Lawrenceville Divorce Decree Records
Lawrenceville divorce decree records are maintained at the Gwinnett County Superior Court, which is located right in Lawrenceville, the county seat of Gwinnett County. If you're searching for a divorce decree filed in Lawrenceville, want a certified copy for legal purposes, or just need to confirm a divorce happened, this guide covers exactly where to go, what the records contain, and how Georgia law applies.
Lawrenceville Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Gwinnett County Superior Court: Lawrenceville Divorce Records
The Gwinnett County Superior Court is both the filing court and the records keeper for all Lawrenceville divorce cases. The courthouse is at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, which is convenient for Lawrenceville residents who need to visit in person. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all case files and handles record requests. Reach the clerk by phone at (770) 822-8100. Their official website is gwinnettcourt.org.
You can submit record requests by mail if you prefer not to come in person. Send written requests to PO Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-0880. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and any case number you have. Include payment for any fees that apply. Gwinnett County accepts mail-in requests, though the turnaround time is longer than a walk-in visit.
For in-person searches, bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you search the case index and locate the right file. If you need a certified copy, ask about the current fee when you contact the office.
The Gwinnett County Superior Court divorce records page below is the official court portal for searching divorce cases filed in Lawrenceville and throughout Gwinnett County.
The page provides access to case search tools and explains how to request certified copies of divorce decrees for Gwinnett County cases.
What Lawrenceville Divorce Decree Records Include
A divorce decree is the court's final order in the case. It's the document that legally dissolves the marriage and records every decision the judge made. For a Lawrenceville case, that will typically include how property and debts are divided, whether alimony is ordered and for how long, and if the couple has children, the custody arrangement, visitation schedule, and child support terms.
Beyond the decree itself, the Gwinnett County clerk keeps the entire case file. That includes the original petition for divorce, the response filed by the other party, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, financial disclosure forms from both sides, and any settlement agreement that resolved the case. Every one of those documents is a public court record.
Some records or portions of records may be sealed. Sections involving personal details about minor children or sensitive matters can be restricted by court order. If you're searching for a document that doesn't appear in the file, check with the clerk about whether any restriction applies.
Note: A divorce decree from the court is a different document from a Georgia divorce certificate issued by the state's Department of Public Health. The decree is the full court order. A certificate is a short administrative summary used for identification purposes.
Georgia Divorce Law and Lawrenceville Cases
All Georgia divorces fall under Superior Court jurisdiction per OCGA 19-5-1. No other court in Georgia has the authority to grant a divorce. Every Lawrenceville divorce case, no matter how simple, goes through the Gwinnett County Superior Court.
The residency requirement under OCGA 19-5-2 requires that at least one spouse have lived in Georgia for six months before the petition is filed. For Lawrenceville residents, that's six continuous months of residence in the state. Either spouse can file once that condition is met, and they file in the county where either one lives. Most Lawrenceville filers file right here in Gwinnett County.
Georgia law provides 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, irretrievably broken marriage, is far and away the most common in Gwinnett County. It doesn't require either party to prove misconduct and tends to keep the process simpler. Fault grounds exist too, including adultery, desertion, and cruelty, and they can factor into alimony decisions if raised.
Georgia law requires a waiting period of at least 30 days after the respondent is served before a judge can enter a final decree. Contested matters where spouses dispute property or custody take much longer. The original petition must be in writing and signed under oath under OCGA 19-5-5. These rules apply uniformly to every Lawrenceville divorce case.
The Georgia Courts website screenshot below shows the statewide court information portal used for Lawrenceville and all other Georgia divorce cases, including links to resources for Gwinnett County filers.
The site provides procedural guidance, court calendars, and links to self-help resources for those navigating the divorce process in Gwinnett County.
Public Access to Lawrenceville Divorce Records
Gwinnett County divorce decrees are public records under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can request access to a divorce case file through the Gwinnett County clerk. You don't need to be a party to the case or have a specific legal interest to view or obtain copies of the records.
Courts can seal specific portions of a case file. Records involving minor children's personal information or domestic violence matters are the most common candidates for restrictions. Even when parts of a file are sealed, the case index entry with the parties' names typically remains publicly visible.
Georgia Courts offers self-help materials and general court information at georgiacourts.gov. Divorce forms for use in Georgia Superior Courts are available at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These forms can help you understand what documents you're likely to find in a Gwinnett County divorce case file.
Legal Help for Lawrenceville Divorce Cases
Several resources serve Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County residents who need help with divorce matters. Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org assists low-income individuals with family law questions, including divorce filings and procedures. If you meet their income guidelines, their services are free.
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has a directory of resources searchable by county. The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org maintains a lawyer referral service for people who want to hire a private family law attorney. Many lawyers in the Gwinnett County area offer free or reduced-cost initial consultations. For uncontested cases where both sides agree on everything, representing yourself using Georgia Courts' divorce forms is a realistic and common choice.