Find Tattnall County Divorce Records

Tattnall County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Reidsville and are available to the public as Georgia law requires. This guide explains how to search for divorce cases, request certified copies of decrees, and use both local and statewide resources to access the records you need.

Where to Get Tattnall County Divorce Records

The Tattnall County Superior Court Clerk in Reidsville is the keeper of all divorce records filed in the county. The office at 108 Brazell Street handles civil and domestic filings including divorce cases, which are part of the domestic relations docket. Staff can assist with record searches, copy requests, and case status inquiries during regular business hours.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 treats divorce records as public documents. Anyone can request access to a divorce file in Tattnall County unless a judge has sealed it. Sealing orders are issued only in specific circumstances and are not the norm. If you are unsure whether a case is sealed, the clerk can confirm when you call or visit.

Reidsville is the county seat of Tattnall County in southeast Georgia. The courthouse on Brazell Street is in the downtown area and is accessible during regular weekday hours. For records that are older or may be archived, calling ahead gives the clerk time to locate the file before your visit, which saves time for everyone.

The screenshot below is from the Tattnall County government website at tattnallcountyga.gov, which provides contact details and office information for the county's Superior Court Clerk.

The county website lists clerk contact details, office hours, and links to court-related resources for Tattnall County residents.

How to Search Tattnall Divorce Records Online

The GSCCCA statewide case index at gsccca.org includes Tattnall County divorce filings. Search by the name of either party to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic case information. The search is free and does not require registration. This is the first tool to use before contacting the clerk, since knowing the case number speeds up every subsequent step.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional court data from Georgia superior courts including Tattnall. The index results are generally current, though a few days may pass before a newly filed case appears. For older cases that were filed before digital indexing, the physical file at the clerk's office is the only source.

Mail requests are an option for people who cannot visit Reidsville in person. Write to the Tattnall County Superior Court Clerk at 108 Brazell Street and include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a return envelope. The clerk will confirm the fee and process the request once payment is received.

Note: Online indexes reflect what has been entered into the system. For the most recently filed cases, call the clerk directly to confirm whether the case is yet indexed.

Tattnall County Divorce Filing Process

All Georgia divorces are handled by the Superior Court. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 gives the Superior Court exclusive jurisdiction over divorce in the state. In Tattnall County, the Superior Court in Reidsville is the only court that can grant a divorce for cases originating here.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, you generally file in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives in Tattnall County, file here. If both parties live in Reidsville or elsewhere in the county, the Tattnall courthouse is where you start the process. When the defendant has left Georgia, you may file where you, the plaintiff, live.

Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period after service of process before a divorce can be finalized. In an uncontested case where the parties agree on all terms, this is often the only significant delay. Contested matters take longer. The court schedules hearings when there are disputes over property, children, or spousal support, and those cases can stretch over months depending on the issues involved.

The grounds for divorce in Georgia are set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Irreconcilable differences is the most commonly used no-fault ground. Fault-based grounds like adultery or willful desertion are available but require additional proof. Once the judge enters the final decree, it is filed with the Tattnall clerk and becomes part of the permanent public record.

Fees for Tattnall County Divorce Records

The Tattnall County clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies, which carry the court seal and clerk's signature, cost more than plain copies. Most agencies and institutions require a certified copy. Plain copies work for personal reference but are not accepted for legal or government purposes where certification is required.

Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides $10 divorce verifications for cases finalized between 1952 and 1996. This service confirms the divorce occurred but does not include the decree itself. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, county clerks report monthly to DPH for all completed divorces. That monthly reporting is how the state database was built and continues to be updated.

Call (912) 557-6716 to confirm the current fee schedule before you visit or send payment. Accepted payment methods can vary by courthouse, so confirming in advance prevents any issues at the time of your request.

Legal Resources in Tattnall County

Georgia Legal Aid serves residents of Tattnall County and surrounding southeast Georgia communities. They offer free and low-cost civil legal help to income-qualifying residents, including assistance with uncontested divorces, custody, and domestic matters. Information and online intake is at georgialegalaid.org.

Free, court-approved divorce forms for uncontested cases are available through the Georgia E-Forms project at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These forms include the petition, the settlement agreement, and the final order. They are accepted by clerks in all Georgia counties including Tattnall and are updated by the state court system. For cases where both parties agree, self-filing with these forms is a practical and affordable option.

The Georgia State Bar's lawyer referral service connects you with a licensed attorney in the region for a reduced-fee consultation. Attorneys in the Toombs Judicial Circuit, which includes Tattnall County, handle domestic cases and are familiar with the local courthouse practices. Even a brief consultation can clarify your rights and options before you file.

Divorce Decrees vs. State Certificates

A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It includes all terms of the divorce. A certificate or verification is a shorter official record confirming only that the divorce occurred. Georgia uses a DPH verification system rather than issuing traditional divorce certificates.

For most purposes, you need a certified copy of the decree from the Tattnall County clerk. Government agencies, financial institutions, and legal proceedings typically require the full certified decree. DPH verifications are useful when you simply need to confirm a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996 and do not need the full document text.

If you do not know which county handled a divorce, the GSCCCA name search at gsccca.org can help you identify the right county. Once you have the county and case number, you can order a certified copy from that county's clerk.

Nearby Counties

Tattnall County is in southeast Georgia. Each neighboring county keeps divorce records through its own Superior Court Clerk.