Access Rockdale County Divorce Records

Rockdale County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Conyers and document all divorce cases the court has handled, from the first petition through the final order. This guide explains where to find Rockdale County divorce records, how to search online, request copies in person or by mail, and access legal resources in the area.

Where to Get Rockdale County Divorce Records

The Rockdale County Superior Court Clerk in Conyers holds all divorce records for the county. The office is at 922 Court Street, Conyers, GA 30012. The phone number is (770) 278-7900. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is the office to contact for certified copies, uncertified copies, case file access, and mail-in records requests for Rockdale County divorce records.

Rockdale County divorce records are public records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Any person can request access to completed divorce case files. The exception is records sealed by court order, which the clerk will identify when you inquire. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number when you visit in person.

Conyers is the county seat of Rockdale County, one of the counties in the greater Atlanta metro area east of the city. The courthouse on Court Street handles all Superior Court civil and family law filings for the county.

The GSCCCA statewide portal, shown in the screenshot below, covers Rockdale County divorce filings and provides free online case lookup by name or number.

Use this portal to find Rockdale County divorce case entries and get the docket number you need before requesting copies from the clerk.

Searching Rockdale County Divorce Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority at gsccca.org maintains a statewide civil filings index that includes Rockdale County divorces. Free basic searches by party name or case number let you confirm a case exists and get the docket number. Rockdale County offers online case search access, making it easy to check whether a specific divorce was filed without a trip to the courthouse.

Georgia Courts E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides case status and docket information for Superior Court cases statewide. Use this tool to cross-reference what you find on GSCCCA. For the full case file or certified copies, contact the Rockdale County clerk directly. Neither online tool delivers those documents without a formal request.

For Rockdale County, online search availability makes it practical to confirm a case from home before deciding how to proceed. If the case appears in an online index, the docket number you find there is all you need to submit a copy request to the clerk by mail or in person.

Note: Search both parties' names when using GSCCCA. Divorce cases are indexed under both the petitioner and the respondent, so searching only one name may miss the record.

How Divorce Cases Work in Rockdale County

Rockdale County divorce cases are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Conyers. Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing, per 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 can file in their own county.

Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown is the most common choice and requires no proof of fault. After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period begins before the court can issue a final decree. Uncontested cases move through faster once that window closes. Contested cases involving custody, property, or support take longer based on the complexity of the issues involved.

Free, state-approved forms for uncontested divorces are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These cover situations with and without minor children. The clerk's staff can tell you which forms to file but cannot give legal advice on how to complete them or advise you on your rights.

Rockdale County Divorce Record Copy Fees

The Rockdale County Superior Court Clerk charges for copies of divorce records. Certified copies require the court seal and are used for official and legal purposes, such as remarriage applications, immigration forms, or court filings in other jurisdictions. Uncertified copies cost less and work for personal reference. Call the clerk at (770) 278-7900 to confirm current fees before submitting a request.

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

Legal Help in Rockdale County

Rockdale County residents who need legal help with a divorce case can access free services through Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org. Georgia Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income individuals, including assistance with family law and uncontested divorce filings. Check the site for eligibility and the regional office serving the Conyers area.

For those who plan to file without an attorney, the Georgia Courts E-Forms portal at eforms.georgiacourts.gov has fillable state-approved divorce forms with plain-language instructions. If the case involves contested custody, property disputes, or support disagreements, a private family law attorney is the better choice. Conyers is part of the Atlanta metro area, so private family law representation is relatively accessible. The Georgia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with an attorney in the Rockdale County area.

Note: Rockdale County is in the Rockdale Judicial Circuit. It is one of Georgia's single-county circuits, meaning the Superior Court judges assigned to Rockdale hear cases exclusively here. That can mean better scheduling predictability than in multi-county circuits.

Divorce Decrees vs. State Verification Records

These two records are not interchangeable. The divorce decree is the court order from the Rockdale County Superior Court judge. It contains every term the judge ordered: property division, child custody and support schedules, alimony, and any name restoration. Certified copies from the clerk carry the court seal and are the legally binding record of what the court ordered.

A state verification from the Georgia Department of Public Health is a summary. It covers divorces statewide from 1952 through 1996 and confirms the event with basic facts. It does not include any of the terms from the court order. For any official or legal use, only the certified decree from the Rockdale County Superior Court Clerk will work. Submit DPH verification requests at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

Nearby Counties

Rockdale County is part of the Atlanta metro area and borders several counties with their own Superior Court divorce record systems.