Hinesville Divorce Decree Search
Hinesville divorce decree records are filed with the Liberty County Superior Court, which is located in Hinesville at 201 S. Main Street, making in-person requests easy for local residents. If you need to find a divorce decree tied to a Hinesville case, get a certified copy, or understand how the process works in Liberty County, this guide covers the key steps, what you will find in the records, how Georgia law applies, and where to turn for help.
Hinesville Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Liberty County Superior Court in Hinesville
The Liberty County Superior Court Clerk handles all divorce filings and records for Hinesville and the rest of Liberty County. The courthouse is at 201 S. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. You can call the clerk's office at (912) 876-3625, and the county website is at libertycountyga.com.
Because Hinesville is both the county seat of Liberty County and the largest city in the county, the courthouse is right in town. This makes in-person records requests straightforward. When you go, bring both parties' full names and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. A case number is helpful but not required. The clerk can locate files by name. Ask for a certified copy if you need the decree for any formal purpose. Plain copies are available at a lower cost but may not meet requirements in legal or government settings.
Hinesville has a significant military community tied to Fort Stewart nearby. Divorces involving active-duty military members can have some additional procedural considerations under federal law, including rules about service and default judgments. The Fayette County clerk's staff can answer basic questions about local procedures, and the legal assistance offices at Fort Stewart can provide guidance on military-specific issues. Note: Military legal assistance is free for service members and often covers family law matters including divorce.
The Georgia Courts website, shown below, is the statewide resource for court information and self-help materials for cases in Hinesville and Liberty County. Visit georgiacourts.gov for information about the Liberty County Superior Court and self-help divorce resources.
The screenshot shows the Georgia Courts website, which provides statewide court information and self-help resources applicable to Hinesville divorce decree cases and Liberty County filings.
What a Divorce Decree Covers
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It is signed by a Superior Court judge and filed with the Liberty County clerk. The decree names both parties, gives the date the divorce was granted, identifies the court, and lays out all the decisions the judge made in the case.
For cases with children, the decree addresses legal custody, physical custody, the parenting schedule, and child support. When spouses have property to divide, the decree describes who gets what: the home, vehicles, bank accounts, pensions, and debts. If alimony was awarded, the decree states the amount and terms. Everything in the decree is a binding court order once the judge signs it.
Beyond the final decree, the case file contains the petition that started the case, any agreements the parties reached, financial disclosures, and all interim orders. If you need a specific document from the file, you can request it separately. Ask the Liberty County clerk what documents are available and what each costs to copy in certified or plain form.
Georgia Divorce Law in Liberty County
Georgia's divorce law is in Title 19, Chapter 5 of the state code. Under OCGA 19-5-1, only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia. All Hinesville divorce cases go through the Liberty County Superior Court, regardless of how complex or simple the case is.
To file for divorce in Georgia, one spouse must have lived here for at least six months before filing. This comes from OCGA 19-5-2. Given that many Hinesville residents are active-duty military or recently relocated family members, this residency requirement can sometimes affect eligibility to file. People who have not yet been Georgia residents for six months may need to wait, though military members may have options related to their home state of record.
Georgia lists 13 grounds for divorce in OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault "irretrievably broken" ground is used in the vast majority of cases. A 30-day waiting period follows service of the divorce papers on the other party before the court can finalize things. The petition must be in writing and verified by the petitioner, as required by OCGA 19-5-5.
State DPH and Statewide Divorce Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide divorce index for cases from 1952 through 1996. If you need to verify a divorce from that period and are unsure which county filed it, the DPH index is a useful starting point. The DPH can confirm the county, but it does not provide copies of decrees. The department states that "copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted."
For Hinesville-area cases in that date range, DPH can confirm Liberty County as the filing county. After that, you contact the Liberty County clerk for the actual decree. The DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their records portal is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records page, shown below, is the resource for statewide divorce verification for the 1952-1996 index period. Go to dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords to find out how to submit a request for a Liberty County divorce verification.
The screenshot shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records main page, which serves as the entry point for confirming divorces recorded in the statewide index for Liberty County and other Georgia counties.
Public Records Access in Hinesville
Divorce decrees filed in Liberty County are public records under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can request them. You do not need to be one of the parties and do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk handles public records requests during business hours. Call ahead if you are making a mail request to confirm the current process and fee.
Some records are sealed. A judge can seal a file to protect sensitive information, particularly when minor children are involved or when a party has sought a confidentiality order. Sealed files are not publicly accessible. If you encounter a sealed file, you would need a court order to gain access. For most Liberty County divorce cases, the records are open and available. The clerk can confirm whether a specific case is sealed when you inquire.
Legal Help for Hinesville Residents
Several resources are available for Hinesville and Liberty County residents who need help with divorce or records matters. The Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents, including family law cases. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org offers free online guides and referrals.
Active-duty military members at Fort Stewart can use the installation's legal assistance office for free family law advice, including help with divorce filings. For civilians who want a private attorney, the State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org maintains a directory searchable by county and practice area. Standardized divorce forms for self-represented filers are free at georgiacourts.gov.