Fulton County Divorce Records

Fulton County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Atlanta and cover every dissolution case heard in the county, from contested proceedings to agreed final decrees. This guide explains where to find Fulton County divorce records, how to use the court's online search portal, what fees to expect, and how to obtain certified copies for legal purposes such as remarriage or a name change.

Where to Get Fulton County Divorce Records

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk holds all divorce case files for the county. The Records Division office sits at 136 Pryor Street SW, Suite J2-640, Atlanta, GA 30303. Most requests for copies and certified documents go through this office. A separate Family Division is located one floor down at Suite C155 in the same building and handles filings and court appearances in active domestic cases.

Most divorce records in Fulton County are open to the public. Some details are kept private to protect the parties involved. Sealed records and sensitive information are not available to everyone, but the vast majority of completed divorce cases can be accessed by any member of the public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act. If a file is sealed, the clerk will tell you so when you inquire.

When you visit in person, bring a photo ID and, if you already know it, the case number. Parking in downtown Atlanta can be costly, so plan ahead. The courthouse is accessible by MARTA rail at the Five Points station, which is about a five-minute walk from the building entrance.

The screenshot below shows the Fulton County Court's official website at fultoncountycourt.org, which lists clerk services, locations, and how to contact each division.

The site also links to the records search portal and gives fee schedules for certified and uncertified copies.

Fulton County Divorce Records Search Portal

Fulton County has a dedicated online records search at fultoncountycourt.org/records-search/. You can look up divorce cases by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows basic case information at no cost, including the docket number, filing date, and disposition. For documents filed electronically, some cases offer eCertified PDF downloads directly from the site.

Certified copies of Fulton County divorce records are legally accepted for remarriage, a name change, immigration matters, and legal proceedings such as child custody disputes, alimony enforcement, or appeals. That makes the eCertified PDF option especially useful for people who need a document fast and don't want to wait for mail delivery.

The screenshot below is from the Fulton County records search portal, showing the search interface where you can look up divorce cases by name or number.

If the portal doesn't return the case you need, the case may predate electronic filing or may be filed under a different spelling. In that case, contact the Records Division directly by phone.

Note: The online portal covers most electronic filings but may not show older paper-based cases filed before the court went digital. Call the office to check availability of older records.

How to Request Fulton Divorce Records by Mail

Mail requests are accepted by the Records Division. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, the year the divorce was filed, the type of document needed, and your contact information. Also include payment. Send everything to:

Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court
Attn: Records Division - Divorce Records
136 Pryor St SW, Suite J2-640
Atlanta, GA 30303

Processing time for mail requests is not guaranteed but typically runs a few business days once the clerk's office receives your request. Use a trackable mail service if the document is urgent. If you need it faster, the online search portal or an in-person visit will save time.

The image below shows the Fulton County divorce records section of the court's website, which lists what to include in a mail request.

Note: If you are a party to the case, include proof of identity with your mail request. A copy of your driver's license or other government-issued ID is usually sufficient.

Fulton County Divorce Copy Fees

Fulton County has a clear fee schedule for divorce record copies. The rates apply whether you request at the counter or by mail.

Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Uncertified copies without staff assistance are $0.50 per page. If staff must pull and copy the file for you, uncertified copies run $1.00 per page. Electronic copies, where available, cost $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The eCertified PDF option carries the same legal weight as a paper certified copy.

Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office include cash, check, and most major credit or debit cards. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court. Do not mail cash.

Filing for Divorce in Fulton County

Divorce cases in Fulton County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk at the Family Division counter on the C-level of the courthouse. Georgia law requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing, as established under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The case is generally filed in the county where the defendant lives, or where the plaintiff lives if the defendant lives outside Georgia.

Georgia recognizes thirteen statutory grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most commonly used ground and does not require proof of fault. Once the divorce is filed and the opposing party is served, Georgia imposes a 30-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered. Contested cases often take much longer depending on how many issues remain in dispute.

State-approved divorce forms are available at no charge through Georgia E-Forms at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These forms cover uncontested divorce for couples with and without children. The Family Division staff can tell you which forms apply to your situation, though they cannot give legal advice.

Note: Filing fees for a new divorce case are separate from records copy fees. Ask the Family Division clerk for the current filing fee schedule when you go in.

Legal Help in Fulton County

Divorce can be hard to navigate alone, especially when children or property are involved. Several resources exist for Fulton County residents who need guidance.

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including assistance with uncontested divorce filings. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society also serves Fulton County and can be reached through the Georgia Legal Aid referral system. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private family law attorney if your case is contested or complex.

The Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov is a practical starting point if you plan to file without an attorney. Forms are fillable online and can be printed for submission. The site also has instructions for each form.

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Fulton County

These two documents are not the same thing. A divorce decree is the actual court order issued by the Superior Court judge. It contains the full terms of the divorce, including any orders on property division, child custody, support, and name changes. The clerk's office issues certified copies of the decree.

A divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The DPH maintains a statewide index of divorces from 1952 through 1996. For divorces outside that date range, or when you need the full decree, you must go through the Fulton County clerk. The DPH charges $10 for a verification, and you can start that process at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Note that DPH verifications confirm the event but do not show the terms of the divorce. For legal purposes such as alimony enforcement or custody matters, only the certified decree from the clerk will work.

Nearby Counties

Fulton County borders several other Georgia counties, each with its own Superior Court clerk for divorce filings and records.