Hart County Divorce Records Search
Hart County divorce records are on file with the Superior Court Clerk in Hartwell, documenting every dissolution case heard in this northeast Georgia county, including final decrees, custody agreements, and property division orders. This page explains how to find Hart County divorce records online, how to request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and what legal help is available to Hart County residents during a divorce proceeding.
Hart County Quick Facts
Where to Get Hart County Divorce Records
The Hart County Superior Court Clerk in Hartwell is the keeper of all divorce records filed in the county. The office sits on West Franklin Street in downtown Hartwell and staff can look up cases by name or case number and provide certified or plain copies on request. Hart County is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit, which serves several northeast Georgia counties in the Lake Hartwell region.
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes divorce records presumptively public unless a court has sealed the file. Most completed Hart County divorce cases are fully accessible to the public. The clerk will indicate if a particular case has restricted access.
| Court | Hart County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 185 West Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643 |
| Phone | (706) 376-7194 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.hartcountyga.gov/ |
Hartwell is in the northeast corner of Georgia near Lake Hartwell on the Georgia-South Carolina border. The courthouse is on West Franklin Street. Parking is generally available near the building. If you are coming from Anderson, South Carolina or from the Athens area, calling ahead to confirm the record you need is in the main office is a good practice before making the drive.
The screenshot below shows the Hart County official website at hartcountyga.gov, where the clerk of court's contact information and office details are listed.
The county site links to department pages and provides contact information for the Superior Court Clerk's office in Hartwell.
Online Search for Hart County Divorce Records
The Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ allows free online searches of Hart County Superior Court cases by name or case number. The portal shows basic case information including filing dates and dispositions. For electronically filed cases, some document images may be viewable.
The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org also covers Hart County and provides another free way to locate case numbers before making a formal request. Both portals are good starting points. Neither issues certified copies, so for official documents you will still need to contact the clerk's office.
For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides a $10 verification that confirms the event. For all other years or when you need the decree with its terms, the Hart County clerk is your only option.
Note: Hart County's online portal coverage may not extend to all older paper cases. For records more than a few decades old, an in-person or mail request to the clerk is the most reliable approach.
Hart County Divorce Filing Process
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 divorce complaint is filed with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, you may file in Hart County if that is your home county.
The thirteen grounds for divorce recognized in Georgia are listed at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most Hart County uncontested divorces use irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as the ground. This requires no proof of fault. After the complaint is filed and the defendant is served, Georgia imposes a 30-day waiting period before a judge can sign the final decree. Agreed cases often move through close to that minimum; contested cases with unresolved disputes take much longer.
Free state-approved forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov and cover uncontested divorces with and without minor children.
Copy Fees for Hart County Divorce Records
Hart County uses Georgia's standard fee schedule for court copies. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost around $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Uncertified plain copies are less expensive. Call the clerk at (706) 376-7194 to confirm the current fee before your visit or before mailing payment.
Mail requests go to the Hart County Clerk of Superior Court at 185 West Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, the specific documents needed, and your contact details. Include a check or money order payable to the Hart County Clerk of Superior Court for the estimated cost.
Legal Help in Hart County
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org covers Hart County and provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents, including help with uncontested divorce filings and family law matters. For contested cases or those involving significant property or custody disputes, the Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney in the area.
Free forms for self-represented filers are at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover the most common types of uncontested Georgia divorce cases and include step-by-step instructions. Many Hart County residents use these tools to complete a simple agreed divorce without hiring an attorney.
Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Hart County
The divorce decree is the complete court order. It includes all terms the judge approved and is the legally binding record of the divorce. Certified copies come from the Hart County Superior Court Clerk. The decree is what most legal, financial, and government agencies require for proof of divorce.
A divorce certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health is a summary document that covers only divorces from 1952 through 1996. The DPH certificate confirms the event but does not include terms or court orders. It is available for $10 at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For remarriage, name changes, immigration, and similar legal uses, the certified decree from the Hart County clerk is what you need, regardless of the year the divorce occurred.
Nearby Counties
Hart County is in northeast Georgia on the South Carolina border and is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit along with neighboring counties.