Walton County Divorce Records

Walton County divorce records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Monroe and are available to the public under Georgia law. This page explains how to search those records online, how to request certified copies at the courthouse or by mail, and how both the GSCCCA and Georgia DPH tools provide access to divorce case information in Walton County.

Where to Get Walton County Divorce Records

The Walton County Superior Court Clerk at 303 South Hammond Drive in Monroe is the official source for divorce records filed in the county. Walton County has grown significantly as part of the Atlanta metro area, and the clerk's office handles a busy docket of civil and domestic cases including divorces. Staff can assist with record searches, certified copy requests, and questions about cases. The office at South Hammond Drive is well staffed and accessible during regular weekday business hours.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes divorce records publicly accessible. A court order is required to seal a file, and sealed cases are uncommon. Any person may request an open divorce record, whether or not they were a party. If you are concerned a specific file might be sealed, the clerk can confirm when you call.

Monroe is the county seat of Walton County and is located about 40 miles east of Atlanta. The courthouse on South Hammond Drive is in the town center. Parking is available near the building. With Walton County's growing population, the clerk's office sees a moderately high volume of domestic cases. Having the case number or party names ready when you visit or call helps speed up the process.

The image below is from the Walton County government website at waltoncountyga.gov, which provides contact details and courthouse information for the Superior Court Clerk's office in Monroe.

The Walton County website lists office hours, contact numbers, and general information about the clerk's services for residents seeking divorce records.

Searching Walton County Divorce Cases Online

Walton County participates in the GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org. The search is free and returns case numbers, filing dates, and party names. No registration is required. The online search capability is available for Walton County cases, making it a convenient tool before you contact the clerk's office. Starting with the GSCCCA search before you call or visit saves time because you arrive knowing the case number.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional court data for Georgia. For a growing county like Walton, both systems are regularly updated with new filings. For older paper cases from before the digital era, the clerk's office is the only source and a direct request is needed.

Mail requests to the Walton County clerk at 303 South Hammond Drive should include both party names, the approximate year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk confirms the fee and processes the request once payment arrives. For a busy clerk's office, response times may be slightly longer than in smaller counties but are generally within a week for standard requests.

Note: GSCCCA may lag a few days behind new courthouse filings. For very recent cases, call (770) 267-1300 to confirm status.

Walton County Divorce Filing Process

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1, only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia. In Walton County, the Superior Court in Monroe handles all divorce cases. Probate and magistrate courts have no authority to issue divorce decrees.

Venue rules under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 require filing in the county where the defendant lives in most circumstances. If your spouse is in Walton County, file in Monroe. If your spouse has moved outside Georgia, you may be able to file in the county where you reside instead. Confirming venue before you start the filing process prevents the case from being transferred later.

After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter the final decree. Uncontested cases where the parties agree on all terms can move relatively quickly after that. Contested matters involving property, custody, or support take longer and require hearings before the judge. Walton County's growing population means the court may have a busier docket, which can affect hearing scheduling for contested cases.

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

Fees for Walton County Divorce Records

The Walton County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies of divorce documents. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most legal and government uses. Plain copies are cheaper but serve only personal reference. Call (770) 267-1300 to confirm the current fee before visiting.

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

Legal Resources in Walton County

Georgia Legal Aid serves Walton County and the surrounding northeast Georgia region. Qualifying residents can receive free or low-cost civil legal assistance including help with uncontested divorce filings, custody matters, and other domestic issues. Check eligibility and apply at georgialegalaid.org.

Free official forms for uncontested divorces are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov through the Georgia E-Forms project. These forms include the petition, settlement agreement, and final order template. They are accepted by the Walton County clerk and reduce the risk of a filing rejection for improper paperwork. Instructions are included.

With Walton County's growth comes a growing number of family law attorneys in the Monroe area. The Georgia State Bar's referral service can connect you with one for a reduced-cost consultation. Attorneys familiar with the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, which includes Walton County, handle both contested and uncontested domestic cases and know the local court's procedures and scheduling expectations.

Divorce Decrees vs. State Certificates

The decree is the full court order signed by the judge, with all terms of the divorce. The DPH verification is a brief letter confirming the event. For most uses, the certified decree from the Walton County clerk is what agencies and institutions require. DPH verifications are useful only for confirming a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996 when the full document is not needed.

For any situation requiring the actual decree, contact the Walton County Superior Court Clerk at 303 South Hammond Drive in Monroe. If you need to find which county holds a record, the GSCCCA name search at gsccca.org lets you search all Georgia counties at once by party name at no cost.

Nearby Counties

Walton County is in northeast metro Georgia. Each neighboring county maintains divorce records at its own Superior Court Clerk office.