Search Fannin County Divorce Records

Fannin County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and include all divorce cases filed in this north Georgia mountain county. Whether you need to find a case filed years ago or want to order a certified copy of a decree, this guide covers how to access Fannin County divorce records at the courthouse in Blue Ridge, through online state portals, or by mailing a written request.

Where to Get Fannin County Divorce Records

The Fannin County Superior Court Clerk in Blue Ridge holds all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is on West Main Street in Blue Ridge. All divorce filings, case documents, and final decrees are stored here. Staff can search by party name or case number and provide copies of the documents you need. For older records from before the electronic era, calling ahead to give staff time to locate the file is a good idea.

Fannin County sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the far north of Georgia. Blue Ridge is the county seat and draws many visitors to the area, but the courthouse handles legal needs for permanent county residents and those with cases filed here. Divorce records go back many decades and all are stored at the clerk's office on West Main Street.

Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, makes court records public. Fannin County divorce records are open to anyone who requests them. Sealed cases are rare and require a specific court order. If you are a party to the divorce, your right to access your own case file is the strongest.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records portal, which is the state-level resource for divorce verifications from 1952 through 1996.

For the full Fannin County decree rather than a state verification, contact the Blue Ridge courthouse directly at (706) 632-2039.

How to Search Fannin County Divorce Records

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org provides a free statewide case index that includes Fannin County. Search by either party's name to find docket numbers, filing dates, and case status. The search is free and requires no account. This is the right first step before contacting the clerk's office. If you locate the case number online, provide it to the clerk when ordering copies.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ offers a second statewide search option. Try both tools to find the most complete data on a specific Fannin County divorce case. Even basic case index information can confirm whether a divorce was filed in Blue Ridge or in a neighboring county.

Mail requests go to the Fannin County Superior Court Clerk at 400 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Call (706) 632-2039 to confirm the current fee before mailing. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

Note: Fannnin County sees seasonal population swings from visitors, but the clerk's office maintains regular weekday hours year-round.

Fannin County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia's Superior Courts have exclusive authority over divorce cases under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Fannin County Superior Court in Blue Ridge handles all divorces for residents of this county. No other local court can grant a divorce.

Venue is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You must file in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives in Fannin County, you file in Blue Ridge. If they live in Gilmer County, Union County, or elsewhere in Georgia, the case goes there. The filing county is where the records end up, so knowing where the defendant lived at the time of filing tells you which courthouse has the record.

Georgia allows 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is the most commonly used ground and requires no proof of fault. After the petition is filed and the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period runs before a decree can be entered. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms often conclude quickly after the waiting period if all documents are properly on file with the Fannin County clerk.

The signed final decree is the permanent public record. The clerk holds it indefinitely and certified copies can be requested at any time after the decree is entered.

Fannin County Copy Fees and Costs

Copy fees at the Fannin County Superior Court vary by document type. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (706) 632-2039 to get the current rate before visiting or mailing a request. Knowing the exact fee in advance avoids delays from underpayment.

For divorces between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords offers a $10 verification. It shows names, date, and county only. No terms of the decree are included. For the full court order, request it from the Fannin County clerk. The DPH does not hold actual court decrees for any period. For divorces before 1952 or after 1996, the DPH has no record at all.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates in Fannin County

These two documents serve different purposes and come from different agencies. Knowing which one to request prevents a needless delay in your process.

The divorce decree is the judge's full signed order. It records every legal ruling in the case: how property was divided, whether spousal support was ordered, child custody arrangements, and child support amounts. The Fannin County Superior Court Clerk in Blue Ridge holds this document. It is the one that courts, banks, and government offices want when they need the legal details of the divorce. You can request a certified copy from the clerk at any time after the decree is entered.

The state divorce verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health covers only 1952 through 1996, costs $10, and shows names, date, and county only. No legal terms are included. For divorces outside that window, the DPH has no record. For any purpose requiring legal detail, the Fannin County clerk is the right source.

Note: People who remarried after a previous divorce often need the decree when applying for benefits or changing names on financial accounts. Order a certified copy from the Blue Ridge courthouse to have it ready.

Legal Help in Fannin County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org covers Fannin County through its north Georgia regional office. Qualifying residents can get help with divorce, custody, and support matters. The self-help resources on the Georgia Legal Aid site are available to all users regardless of income. An intake form is on the site for those seeking direct representation.

The Georgia E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has official court forms for uncontested divorces. Using these state-approved forms prevents the clerk from rejecting filings for incorrect paperwork. Call the Fannin County clerk at (706) 632-2039 to ask about any additional local form requirements before filing.

For contested cases involving property, custody, or support disputes, a licensed family law attorney is the best resource. The Georgia State Bar's referral service can match Fannin County residents with attorneys who handle family law in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit area. Local attorneys familiar with the Blue Ridge courthouse can advise on scheduling and court expectations.

Nearby Counties

Fannin County is in the north Georgia mountains. Residents near county borders may have divorce records in one of these adjacent counties depending on where the defendant lived at the time of filing.