Towns County Divorce Records Lookup

Towns County divorce records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Hiawassee and cover all divorce cases filed in this north Georgia mountain county. This guide covers how to search those records online, how to request certified copies, and what state-level tools are available to verify older cases.

Where to Find Towns County Divorce Records

The Towns County Superior Court Clerk at 48 River Street in Hiawassee is the official keeper of all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk handles civil and domestic filings, and divorce cases are part of the domestic relations docket. Staff there can pull files, issue certified copies, and answer questions about what records are available in the system. Towns County is a smaller mountain county, so the office handles a more modest volume of cases than larger urban counties.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, divorce records are public in Georgia unless a judge orders a file sealed. Sealed cases require a specific court order and are not the standard outcome. Any member of the public may request an open divorce file, whether or not they were a party to the case.

Hiawassee is the county seat of Towns County in the north Georgia mountains near Lake Chatuge. The courthouse on River Street is in the center of town. Parking is available near the building. For records that may be in storage, calling ahead gives the clerk time to retrieve the file before you arrive. In a small county like Towns, staff are often able to help visitors quickly once the file is ready.

The image below is from the Georgia GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org, which provides free online access to Towns County divorce case information.

The GSCCCA portal lets you search by name for free and access case index information for Towns County and all other Georgia superior courts.

Searching Towns County Divorce Records Online

The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org indexes Towns County divorce filings as part of its statewide system. Search by party name at no cost to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic case details. No registration is required. Using this tool before contacting the clerk saves time and helps you arrive with the right information.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional statewide case data. Together, GSCCCA and E-Access give good coverage for cases filed in the digital era. For older paper cases, the clerk's office is the only source, and a mail request or in-person visit is required.

Mail requests to the Towns County clerk at 48 River Street should include both party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will reply with the fee amount and process the request once payment is received. Response times vary but are typically a few business days for uncomplicated requests.

Note: GSCCCA may lag a few days behind actual filings. For very recently filed cases, call the clerk at (706) 896-2130 to confirm status.

Towns County Divorce Filing Process

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia. The Towns County Superior Court in Hiawassee has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce cases filed in the county. Probate and magistrate courts have no authority to issue divorce decrees.

Venue is determined 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 Towns County, file in Hiawassee. If your spouse has moved outside Georgia, you may be able to file where you live instead. Verify venue before filing to avoid having the case transferred to another county, which adds time and cost.

After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can finalize the divorce. For uncontested cases, this is often the only real delay. Contested cases involving disagreements over property, custody, or support require hearings. The judge will not sign the final decree until all disputed issues are resolved.

Georgia divorce grounds under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 include no-fault and fault options. The no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences is used in most modern cases. Once finalized, the decree is filed with the Towns County clerk as a permanent public record.

Fees for Towns County Divorce Record Copies

The Towns County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for government and legal purposes. Plain copies are cheaper and suitable for personal reference only. Call (706) 896-2130 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting or sending payment.

Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides $10 divorce verifications for cases from 1952 to 1996. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, county clerks file monthly reports with DPH for all finalized divorces, which is how the state database stays current. The DPH verification confirms the divorce occurred and its date but does not include the full decree. For the complete document, contact the Towns County clerk directly.

Legal Resources in Towns County

Georgia Legal Aid serves the north Georgia mountain region including Towns County. Qualifying residents can get free or low-cost civil legal assistance with divorce filings, custody, and related family matters. Check eligibility and apply at georgialegalaid.org.

Free official divorce forms for uncontested cases are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov through the Georgia E-Forms project. These state-approved forms include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order. They are accepted by the Towns County clerk and simplify the process for straightforward uncontested divorces.

The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with an attorney in the northeast Georgia region who handles family law matters. Even in a small county like Towns, professional legal advice is available and worth pursuing for any contested issues or cases involving minor children. One consultation can prevent procedural mistakes that would delay your case.

Divorce Decrees and State Certificates

The decree is the full court order with all divorce terms. The DPH verification is a short letter confirming the divorce occurred. For most practical uses, the certified decree from the Towns County clerk is required. Government agencies, financial institutions, and courts typically require the full certified decree, not a verification letter.

Use the DPH verification only when you need to confirm a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996 and do not need the full document. For anything else, go to the county clerk. If you are unsure which county holds a record, the GSCCCA name search at gsccca.org can identify the right county at no cost.

Nearby Counties

Towns County is in the north Georgia mountains. Neighboring counties each maintain divorce records at their Superior Court Clerk offices.