Mableton Divorce Decree Records

Mableton divorce decree records are held by the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk in Marietta, Georgia, which has jurisdiction over all divorce cases filed in Mableton and throughout Cobb County. This guide covers how to find and obtain a Mableton divorce decree, what the records contain, how Georgia law applies to Cobb County cases, and where to get help if you need it.

Cobb County Superior Court Clerk: Mableton Divorce Decree Access

All Mableton divorce decrees are filed and maintained by the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk. The clerk's office is at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. Phone: (770) 528-1300. Their official website is cobbsuperiorcourtclerk.com.

Mableton incorporated as a city in 2022, making it one of Georgia's newest cities. Before incorporation, the area was an unincorporated community in Cobb County. But for divorce records, the change in city status doesn't matter. All divorce cases for Mableton residents have always been filed in Cobb County Superior Court, and they continue to be. Whether the case predates or postdates the city's incorporation, the Cobb County clerk in Marietta is where the records are stored.

To request records, call the clerk's office or visit in person during business hours. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number is helpful but not always necessary. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are required for most official submissions. Plain copies cost less if you only need the content. The clerk can confirm current fees when you contact them.

Marietta is about 10 to 15 miles from Mableton depending on the route. It's a manageable drive, and visiting in person is often the fastest way to search records and get a same-day copy if the record is available digitally.

Note: For divorces between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia DPH at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can confirm a divorce occurred. But the full decree stays with the Cobb County clerk.

The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk website is the official source for Mableton divorce decree records and case search information.

The Cobb County Clerk's website covers records access, filing information, and contact details for Mableton divorce decree requests at the Marietta courthouse.

What Mableton Divorce Decrees Contain

A divorce decree is the final court order that dissolves a marriage. It's a binding legal document, not simply a notification. The terms in a decree can be enforced in Cobb County Superior Court, and failing to follow them can have legal consequences.

Most Mableton divorce decrees include the full names of both spouses, the date the divorce was granted, the legal grounds, child custody and visitation arrangements if children were involved, child support amounts and payment schedules, alimony or spousal support terms if awarded, a division of marital property and debts, and court-ordered name changes if requested. Settlement agreements that the parties negotiated before the hearing are commonly incorporated into the decree.

A short divorce certificate from the state confirms the divorce happened. It works for administrative tasks like updating a driver's license or applying for a new marriage license. But if you need to prove custody rights, enforce a support order, or show a court or financial institution what the specific terms were, the full decree from the Cobb County clerk is what you'll need. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are the standard for official submissions.

If the case was modified after the original decree, such as a child support change or a custody modification, those orders are filed separately under the same case number. Ask the clerk for all filings in the case if you need the complete and current picture.

Georgia Divorce Law and Mableton Cases

Georgia state law governs every Mableton divorce. Under OCGA 19-5-1, the Superior Court has exclusive authority over divorces in Georgia. The Cobb County Superior Court holds that authority for Mableton. No city court, magistrate, or other local body can grant a divorce decree.

At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing, per OCGA 19-5-2. Once the petition is filed and served on the other party, a 30-day waiting period begins. The court can't issue a final decree until that period ends. After 30 days, an uncontested case with full agreement between the parties can typically move to a final hearing quickly. Contested cases depend on what issues are disputed.

Georgia lists 13 grounds for divorce in OCGA 19-5-3. The most common is "irretrievably broken," the no-fault ground. Most Mableton divorces are filed this way. The petition must be a written document verified under oath by the person filing, per OCGA 19-5-5.

Georgia Courts provides statewide court information and divorce forms applicable to Mableton cases handled in Cobb County Superior Court.

Georgia Courts provides system-wide information on Superior Court jurisdiction and divorce procedures, all of which apply directly to Mableton cases in Cobb County.

Public Access to Mableton Divorce Records

Divorce decrees in Cobb County are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any member of the public can request a non-sealed Mableton divorce decree from the Cobb County clerk. You don't need to be a party to the case or provide a reason for the request. Georgia law gives broad access to court records.

Sealed records are the exception. A judge can seal a file when it contains information that warrants protection, such as sensitive details about children or financial accounts. If a file is sealed, the clerk will tell you. Accessing sealed records requires court authorization. Most Mableton divorce cases are not sealed.

For older divorces (1952 to 1996), the Georgia DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce occurred. As the department explains, full copies of records are held by the county clerk where the divorce was granted. For Mableton cases, that's Cobb County.

Legal Help for Mableton Residents

If you need legal help with a Mableton divorce matter, Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides free assistance to qualifying individuals. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has online guides on divorce and family law written in plain language. Both are useful first steps if you're not sure what you need.

The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org has a referral service to find private family law attorneys in the Cobb County area. The Marietta and Smyrna areas have several family law practices close to Mableton. Official divorce forms are at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These are the forms Cobb County Superior Court uses. Use the current versions and make sure all required fields are complete before filing.

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