Access Heard County Divorce Records

Heard County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Franklin and cover all dissolution cases filed in the county, including final decrees, custody arrangements, and property and support orders. This page explains how to find Heard County divorce records, how to request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and where to get legal help if you are going through a divorce in this small west Georgia county.

Where to Get Heard County Divorce Records

The Heard County Superior Court Clerk in Franklin holds all divorce records for the county. The office is on East Court Square in the county seat. Staff can search records by party name or case number and produce certified or plain copies of divorce decrees and related documents. Heard County is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit, which covers several west Georgia counties near the Alabama border.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes divorce records open to the public by default unless a judge has specifically sealed the file. In a small county like Heard, sealed cases are rare. The clerk will tell you if a file is restricted when you inquire.

Franklin is a small town in west Georgia, roughly 20 miles south of Carrollton. The courthouse is on East Court Square. Heard County is rural, so the clerk's office is small. Calling ahead before visiting is particularly important here, both to confirm the documents you need are on-site and to avoid arriving when staff are unavailable.

The screenshot below shows the Heard County official website at heardcountyga.com, which provides contact details for county offices including the Superior Court Clerk.

The site lists county departments and provides links to clerk services and contact information for Heard County residents.

Note: Because Heard County is one of Georgia's smaller counties, the clerk's office may have limited capacity to process requests quickly during busy periods. Submitting a mail request is a reliable alternative to an in-person visit.

Online Search for Heard County Divorce Records

The Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ includes Heard County in its statewide case search. You can search by name or case number at no cost and see basic filing information. For electronically filed cases, some document images may be available.

The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org also covers Heard County and allows free searches of the Superior Court docket. Both portals are useful for confirming a case exists and getting the docket number before contacting the clerk. Neither replaces the clerk for certified copies.

For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH provides a $10 verification at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. This confirms the event but includes no terms or orders. For all other dates or when you need the full decree, go to the Heard County clerk.

Heard County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia requires that at least one spouse live in the state for six months before filing, under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The complaint is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant is outside Georgia, you may file in Heard County if that is your home county.

Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce as listed in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most uncontested cases use irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. No fault needs to be shown for that ground. After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before a final decree can be entered. Agreed cases typically close near that minimum. Contested cases take longer depending on the disputes involved.

Free state-approved divorce forms are at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover basic uncontested divorces and include filing instructions.

Copy Fees for Heard County Divorce Records

Heard County follows Georgia's standard court copy fee schedule. Certified copies of a divorce decree run around $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 per page after that. Uncertified copies cost less. Call (706) 675-3301 to confirm the current fees before visiting or sending payment by mail.

For mail requests, write to the Heard County Clerk of Superior Court at 215 East Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. Include the names of both parties, the approximate filing year, the document type needed, and your contact information. Send a check or money order payable to the Heard County Clerk of Superior Court for the estimated cost.

Legal Help in Heard County

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Heard County residents who qualify based on income. The organization provides free civil legal help for uncontested divorce filings, child support, and other family law matters. For contested cases or ones involving significant property or custody disputes, the Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney.

Free divorce forms for self-represented filers are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. For a simple agreed case in Heard County, using these state-provided forms and following the clerk's guidance is often sufficient without hiring an attorney.

Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Heard County

A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It contains all terms of the divorce including custody, support, property, and any name changes ordered. The Heard County Superior Court Clerk issues certified copies. The decree is what legal, government, and financial agencies require when the terms of a divorce matter.

A divorce certificate is a brief event summary from the Georgia DPH. It covers only 1952 through 1996. A $10 verification is available at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords but includes no terms. For any use where the full terms of the divorce are needed, or for cases outside the DPH date range, only the certified decree from the Heard County clerk will serve the purpose.

Nearby Counties

Heard County is in west Georgia as part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit and borders several other counties in the greater Atlanta west metro and Chattahoochee Valley regions.