Webster County Divorce Records

Webster County divorce records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Preston, one of Georgia's smallest and most rural county seats. This page covers how to find those records, how to search using statewide online tools, and how to request certified copies of divorce decrees from this southwest Georgia county.

Where to Get Webster County Divorce Records

The Webster County Superior Court Clerk at 6330 Hamilton Road in Preston holds all divorce records for cases filed in the county. Webster County has one of the smallest populations of any county in Georgia, which means the clerk's office is a very small operation. Staff handle all civil, domestic, and criminal filings for the entire county. Divorce records are part of the domestic docket and are available to the public upon request.

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 record in Webster County. If you are concerned a record might be sealed, call the clerk before making the trip to Preston.

Preston is a tiny community in southwest Georgia on Hamilton Road. The courthouse is the central government building for the county. Because Webster County is so small, it is especially important to call ahead before visiting. Staff may be limited on certain days, and older records may require advance notice to locate and retrieve. Mail requests are often the most practical option for this small courthouse.

The screenshot below is from the Georgia DPH Vital Records portal at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, which provides $10 divorce verifications for cases from 1952 through 1996 as a complement to what the county clerk holds.

DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred and its date but do not include the full decree. For the complete document, contact the Webster County clerk directly.

Note: For one of Georgia's smallest counties, phone or mail contact with the Webster County clerk is often more reliable than an unannounced in-person visit.

Searching Webster County Divorce Records Online

The GSCCCA statewide index at gsccca.org includes Webster County. You can search by party name at no cost to find case numbers, filing dates, and basic case information. For a county this small, the online search is especially useful as a first step before you commit to a visit or mail request. The system is free and requires no registration.

Georgia E-Access at georgiacourts.gov/eaccess-court-records/ provides additional case data for Georgia superior courts. Together, GSCCCA and E-Access cover most cases filed in the digital era. For older paper cases, the clerk's office is the only source, and a written request is needed. Allow extra time for responses from a small office like Webster County's.

Mail requests to 6330 Hamilton Road, Preston, GA 31824 should include both party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a return envelope. The clerk will respond with payment instructions and the fee amount.

Webster County Divorce Filing Process

Georgia's Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. In Webster County, the Superior Court in Preston is the only court that can grant a divorce. Probate and magistrate courts have no authority to issue divorce decrees in Georgia.

Venue under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires filing in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse is in Webster County, file in Preston. If your spouse has moved outside Georgia, you may be able to file in your own county. Small county courts sometimes share judges with neighboring counties, so the judge hearing your case may come from a different county in the circuit.

After service on the defendant, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can finalize the divorce. In uncontested cases, this is often the only real delay. Contested cases take longer and require hearings before the judge will sign the final decree.

Georgia divorce grounds are in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most people use irreconcilable differences, the no-fault ground. Fault grounds exist but are less often used. Once finalized, the decree is part of the Webster County clerk's permanent public records.

Fees for Webster County Divorce Record Copies

The Webster County clerk charges fees for certified and plain copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for legal and government uses. Plain copies are cheaper and for personal reference only. Call (229) 828-3525 before visiting to confirm the current fee, since small county offices can have variable availability.

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 Webster County clerk files monthly reports with DPH for all finalized divorces. DPH verifications confirm the divorce occurred but do not include the decree. For the full document, the Webster County clerk is your source.

Legal Resources for Webster County Residents

Georgia Legal Aid covers Webster County and offers free civil legal help to qualifying residents. Assistance is available for uncontested divorce filings and related domestic matters. Check eligibility at georgialegalaid.org. Income limits apply, and an intake interview is required.

Free official divorce forms for uncontested cases are available at eforms.georgiacourts.gov. These Georgia E-Forms are accepted by clerks throughout the state including Webster County. For people in a small rural county handling their own filing, these forms simplify the process. Instructions are included, but they are not a substitute for legal advice in contested or complicated cases.

The Georgia State Bar referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in the southwest Georgia region. Getting at least one consultation before filing is worthwhile even for seemingly simple cases, especially in a small county where court scheduling can be less predictable than in larger urban courthouses.

Divorce Decrees vs. Certificates

The decree is the complete court order. The DPH verification is a brief confirmation that the divorce happened. Most legal and government uses require the certified decree from the Webster County clerk. The DPH verification is useful only for confirming a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996 when the full text is not needed. For the decree, contact the Webster County Superior Court Clerk in Preston. If you need to find the county of filing first, use the GSCCCA name search at gsccca.org.

Nearby Counties

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