Stonecrest Divorce Records

Stonecrest divorce records are filed and maintained at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. Stonecrest became a city in 2016, but all divorce filings for residents still go through DeKalb County - this guide covers how to search, request copies, and understand the filing process.

Where Stonecrest Divorce Records Are Kept

Stonecrest is a city within DeKalb County, and all divorce records for Stonecrest residents are held at the DeKalb County Superior Court. The court's clerk office handles all filings, document storage, and copy requests. Stonecrest incorporated in 2016, but that change had no effect on where divorce records are kept - it remains the county courthouse in Decatur.

The Superior Court clerk for DeKalb County is Debra DeBerry. Her office maintains the full index of divorce and domestic relations cases filed in the county. You can reach the office by phone, visit in person, or use the online eCertification portal to request copies without leaving home.

The courthouse is in Decatur, which is about a 20-minute drive from most parts of Stonecrest. If you plan to visit in person, bring a photo ID and any case details you have - such as the filing year, names of the parties, or a case number. That will help staff locate the record faster.

Note: Stonecrest records filed before 2016 are simply listed under DeKalb County, since the city did not exist yet. The clerk's index covers the full county regardless of municipal boundaries.

How to Search Stonecrest Divorce Records

The DeKalb County Superior Court offers an eCertification portal through its website. You can use it to search the case index and request certified copies of divorce decrees without visiting in person. Go to https://www.dksuperiorclerk.com/ and look for the online records or eCertification section.

Another option is the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, or GSCCCA. Their portal at https://www.gsccca.org gives statewide case index access. DeKalb County is included. You can search by name or case number to find whether a record exists, then follow up with the clerk for copies.

The screenshot below shows the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk website, where Stonecrest residents can search records and request certified copies.

The site provides name-based and case-number-based searches. Results show filing dates, case status, and parties involved. For the actual documents, you will need to submit a copy request and pay the applicable fee.

Georgia Courts also runs an eAccess system for statewide court records. Visit https://georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ to check which counties participate and how to access records through that system. It works as a complement to the county clerk portal rather than a replacement.

Mail requests go directly to the clerk's office at 556 North McDonough Street Ground Floor, Decatur GA 30030. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, a daytime phone number, and a check or money order made out to the Clerk of Superior Court.

Filing for Divorce in Stonecrest

To file for divorce in Georgia, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before the filing date. This comes from O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. Stonecrest residents file at the DeKalb County Superior Court - the city does not have its own court system.

Georgia allows divorce on a no-fault basis, meaning you can cite an irretrievably broken marriage without proving fault by either spouse. The state also recognizes thirteen fault-based grounds under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, including adultery, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment. Most people filing in DeKalb County use the no-fault ground, which is simpler.

You can get the forms you need from the Georgia E-Forms system at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/. This includes petitions for divorce, domestic relations financial affidavits, and parenting plan forms for cases involving children. Using official forms helps avoid rejection for missing required information.

Once you file the petition, the other spouse must be served. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, proper service is required before the court can act on the case. If both parties agree on all terms, the process can move faster. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings before a judge.

Note: If children are involved, Georgia courts require a parenting plan as part of the divorce case. The E-Forms site has templates for this too.

Stonecrest Divorce Record Copy Fees

At the DeKalb County Superior Court, certified copies of divorce decrees cost $5.00 per copy. This applies whether you request in person or through the eCertification portal. Plain (uncertified) copies may cost less - confirm the current rate with the clerk before you send payment.

The Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords offers divorce verifications for records from 1952 through 1996. The fee is $10 per verification. These come from the state vital records office rather than the court, so they are not certified court copies - but they can serve as basic proof of a divorce during that period. If you need a certified court copy, contact the DeKalb clerk directly.

When requesting copies by mail, include a money order or check payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Cash is generally not accepted for mail requests. If paying online through the eCertification portal, a credit card is typically accepted. Ask the clerk's office about accepted payment methods if you are unsure.

Note: Fee schedules can change, so always verify the current amounts before sending any payment to the court.

Legal Help for Stonecrest Residents

If you need help with a divorce case and cannot afford an attorney, Georgia Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to qualifying residents. Visit https://www.georgialegalaid.org/ to find the office that serves DeKalb County and check income eligibility requirements. They handle family law cases, including divorce.

The State Bar of Georgia maintains a lawyer referral service and can connect you with a family law attorney in the DeKalb area. Self-represented filers can also use the Georgia E-Forms system at https://eforms.georgiacourts.gov/ to download official court forms at no cost. These forms are approved for use in Georgia Superior Courts.

For general questions about divorce law in Georgia, the Georgia Legal Aid website has plain-language guides covering residency requirements, service of process, and what happens at a final hearing. These resources are helpful even if you end up hiring an attorney, since knowing the basics helps you ask better questions.

DeKalb County Divorce Records

Stonecrest is in DeKalb County. All divorce filings for Stonecrest 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