record Fees

Certified copies of divorce decrees from the DeKalb County Superior Court cost $5.00 per copy. This rate applies to both in-person and online eCertification requests. Plain copies without certification may be available at a lower rate - ask the clerk's office to confirm before you submit payment.

For divorces recorded between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides an alternative. Their vital records office at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can issue a divorce verification for $10. This is not a court-issued certified copy but it can serve as proof of a divorce during that time period. If you need a certified copy from the actual case file, contact the DeKalb clerk.

Payment at the DeKalb clerk's office can be made by check, money order, or credit card depending on the type of request. Mail requests require a check or money order. Online requests through eCertification accept card payments. Always verify acceptable payment methods before mailing anything.

Legal Resources for Brookhaven Residents

Georgia Legal Aid serves DeKalb County residents who need free or low-cost legal help. Visit https://www.georgialegalaid.org/ to find the local office, check eligibility, and apply for assistance with divorce or other family law matters. Income limits apply, but the organization covers a broad range of domestic cases.

The Georgia E-Forms system at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ is free for anyone to use. It has the standard divorce petition, a financial disclosure form, and parenting plan templates. These forms are especially useful if you are handling your own case without an attorney. You can download them, fill them out, and file directly at the DeKalb courthouse.

The State Bar of Georgia provides a lawyer referral service if you want to speak with a family law attorney. A short consultation can help you understand your options before deciding whether to hire someone or proceed on your own. For Brookhaven residents, DeKalb County has many family law attorneys familiar with the local Superior Court.

Note: Georgia Legal Aid may have limited capacity during busy periods - apply or call early rather than waiting until a court deadline is approaching.

DeKalb County Divorce Records

Brookhaven is in DeKalb County. All divorce filings for Brookhaven residents go through the DeKalb County Superior Court. The county page has full details on fees, forms, online search, and getting copies.

View DeKalb County Divorce Records