Find Cook County Divorce Records

Cook County divorce records are on file at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Adel, which is the official custodian for all divorce cases handled by the county's Superior Court. This page explains how to request Cook County divorce records in person or by mail, how to search them online using the statewide GSCCCA system, what fees to expect, and what legal resources are available for Cook County residents navigating a divorce.

Where to Get Cook County Divorce Records

The Cook County Superior Court Clerk in Adel holds all divorce records for the county. The clerk's office on North Hutchinson Avenue is where all case files are stored, from the original petition through the final signed decree. You can visit in person, call, or mail a written request to obtain copies of any Cook County divorce record.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes court records, including divorce records, available to the public. Cook County divorce records are open to any member of the public unless a judge has ordered specific records sealed. Sealed records are uncommon in standard divorce cases. If you are a party to the divorce, you have full access to your own case file at any time.

Adel is in south Georgia along I-75 between Valdosta and Tifton. The courthouse is on North Hutchinson Avenue and is easy to reach. Parking is readily available for a small county seat like Adel. Call ahead at (229) 896-7719 to make sure the specific record you need is available and has not been moved to off-site storage, particularly for filings from the 1960s and 1970s.

The image below is from the GSCCCA statewide search portal at gsccca.org, which indexes Cook County divorce cases as part of the statewide system.

GSCCCA is the primary free online search tool for Cook County divorce records and a good starting point before contacting the clerk directly.

How to Search Cook Divorce Records Online

Cook County participates in the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org. This statewide portal lets you search by name at no charge and returns case numbers, filing dates, and docket data for Cook County cases. It is a practical first step before calling or visiting the Adel clerk's office.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ also indexes some Cook County records. For the most recent electronically filed cases, both GSCCCA and E-Access provide good coverage. For older paper records, a direct contact to the clerk is required. Staff in Adel can search physical indexes by name and year when digital records are not available.

Cook County does not appear to have its own standalone case search portal beyond the statewide GSCCCA system. That tool is the primary online search option for the county. If you cannot find the case online, call the clerk before driving to Adel. A quick phone check can tell you whether the case is in the system and what you need to bring to request copies.

Note: Cook County cases may have lighter GSCCCA coverage for very old records than metro counties. Do not assume a case does not exist just because it does not appear in an online search for pre-2000 filings.

Cook County Divorce Filing Process

Only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. Cook County's Superior Court in Adel handles all domestic relations cases for the county. There is no option to file with a lower court regardless of the case's simplicity. Every divorce, from the most basic uncontested matter to a complex contested proceeding, goes through the Superior Court.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, the divorce petition must be filed in the county where the defendant resides. If your spouse lives in Cook County, Adel is your filing location. You submit the petition to the clerk on North Hutchinson Avenue. The clerk processes the filing, and the defendant must then be served. After service, the 30-day waiting period begins.

In uncontested cases where both parties have a completed settlement agreement ready, the case can move to a final hearing shortly after the 30-day window closes. The judge reviews the agreement and, if it meets legal requirements, signs the decree. Cook County's smaller court volume can mean faster scheduling than in larger metro counties, though the actual timeline depends on the judge's calendar and the completeness of the paperwork submitted.

Georgia's grounds for divorce are in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences is used in most Cook County divorces. It removes the need to prove fault and keeps the petition process simple. Fault-based grounds are available but rarely used in modern cases unless they affect the outcome on property or custody.

Fees for Cook County Divorce Records

The Cook County clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Plain copies are less expensive than certified copies. Certified copies, which carry the official court seal and signature, are required for legal uses like remarriage, name changes with government agencies, or proof of divorce for a court in another state. Contact the clerk at (229) 896-7719 to get the current fee schedule before visiting or mailing a request.

For divorces from 1952 through 1996, Georgia DPH Vital Records at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords offers a $10 verification service. The verification letter confirms the divorce is on record in the state database but does not reproduce the actual decree. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, Cook County clerks report all finalized divorces to DPH monthly. When only basic confirmation is needed for a case in that date range, the DPH verification is a convenient and inexpensive option.

Mail requests for Cook County divorce records should include both parties' names as they appear on the case, the approximate year of the divorce, any known case number, payment in the correct form, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of copies. In-person requests at the Adel clerk's office are generally handled the same day if the file is readily available.

Note: For mail requests, a money order made out to the Clerk of Court is always a safe payment choice when you are unsure about personal check acceptance policies.

Legal Resources in Cook County

Georgia Legal Aid covers south Georgia, including Cook County, and provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents. Family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders are among the services they offer. Because Cook County is a small rural county with limited local attorney options, Georgia Legal Aid's services are particularly valuable for residents who cannot afford private representation.

The Georgia State Bar's lawyer referral service can connect Cook County residents with a licensed attorney in the region for a reduced-cost initial consultation. Attorneys in Valdosta and Tifton, both within a short drive of Adel, handle family law cases for clients in smaller surrounding counties. Phone or video consultations can reduce the burden of travel for Cook County residents seeking legal advice.

For those handling their own divorce without an attorney, Georgia E-Forms provides free standardized forms for uncontested cases. The forms cover the petition, financial affidavit, settlement agreement, and final order templates. The Cook County clerk's office in Adel can explain which forms to submit and where, though staff cannot provide legal advice on how to complete them. For a clean uncontested divorce where both parties agree on everything, self-representation using these free forms is a realistic approach in Cook County.

Divorce Certificates in Cook County

Georgia does not produce a separate short-form divorce certificate as a distinct document. The formal record available from the Cook County clerk is a certified copy of the full divorce decree. This is the complete court order with the judge's signature and the court seal. It covers all terms the court approved, including property, debt, custody, and support. Certified copies are accepted everywhere a legal proof of divorce is required.

Georgia DPH handles verifications for divorces finalized from 1952 through 1996 at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The $10 verification is a confirmation letter, not the decree. It is useful for basic confirmation without needing the full document. For legal purposes, the certified copy from the Cook County clerk is the right choice every time.

To get a certified copy from Cook County, contact the Superior Court Clerk at 212 North Hutchinson Avenue in Adel. Visit in person or send a mail request with both parties' names, the approximate divorce year, any known case number, payment, and a return envelope. The clerk can answer questions about processing times and payment options at (229) 896-7719.

Nearby Counties

Cook County is in south Georgia between Valdosta and Tifton. If a divorce case may have been filed in an adjacent county, these links will help you find the correct records office.