Gilmer County Divorce Records

Gilmer County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Ellijay and document every divorce case filed in the county, including final decrees, custody agreements, and property settlements. This page covers how to find Gilmer County divorce records, where to request certified copies, and what state resources are available for people who need legal guidance during a divorce.

Where to Get Gilmer County Divorce Records

The Gilmer County Superior Court Clerk's office in Ellijay is the custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. Staff there can look up cases by party name or case number and provide certified or plain copies of the divorce decree and related documents. Gilmer County is part of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, which covers this part of the north Georgia mountains.

Divorce records are public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 unless a judge has sealed the file. Sealing is uncommon in routine divorce cases but can happen when sensitive matters like minor victims of domestic violence are involved. If you are unsure whether a file is sealed, call the clerk's office before making the trip.

The courthouse sits on Broad Street in downtown Ellijay. Parking is generally easy to find near the square. If you plan to request multiple documents or have questions about older records, calling ahead to confirm availability can save you a trip.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers statewide online search at gsccca.org. Searching there before visiting the clerk can give you a case number, which makes the in-person visit much faster.

Note: The GSCCCA portal may not show document images for all older Gilmer County cases. The clerk's office can locate paper records that do not appear in the online index.

How to Search Gilmer Divorce Records Online

Georgia maintains a statewide court records search through the Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/. This tool allows searches across multiple Georgia counties, including Gilmer. You can search by name or case number to find basic case information such as filing date, parties, and case status.

The GSCCCA at gsccca.org also indexes Gilmer County records. Both portals are free to use for basic searches. Neither replaces a formal records request when you need a certified copy of the decree, but they are useful for confirming a case exists and getting the docket number before you contact the clerk.

If you need to verify a divorce happened but don't need the full decree, the Georgia Department of Public Health at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords maintains a statewide divorce index for cases from 1952 through 1996. A verification from DPH costs $10 and confirms the event but does not include terms of the divorce.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records page at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, where you can start a divorce verification request for cases from 1952 through 1996.

The DPH portal covers divorces statewide and explains the difference between a verification and a certified decree from the clerk.

Gilmer County Divorce Filing Process

To file for divorce in Gilmer County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for at least six months before filing, as required by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file in the superior court of the county where the defendant resides, or in Gilmer County if you live here and your spouse lives out of state.

Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 lists thirteen grounds for divorce. Most uncontested cases use irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, which does not require proving fault. After filing and serving the other spouse, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before a judge can grant a final decree. Uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms often resolve close to that minimum window. Contested divorces that involve disputes over children, property, or support take significantly longer.

Free forms for uncontested divorce are available through eforms.georgiacourts.gov. The clerk's office can tell you which packet applies to your case, though they cannot give legal advice.

Copy Fees for Gilmer County Divorce Records

Gilmer County follows Georgia's standard fee structure for court record copies. Certified copies of divorce records typically cost between $2.50 and $5.00 for the first page plus a per-page charge for each additional page. Plain uncertified copies run lower, usually $0.50 per page or less.

Call the clerk at (706) 635-4462 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting. Fees can change and the clerk's office is the most reliable source for current pricing. Bring exact payment or a check payable to the Gilmer County Clerk of Superior Court if paying in person.

Legal Help in Gilmer County

Residents of Gilmer County who need help with a divorce case have several options. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves low-income Georgians with free civil legal assistance, including uncontested divorce cases. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private family law attorney in the area if your case is more complex.

The Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov provides free, state-approved forms for self-represented filers. Using these forms helps ensure your paperwork meets court requirements. The site includes step-by-step instructions for completing each form.

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Gilmer County

A divorce decree is the court order that ends the marriage. It comes from the Superior Court and contains all the terms the judge approved, covering property, debts, children, support, and any name change. Certified copies of the decree come from the Gilmer County clerk.

A divorce certificate is a short summary document from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The DPH index only covers divorces from 1952 through 1996. For all other years, or when you need the actual decree with its terms, the clerk is the only source. The DPH certificate confirms the divorce happened but does not include terms of the settlement or any court orders. For legal purposes like remarriage or immigration filings, most agencies require the certified decree from the court, not the DPH verification.

The Georgia DPH vital records page at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords has details on how to request a divorce verification and what it includes.

Nearby Counties

Gilmer County is in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit along with several neighboring north Georgia counties.