Find Divorce Records in Upson County
Upson County divorce records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Thomaston and are open to the public under Georgia's Open Records Act. This page explains how to search those records online, how to request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and what the Georgia DPH and other state tools provide as supplementary access.
Upson County Quick Facts
Where to Get Upson County Divorce Records
The Upson County Superior Court Clerk at 116 East Main Street in Thomaston is the official source for divorce records filed in the county. The clerk's office handles civil and domestic filings. Divorce cases are on the domestic relations docket, and staff can assist with file searches, certified copy requests, and general questions about case status.
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes divorce records public by default. Sealed cases require a court order and are uncommon. Any person may request an open divorce file in Upson County. If you are uncertain about a specific case's status, call the clerk before visiting.
| Court | Upson County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 116 East Main Street, Thomaston, GA 30286 |
| Phone | (706) 647-7835 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | https://www.upsoncountyga.gov/ |
Thomaston is the county seat of Upson County in west-central Georgia. The courthouse on East Main Street is in the downtown area. Parking is available near the building. Walk-in service is available during weekday business hours. Have the names of both parties and the approximate year ready when you visit or call to help the clerk locate the file quickly.
The image below shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records site at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, which provides a $10 divorce verification service for cases from 1952 through 1996 as a complement to county clerk records.
DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred and its date but do not provide the full decree text. For the complete document, contact the Upson County clerk.
Searching Upson County Divorce Cases Online
The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org covers Upson County divorce filings. Search by name for free to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic information. No account is required. This is the most efficient online tool to use before calling or visiting the Thomaston clerk's office.
Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional court data from Georgia superior courts. Together, GSCCCA and E-Access give good coverage of Upson County cases filed in the digital era. For older paper records, a direct request to the clerk is needed.
Mail requests to the Upson County clerk at 116 East Main Street should include both party names, the approximate year, and a return envelope. The clerk confirms the fee and processes the request once payment arrives. Turnaround is typically a few business days for standard requests.
Note: GSCCCA indexes new cases a few days after they are filed at the courthouse. Call (706) 647-7835 for the most recently filed cases.
Upson County Divorce Filing Process
Georgia's Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. The Upson County Superior Court in Thomaston is the only court that can grant a divorce for cases filed in the county. Probate and magistrate courts cannot issue divorce decrees.
Venue rules under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 require filing in the county where the defendant lives in most situations. If your spouse is in Upson County, file in Thomaston. If your spouse has left Georgia, check on your options for filing in your own county of residence. Getting venue right from the start avoids having the case transferred.
After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can finalize the divorce. In uncontested matters, this waiting period is usually the only major delay. Contested cases with disputed property, children, or support require hearings, and the judge will not sign the final decree until those disputes are resolved.
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, Georgia allows both no-fault divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences and fault-based divorce. Most modern cases use the no-fault ground. Once the decree is signed and filed, it is a permanent public record with the Upson County clerk.
Fees for Upson County Divorce Records
The Upson County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most legal uses. Plain copies are cheaper but only for personal reference. Call (706) 647-7835 to confirm the current fee before you visit.
Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords provides $10 verifications for divorces from 1952 to 1996. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-22, county clerks file monthly reports with DPH for all finalized divorces. DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred but do not provide the decree. For the full document, the Upson County clerk is your source.
Legal Resources in Upson County
Georgia Legal Aid serves Upson County and provides free or low-cost civil legal help to qualifying residents. Services include assistance with uncontested divorces, custody, and related family law matters. Check eligibility and apply at georgialegalaid.org.
Free official forms for uncontested divorces are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These Georgia E-Forms include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order and are accepted by the Upson County clerk. Using official forms reduces the risk of a rejection and simplifies the filing process for straightforward cases.
The Georgia State Bar referral service can connect you with a family law attorney serving the Flint Judicial Circuit, which includes Upson County. For contested issues or cases involving minor children, professional guidance is worthwhile before you file. Many attorneys offer reduced-rate initial consultations that let you assess your situation without committing to full representation.
Divorce Decrees and Certificates
The decree is the complete court order with all terms the judge approved. The DPH verification is a brief confirmation that the divorce occurred. Most agencies require the certified decree. Use DPH verifications when you only need to confirm a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996 and do not need the full document. For the decree, contact the Upson County Superior Court Clerk in Thomaston. The GSCCCA search at gsccca.org can identify the correct county if you are unsure where a divorce was filed.
Nearby Counties
Upson County is in west-central Georgia. Each neighboring county maintains divorce records at its own Superior Court Clerk office.