McDonough Divorce Records
McDonough divorce records are at the Henry County Superior Court - and since McDonough is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town on Courthouse Square. All divorce cases for McDonough residents are filed and stored there, and this page explains how to search, get copies, and start a new filing.
McDonough Quick Facts
Where McDonough Divorce Records Are Kept
McDonough serves as the county seat of Henry County, so the courthouse is in the city. The Henry County Superior Court at 1 Courthouse Square maintains all divorce records for McDonough residents and the broader county. The clerk's office manages the full civil case index and handles all copy requests. For McDonough residents, the courthouse is a few minutes' drive from anywhere in the city.
Henry County's website at https://www.henrycountyga.gov/ provides access to court services, clerk contact details, and the Georgia E-Access online case search. The E-Access platform lets you search by name, date, or case number for civil cases including divorces. This is one of the more useful online tools available in Henry County and is the primary online access point for divorce record searches.
| Court | Henry County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Courthouse Square, McDonough GA 30253 |
| Phone | (770) 288-8022 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.henrycountyga.gov/ |
Walk-in visits to the courthouse on Courthouse Square are welcome during business hours. Bring photo ID and any case details you have. For a case you already know the number for, the search is quick. Name-based searches work well too. The courthouse location right in McDonough makes in-person visits especially easy for city residents.
How to Search McDonough Divorce Records
Henry County participates in the Georgia E-Access program, accessible through the county website at https://www.henrycountyga.gov/. Find the Superior Court or clerk section and look for the E-Access case search link. You can search by name, filing date, or case number. The system covers civil cases including all divorce filings in Henry County and is free to use.
GSCCCA at https://www.gsccca.org covers Henry County in its statewide divorce index. Use it when you want a broad search or want to verify which county holds a record. GSCCCA is free; copy requests go to the Henry County clerk once you have the case information.
The screenshot below shows the Henry County government website, which McDonough residents use to access the Superior Court section and Georgia E-Access case search for divorce records.
The Henry County website links to the E-Access system prominently in the court services section. For McDonough residents, E-Access is the most direct tool for online divorce record searches. It covers a wide range of years and works well for both recent and older cases in the county's electronic index.
Georgia Courts eAccess at https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is related to the E-Access system Henry County uses. Check it for current coverage details. For copy requests, call the Henry County clerk at (770) 288-8022.
Note: The Georgia E-Access system for Henry County is one of the better online search tools for a county of its size. Take advantage of it before making a trip to the courthouse.
Filing for Divorce in McDonough
Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires one spouse to have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing for divorce. McDonough residents file at the Henry County Superior Court on Courthouse Square. Since the courthouse is right in town, filing is straightforward and requires no special travel.
No-fault divorce based on an irretrievably broken marriage is available and widely used in Henry County. Thirteen fault grounds are also recognized under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. These include adultery, cruel treatment, desertion, and habitual intoxication. The no-fault path is simpler when both parties are in agreement. Fault grounds can affect alimony and property division if the case is contested and those issues are being litigated.
Official Georgia divorce forms are free at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/. Get the petition, financial affidavit, and parenting plan if applicable. Fill out all required sections, sign where indicated, and notarize where required. Bring completed forms to the Henry County clerk's office and pay the filing fee when you submit.
After filing, serve the other party per O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Henry County Sheriff can serve papers. A signed acknowledgment of service is also acceptable. File the proof with the clerk - the case won't advance to any hearing until service is confirmed and documented.
McDonough Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees at Henry County follow Georgia's standard certified document schedule. Certified copies cost a few dollars per page with the first page slightly higher. Call (770) 288-8022 to get a current quote for the specific document you need before sending a mail request. The clerk can estimate the fee if you give them the case number or describe the document.
Georgia DPH at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords offers divorce verifications for records from 1952 to 1996 at $10 each. These are state vital records documents. For certified copies from the actual court file in Henry County, contact the clerk directly at (770) 288-8022.
Mail requests to the Henry County Superior Court, 1 Courthouse Square, McDonough GA 30253 should include both parties' names, approximate year, return address, and a check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Processing usually takes a few business days for mail requests.
Legal Help for McDonough Residents
Georgia Legal Aid covers the South Metro Atlanta area including Henry County. Visit https://www.georgialegalaid.org/ to apply for free legal assistance in family law cases. Divorce and custody are primary practice areas. Henry County has a Georgia Legal Aid presence, and McDonough residents can apply online or by phone.
The Georgia E-Forms system at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ is free for all filers. Combined with the Henry County E-Access case search, these tools cover most of what a self-represented filer needs for a simple uncontested divorce. The clerk's office in McDonough can answer basic procedural questions when you visit to file.
If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of Georgia referral service can connect you with family law attorneys in the McDonough and Henry County area. A brief consultation helps clarify your options before you commit to a course of action, especially if there are children, significant property, or a spouse who is not cooperating. McDonough's location between Atlanta and Macon means you have access to attorneys from both metro areas.
Henry County Divorce Records
McDonough is in Henry County. All divorce filings for McDonough residents go through the Henry County Superior Court. The county page has full details on fees, forms, online search, and getting copies.