Putnam County Divorce Records

Putnam County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Eatonton and include all divorce cases filed in the county, from the first court filing through the entry of the final decree. This guide explains where to find Putnam County divorce records, how to request copies, what online tools are available, and what legal resources exist for county residents.

Where to Get Putnam County Divorce Records

The Putnam County Superior Court Clerk in Eatonton holds all divorce case records for the county. The office is at 100 South Jefferson Street, Eatonton, GA 31024. Reach the clerk at (706) 485-4501. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All requests for certified copies, uncertified copies, case file access, and mail-in records requests for Putnam County divorce records are handled here.

Putnam County divorce records are public records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Any member of the public may request access to a completed divorce file. The rare exception involves records sealed by court order, which the clerk will identify if your request involves one. Bring a photo ID and party names or a case number when visiting in person.

Eatonton is the county seat of Putnam County in central Georgia, east of Macon and south of Athens. The courthouse is the hub for all Superior Court civil filings, including divorce, in the county.

The GSCCCA statewide portal, shown in the image below, indexes Putnam County civil filings alongside data from all other Georgia counties.

Use the GSCCCA portal to find Putnam County divorce case entries by name or number and gather the information you need before requesting copies from the clerk.

How to Search Putnam County Divorce Records

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org maintains a statewide civil filings index that covers Putnam County divorces. Free basic searches by party name or case number let you confirm a case exists and get the docket number. This is a good first step before contacting the clerk for copies.

Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides case status and docket data for many Superior Court cases statewide, including Putnam County. Use it to cross-reference what you find on GSCCCA or to check case status without a trip to Eatonton. Neither tool provides the full file or certified copies; those require a formal request through the clerk.

Older Putnam County cases may not appear in online indexes if they predate the transition to electronic filing. If your search returns nothing and you believe the case exists, call the clerk at (706) 485-4501 for manual lookup assistance. Having the approximate year and both party names ready makes the call much more efficient.

Note: Search both party names on GSCCCA. Divorce records are indexed under both the petitioner and the respondent. Only checking one name can cause you to miss the case entirely.

How Divorce Cases Work in Putnam County

Divorce cases in Putnam County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Eatonton. Georgia's six-month residency requirement under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 means at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months before a case can be filed. Cases are generally filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is not a Georgia resident, the case goes in the plaintiff's county.

Georgia law recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most people cite irretrievable breakdown, which does not require proving fault. After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period begins before the court can issue a final decree. Simple uncontested cases move faster. Cases with custody battles, property disputes, or support disagreements take longer.

Free state-approved forms for uncontested divorces are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover situations with and without children. Clerk staff can help you identify the right form but cannot advise you on legal strategy or your rights.

Putnam County Record Copy Fees

The Putnam County Superior Court Clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for legal and official uses. Uncertified copies cost less and work for personal reference. The total amount depends on the page count and whether certification is needed. Call the clerk at (706) 485-4501 to confirm current rates before submitting a request.

For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia DPH verification service costs $10. Submit requests at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The DPH record confirms the divorce occurred but does not include any terms from the court's order. For the full record, request a certified decree from the Putnam County clerk.

Legal Help for Putnam County Residents

Putnam County residents can access free civil legal services through Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org. Family law matters, including uncontested divorce, are among the cases they handle for qualifying low-income residents. The site has eligibility information and details on the regional office serving the Eatonton area.

For pro se filers, the Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has fillable, printable divorce forms with step-by-step instructions. If your case is contested or involves children, a family law attorney is a much better choice than trying to navigate the process alone. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with someone in the area for an initial consultation at a reasonable rate.

Note: Putnam County is served by the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Confirm with the clerk when Superior Court is next in session in Eatonton if you have an upcoming hearing or plan to file soon.

Divorce Decrees and State-Level Records

A divorce decree and a state divorce verification are not interchangeable. The decree is the actual court order entered by the Putnam County Superior Court judge. It contains all the terms, including how property was divided, custody and support orders for any children, alimony, and any name restoration. The clerk issues certified copies with the court seal. This is the binding legal document from the case.

A DPH verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health is a summary. It covers statewide divorces from 1952 through 1996 and confirms the event with basic facts. It has no terms, no orders, and no legal specifics. If you need to prove what the court decided, enforce an order, or use the record in any official capacity, the certified decree from the Putnam County Superior Court Clerk is what you need. Start a DPH request at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

Nearby Counties

Putnam County is in central Georgia and is surrounded by counties that each maintain their own Superior Court divorce records.