Fayette County Divorce Records

Fayette County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Fayetteville, Georgia, and cover all divorce cases filed in this south Atlanta metro county. Fayette County has one of the higher median incomes in Georgia and a substantial population, which means the courthouse in Fayetteville processes a meaningful volume of family law cases each year. This guide explains how to find and request Fayette County divorce records through online tools, in-person visits, or mail.

Where to Get Fayette County Divorce Records

The Fayette County Superior Court Clerk in Fayetteville maintains all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is on Center Drive in Fayetteville. All divorce petitions, case documents, and final decrees are stored here. Staff can look up records by party name or case number and provide certified or plain copies. Fayette County has online case search available, which allows you to find basic case information before visiting or calling the clerk's office.

Fayette County includes the city of Peachtree City among other communities, and the county is part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Residents of Peachtree City file divorce cases at the Fayetteville courthouse unless the defendant lives in a different county. The online search capability for Fayette County makes it easier to confirm whether a case is in this county before making a trip to the courthouse.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, divorce records in Georgia are public documents. Anyone may request access to Fayette County divorce records unless a court has sealed a specific case. Sealing is uncommon and requires a court order. Parties to the divorce have the clearest legal right to their own case files.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia courts statewide E-Access portal, which is a useful tool for searching Fayette County divorce case data before contacting the clerk.

Use E-Access along with the GSCCCA portal to search Fayette County cases and identify case numbers before ordering copies.

How to Search Fayette County Divorce Records Online

Fayette County offers online case search access. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org indexes Fayette County cases and allows free name-based searches. You can find docket numbers, filing dates, and case status without creating an account. This is a strong starting point before you call or visit the clerk's office in Fayetteville.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional case data for participating courts. Fayette County's participation in these statewide systems reflects the county's more modern court infrastructure. Using either portal to get the case number before making a copy request significantly speeds up service at the clerk's office.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send to the Fayette County Superior Court Clerk at 1 Center Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Include both parties' names, the approximate year, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps the clerk return copies to you. Call (770) 716-4290 to get the current fee before mailing.

Note: Online search indexes are updated regularly but may not reflect filings from the most recent few business days. For the most current case status, calling the clerk directly is the most reliable method.

Fayette County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia Superior Courts have sole authority over divorce cases under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Fayette County Superior Court handles all divorces for county residents. The courthouse is in Fayetteville, and all filings must go through this office.

Venue follows the rule in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2: file in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives in Fayette County, whether in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, or another part of the county, you file here. If they live elsewhere in Georgia, the case is filed in that county. Divorce records stay where the case was filed, so this rule determines which courthouse holds the documents you need.

Georgia allows 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is far and away the most commonly used ground. It requires no fault finding from either side. After the petition is filed and the defendant is served, a mandatory 30-day wait runs before the decree can be entered. Uncontested cases with agreed terms often finish shortly after the waiting period ends once all paperwork is properly filed.

The final decree is recorded by the Fayette County clerk and held permanently. Certified copies are available at any time. Peachtree City residents and others in Fayette County can order copies in person, by mail, or through statewide online portals.

Fayette County Copy Fees and Costs

Copy fees at the Fayette County Superior Court vary by document type and certification. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (770) 716-4290 to get the exact current rate before visiting or mailing a request. Paying the confirmed amount avoids delays.

For divorces between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides a $10 verification. The verification confirms a divorce occurred and shows names, date, and county, but no terms of the decree. For the full court order, request it from the Fayette County clerk. The DPH holds no copies of court decrees at any point in time.

Divorces outside the 1952 to 1996 range are not covered by the DPH. Only the Fayette County clerk has records for those dates.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates in Fayette County

The divorce decree is the full court order. It contains every legal ruling the judge made: property division, debt allocation, spousal support if any, custody arrangements, and child support amounts. The Fayette County Superior Court Clerk holds this document. Banks, courts, and government agencies typically want to see the full decree rather than a state summary when proof of divorce is required.

The state divorce verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health covers only divorces from 1952 through 1996. It costs $10 and shows names, date, and county only. No case terms are included. For divorces outside that range, the DPH has nothing. Fayette County residents who need proof of divorce for financial accounts, remarriage, or legal proceedings should request the full court decree from the clerk in Fayetteville.

Peachtree City residents, in particular, should note that their divorces are filed in Fayetteville at the Fayette County Superior Court. Records are not held at a city-level office. All requests go through the county clerk on Center Drive.

Note: Certified copies are required for name changes at the Social Security Administration and for driver's license name changes at the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Legal Help in Fayette County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Fayette County residents who qualify by income. Family law cases including divorce, custody, and support are among their services. The website has self-help tools available to all users and an intake form for those seeking direct representation. Their Atlanta-area network covers Fayette County cases.

For self-represented filers, Georgia's E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has state-approved uncontested divorce forms for use in Fayette County and other Georgia courts. Using the correct forms from the start prevents the clerk from returning the filing. The clerk's office at (770) 716-4290 can confirm any additional local form requirements.

Fayette County has an active family law bar, and many experienced attorneys practice in the Fayetteville courthouse. For contested divorces with significant property, business interests, or child custody disputes, consulting a licensed family law attorney is strongly recommended. The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with attorneys familiar with Fayette County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Fayette County is south of Atlanta in the metro area. Divorce records for residents near county borders may be held in one of these neighboring counties depending on where the defendant lived at the time of filing.