Charlton County Divorce Records

Charlton County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Folkston, the county seat of this southeast Georgia county bordering Florida and the Okefenokee Swamp. All divorce filings in Charlton County are stored at the Folkston courthouse and are open to the public under state law. This page walks you through how to find, search, and request official Charlton County divorce records.

Charlton County Divorce Records Office

The Charlton County Superior Court Clerk in Folkston is the official custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The office on Third Street in Folkston handles filings, maintains case archives, and issues certified copies of final decrees upon request. Charlton County is a rural, low-population county, which means case volume is modest and staff often have good familiarity with individual case files.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes Charlton County divorce records public. Any person can access these files. Sealed records are uncommon in most divorce cases. If you are told a file is sealed, the clerk can explain the reason and whether a petition for access is possible under the circumstances.

Folkston is a small, remote community. The drive to the Charlton County courthouse can be significant for people coming from Waycross, Brunswick, or other larger cities. Calling (912) 496-2354 before making the trip is especially important here. Staff can confirm whether the record is accessible, prepare copies in advance, and advise you on whether mail delivery is a better option for your situation.

The GSCCCA online portal provides a way to search Charlton County court records including divorce filings without having to visit Folkston.

Source: gsccca.org

The GSCCCA free search tool lets you look up Charlton County Superior Court case records by party name, including divorce filings, before contacting the Folkston courthouse.

How to Search Charlton County Divorce Records

The GSCCCA at gsccca.org is the best online starting point. Search by party name to find Charlton County Superior Court records at no cost. The index returns case numbers, filing dates, and party information. For a small, rural county like Charlton, the online index may not include full document images for all cases, but confirming that a case exists and getting the docket number is possible through this tool.

The Georgia E-Access system at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides a second online avenue. Use both tools before traveling to Folkston. If neither returns results, verify that the defendant was actually living in Charlton County at the time of filing. Charlton County borders Brantley County, Ware County, and Clinch County, any of which could hold the records if the defendant lived there instead.

For older Charlton County divorce records predating digital systems, call the clerk directly at (912) 496-2354. With a small caseload, the Folkston courthouse staff can often locate archived records more efficiently than you might expect. Giving both party names and the year of filing helps significantly. For very old cases, a few days of advance notice may help staff pull the physical file from storage before you arrive.

Note: Charlton County's location near the Florida state line means some residents have connections across the border. Georgia divorces for Georgia residents are handled in Georgia courts regardless of proximity to Florida.

Filing Divorce in Charlton County

Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 gives Superior Courts exclusive authority over divorce. The Charlton County Superior Court in Folkston is the only court in the county that can grant a divorce. No other Charlton County court has this power.

Venue requires filing in the defendant's county of residence. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 is clear: the petition goes to the county where the defendant lives when it is served. If your spouse lives in Folkston or elsewhere in Charlton County, you file here. If your spouse lives in Brantley County or Ware County, the case goes to those courthouses. Records stay where the case is filed.

Georgia's grounds for divorce are at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The state recognizes 13 grounds. Irretrievable breakdown is the dominant choice in Charlton County and statewide. Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period after service on the defendant before the court can enter a final decree. Once the judge signs the decree and the clerk records it in Folkston, it is a permanent public record.

Fees for Charlton County Divorce Records

Call (912) 496-2354 before your visit to confirm current copy fees. Certified copies include the official court seal and are needed for most legal, financial, and government purposes. Plain copies are cheaper but not recognized as official documents by most institutions. Because Charlton County is a small courthouse, staff can often tell you exactly what the fee will be and what payment methods are accepted during the same phone call.

The Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords issues $10 divorce verifications for divorces that occurred between 1952 and 1996. The verification shows names, county, and date only. No case terms. The DPH holds no actual court decrees. For the full certified decree from Charlton County, the Superior Court Clerk in Folkston is the only source, regardless of when the divorce was filed. For cases before 1952 or after 1996, the DPH has no record at all.

Divorce Decrees and State Certificates

Two documents. Two different sources. They serve different purposes. Knowing which one you need before you order saves time and money.

The Charlton County divorce decree is the Superior Court judge's final order. It is stored with the clerk in Folkston. The decree includes every term: property division, debt obligations, child custody arrangements, child support amounts, and any other relief ordered. If any person or agency needs to know what the divorce actually required of either party, the certified decree is the document they need. The Folkston courthouse is the only place to get it.

The Georgia DPH divorce certificate covers only 1952 to 1996 and contains just names, county, and date. It costs $10. No case details are included. If a basic confirmation of the divorce event is all that is needed and the case falls in that date range, the DPH verification may be sufficient. For anything beyond that, including any case from after 1996, the Charlton County clerk in Folkston is your only option.

Note: Charlton County's small size means relatively few cases are filed here each year, so staff know their records well and can often help you understand exactly what is in a file during your visit.

Legal Help for Charlton County Divorce

Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal services to income-eligible residents statewide, including Charlton County. Given how rural the county is, Georgia Legal Aid may be the most accessible free legal resource for many residents. Their website has self-help tools and application information. Family law matters including divorce are within their scope of services.

The Superior Court Clerk in Folkston can provide the forms needed to file a pro se divorce in Charlton County. Clerks cannot give legal advice but can hand you the required paperwork and answer questions about procedures. For simple, agreed-upon divorces without contested issues, self-filing is viable. For anything involving children, real property, or significant debts, legal guidance before filing is the recommended approach. Waycross and Brunswick have family law attorneys who serve Charlton County residents.

Nearby Counties

Divorce records for Charlton County area residents may also be in these neighboring counties if the defendant lived elsewhere at the time of filing.