Gwinnett County Divorce Records
Gwinnett County divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court in Lawrenceville and cover all dissolution cases filed in one of Georgia's most populated counties. Divorce records in Gwinnett typically include basic information about the parties, grounds for the divorce, child custody and support arrangements, division of property and assets, and any court orders or decrees. This guide explains how to request records by mail, use the online search tools, and get help with a divorce case in Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Quick Facts
Where Gwinnett County Divorce Records Are Kept
The Gwinnett Clerk of Court, Tiana P. Garner, holds all divorce case files for the county. The main office is at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Because Gwinnett is one of the largest counties in Georgia by population, the clerk's office handles a high volume of requests and divides work across separate phone lines. Civil Court Records can be reached at (770) 822-8110. Criminal records are at (770) 822-8120. Marriage Licenses are at (770) 822-8130. For general questions about divorce filings, start with (770) 822-8100.
Divorce records are public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 unless a judge has sealed the case. Most divorce files in Gwinnett County are accessible to anyone who requests them. If you are unsure whether a specific file is under seal, call the Civil Records division before making a trip downtown.
| Court | Gwinnett County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 |
| Phone | (770) 822-8100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://gwinnettcountycourts.org/ |
The Gwinnett courthouse complex is on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Parking is available in adjacent county lots. Because of the high case volume, visits can involve some wait time. Having the case number from an online search ahead of time helps speed things up significantly.
The screenshot below is from the Gwinnett County Courts website at gwinnettcountycourts.org, which lists clerk divisions, contact numbers, and hours.
The site covers the Clerk of Court's office and links to online services for civil and criminal case records.
Mail-Only Requests for Gwinnett Divorce Records
Gwinnett County does not accept electronic records requests by email. All copy requests must be submitted by mail. This is an important distinction compared to some other Georgia counties. Send your written request to:
Clerk of Court
PO Box 880
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Your request should include the full names of both parties to the divorce, the approximate year the case was filed, the case number if you have it, the specific document type needed (such as a certified copy of the final decree), and your return address and phone number. Include a check or money order payable to Gwinnett County Clerk of Court for the copy fees. The clerk will contact you if additional payment is required.
Note: Gwinnett County does not accept electronic request submissions. Mail is the only method for obtaining copies remotely. Plan ahead if you need documents on a deadline.
Online Search for Gwinnett Divorce Records
Gwinnett County participates in Georgia's E-Access system at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/, which allows free online name and case number searches. For electronically filed cases after October 1, 2018, document images are available to view online. Cases filed before that date in paper format are indexed in the system but document images may not be accessible online.
The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org is also searchable for Gwinnett County cases. You can use either portal to find a case number before sending your mail request. Knowing the exact case number, filing year, and party names makes the mail request process faster and reduces back-and-forth with the clerk's office.
The screenshot below is from the GSCCCA portal showing the Gwinnett County clerk listing.
The statewide portal is a free starting point for locating Gwinnett divorce cases before submitting a formal mail request to the clerk.
Gwinnett County Divorce Filing Process
Georgia requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for six months before filing for divorce, as stated in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, you may file in Gwinnett County if that is your county of residence.
Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common ground used in Gwinnett cases, particularly for uncontested divorces. After filing and serving the other party, Georgia's 30-day waiting period applies. Simple uncontested cases where parties agree on everything often close close to that minimum. Contested cases with disputes over children, property, or support can take many months or longer.
Court forms for divorce are available for free through the Gwinnett County Law Library at gcll.org/court-forms/ as well as through the state E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov.
The image below is from the Gwinnett County Courts clerk page showing resources for civil filings including divorce.
The clerk's page outlines filing requirements, contact details for each division, and information on court forms.
Court Forms for Gwinnett County Divorce Cases
The Gwinnett County Law Library (GCLL) at gcll.org/court-forms/ provides free access to Georgia-approved divorce forms for self-represented filers. The library is a useful resource for anyone navigating the divorce process without an attorney. Forms cover uncontested cases with and without minor children.
The state E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov offers the same forms along with instructions for filling them out. For a basic agreed case in Gwinnett County where both spouses agree on all issues, many people complete the paperwork themselves using these free resources.
The screenshot below shows the Gwinnett County courts page with additional filing information and links to available services.
Legal Help in Gwinnett County
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Gwinnett County residents who qualify based on income. The organization provides free civil legal help for uncontested divorce cases, child custody and support, and other family law matters. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is a good starting point for finding a private family law attorney if your case involves contested issues or significant assets.
The Gwinnett County Law Library at gcll.org/court-forms/ has forms, self-help materials, and staff who can assist with locating legal resources. The library does not provide legal advice, but it is a valuable resource for people who want to understand the process before deciding whether to hire an attorney.
Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Gwinnett County
The divorce decree is the official court order signed by the judge. It contains all the legally binding terms of the divorce: property division, custody, support, debts, and name changes if any. Certified copies come from the Gwinnett Clerk of Court. The decree is the document most agencies, courts, and government offices require when verifying a divorce with its terms.
A divorce certificate is issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health and only covers divorces from 1952 through 1996. The DPH certificate confirms the event happened but does not include terms. Start a DPH request at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords if you only need a basic verification from that time period. For any other use, or for cases outside the DPH date range, the certified decree from the Gwinnett clerk is what you need.
Nearby Counties
Gwinnett County is in the northeastern Atlanta metro area and borders several other counties with active Superior Court clerks for divorce records.