Dalton Divorce Records
Dalton divorce records are maintained at the Whitfield County Superior Court, and since Dalton is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city. This page covers how to search divorce records, request copies, and understand the filing process for Dalton residents.
Dalton Quick Facts
Where Dalton Divorce Records Are Kept
As the county seat of Whitfield County, Dalton has the courthouse right in the city. The Whitfield County Superior Court on North Selvidge Street is where all divorce filings for Dalton residents are made and stored. The clerk's office maintains the full civil and domestic case index and is the point of contact for copy requests, record searches, and new filings. Residents don't have to travel outside the city for any part of the process.
Whitfield County's website at https://www.whitfieldcountyga.gov/ provides access to court services information, clerk contact details, and online case search. The Superior Court section covers the clerk's functions, including how to request copies and use the online search tools. Whitfield County has invested in online services, making it easier for Dalton residents to search records remotely.
| Court | Whitfield County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 North Selvidge Street, Dalton GA 30720 |
| Phone | (706) 278-9800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.whitfieldcountyga.gov/ |
Walk-in visits to the clerk's office on North Selvidge Street are handled during regular business hours. Bring photo ID and any identifying case details. Staff can search by name or case number at the counter. For older records from before the electronic era, physical retrieval may add a few minutes, but the clerk's office handles these requests routinely.
How to Search Dalton Divorce Records
Whitfield County's online case search is accessible at https://www.whitfieldcountyga.gov/. Navigate to the Superior Court clerk section and look for the case search link. Enter a party name or case number. Results show the case type, parties, filing date, and status. For Dalton residents, this is the fastest way to check whether a divorce record exists in Whitfield County without making a courthouse visit.
GSCCCA at https://www.gsccca.org provides statewide coverage including Whitfield County. Use it when you want to verify a case location or search across counties. GSCCCA shows index data for free; actual copies require a follow-up request to the Whitfield County clerk.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia DPH vital records page, which Dalton residents can use to request divorce verifications for the 1952 to 1996 period from the state vital records office.
The DPH verification service covers divorces recorded at the state level from 1952 through 1996. The cost is $10 per verification, and the process is separate from requesting court-certified copies. Visit https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for details on how to request a verification and what the document includes.
Georgia Courts eAccess at https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ may include Whitfield County in its coverage. Check the site for current participation details. For most Dalton residents, the Whitfield County website is the most direct online starting point for divorce record research.
Note: Both the county website and GSCCCA show index data only. To get actual documents, you need to place a copy order with the Whitfield County clerk.
Filing for Divorce in Dalton
Georgia requires at least one spouse to be a Georgia resident for six months before filing for divorce. This is established by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. Dalton residents file at the Whitfield County Superior Court on North Selvidge Street. The courthouse location in the city makes the filing process convenient.
No-fault divorce - citing an irretrievably broken marriage - is available to all Georgia filers. Thirteen fault grounds are listed in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. These include adultery, cruel treatment, desertion, and habitual intoxication. Most Dalton residents use the no-fault path for a simpler process. If fault grounds apply and are worth raising, discuss the decision with an attorney before you file to understand the potential impact.
Free official forms for Georgia divorces are available at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/. The divorce petition, financial affidavit, and parenting plan templates are all there. Download, complete, and file them at the Whitfield County clerk's office. Pay the required filing fee at the counter when you submit your documents.
After filing, serve the other spouse per O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Whitfield County Sheriff handles service of civil papers. A signed acknowledgment of service by the other party is also acceptable. File the proof of service with the clerk before the case can be scheduled for any action by the judge.
Dalton Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees at the Whitfield County Superior Court follow Georgia's standard per-page schedule. Certified copies cost a few dollars per page with the first page slightly higher. Total cost varies with document length. Call (706) 278-9800 for a current fee estimate before placing a copy order or sending a mail request.
The Georgia DPH at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides divorce verifications for the 1952 to 1996 period at $10 each. These are state documents, not certified court copies. They serve as basic confirmation of a divorce during that period. For a certified court copy from the actual Whitfield County case file, contact the clerk directly.
Mail requests to the Whitfield County Superior Court at 205 North Selvidge Street, Dalton GA 30720 should include both parties' names, the approximate year of the divorce, a return address, and a check or money order made out to the Clerk of Superior Court. Confirm the fee before sending to avoid underpayment delays.
Legal Help for Dalton Residents
Georgia Legal Aid covers Northwest Georgia including Whitfield County. Find the regional office and apply at https://www.georgialegalaid.org/. Family law cases, including divorce and custody, are within their services. Income requirements apply. Applying early in your case gives you the best chance of getting help before any court deadlines.
The Georgia E-Forms system at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ is available free to all filers. Self-represented Dalton residents use these official forms for uncontested divorces with regularity. The Whitfield County clerk's staff can answer basic questions about the forms and filing procedure when you visit the courthouse, though they cannot provide legal advice. For most simple, uncontested cases, these resources are sufficient.
For complex or contested cases - those involving child custody battles, significant property, or one party who is uncooperative - the State Bar of Georgia referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in the Dalton or Whitfield County area. Local attorneys who practice in the Whitfield Superior Court are the most helpful resource for navigating anything beyond a straightforward uncontested divorce.
Whitfield County Divorce Records
Dalton is in Whitfield County. All divorce filings for Dalton residents go through the Whitfield County Superior Court. The county page has full details on fees, forms, online search, and getting copies.