Harris County Divorce Records
Harris County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Hamilton and document all dissolution cases heard in the county, including final decrees, custody orders, and settlement agreements. This guide covers how to access Harris County divorce records in person or by mail, how to use online resources to locate case information, and where to find legal assistance if you are going through a divorce in the Columbus area.
Harris County Quick Facts
Where to Get Harris County Divorce Records
The Harris County Superior Court Clerk in Hamilton is the official source for all divorce case files in the county. The office is located on South College Street in the county seat. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number and can provide certified copies of final decrees and other documents from the file. Harris County is part of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, which serves counties in the Columbus area of west Georgia.
Under Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, divorce records are presumptively public unless a judge has sealed the case. Most completed divorce cases in Harris County are accessible to the public. If a file has been sealed, the clerk will tell you when you inquire.
| Court | Harris County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811 |
| Phone | (706) 628-5044 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.harriscountyga.gov/ |
Hamilton is a small town in west Georgia, roughly 20 miles north of Columbus. The courthouse is on South College Street. Street parking is generally available near the building. If you are coming from Columbus specifically to request records, calling ahead to confirm availability of the documents you need is a good idea.
The screenshot below shows the Harris County official website at harriscountyga.gov, which lists contact information for county offices including the clerk of superior court.
The site links to county department pages and can help you locate the right contact for divorce record requests.
Note: For older Harris County divorce records that predate electronic filing, in-person requests or written mail requests to the clerk are the most reliable method of access.
Online Search for Harris County Divorce Records
Harris County Superior Court cases are searchable through the Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/. This free tool allows searches by name or case number and returns basic case information. For electronically filed cases, some document images may also be accessible.
The GSCCCA at gsccca.org provides a statewide index that includes Harris County. Use either portal to find a case number before making a formal records request to the clerk. Both are free for basic searches and help you confirm the case exists and determine the correct docket number.
For a quick divorce verification from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords offers a $10 statewide search. That confirms the event happened but provides no terms. For certified copies with full decree terms, only the Harris County clerk can help.
Harris County Divorce Filing Process
Georgia's residency rule under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing for divorce. The complaint is filed with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is outside Georgia, you may file in Harris County if that is your home county.
Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common ground in uncontested Harris County divorce cases. No fault is required for this ground. After the complaint is filed and the defendant is properly served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the judge can enter the final decree. Agreed cases often close close to that minimum. Contested cases involving disputed custody or property take significantly longer.
Free court forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These state-approved forms cover basic uncontested divorces and include filing instructions.
Copy Fees for Harris County Divorce Records
Harris County follows Georgia's standard schedule for court document copies. Certified copies of a divorce decree typically cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page. Uncertified plain copies are less expensive. Call the clerk at (706) 628-5044 to confirm the current fees before visiting or sending payment.
Mail requests should be sent to the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court at 102 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, the document type needed, and your contact information. Send a check or money order payable to the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court for the estimated copy cost.
Legal Help in Harris County
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Harris County residents who qualify based on income. Services include free assistance with uncontested divorce filings, child support, and custody matters. For more complex or contested cases, the Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private family law attorney in the Columbus area who handles Harris County cases.
Free self-help forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. For a straightforward agreed divorce with no minor children and limited assets, many Harris County residents complete the filing themselves using these state-provided materials.
Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Harris County
The divorce decree is the court's final order. It contains all the terms of the divorce and is the document that legally ends the marriage. The Harris County Superior Court Clerk issues certified copies. For most legal, financial, and government purposes, the certified decree is the document you need.
A divorce certificate is a brief summary from the Georgia DPH. It covers only divorces from 1952 through 1996 and confirms the event but includes no terms. A $10 verification is available at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For any purpose requiring the terms of the divorce, including custody enforcement, alimony, or remarriage processing, the certified decree from the Harris County clerk is the correct document.
Nearby Counties
Harris County is in west Georgia as part of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and borders several other counties in the Columbus area.