Find Divorce Decree Records in Cartersville
Cartersville divorce decree records are filed and stored at the Bartow County Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over all divorce cases in Cartersville and throughout Bartow County. If you need to find a divorce decree, request a certified copy, or check whether a divorce was finalized in a Cartersville case, this guide covers where to go, what the records contain, how Georgia law governs the process, and what help is available.
Cartersville Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Bartow County Superior Court: Cartersville Divorce Records
Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County, and the Bartow County Superior Court is located right in town at 135 W. Cherokee Avenue, Suite 243, Cartersville, GA 30120. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all divorce case files and handles record requests. You can call the clerk at (770) 387-5025. The county's official website is at bartowcountyga.gov, where you'll find contact information and office details.
Since the courthouse is in Cartersville itself, in-person visits are easy for local residents. Bring a valid photo ID and as much case information as you can. The names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized will help staff locate the right file quickly. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available for a fee and carry the court's official seal. Call the clerk to confirm the current fee before your visit.
For those who prefer not to visit in person, call the office to ask about submitting a record request by mail. You'll need to provide case details in writing and include payment for any applicable fees. The clerk can walk you through the process when you call.
The Georgia Courts website screenshot below shows the statewide court information portal, which includes resources for Cartersville and Bartow County divorce cases and filings.
The site provides procedural information, links to self-help resources, and general guidance on how divorce cases are handled in Georgia Superior Courts like the one in Cartersville.
What Cartersville Divorce Decree Files Contain
A divorce decree is the court's final written order in a divorce case. It legally dissolves the marriage and sets out every term that was decided, either by the judge after a trial or by agreement of the parties. For a Cartersville case handled in Bartow County, the decree will address property division, any marital debt responsibilities, alimony if applicable, and, for cases involving children, custody arrangements, a parenting plan, and child support.
The full case file at the Bartow County clerk's office contains more than just the final decree. It includes the original petition for divorce, the other party's answer, any temporary orders entered during the case, financial disclosure forms from both spouses, and the written settlement agreement if the matter was resolved without going to trial. All of those documents are public court records held by Bartow County.
Courts can seal specific portions of a file. Records with personal details about minor children or sensitive protective matters may be restricted by a judge's order. If you search for a document and can't find it, check with the clerk about whether any part of the file is under restriction.
Note: The divorce decree issued by the Bartow County Superior Court is different from a state divorce certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The decree is the full court order with all the case terms. A DPH certificate is a brief administrative record used for identification purposes and is not a substitute for the actual decree.
Georgia Divorce Law for Cartersville Cases
Georgia's Superior Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over divorce under OCGA 19-5-1. That means every Cartersville divorce is processed and finalized by the Bartow County Superior Court. No other local court has the authority to grant a divorce in Georgia.
Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six consecutive months before filing a divorce petition. For Cartersville residents, that means six months of continuous Georgia residency. If both spouses meet that standard, either can file. They choose the county where either of them resides, which for Cartersville residents typically means Bartow County.
Georgia law provides 13 grounds for divorce in OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, which states the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most widely used option in Bartow County cases. It doesn't require proof of any wrongdoing and tends to make the process less adversarial. Fault grounds like adultery, desertion, or cruel treatment are available and can influence alimony outcomes, but they require evidence and add complexity.
After the respondent is served with divorce papers, Georgia requires a minimum 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. Contested cases take longer, sometimes considerably so. The petition must be in writing and signed under oath, per OCGA 19-5-5. All of these rules apply uniformly to every Cartersville divorce case filed in Bartow County.
Georgia DPH Vital Records and Older Cartersville Divorces
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorces granted from 1952 through 1996. If you're looking for an older Cartersville divorce and don't have the exact case details, the DPH index can help confirm that a divorce occurred and identify the county that handled it. But DPH can't give you a copy of the actual decree. You still need to contact the Bartow County clerk for the full case file and certified copies.
DPH Vital Records is located at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call them at (404) 657-2700 or visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH is straightforward about what it can provide: "Although the department can confirm divorces, copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted." For any divorce filed after 1996, contact the Bartow County clerk directly.
The Georgia DPH vital records page screenshot below shows the state's portal for submitting verification requests for older Cartersville area divorces from the 1952 to 1996 period.
The site outlines the types of vital records available and how to submit a request to the Georgia Department of Public Health for a statewide divorce record verification.
Note: For divorces granted before 1952 or after 1996, the DPH index does not apply. Contact the Bartow County Superior Court clerk directly for all records outside that period.
Public Access to Cartersville Divorce Records
Divorce decrees filed in Bartow County are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can request access to a court file through the Bartow County Superior Court clerk. No special standing or legal interest is needed to view or copy these records.
Courts can seal specific portions of a file. Records involving minor children's personal details or domestic violence matters may be restricted. Even when sections are sealed, the case name and basic index information are typically visible in the public record. If a search turns up nothing where you expected to find something, ask the clerk what parts of the file are accessible.
Georgia Courts offers self-help resources and general court information at georgiacourts.gov. Divorce forms for Georgia Superior Court cases are at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These forms help you understand what documents are typically part of a Bartow County divorce case file.
Legal Help for Cartersville Divorce Matters
Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides free legal help for low-income residents in Bartow County, including assistance with family law matters and divorce cases. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has a directory of legal resources searchable by county across the state.
The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org runs a lawyer referral service for those who want to hire a private family law attorney. Many attorneys in the Bartow County area and the broader north Georgia region offer free or reduced-cost initial consultations. For simple uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on all terms, using the Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms without an attorney is a realistic and commonly used approach.