Toombs County Divorce Records

Toombs County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Lyons and are available to the public as Georgia law requires. This page explains how to search those records online, what to expect at the Lyons courthouse, how to get certified copies, and how the county Probate Court and Georgia DPH fit into the broader picture of domestic records in Toombs County.

Where to Get Toombs County Divorce Records

The Toombs County Superior Court Clerk at 100 Courthouse Square in Lyons is the official custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk's office handles civil and domestic filings including all divorce cases. Staff can assist with record searches, certified copy requests, and questions about the status of open cases during regular business hours.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes divorce records public unless a court order seals a specific file. Sealed cases are uncommon. Any person may request an open divorce record, whether or not they were a party to the case. Call ahead if you are unsure whether a file is sealed or archived off-site.

The Toombs County Probate Court also maintains records related to marriage in the county. If you need marriage records, the Probate Court can be reached at (912) 526-8696. Note that the Probate Court charges $10 per certified copy of marriage records. Birth and death certified copies, which the Probate Court also handles, cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record. These records are separate from divorce records, which remain with the Superior Court.

The image below comes from the Toombs County government website at toombscountyga.gov, which provides contact information for the courthouse offices in Lyons.

The county website lists contact details for both the Superior Court Clerk and other county offices, including hours and directions to the Lyons courthouse.

How to Search Toombs County Divorce Cases Online

The GSCCCA statewide case index at gsccca.org covers Toombs County. Search by party name at no cost to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic information. No account is required. The GSCCCA search is the most efficient starting point for any online research before you contact the clerk or make the drive to Lyons.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional case data from participating Georgia superior courts. The two systems together give solid coverage for recent Toombs County cases. For older paper files, the clerk's office is the only source and requires a direct request.

Mail requests are an option for those who cannot visit in person. Write to 100 Courthouse Square, Lyons, GA 30436, include party names and the approximate year of the divorce, and add a return envelope with postage. The clerk will send the fee information and process the request once payment arrives.

Note: GSCCCA indexes cases a few days after courthouse filing. Call the Superior Court directly at (912) 526-3501 for very recently filed cases that may not yet be in the online index.

Toombs County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia's Superior Court is the only court in the state with authority to grant a divorce. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 establishes this rule. In Toombs County, the Superior Court in Lyons handles all divorce filings. Probate courts and magistrate courts have no jurisdiction over divorce in Georgia.

Venue rules under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 require filing in the county where the defendant lives, with limited exceptions. If your spouse is in Toombs County, file here. If both parties live in Lyons or elsewhere in the county, this is the right courthouse. When the defendant has left Georgia, you may be able to file in the county where you reside instead.

After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final divorce decree. Uncontested cases can move relatively quickly once that window closes. Contested matters, where the parties dispute property, children, or support, take longer and require hearings before the judge.

Georgia divorce grounds are set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most cases use irreconcilable differences, the no-fault ground. Fault-based grounds remain available but are less commonly used. Once the judge signs the final decree, it is filed with the Toombs County clerk and is part of the permanent public record.

Fees for Toombs County Divorce Records

The Toombs County clerk sets fees for certified and plain copies of divorce records. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most legal purposes. Plain copies are less expensive and adequate for personal use only. Call (912) 526-3501 before visiting to confirm the current fee schedule.

Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords charges $10 for divorce verifications covering cases from 1952 to 1996. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, the Toombs County clerk sends monthly divorce reports to DPH. This is how the state database was built and how it stays current. DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred and its basic facts but do not provide the full decree text. For the complete document, contact the Toombs County Superior Court Clerk.

Legal Resources in Toombs County

Georgia Legal Aid serves Toombs County and surrounding southeast Georgia communities. Qualifying residents can receive free or low-cost civil legal assistance including help with uncontested divorce filings, custody, and domestic legal matters. Check eligibility at georgialegalaid.org.

Free official forms for uncontested divorces are available through Georgia E-Forms at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order template. They are accepted by clerks throughout Georgia including Toombs County. Instructions are included and these forms work well for cases where both parties agree on all terms.

The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in the region. Attorneys familiar with the Toombs Judicial Circuit handle domestic cases across southeast Georgia. For contested matters involving property, children, or alimony, professional legal help is worth the investment. Even a single consultation can clarify issues and prevent costly procedural errors.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates

The divorce decree is the full court order with all the terms the judge approved. The DPH verification is a short letter confirming the divorce occurred. For most purposes, the certified copy of the decree from the Toombs County clerk is what you need.

DPH verifications are useful for confirming a divorce happened between 1952 and 1996 when the full decree is not needed. Outside that window or when the actual terms matter, contact the county clerk. The GSCCCA statewide search at gsccca.org can identify the right county if you are unsure where a divorce was filed.

Nearby Counties

Toombs County is in southeast Georgia. Each neighboring county maintains divorce records at its own Superior Court Clerk office.