Hall County Divorce Records

Hall County divorce records are official legal documents maintained by the Hall County Clerk of Superior Court in Gainesville, documenting the dissolution of every marriage that ended through the county's courts. These records include final decrees, custody arrangements, support orders, and property division agreements, and are created and maintained pursuant to Georgia law. This guide explains how to search Hall County divorce records online, request certified copies, and access the county's Family Law Information Center for help with your case.

Where to Get Hall County Divorce Records

The Hall County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all divorce records filed in the county. The main office is at 225 Green Street SE, Room 207, Gainesville, GA 30501. You can reach the clerk by phone at (770) 531-7025 or by email at orr_clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org. Hall County is part of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, which also covers Banks and Jackson counties.

Hall County divorce records maintain a dual status regarding public access. The general rule, under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, establishes that court records including divorce case files are presumptively open to public inspection. That means anyone may request access to a completed divorce file unless a judge has entered a specific sealing order. Sealed cases are uncommon but do occur when the court finds a compelling reason to restrict access.

The courthouse is on Green Street in downtown Gainesville. Parking is available in county lots nearby. If you plan to email your request, use orr_clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org and include the party names, case number if known, the document type needed, and your return contact information.

The screenshot below is from the Hall County official website at hallcounty.org, which links to the clerk of court section and provides contact details for the office.

The website lists all county departments including the clerk's office and provides links to court services and contact information.

Online Search for Hall County Divorce Records

Hall County divorce records are searchable online through the Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/. This free tool allows searches by name or case number across participating Georgia Superior Courts. The portal is especially useful for finding the case number before contacting the clerk for copies.

A third-party records index specifically for Hall County is also available at hallrecords.us/divorce-records. This site aggregates publicly available Hall County divorce case data and can be a quick way to locate case numbers and filing dates. Additionally, the Georgia Court Records site at georgiacourtrecords.us/hall/ provides another index of Hall County filings.

The screenshot below is from hallrecords.us, which provides a searchable index of Hall County divorce cases.

Use any of these portals to locate a case number before making a formal request to the clerk's office for certified copies.

The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org also includes Hall County and shows basic docket information for free.

Hall County Family Law Information Center (FLIC)

Hall County offers a Family Law Information Center, known as FLIC, at the courthouse. The FLIC is located at 225 Green Street SE, 3rd Floor, Gainesville, GA 30501, and can be reached at (770) 531-2463. This resource helps self-represented parties understand the divorce process, locate forms, and navigate the court system without an attorney.

FLIC staff can explain what forms are needed, how to complete them, and what steps to follow during a Hall County divorce case. They cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court, but they can make the process much clearer for people who are handling their own case. If you are filing an uncontested divorce in Hall County and have questions, FLIC is one of the best first stops before going to the clerk's window.

The screenshot below is from the Georgia Court Records site for Hall County, which shows the index of divorce cases maintained in the public record.

Note: The FLIC is a separate resource from the clerk's office. For certified copies of documents, you still go to Room 207. FLIC is specifically for information and guidance on the filing process.

Hall County Divorce Filing Process

Hall County divorce cases are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Gainesville. Georgia requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for six months before filing, per O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The complaint is filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is out of state, you may file in Hall County if that is your county of residence.

Hall County divorce records are created pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, which defines the legal framework for divorce in Georgia. The thirteen recognized grounds for divorce are listed in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is by far the most common ground used, particularly in uncontested cases. After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period applies before a final decree can be entered. Simple agreed cases often close near that minimum. Contested cases can take months or longer.

Free state-approved forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. FLIC staff can help you figure out which forms apply to your situation.

Copy Fees for Hall County Divorce Records

Regular uncertified copies of Hall County court records cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page plus $0.50 for each additional page. These fees apply at the counter and for mail requests. Payment at the clerk's office can be made by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check payable to the Hall County Clerk of Superior Court.

The Hall County Health Department at 1290 Athens Street, Gainesville, GA 30507, phone (770) 531-5674, handles vital records including birth and death certificates. The health department is not a source for certified divorce records; those come only from the Superior Court Clerk.

Legal Help in Hall County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Hall County residents who qualify based on income and provides free help with uncontested divorce cases, custody, and other family law matters. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney if your case is contested or complex.

The Family Law Information Center at the courthouse is a key local resource for self-represented filers. In addition, free forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov and from the GSCCCA. For any case where you are unsure about your rights or the correct procedure, getting even a brief consultation with a licensed family law attorney in Gainesville before you file is worth the time.

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Hall County

A divorce decree is the actual court order signed by the judge and filed with the Superior Court Clerk. It contains all the binding terms of the divorce, including property division, custody, support, and any name change orders. Certified copies of the decree come from the Hall County clerk. The decree is what courts, agencies, and most government offices require when they ask for proof of divorce with its terms.

A divorce certificate is a brief summary document issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The DPH index only covers divorces from 1952 through 1996. For divorces outside that range, the clerk's certified decree is the only option. A DPH verification costs $10 and can be started at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The certificate confirms the event occurred but contains no terms or orders from the case.

Nearby Counties

Hall County is in northeast Georgia and borders several counties in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit and nearby circuits.