Liberty County Divorce Records

Liberty County divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Hinesville and cover all divorce cases filed within the county. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree, want to check the status of a case, or are searching older filings, this page explains how to find Liberty County divorce records through online search tools, the Hinesville courthouse, and written mail requests.

Where to Get Liberty County Divorce Records

The Liberty County Superior Court Clerk in Hinesville holds all divorce case files for the county. This office handles records from the time of initial filing through final decree and any post-judgment matters. Liberty County has a larger-than-average population for a Georgia county of its size, partly due to the presence of Fort Stewart, which creates a consistent flow of family law cases including divorces involving active-duty military personnel and their families.

Georgia's public records law at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public access to court files. No special standing is needed to request a copy of a divorce record. Sealed files are the exception and require a court order. The clerk can confirm whether a specific file is restricted when you call or visit.

The courthouse is on South Main Street in Hinesville. Liberty County sees significant family court activity due to the military community at Fort Stewart, and the clerk's office is well-practiced in handling records requests from both local residents and out-of-county requesters.

The Liberty County government website shown below provides links to court resources and clerk contact information.

Visit libertycountyga.gov for current court resources, clerk contact details, and Liberty County divorce records information.

The Liberty County Superior Court Clerk in Hinesville manages all county divorce records including cases involving military personnel from Fort Stewart.

Note: Military divorces in Liberty County may involve additional procedural considerations under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which affects timelines and service requirements for active-duty personnel.

Searching Liberty County Divorce Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org maintains online case search access for Liberty County. This free portal lets you search by party name or case number and see basic case details including filing date and status. Liberty County participates in online case search, making it one of the more accessible counties for remote records searches.

The Georgia E-Access portal at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is a complementary statewide tool. Both systems pull from Georgia court records, and checking both maximizes your chances of locating a case, especially when you are uncertain about the exact filing year or county. If you find the case number online, bring it when you contact the clerk to speed up your request.

For older Liberty County records before electronic indexing, in-person or mail requests to the clerk are necessary. Provide both party names and an approximate filing year. Staff will search the archive manually. Older files may take a day or more to retrieve depending on how they are stored. The clerk will let you know the expected timeline when you contact the office.

Filing a Divorce in Liberty County

To file for divorce in Liberty County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months and in Liberty County for at least thirty days before filing. This residency requirement under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 determines whether the county court has jurisdiction. Military personnel stationed at Fort Stewart may meet Georgia residency through their assignment, but specific rules apply. Consulting an attorney familiar with military divorces is advisable in these situations.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, Georgia allows no-fault divorce on the ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is the most commonly used basis for divorce across Liberty County. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruel treatment, habitual intoxication, and desertion are also available but carry higher evidentiary burdens and are less frequently pursued.

After the petition is filed, the respondent must be served. Service in Liberty County can be performed by the county sheriff, a private process server, or by the respondent signing a voluntary waiver. Once served, the respondent has thirty days to answer. Georgia also requires a thirty-day waiting period from service before the final divorce decree can be entered. This timeline applies to all cases without exception.

Liberty County divorce cases involving military personnel may have additional complexity related to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which can delay proceedings when one party is on active duty and unavailable to respond. Courts handle these situations on a case-by-case basis.

Fees for Liberty County Divorce Copies

The Liberty County Superior Court Clerk charges per-page fees for copies. Plain copies are less expensive, while certified copies carry an additional charge for the clerk's seal and signature. Certified copies are required for most official uses, including presenting the decree to a government agency, another court, or a financial institution. Ordering the right type of copy from the start saves both time and money.

For divorces recorded at the state level from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH provides a $10 verification search at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. This is a summary record, not the full decree. The DPH record confirms the basic facts of the divorce but not the terms of the court order. For genealogy or simple confirmation of older divorces, this is a convenient option.

For all other purposes, the Liberty County clerk is the source. Call (912) 876-3625 to confirm the current fee schedule before submitting any payment by mail. Money orders are typically preferred for mail-in requests to county clerks.

Legal Resources in Liberty County

Residents of Liberty County, including Hinesville, who want to file a divorce without an attorney can use the Georgia Courts E-Forms system at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These free court-approved forms are for uncontested divorces where both parties agree. They work best for simpler cases without minor children or major property disputes.

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free legal help to eligible residents. Their online intake process determines eligibility. Legal Aid covers family law matters including divorce and can connect you with resources for more complex cases.

Active-duty military personnel in Liberty County also have access to legal assistance through the Judge Advocate General's office at Fort Stewart. Military legal assistance offices can provide advice on divorce procedures, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and family law matters specific to military service, often at no charge to the servicemember.

Note: Military legal assistance offices serve active-duty personnel and their families, but their services are distinct from civilian legal aid programs and have different eligibility criteria.

Divorce Decrees vs. State Records in Liberty County

The Liberty County Superior Court divorce decree is the official legal document that ends the marriage. It contains specific terms covering property, alimony, child custody, and child support. This is the document used when you need to prove the terms of your divorce for any legal purpose. Certified copies come from the clerk's office in Hinesville.

The Georgia DPH statewide divorce index exists under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22 as a summary record submitted by counties to the state. The DPH record confirms a divorce occurred and provides the date and county. It does not include the court's specific orders. For research purposes, this is adequate. For legal purposes requiring proof of terms, the certified court decree is required.

For Liberty County residents who have served in the military and need divorce documents for VA benefits, pension claims, or survivor benefits, the certified court decree is always the required document. The DPH record alone is not sufficient for these purposes.

Nearby Counties

Liberty County is on the Georgia coast. Divorce cases near county borders may have been filed in an adjacent county. The resources below cover neighboring jurisdictions.