Gordon County Divorce Records Search

Gordon County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Calhoun and document every divorce case filed in the county, including final decrees, custody arrangements, and property division orders. This page covers how to search Gordon County divorce records online, how to request certified copies, what the filing process looks like, and where to find legal assistance in the Calhoun area.

Where to Get Gordon County Divorce Records

The Gordon County Superior Court Clerk keeps all divorce case files for the county. The office is located on South Wall Street in Calhoun. Staff can search by party name or case number and provide certified or plain copies of any document in the file. Gordon County is part of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, which also includes Murray and Whitfield counties.

Divorce records are open to the public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 unless a judge has entered a sealing order. In practice, most completed divorce cases in Gordon County are accessible by any person who requests them. The clerk will tell you if a specific file has restricted access.

The Calhoun courthouse is on South Wall Street near downtown. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. If you already know the case number, in-person visits tend to go quickly. Without it, the clerk can still locate records by name, though it takes a bit more time.

The image below shows the Gordon County official government website at gordoncounty.org, where you can find clerk services, contact details, and office hours.

The website provides contact information for the clerk's office and links to county services for residents needing official documents.

How to Search Gordon County Divorce Records Online

Georgia's statewide E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ allows free online searches for Superior Court cases across participating counties, including Gordon. You can look up a case by the names of the parties or by case number and see basic filing information. For cases that were electronically filed, some document images may also be viewable through the portal.

The GSCCCA at gsccca.org provides another statewide index that includes Gordon County. Both tools are free to use for basic searches. Neither one issues certified copies, but either can help you confirm a case exists and get the docket number you need for a formal records request.

Note: Older Gordon County cases filed on paper may not appear in the online portals. For records dating back several decades, contacting the clerk directly is the most reliable approach.

Gordon County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for six months before filing, under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The divorce complaint is filed with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, the plaintiff may file in their own county of residence.

Georgia law recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the ground used in most uncontested cases. It does not require proof of wrongdoing by either party. After the defendant is properly served, a 30-day waiting period applies before a judge may enter the final decree. Agreed cases often close near that minimum. Contested cases with unresolved issues take longer, sometimes many months.

Free forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover uncontested cases with and without children and are approved for use in Georgia courts.

Copy Fees for Gordon County Divorce Records

Gordon County follows the standard Georgia fee schedule for court copies. Certified copies of a divorce decree typically cost around $2.50 for the first page plus $0.50 per additional page. Uncertified plain copies are less. Contact the clerk at (706) 629-9533 to get the current fee before you visit or mail payment.

For mail requests, write to the Gordon County Clerk of Superior Court at 100 South Wall Street, Calhoun, GA 30701. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate filing year, and the type of document you need. Send a check or money order payable to the Gordon County Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk will contact you if additional funds are needed or if the request requires clarification.

Legal Help in Gordon County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents across Georgia, including Gordon County. Services include help with uncontested divorce filings, custody matters, and other family law issues. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is available for residents who need a private attorney for a contested or complex case.

The state E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov offers free self-help forms with instructions. For a basic uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms, many Gordon County residents are able to handle the filing without an attorney using these tools.

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Gordon County

The divorce decree is the full court order that the judge signs to end the marriage. It contains all the terms of the settlement and is the legally binding document. Certified copies come from the Gordon County clerk. Most legal uses, including remarriage, name changes, immigration applications, and court proceedings, require the certified decree.

The Georgia Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates, which are brief summary documents. DPH's statewide index only covers divorces from 1952 through 1996. For cases outside that range, the court decree from the clerk is your only option. A DPH verification costs $10 and can be started at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The certificate confirms the divorce happened but does not include terms.

Nearby Counties

Gordon County is in northwest Georgia and shares the Conasauga Judicial Circuit with neighboring counties in the region.