Rabun County Divorce Records Lookup

Rabun County divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Clayton and cover all divorce cases filed in the county, from the initial petition through the entry of the court's final order. This guide explains how to find Rabun County divorce records, use online search tools, request certified copies, and access legal help if your case needs it.

Where to Find Rabun County Divorce Records

The Rabun County Superior Court Clerk in Clayton is the official custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The office is at 25 Courthouse Square, Clayton, GA 30525. Reach the clerk by phone at (706) 782-3615. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All requests for certified copies, uncertified copies, case file review, and mail-in records requests for Rabun County divorce records go through this office.

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

Rabun County is in the far northeast corner of Georgia, near the North Carolina and South Carolina borders. Clayton is the county seat. The courthouse on Courthouse Square handles all civil and family law filings for the county.

The Georgia Courts E-Access portal, shown in the screenshot below, is a statewide tool that includes Rabun County case data and provides a way to look up cases before visiting the clerk's office.

The E-Access portal provides case status and docket information for Rabun County divorce filings and is a helpful starting point before contacting the clerk.

How to Search Rabun County Divorce Records

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org maintains a statewide civil filings index that includes Rabun County divorces. Free basic searches by party name or case number let you confirm a case exists and get the docket number before requesting copies. This is often the most efficient starting point.

Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ is another statewide tool that provides case status and docket information for Superior Court cases. Use both tools to confirm a case and gather basic information. Neither provides the full file or certified copies. Those require a formal request through the Rabun County clerk in Clayton.

If online searches come up empty, the case may predate the county's transition to electronic filing. Rabun County is a small, rural jurisdiction and some older records only exist in paper form at the courthouse. Call the clerk at (706) 782-3615 for manual lookup in the physical index.

Note: Search both party names on GSCCCA. Divorce cases are indexed under both the petitioner and the respondent. Using only one name may miss the case entirely if it was indexed under the other party's name first.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Rabun County

Divorce cases in Rabun County are filed at the Superior Court Clerk's Office on Courthouse Square in Clayton. Georgia law requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing, as stated in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The case is typically filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not reside in Georgia, the plaintiff can file in their home county.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown is the most commonly used ground and requires no showing of fault by either party. After service on the defendant, a mandatory 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can issue a final decree. Uncontested cases can resolve quickly once that window closes. Contested cases involving custody, property, or support take longer.

Free, state-approved divorce forms are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover uncontested divorces with and without children. Clerk staff can point you to the correct forms but cannot give legal advice on how to complete them or on your legal rights.

Copy Fees for Rabun County Divorce Records

The Rabun County Superior Court Clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies are required for official and legal use, such as remarriage applications, immigration filings, or court proceedings. Uncertified copies cost less and are sufficient for personal reference. The total fee depends on the page count and the certification level. Call the clerk at (706) 782-3615 to confirm current rates before submitting a request.

For divorces recorded between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health offers a statewide verification service for $10 per request. Submit requests at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The DPH record confirms the event but does not include any of the terms from the court order. For the complete record, get a certified decree from the Rabun County clerk.

Legal Resources in Rabun County

Rabun County residents who need assistance with a divorce case can access statewide legal resources. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income individuals, including help with uncontested divorce filings. Because Rabun County is small and rural, services are typically arranged through the regional office. Check the website for eligibility and contact information.

The Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov is a solid option for residents who want to file without a lawyer. The fillable forms come with plain-language instructions and cover common divorce situations. For contested cases or cases involving children and significant assets, a private family law attorney is the better path. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with an attorney who handles family cases in northeast Georgia.

Note: Rabun County is part of the Mountain Judicial Circuit. Court dates in Clayton are set by the circuit schedule, which covers several northeast Georgia counties. Confirm hearing schedules with the clerk before making travel arrangements.

Divorce Decrees vs. DPH Verifications

A divorce decree and a DPH verification are two entirely different records. The decree is the official order entered by the Rabun County Superior Court judge. It contains the full terms of the divorce: property division, custody and visitation plans, child support, alimony, and any name restoration. Certified copies from the clerk carry the court seal and are the binding legal record of the case.

A DPH verification is a summary from the Georgia Department of Public Health. It covers divorces statewide from 1952 through 1996 and gives basic confirming information, like the parties' names and the date. It does not include the terms or orders from the divorce. When you need to prove what the court decided or use the record in a legal proceeding, the certified decree from the Rabun County Superior Court Clerk is the only document that works. Start a DPH verification at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

Nearby Counties

Rabun County is in the far northeast corner of Georgia and borders several counties in both Georgia and neighboring states.