Bulloch County Divorce Records
Bulloch County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Statesboro, where all divorce cases filed in the county are stored as public records. Bulloch County is home to Georgia Southern University and has a larger-than-average filing volume relative to its population. This guide covers where to find Bulloch County divorce records, how to search them online, and how to get certified copies.
Bulloch County Quick Facts
Where to Get Bulloch County Divorce Records
The Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk in Statesboro is the official keeper of all divorce records for the county. The office at 20 Siebald Street handles filings, maintains archives of completed cases, and issues certified copies upon request. Bulloch County has online search capabilities, and the clerk's department page at bullochcounty.net provides details on how to access records and submit copy requests.
Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, makes these records public. Any person can request access to Bulloch County divorce files. Cases sealed by judicial order are the exception and are unusual in standard divorce proceedings. Most divorce records are open and available to any requestor without needing to show cause.
| Court | Bulloch County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 Siebald Street, Statesboro, GA 30458 |
| Phone | (912) 764-9009 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.bullochcounty.net/departments/clerk-of-court |
Statesboro is the regional hub for southeast Georgia. The courthouse on Siebald Street handles a higher filing volume than many surrounding counties. If you are searching for a recent case, the GSCCCA online index is likely to have it. For older records, a call to the clerk's office helps you determine the best way to proceed.
The screenshots below show the Bulloch County official site and clerk of court page, both useful for understanding how to access divorce records in Statesboro.
Source: bullochcounty.net
The county site provides access to court department contacts and resources for residents seeking Bulloch County divorce records.
Source: bullochcounty.net - Clerk of Court
The clerk of court department page at Bulloch County outlines services available, including how to request certified copies and search case records for divorces filed in Statesboro.
How to Search Bulloch Divorce Records Online
The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org is your starting point for online searches. This free statewide case index covers Bulloch County Superior Court records. Enter a party name to find case numbers, filing dates, and status information. For many Bulloch County cases, document images may also be available through this tool. It is the most direct way to find a filing without visiting Statesboro.
The Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional access to Georgia court records statewide. Use both systems together. Bulloch County, as a larger county, has relatively good online record coverage. For cases from the 1980s or earlier that predate digital indexing, call the clerk at (912) 764-9009 for a manual search.
When searching online, enter both the petitioner and respondent name variations. Names sometimes appear differently in case indexes depending on how they were entered at filing. If your search returns no results, try alternate spellings or just the last name to see what comes up in the county index.
Note: Statesboro's larger filing volume means some cases may take more time to process at the clerk's office; submit copy requests in advance if you have a deadline.
Bulloch County Divorce Filing Requirements
All Georgia divorces must be filed in Superior Court. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 gives Superior Courts exclusive divorce authority. The Bulloch County Superior Court in Statesboro is the only court in the county that can grant a divorce. This applies to all cases, whether contested or uncontested.
Venue is the defendant's county of residence. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 directs that the petition be filed where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives in Statesboro or anywhere in Bulloch County, you file in Statesboro. If your spouse lives in Candler County, Emanuel County, or another county, that court holds jurisdiction and keeps the records. This is the most common reason someone doesn't find a case in Bulloch County.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is the dominant ground used in Bulloch County divorces. A 30-day waiting period after service on the defendant is required before a final decree can be entered. Once the judge signs the decree and it is recorded in Statesboro, the case is closed and the record is public.
Fees for Bulloch County Divorce Records
Current copy fees are available from the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk at (912) 764-9009 or on the clerk's department page at bullochcounty.net. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most official purposes. Non-certified copies are cheaper and fine for personal reference, but most formal uses require certification. Confirm the accepted payment methods when you call, especially if you need to pay by credit card.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides divorce verifications for $10. These cover Georgia divorces from 1952 to 1996 only. The verification shows names, date, and county. It is not the decree and does not include any case terms. For the actual court order, contact the Bulloch County clerk in Statesboro. Outside the 1952 to 1996 window, only the courthouse has the record.
Divorce Decrees and State Verifications
The Bulloch County divorce decree is the court order. It is held by the clerk in Statesboro and includes all terms from the judge's final ruling: property, debts, children, support, and any other orders. This is the official legal document that parties, courts, and agencies rely on when the substance of a divorce matters. Certified copies are available from the clerk.
The Georgia DPH divorce verification covers only 1952 to 1996. It shows names, county, and date. Nothing else. It costs $10 from the state health department. Many people mistakenly believe the DPH holds full copies of divorce decrees; it does not. If you need any detail beyond basic confirmation that a divorce occurred in Bulloch County during that period, the Superior Court Clerk in Statesboro is the only place to get it.
Note: If you are applying for remarriage in Bulloch County and have been previously divorced, you will likely need to provide a copy of your prior final decree, not just a state verification.
Legal Help for Divorce in Bulloch County
Georgia Legal Aid serves Bulloch County residents. Family law assistance from Georgia Legal Aid may include help with forms, procedural guidance, and in some cases full representation for those who qualify by income. Statesboro is a regional center, and local legal aid presence in the area can be more accessible than in smaller rural counties.
The Superior Court Clerk in Statesboro provides the forms needed for a pro se divorce filing. Uncontested divorces with agreed-upon terms are the most common self-filed cases. Bulloch County's courthouse staff can guide you on which forms to use. For any case involving children, significant assets, or any dispute, consulting a family law attorney before you file is strongly recommended. Statesboro has a number of private family law attorneys available for consultation.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records for Bulloch County area residents may also be in neighboring counties if the defendant was living there when the case was filed.