Taylor County Divorce Records

Taylor County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Butler and are open to the public under Georgia law. This page covers how to search those records online, request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and use state resources to verify divorces for cases spanning many decades.

Where to Get Taylor County Divorce Records

The Taylor County Superior Court Clerk at 2 North Broad Street in Butler is where all divorce records for the county are filed and kept. The clerk's office handles domestic, civil, and criminal filings. For divorce records, staff in the civil and domestic division handle requests, copy orders, and case status inquiries. This small courthouse serves a modest number of cases per year, so staff tend to be familiar with the files.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia divorce records are public by default. Sealed cases are the exception, not the rule, and require a specific court order. If you need to know whether a particular Taylor County case is sealed, call the clerk before visiting and they can confirm.

Butler is a small county seat in central Georgia. The courthouse on North Broad Street is in the downtown area and handles all county government functions. Parking is available along the street. For records from earlier decades that may be in storage, give the clerk advance notice to pull the file before your visit.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia GSCCCA records portal at gsccca.org, which indexes Taylor County divorce case data and lets you search by name at no cost.

The GSCCCA portal is updated regularly with new filings and is the most accessible free tool for searching Taylor County divorce case records online.

Searching Taylor County Divorce Cases Online

The GSCCCA index at gsccca.org is the primary free tool for searching Taylor County divorce cases online. Enter a party name to find case numbers, filing dates, and court information. The index covers cases in the digital era and is usually the fastest way to confirm whether a record exists before contacting the clerk.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides case data from Georgia superior courts statewide. Together with GSCCCA, these two resources give good coverage of modern filings. For older paper-only cases, the physical file at the Taylor County clerk's office is the only source. These require a direct request either in person or by mail.

Mail requests to the Taylor County clerk should include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a return envelope. The clerk will confirm the fee and provide the copies once payment is processed. Response times vary but are usually a few business days for straightforward requests.

Note: The GSCCCA search covers cases that have been indexed in the system. Very recent filings may not yet appear but can be confirmed by calling the clerk directly at (478) 862-5594.

Taylor County Divorce Filing Requirements

Georgia's Superior Court has sole authority to grant divorces in the state. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 establishes this. In Taylor County, all divorce cases go through the Superior Court in Butler. No other court, including the probate or magistrate court, can issue a divorce decree.

Venue is established by where the defendant lives. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 generally requires filing in the defendant's county of residence. If your spouse lives in Taylor County, you file in Butler. If your spouse has moved outside Georgia, you may have the option to file where you live instead.

A 30-day waiting period applies after the defendant is served. The court cannot enter a final decree until that period ends. Uncontested cases can move quickly once the 30 days pass. Contested cases involving property disagreements, child custody, or support disputes take longer and require judicial hearings before a final order is entered.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 provides for both no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences and fault-based grounds such as adultery or desertion. Most people file on no-fault grounds. Once the judge signs the final decree and it is filed with the Taylor County clerk, it is part of the permanent public record.

Fees for Taylor County Divorce Record Copies

The Taylor County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk's signature, which is required for most legal and government uses. Plain copies are less expensive and are adequate for personal reference.

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides $10 divorce verifications for cases from 1952 through 1996 at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, the Taylor County clerk files monthly divorce reports with DPH, which is how that database is built and maintained. The DPH verification confirms the divorce but does not include the full decree. For the complete document, contact the Taylor County clerk at (478) 862-5594 and ask about current fees before visiting or sending payment.

Legal Resources in Taylor County

Georgia Legal Aid serves Taylor County and surrounding central Georgia communities. Qualifying residents can get free or reduced-cost help with uncontested divorces and related civil matters. Check eligibility and apply at georgialegalaid.org.

The Georgia E-Forms project provides free divorce forms for uncontested cases at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These state-approved forms include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order template. They are accepted by clerks throughout Georgia including Taylor County. In a small county, using official forms reduces the likelihood of a filing rejection and simplifies the process for those handling their own case.

The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with a family law attorney serving the central Georgia region if your case involves contested issues or is more complex than a simple uncontested filing. Many attorneys offer flat-rate initial consultations that let you assess your situation before committing to full representation.

Note: The Taylor County clerk's staff can direct you to the right forms and answer procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice about how to handle your specific case.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates in Taylor County

Divorce decrees are the full court orders with all the terms of the divorce spelled out. Certificates, or verifications as Georgia calls them, are shorter records confirming only that the divorce happened. For most real-world uses, the certified decree is what you actually need.

DPH verifications cover 1952 to 1996 and cost $10 each. They are useful for confirming basic facts but do not contain property or custody terms. For any situation where you need the actual decree, get a certified copy from the Taylor County Superior Court Clerk. The GSCCCA search at gsccca.org can help you confirm the county of filing if you are not certain.

Nearby Counties

Taylor County is in central Georgia. Neighboring counties each maintain divorce records at their own Superior Court.