Burke County Divorce Records Search

Burke County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Waynesboro, the county seat. Burke County is one of Georgia's larger counties by land area, though its population is relatively modest. All divorce cases filed here are stored with the Waynesboro courthouse, and this guide explains how to find, search, and request Burke County divorce records.

Burke County Divorce Records Location

All divorce records for Burke County are on file at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Waynesboro on East Sixth Street. The clerk maintains the official archive of all divorce proceedings filed in the county. Certified copies of final decrees, case files, and related documents can be requested in person during regular business hours. Contact the office in advance if you need copies mailed.

Georgia's Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes Burke County divorce files public records. Any member of the public can request access to these records. Most files are open. Court-ordered sealing of divorce files is unusual and applies only in specific circumstances. The clerk will inform you if a record has been sealed and whether there is a process to petition for access.

Waynesboro is a small city in the Augusta metro area's eastern fringe. The Burke County courthouse is centrally located in town. If you are coming from Augusta or another city, the drive to Waynesboro is manageable. Calling in advance at (706) 554-2279 to confirm the record is available and to ask about record retrieval times helps you plan the trip efficiently.

The Georgia DPH Vital Records office handles divorce verifications separately from the court records kept in Waynesboro. The screenshot below shows the DPH portal where those verifications can be requested.

Source: dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords

The DPH offers verifications only for divorces from 1952 to 1996. For the actual Burke County divorce decree or for cases outside that date range, contact the Superior Court Clerk in Waynesboro.

How to Search Burke County Divorce Records

The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org is the most direct online tool for searching Burke County Superior Court cases. Enter a party name to find case numbers, filing dates, and case status at no cost. The statewide index includes Burke County records, and for more recent cases, document images may be available. Use this tool to confirm a filing exists before making the trip to Waynesboro or ordering copies.

The Georgia E-Access system at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides a second online search option. Use both portals together for thorough coverage. If neither returns your case and you are confident it should be there, consider whether the defendant may have been living in Columbia County or Jefferson County at the time, as those are adjacent and records would be held there instead.

For older cases predating electronic records, contact the Waynesboro clerk at (706) 554-2279. Staff can perform manual searches of index books for archived divorce records. Providing both party names and an approximate year helps narrow the search and speeds the process significantly.

Note: Burke County's large geographic size means residents come from spread-out areas. If the defendant's address is uncertain, checking adjacent county records may be necessary.

Divorce Filing Process in Burke County

Georgia law gives Superior Courts exclusive authority to grant divorces under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. Every divorce in Burke County is filed with the Superior Court in Waynesboro. No other court in the county has authority to end a marriage under Georgia law.

Venue requires filing in the defendant's county of residence. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 sets this rule. If your spouse lives in Burke County, you file in Waynesboro. If your spouse lives in Richmond County, the case goes to Augusta. This determines where the records are created and stored. When you cannot find a Burke County divorce record, it often means the case was filed in the defendant's county, not the petitioner's.

Georgia's 13 grounds for divorce are at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most Burke County cases use irretrievable breakdown as the ground. A 30-day waiting period is mandatory after service. Once the judge signs the final decree and the clerk records it in Waynesboro, the case is complete and the record is permanent.

Fees for Burke County Divorce Records

Contact the Burke County Superior Court Clerk at (706) 554-2279 for current copy fees. Certified copies include the official court seal and are accepted for legal and government use. Plain copies are available at a lower cost for personal reference. Confirm what type of copy you need before ordering, and ask about payment options if you are not certain the clerk accepts credit cards.

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides $10 divorce verifications for cases from 1952 to 1996. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords to submit a request. This record shows basic facts about the divorce but not the terms. The DPH does not hold copies of actual court decrees from any period. For the full decree, contact the Burke County clerk in Waynesboro.

Decree and State Certificate Differences

The divorce decree is the Superior Court's final order in the case. It is on file at the Burke County clerk's office in Waynesboro. It covers all terms ordered by the judge: property division, debt assignment, child custody, child support, and any other relief granted. This is the document you need when a bank, court, or agency asks what the divorce ordered. Certified copies carry the court seal and are legally recognized.

The Georgia DPH divorce certificate is a brief administrative record. It covers divorces between 1952 and 1996 only and shows names, date, and county. It costs $10 and is useful only when basic confirmation of the divorce is all that is needed. For any case outside that date range or when the terms matter, go to the Burke County Superior Court Clerk in Waynesboro. The DPH holds no decree copies from any year.

Note: When ordering records for inheritance or estate matters, courts typically require a certified decree, not a state verification, so confirm requirements with the probate court or estate attorney before ordering.

Legal Help for Burke County Residents

Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal help to low-income residents of Burke County. Family law matters including divorce are within their scope of services. You can apply online or call to check eligibility. Their self-help materials and guides are available to anyone and cover the basics of the divorce process in Georgia courts.

The Superior Court Clerk in Waynesboro can give you the forms needed to file a pro se divorce. For uncontested cases where both parties agree completely, this is a manageable process without a lawyer. Anything contested, especially when children or significant property are involved, warrants at least a consultation with a family law attorney before you sign anything in court.

Nearby Counties

Divorce records for Burke County residents near county borders may also be held in these adjacent counties.