Pickens County Divorce Records Lookup
Pickens County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Jasper and document all divorce cases processed in the county from the first court filing through the entry of a final decree. This guide explains how to search Pickens County divorce records, request certified copies, and use online tools or in-person options to find the record you need.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Where to Access Pickens County Divorce Records
The Pickens County Superior Court Clerk's Office in Jasper holds all divorce case files for the county. The office is at 50 North Main Street, Jasper, GA 30143. Reach them at (706) 253-8762. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk handles all requests for certified copies, uncertified copies, case file review, and mail-in records requests for Pickens County divorce records.
Pickens County divorce records are open to the public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act. Any person can request access to completed divorce case files. Records sealed by court order are not publicly accessible, but those cases are rare. The clerk will tell you if a specific file is sealed when you inquire.
| Court | Pickens County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 North Main Street, Jasper, GA 30143 |
| Phone | (706) 253-8762 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.pickenscountyga.gov/ |
Jasper is a small North Georgia city. The courthouse is the main hub for all Superior Court activity in Pickens County, including civil filings, family law cases, and divorce proceedings. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties if you visit in person.
The screenshot below shows the Pickens County government website at pickenscountyga.gov, the official online presence for county services including clerk information.
The site provides links to clerk contact details, court schedules, and services for Pickens County residents.
How to Search Pickens County Divorce Records
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org is the best online starting point for searching Pickens County divorce records. GSCCCA provides a statewide civil filings index that includes divorces from Pickens County. You can search by party name or case number for free to confirm a case exists and get the docket number you'll need for a copy request.
Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is another tool for checking case status and docket information for Superior Court cases, including Pickens County. Neither platform provides the full case file or certified copies, but both help you confirm a case and gather basic information before contacting the clerk directly.
When searching by name, try both the petitioner and the respondent. Records are indexed under both parties, so if one name returns nothing, the other may still find the case. If neither name returns results and you're confident the divorce was filed in Pickens County, call the clerk's office for manual lookup help on older paper cases.
Note: Older Pickens County divorce cases filed before the county transitioned to electronic filing may not appear in online indexes. The clerk's office is the only place to check for pre-digital records.
Filing for Divorce in Pickens County
Pickens County divorces are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Jasper. Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing, as specified in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. Cases are filed in the county where the defendant lives, or in the plaintiff's county if the defendant lives outside Georgia.
The thirteen grounds for divorce in Georgia are set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is the most commonly used ground and does not require proof of fault from either side. After service on the defendant, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can issue a final decree. Uncontested cases with a full agreement between the parties can finish relatively quickly after the waiting period. Contested cases take longer based on what's disputed.
Free divorce forms approved by the Georgia courts are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These forms are suitable for uncontested divorces with or without children. Clerk staff can direct you to the correct forms but are not permitted to give legal advice.
Divorce Record Copy Fees in Pickens County
The Pickens County clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies are required for official legal use, such as remarriage applications, immigration documents, or court filings. Uncertified copies cost less and serve personal reference purposes. Call the clerk's office at (706) 253-8762 to confirm current fees before visiting or mailing a request.
For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides a statewide verification service. The fee is $10 per verification and requests are handled at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The DPH record is a summary that confirms the event but does not include the terms of the divorce order. For the complete court-ordered terms, you must get a certified decree copy from the Pickens County clerk.
Legal Help for Pickens County Residents
Pickens County residents dealing with divorce can access free and low-cost legal help through statewide programs. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals. Family law cases, including uncontested divorce, fall within their services. The website has income eligibility guidelines and information on how to apply.
The Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov is a useful tool for anyone who wants to file without an attorney. The forms are fillable, printable, and include step-by-step instructions. For contested cases or those involving children and property disputes, a private family law attorney is the better option. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with an attorney in the North Georgia area for an initial consultation at a reduced rate.
Note: Pickens County is part of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit. Cases filed here are heard by judges who also serve neighboring counties in the circuit. Check with the clerk for current court schedules.
Divorce Decrees and State-Level Records
A divorce decree and a state-level divorce verification are not the same thing. The decree is the court order issued by the Pickens County Superior Court judge. It is the full legal document that governs the divorce, covering property division, child custody and support, alimony, and any name restoration ordered by the court. The clerk's office issues certified copies, which carry the court's seal and are legally binding proof of what the court ordered.
A state verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health is a summary record. The DPH covers divorces statewide from 1952 through 1996. A $10 verification confirms the event and provides basic identifying information about the parties. It does not include any of the terms from the divorce agreement or court order. For anything that requires knowing the terms of the divorce, or for use in legal proceedings, the certified decree from the Pickens County Superior Court Clerk is the only document that will work. Use dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for state-level verification requests.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County is in the North Georgia mountains and borders several counties with their own Superior Court clerk offices.