Houston County Divorce Records
Houston County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Perry and include all dissolution cases filed in one of central Georgia's largest counties, covering final decrees, custody and support orders, and property settlement agreements. This guide covers how to search Houston County divorce records online, how to request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and what resources are available for residents of Perry and Warner Robins going through a divorce.
Houston County Quick Facts
Where to Get Houston County Divorce Records
The Houston County Superior Court Clerk in Perry is the official holder of all divorce records filed in the county. The main office is at 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. Houston County is part of the Houston Judicial Circuit, which handles a significant volume of family law cases for the greater Warner Robins area. The clerk handles certified copy requests, case lookups, and new filings for all civil and family matters in the county.
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 establishes that court records including divorce files are presumptively open to public inspection. Unless a judge has specifically sealed a case, anyone may request access. Most Houston County divorce records are fully accessible to the public.
| Court | Houston County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069 |
| Phone | (478) 218-4800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.houstoncountyga.gov/ |
The courthouse is on Perry Parkway in the county seat of Perry, which is adjacent to Warner Robins along I-75. Parking is available at the courthouse complex. Given Houston County's population and the size of the Warner Robins metropolitan area, the clerk's office handles substantial case volume. Having a case number from an online search before you visit will make any records request faster.
The screenshot below shows the Houston County official website at houstoncountyga.gov, which provides contact information for the Superior Court Clerk and other county departments.
The county website links to the clerk's page with services, contact details, and general guidance for records requests.
Online Case Search for Houston County Divorce Records
Houston County participates in the Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/. This free tool allows searches by name or case number across Georgia's Superior Courts, including Houston County. You can check filing dates, case status, and party information from any device. For electronically filed cases, some document images may also be accessible through the portal.
The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org provides another free online search option for Houston County filings. Both tools are useful for confirming a case exists and obtaining the docket number before making a formal records request to the clerk. Neither portal replaces the clerk when you need a certified copy of the decree.
Note: Houston County's online case search covers electronically filed cases. Some older paper-filed records may only be accessible through an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office in Perry.
Houston County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in Houston 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 with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, the plaintiff may file in their home county, which would be Houston County if that is where they live.
Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common ground used in Houston County uncontested divorces. No fault is required for this ground. After filing and serving the other party, a 30-day waiting period must pass before a judge can sign the final decree. Agreed cases often resolve near that minimum. Contested cases where parties disagree on custody, support, or property can take many months, especially in a busy circuit like Houston's.
Free state-approved divorce forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov and cover both cases with and without minor children.
Copy Fees for Houston County Divorce Records
Houston County follows Georgia's standard court fee schedule for document copies. Certified copies of a divorce decree typically cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Uncertified plain copies are less expensive. Call the clerk at (478) 218-4800 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting or sending payment by mail.
For mail requests, write to the Houston County Clerk of Superior Court at 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, the specific document type needed, and your contact information. Enclose a check or money order payable to the Houston County Clerk of Superior Court for the estimated cost.
Legal Help in Houston County
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org serves Houston County residents who qualify based on income. Services include free civil legal help with uncontested divorce filings, child support, and custody matters. Houston County is home to a significant military presence at Robins Air Force Base, and legal assistance services at the base may also be available to active-duty servicemembers and their families for certain family law matters.
The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect Houston County residents with a private family law attorney in the Perry or Warner Robins area for contested cases or those involving complex property or custody disputes. Free self-help forms are at eforms.georgiacourts.gov for those who want to file an uncontested case without an attorney.
Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates in Houston County
A divorce decree is the full court order from the Houston County Superior Court. It contains all binding terms of the divorce, including any orders on custody, support, property, and name changes. Certified copies come from the clerk. The decree is what courts, government agencies, financial institutions, and most legal entities require when they ask for proof of divorce with its terms.
A divorce certificate is a brief summary from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The DPH only maintains records from 1952 through 1996. For cases outside that date range, only the clerk's certified decree is available. A DPH verification costs $10 and can be started at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The certificate confirms the event happened but contains no terms or court orders. For remarriage, legal name changes, immigration applications, or custody enforcement, the certified decree from the Houston County clerk is the right document.
Nearby Counties
Houston County is in central Georgia near the Warner Robins metro area and borders several other counties with their own Superior Court clerks for divorce filings and records.