Access Union County Divorce Records

Union County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Blairsville and cover all divorce cases decided in this north Georgia mountain county. This guide explains where those records are kept, how to search online, how to request certified copies, and what state-level tools exist for verifying divorce information.

Where to Get Union County Divorce Records

The Union County Superior Court Clerk at 1 Town Square in Blairsville is the official custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk's office handles civil and domestic filings, and divorce cases are part of the domestic relations docket. Staff can assist with record searches, copy requests, and basic questions about case availability during regular weekday hours. Union County has grown in recent years, and the clerk's office handles a moderately active docket for a mountain county.

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 require judicial action and are uncommon. Any person may request an open divorce record in Union County, whether or not they were a party to the case.

Blairsville is the county seat of Union County and is situated in the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia near the Tennessee and North Carolina borders. The courthouse at 1 Town Square is in the center of town. Parking is available in the public square area. For older records, calling ahead helps ensure the file is accessible before your visit.

The image below is from the Union County government website at unioncountyga.gov, which provides courthouse contact details and general information for residents and record seekers.

The Union County website lists courthouse hours, contact numbers for the clerk's office, and links to other county resources.

Searching Union County Divorce Cases Online

The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org indexes Union County divorce filings. Search by party name for free to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic case information. The search requires no registration and is available any time. It is the best starting point before you contact the clerk or visit the Blairsville courthouse.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional case data from Georgia superior courts statewide. Together, GSCCCA and E-Access give solid coverage for Union County cases filed in recent decades. For older paper files that predate digital indexing, a direct request to the clerk's office is needed.

Mail requests to the Union County clerk at 1 Town Square should include both party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will confirm the fee and process your request once payment is received. Response times are typically within a few business days for standard requests.

Note: GSCCCA may lag a few days behind actual courthouse filings. For very recent cases, call (706) 439-6022 to confirm status with the clerk directly.

Union County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia's Superior Court has exclusive authority over divorce cases in the state under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. In Union County, the Superior Court in Blairsville handles all divorce filings. No lower court has authority to grant a divorce in Georgia.

Venue under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 is generally based on where the defendant lives. If your spouse is in Union County, file in Blairsville. If your spouse has moved outside Georgia, you may have the option to file in your own county of residence. Verifying venue before you file prevents delays caused by having the case transferred to the correct county.

After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can finalize the divorce. Uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms can move quickly once that period ends. Contested matters take longer. Disputes over property, custody, or support require hearings, and the case will not be finalized until those disputes are resolved before the judge.

Georgia divorce grounds are in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences is used in most cases. Fault grounds exist but require proof and are less often used in modern practice. Once the judge signs the final decree and it is filed with the Union County clerk, it becomes part of the permanent public record.

Fees for Union County Divorce Records

The Union County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies of divorce records. Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk's signature and are required for most legal and government purposes. Plain copies cost less but serve only personal reference. Call (706) 439-6022 to confirm the current fee before visiting or sending payment.

Georgia DPH provides $10 divorce verifications for cases from 1952 to 1996 at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, county clerks send monthly divorce reports to DPH, which is how the state database is maintained. DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred but do not include the full decree. For the complete document, the Union County clerk is your source.

Legal Resources in Union County

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

Free, court-approved divorce forms for uncontested cases are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov through the Georgia E-Forms project. These forms include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order and are accepted by the Union County clerk. For straightforward cases where both parties agree on all terms, these forms provide a practical self-filing option.

The Georgia State Bar's lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in the north Georgia region. Attorneys familiar with Union County's court practices can advise on both contested and uncontested matters. Even a single consultation can clarify your legal position before you file or respond to a divorce filing in the county.

Divorce Decrees and 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 uses, the certified decree from the Union County clerk is what government agencies and institutions require. DPH verifications cover 1952 to 1996 and work only when you need basic confirmation without the full document text.

For the full decree, contact the Union County Superior Court Clerk in Blairsville. If you are unsure which county holds a record, use the GSCCCA name search at gsccca.org to identify the filing county before you order a copy.

Nearby Counties

Union County is in the north Georgia mountains. Each neighboring county maintains divorce records at its own Superior Court Clerk office.