Find Divorce Records in Hancock County
Hancock County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Sparta and include all dissolution cases filed in this central Georgia county, from final decrees to custody arrangements and support orders. This page explains how to access Hancock County divorce records, whether you need a certified copy for a legal proceeding or want to verify basic case information from an earlier filing.
Hancock County Quick Facts
Where to Get Hancock County Divorce Records
The Hancock County Superior Court Clerk in Sparta is the official custodian of all divorce files for the county. The office is located on Broad Street, and staff can look up cases by party name or case number. Hancock is a small county in central Georgia and the clerk's office reflects that scale, so calling ahead to confirm hours and availability before visiting is a good idea.
Georgia divorce records are open to the public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 unless a judge has entered a sealing order. Most finished divorce cases in Hancock County are accessible to any person who asks. The clerk can confirm the status of a specific file when you call or write.
| Court | Hancock County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 12630 Broad Street, Sparta, GA 31087 |
| Phone | (706) 444-6644 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.hancockcountyga.gov/ |
The Hancock County courthouse is on Broad Street in Sparta. Sparta is a small city in the middle of the state between Milledgeville and Augusta. If you are driving from a larger city to request records, calling to verify the specific document you need is at the main office before making the trip will save time.
The screenshot below shows the Hancock County official website at hancockcountyga.gov, which provides county government contact information including the clerk's office.
The website has contact details for county departments and can direct you to the right office for divorce record requests.
Note: Hancock County is small, so the clerk may have limited staff. If you plan to arrive near the end of the day, calling ahead to confirm the office will be able to assist with a records request before closing is advisable.
How to Search Hancock Divorce Records Online
Georgia's E-Access court records portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ includes Hancock County and allows free searches by party name or case number. The portal shows basic case information such as filing dates and dispositions. Document images may be available for electronically filed cases.
The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org is another free resource that indexes Hancock County Superior Court filings. Use either tool to locate a case number before contacting the clerk. Having the case number ready saves time at both the counter and in a mail request.
For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides a $10 verification confirming the event. For certified copies of the decree or cases outside that date range, the Hancock County clerk is the only source.
Hancock County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in Hancock County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months, as required by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The complaint is filed in the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, the plaintiff may file in their own county of residence.
Georgia lists thirteen grounds for divorce in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most uncontested cases use irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, which requires no proof of wrongdoing. After filing and serving the other party, a 30-day waiting period must pass before a final decree can be entered. Agreed cases often move quickly after that window. Contested cases involving disputes over children or property take considerably more time.
Free forms for self-represented filers are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. For a simple uncontested case with no children and limited property, many people handle the filing themselves using these state-provided forms.
Copy Fees for Hancock County Divorce Records
Hancock County follows Georgia's standard fee schedule. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost around $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each page after that. Uncertified plain copies run less. Call the clerk at (706) 444-6644 to confirm the current fee before visiting or sending payment.
For mail requests, write to the Hancock County Clerk of Superior Court, 12630 Broad Street, Sparta, GA 31087. Include party names, the approximate year of filing, document type, and your contact details. Send a check or money order payable to the Hancock County Clerk of Superior Court for the estimated cost.
Legal Help in Hancock County
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org covers Hancock County and provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents. Family law help, including assistance with uncontested divorce cases, is part of their service area. For contested or complex cases, the Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private family law attorney.
Free divorce forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. For a basic uncontested case in Hancock County, these state-approved forms and the clerk's guidance on filing requirements are often sufficient for self-represented parties.
Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Hancock County
The divorce decree is the complete court order from the judge. It contains all the terms of the divorce, including any orders on property, custody, and support. Certified copies come from the Hancock County Superior Court Clerk. The decree is what almost every legal, financial, and government agency requires when they need to see the terms of a divorce.
The Georgia Department of Public Health issues brief divorce certificates for cases from 1952 through 1996. A DPH verification costs $10 and confirms the event happened but includes no terms or court orders. For divorces outside that date range or when specific terms are needed, only the clerk's certified decree will serve the purpose. Start a DPH request at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords if a basic verification from the covered period is what you need.
Nearby Counties
Hancock County sits in central Georgia and is surrounded by several other counties with their own Superior Court clerks for divorce filings and records.