Floyd County Divorce Records

Floyd County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Rome, Georgia, and include all divorce cases filed in this northwest Georgia county. Rome is one of Georgia's regional cities and the county seat of Floyd County, with a substantial courthouse that handles a large volume of family law filings. This guide covers how to search and obtain Floyd County divorce records through online portals, in-person visits, or mail requests.

Where to Get Floyd County Divorce Records

The Floyd County Superior Court Clerk in Rome holds all divorce records for the county. The courthouse complex is at 3 Government Plaza in Rome. All divorce petitions, case files, and final decrees are stored here. Staff can search by name or case number and provide certified or plain copies of the documents you need. Floyd County participates in statewide online search systems, which makes it possible to find case data before visiting or calling.

Rome is the commercial and legal hub of northwest Georgia. Floyd County's courthouse on Government Plaza is a busy facility that handles a full range of civil and criminal cases. For divorce records, the clerk's office is the right department. Online search is available for Floyd County, so a quick search online before your visit or call can save significant time. Providing a case number when you contact the clerk gets you much faster service than providing names alone.

Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, makes court records public in this state. Floyd County divorce records are available to anyone unless sealed by a court order. Sealed cases are rare and require specific judicial findings to justify the restriction.

The screenshot below shows the Floyd County official government site, which has the clerk's contact information and updates on county services.

Use this site to confirm clerk hours and find any online search tools the county has made available for public records requests.

How to Search Floyd County Divorce Records Online

Floyd County has online search available. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org includes Floyd County in its statewide index. Search by either party's name to find docket numbers, filing dates, and case status. The search is free and requires no account. Rome and other Floyd County communities are well-represented in this system, and it is the first tool to use when looking for a specific case.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is a second statewide search option. Floyd County's court participates in this system, and you may find more detailed case data there including hearing schedules and document listings for active cases. Use both portals to get the most complete picture before contacting the clerk.

Mail requests are accepted at 3 Government Plaza, Rome, GA 30161. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the divorce, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Call (706) 291-5190 to confirm the current fee before mailing. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds return delivery.

Note: Floyd County's larger size and higher case volume mean the online indexes are more comprehensive than in smaller rural counties. Recent cases typically appear in the GSCCCA index within a few business days of filing.

Floyd County Divorce Filing Process

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, Georgia's Superior Courts have sole jurisdiction over divorce cases. The Floyd County Superior Court in Rome handles all divorces for county residents. No other local court can grant a divorce here.

Venue under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires filing in the county where the defendant lives. Rome residents filing for divorce file at the Government Plaza courthouse if the defendant lives in Floyd County. If the defendant lives in Bartow County, Gordon County, or elsewhere in Georgia, the filing goes to that county's clerk instead. The records follow the case to wherever it was filed.

Georgia lists 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is by far the most commonly used ground. It does not require proof of fault. After the petition is filed in Rome and the defendant is served, a 30-day wait applies before a decree can be entered. Simple uncontested cases often close shortly after the waiting period if all terms are agreed on and all paperwork is properly on file.

The signed final decree is the permanent public record. Anyone with a right to access it can request a certified copy from the Floyd County clerk at any time after it is entered.

Floyd County Copy Fees and Costs

Copy fees at the Floyd County Superior Court vary by document type. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (706) 291-5190 to confirm the current per-page rate before visiting or mailing a request. Pay the exact confirmed amount to avoid delays.

For divorces between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides a $10 divorce verification. The verification confirms the divorce occurred and shows names, date, and county, but includes none of the decree's terms. For the full court order, request it from the Floyd County clerk. The DPH holds no copies of actual court decrees for any period or county.

For divorces before 1952 or after 1996, the DPH has no record. The Floyd County clerk in Rome is the sole source for those dates.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates in Floyd County

The divorce decree and the state divorce verification are different documents, held by different agencies, serving different purposes. Most people who need legal proof of a divorce need the full court decree, not the DPH verification.

The decree is the judge's full signed order. It records every ruling the court made: property division, debt allocation, spousal support if any, custody terms, and child support. The Floyd County Superior Court Clerk in Rome holds this document. Banks, courts, and government agencies requesting proof of divorce almost always want the full decree, not a state summary. Certified copies can be ordered from the clerk at any time after the decree is entered.

The state verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health covers only 1952 through 1996 and costs $10. It shows names, date, and county only. For divorces outside that range, the DPH has nothing. For any legal or financial purpose involving Floyd County or Rome residents, the court decree from the clerk at Government Plaza is the right document to obtain.

Note: Rome is a regional legal center in northwest Georgia, and the Floyd County courthouse handles cases from a wide service area. The clerk's office is experienced with copy requests and can typically fulfill them quickly with proper documentation.

Legal Help in Floyd County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Floyd County through its northwest Georgia regional office. Qualifying residents can get assistance with divorce, custody, and support cases. The website has self-help tools and an intake form for direct representation. Their northwest Georgia staff handles cases in the Rome area courts regularly.

The Georgia E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has official court forms for uncontested divorces approved for Georgia courts including Floyd County. Using these state-approved forms prevents rejected filings. The Floyd County clerk can confirm any additional local requirements when you call to ask about fees.

Floyd County has a strong local bar association and many experienced family law attorneys in the Rome area. For contested divorces involving property, businesses, or child custody matters, consulting an attorney familiar with the Floyd County Superior Court is strongly recommended. The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with attorneys who regularly handle family law cases in Rome.

Nearby Counties

Floyd County is the regional hub of northwest Georgia. 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.