Richmond County Divorce Records

Richmond County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Augusta and cover every dissolution of marriage handled by the court, from the initial petition through the final decree. Richmond County and the City of Augusta operate as a consolidated government, so all Superior Court filings, including divorce, go through the Augusta-Richmond County system. This page explains how to search Richmond County divorce records, request copies online or in person, and find legal help.

Where to Get Richmond County Divorce Records

The Richmond County Superior Court Clerk holds all divorce records for the county. The clerk's office is at 530 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901. The phone number is (706) 821-2460. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This office handles certified copies, uncertified copies, case file access, and mail-in requests for Richmond County divorce records.

Augusta and Richmond County operate as a consolidated city-county government. The Superior Court remains a state court function and is not consolidated, but the courthouse is in Augusta. Divorce records filed in Richmond County are the same as those filed in the Augusta area, since the city is the county seat and the primary population center.

Richmond County divorce records are public records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Any person may request access to a completed divorce file. Sealed records are the exception and the clerk will identify them if your request involves one. Bring a photo ID and the case number or party names when visiting in person.

The Augusta government website at augustaga.gov links to the Superior Court Clerk's section, where you can find contact details and online search tools for Richmond County records.

The Georgia DPH vital records portal, shown in the screenshot below, handles statewide divorce verifications including those for Richmond County divorces from 1952 through 1996.

The DPH portal explains how to submit a statewide divorce verification request and what information is included in the record.

Searching Richmond County Divorce Records Online

Richmond County participates in the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org. The GSCCCA platform provides a statewide civil filings index that covers Richmond County divorces. Free basic searches by party name or case number let you confirm that a case exists and get the docket number. For a county with Augusta's case volume, this is often the most efficient first step before calling or visiting the clerk.

Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides case status and docket information for Superior Court cases statewide, including Richmond County. Use it alongside GSCCCA to confirm a case and verify its current status. Neither tool delivers the full case file or certified copies. Those require a formal request through the Richmond County clerk's office.

Online case search is available for Richmond County through the Augusta government website and linked court resources. If you know the approximate filing year and both party names, an online search will usually surface the case number quickly. That number is all you need to request copies from the clerk by mail or in person.

Note: Try both party names when searching GSCCCA. Divorce cases are indexed under both the petitioner and the respondent. Using only one name may not return results even when a record exists.

Richmond County Divorce Filing Process

Divorce cases in Richmond County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk at 530 Greene Street in Augusta. Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing, as established under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. Cases are typically filed in the county where the defendant resides. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, the plaintiff may file in their own county of residence.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce. Irretrievable breakdown is used in the large majority of cases. It requires no proof of wrongdoing. Once the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree until that period ends. Uncontested cases move faster. Contested cases involving custody, property, or support take considerably longer.

Free state-approved forms for uncontested divorces are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover divorces with and without minor children. Clerk staff can tell you which forms to use but cannot provide legal advice. Augusta has a relatively active legal community, so finding a private family law attorney in Richmond County is not difficult if your case is contested.

Copy Fees for Richmond County Divorce Records

The Richmond County Superior Court Clerk charges fees for divorce record copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal use, including remarriage applications, immigration filings, and court proceedings in other jurisdictions. Uncertified copies cost less and are acceptable for personal reference. Fee amounts depend on page count and certification. Call the clerk at (706) 821-2460 to confirm current rates before making a request.

For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides statewide verifications for $10 each. Requests go through dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The DPH record confirms the divorce took place but does not include any terms from the court order. For the full certified decree, go through the Richmond County clerk.

Legal Resources in Richmond County

Richmond County is home to Augusta, a mid-size city with a range of legal resources. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents. Family law matters, including uncontested divorce, fall within their scope. The Augusta area Legal Aid office serves Richmond County. Check the site for eligibility and contact information.

The Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has fillable, printable state-approved divorce forms for pro se filers. If your case is contested or involves children, significant property, or support disputes, consulting a private family law attorney is the better path. Augusta has numerous licensed family law attorneys, and the Georgia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help identify one who handles cases in Richmond County.

Note: Richmond County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. The Augusta area court system handles a high volume of civil cases, so wait times for contested hearings can be longer than in smaller counties. Plan accordingly when you file.

Divorce Decrees vs. State Certificates in Richmond County

A divorce decree and a state certificate are two entirely different records. The decree is the official court order signed by the Richmond County Superior Court judge. It contains every term of the dissolution: property division, custody and support for any children, alimony obligations, and any name change orders. Certified copies from the clerk carry the court seal. This is the authoritative legal document from the case.

A state certificate or verification from the Georgia DPH is a summary record that covers divorces statewide from 1952 through 1996. It confirms the event with basic details like the parties' names and the date but does not include any of the terms from the court order. If you need to use the record in a legal proceeding, enforce an order from the divorce, or show what the court specifically ordered, the certified decree from the Richmond County Superior Court Clerk is the only document that will work. Submit DPH requests at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

Nearby Counties

Richmond County is in the Augusta metro area of east-central Georgia and is surrounded by counties with their own divorce record systems.