Forsyth County Divorce Records

Forsyth County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Cumming, Georgia, and include all divorce cases filed in one of Georgia's fastest-growing counties. Forsyth County has seen dramatic population growth over the past two decades and is now one of the most populous counties in north Georgia. The clerk's office in Cumming handles a high volume of family law filings, and this guide explains how to search and request Forsyth County divorce records through online tools, in-person visits, or mail.

Where to Get Forsyth County Divorce Records

The Forsyth County Superior Court Clerk in Cumming maintains all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is on Courthouse Square in Cumming. All divorce filings, case documents, and final decrees are stored here. Staff can search by name or case number and provide certified or plain copies of documents. Forsyth County offers online case search, which is especially useful given the county's large and growing population and the resulting volume of court filings.

Forsyth County is part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, situated north of Cherokee County and south of Dawson County. The county's rapid growth has driven a proportional increase in court filings including divorce cases. Online search availability means many residents can find case information and order copies without ever visiting Cumming. The clerk's department page at forsythco.com/departments/clerk-of-superior-court has the most current details on how to request records and what forms of payment are accepted.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, court records in Georgia are public. Forsyth County divorce records are open to anyone who requests them unless a specific case has been sealed by court order. Sealed cases are rare and require a judicial finding that sealing is warranted.

The screenshot below shows the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court page, which has direct links to online case search tools and copy request information.

Use this page to access the online case search portal and find details on how to order certified copies of Forsyth County divorce records.

How to Search Forsyth County Divorce Records Online

Forsyth County has online case search available. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org indexes Forsyth County divorce cases along with other Superior Court records. Search by either party's name to find docket numbers, filing dates, and case status. The search is free. Given the county's large population, having a specific name spelling ready is helpful because multiple people with similar names may appear in the results.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is a second statewide search option. Forsyth County participates in this system and you may find more detailed case data there. The county's clerk department page on forsythco.com may also link directly to the county's own case search tool, which can be more up-to-date for recently filed matters.

Mail requests go to the Forsyth County Superior Court Clerk at 100 Courthouse Square, Cumming, GA 30040. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year, your return address, and payment for the copy fee. Call (770) 781-2120 or check the clerk's department page to confirm the current fee. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps with return delivery.

Note: Forsyth County's rapid growth means case volume is high. Using the case number rather than names when ordering copies will get you faster service at the clerk's office.

Forsyth County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia gives Superior Courts exclusive authority over divorce cases under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Forsyth County Superior Court in Cumming handles every divorce case for county residents. No other local court has jurisdiction to grant a divorce.

Venue under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires filing in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives anywhere in Forsyth County, you file in Cumming. If they live in Cherokee County, Dawson County, or elsewhere in Georgia, the case is filed there instead. Knowing where the defendant lived at the time of filing tells you which courthouse has the records.

Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is by far the most common and does not require proof of fault. After the petition is filed and the defendant is served, a 30-day wait applies before a decree can be entered. Uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms often conclude quickly after the waiting period if all paperwork is properly filed with the Forsyth County clerk.

The final decree is permanent public record. Certified copies can be ordered from the Cumming courthouse at any time after it is entered. The online case search makes it easy to confirm the exact date the decree was entered before ordering copies.

Forsyth County Copy Fees and Costs

Copy fees at the Forsyth County Superior Court vary by document type. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The clerk's department page at forsythco.com may list current fee schedules. Alternatively, call (770) 781-2120 to confirm the exact fee before visiting or mailing a request.

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

For divorces before 1952 or after 1996, the DPH has no record at all. The Forsyth County clerk in Cumming is the only source for those dates.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates in Forsyth County

Two documents exist and they serve different purposes. Getting the wrong one means going back to the other agency to start over.

The divorce decree is the full judge-signed court order. It records every legal ruling: property division, debt allocation, spousal support if ordered, custody arrangements, and child support amounts. The Forsyth County Superior Court Clerk in Cumming holds this document. Banks, courts, and government agencies that ask for proof of divorce want the full decree. Certified copies are available from the clerk at any time after the decree is entered.

The state verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health covers only divorces from 1952 through 1996, costs $10, and shows only names, date, and county. No case terms are included. For divorces outside that window, the DPH has nothing. For Forsyth County residents who need proof of divorce for financial accounts, remarriage, or other legal purposes, the court decree from the Cumming courthouse is the right document.

Note: Forsyth County residents who filed for divorce in a previous state of residence will need to contact that state's courts, not the Forsyth County clerk, for records from those cases.

Legal Help in Forsyth County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Forsyth County through its north Georgia regional network. Qualifying residents can get help with divorce, custody, and support matters. The website has a self-help resource library and an intake form for those seeking direct legal assistance.

The Georgia E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has official uncontested divorce forms for use in Georgia courts including Forsyth County. Using the correct forms prevents the clerk from rejecting the filing. The Forsyth County clerk at (770) 781-2120 can confirm any additional local form requirements.

Forsyth County has a substantial local legal community in Cumming with many experienced family law attorneys. The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with an attorney who handles divorce cases in the Forsyth County Superior Court. For contested cases involving significant assets, custody disputes, or support questions, having a local attorney who knows the courthouse is a real advantage.

The screenshot below shows the main Forsyth County official portal, where you can navigate to the clerk's department and find links to case search tools and records request information.

Start here to navigate to the clerk's office page, online case search, and contact information for Forsyth County divorce records requests.

Nearby Counties

Forsyth County is north of Atlanta in the metro area. Residents near county borders may have divorce records in one of these adjacent counties based on where the defendant was living when the case was filed.