Martinez Divorce Decree Search

Martinez divorce decree records are held by the Columbia County Superior Court, which processes all divorce filings for Martinez residents and the rest of Columbia County. If you need to locate, view, or obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree tied to a Martinez case, this page covers where to go, what the records include, how state law applies, and what resources are available to help you.

Columbia County Superior Court: Where to Get Martinez Divorce Records

Martinez is part of Columbia County, and that means all divorce cases involving Martinez residents are handled by the Columbia County Superior Court. The courthouse is located in Evans, the county seat just adjacent to Martinez, at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official records. You can reach the clerk at (706) 312-7342. The county's official website is columbiacountyga.gov.

To access a divorce decree, you can visit the clerk's office in person during business hours. Bring a photo ID and whatever case information you have. The names of both parties and the year the divorce was granted will help staff locate the right file quickly. If you need a certified copy, the clerk can tell you the current fee when you contact the office. Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal and identification purposes.

For those who can't make it to Evans in person, calling the clerk's office to ask about mail-in request options is a good first step. Georgia clerks vary in how they handle mailed requests, so it's worth confirming the process before you send anything.

The Columbia County government website screenshot below shows the official county portal where Martinez residents can find clerk contact details and access information for divorce decree records.

The site lists the clerk's office address, phone number, and links to court-related resources for Columbia County residents.

What a Martinez Divorce Case File Includes

The divorce decree is the court's final order in a case. It sets out the judge's rulings on property division, debts, spousal support, and, if children are involved, custody and child support. The decree is the definitive legal document that ends the marriage and records the terms of the settlement or trial outcome.

The full case file stored at the Columbia County clerk's office typically includes the original petition for divorce, the respondent's answer, any temporary orders the judge issued while the case was pending, financial affidavits, and any settlement agreement the parties signed. All of these documents are part of the public court record. Anyone can request access to them unless a judge has sealed specific portions.

Some records are restricted. Information about minor children, certain financial details, or domestic violence-related filings may be sealed. If you search for a record and can't find a document you expected, ask the clerk about whether any section of the file has a restriction.

Note: A divorce decree is a different document from a divorce certificate issued by the state health department. The decree is the full court order with all case terms. A certificate just confirms the divorce happened and is issued for summary identification purposes only.

Georgia Divorce Law as It Applies to Martinez

Georgia Superior Courts have sole authority to grant divorces under OCGA 19-5-1. No other court in the state can do it. That's why every Martinez divorce is handled by the Columbia County Superior Court, regardless of the complexity of the case.

The residency requirement under OCGA 19-5-2 says at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. For Martinez residents, that means six months of continuous residence in the state. If both spouses meet that standard, either one can file, and they can choose the county where either of them lives.

Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, which states the marriage is irretrievably broken, is used most often. It's the easiest to prove because neither party needs to show wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery or cruel treatment are available and can influence the outcome on alimony, though they require more evidence.

After the respondent receives the divorce petition, Georgia law requires at least a 30-day wait before the court can grant a final decree. Contested cases take longer, sometimes much longer. The petition must be in writing and signed under oath per OCGA 19-5-5. These rules apply to every Martinez divorce case filed in Columbia County.

State Vital Records and Older Martinez Divorce Cases

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorces granted from 1952 through 1996. If you're trying to verify an older Martinez divorce and aren't sure of the case details, the DPH index can confirm whether a divorce was granted and in which county. But DPH does not issue certified copies of decrees. Those come only from the Superior Court clerk where the case was filed.

You can reach DPH Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or by phone at (404) 657-2700. Their website is dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH notes that "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 post-1996 divorces, go straight to the Columbia County clerk.

The Georgia.gov vital records page screenshot below shows the state's portal for requesting divorce verification and other vital record searches for the Martinez area.

The page provides guidance on how to submit requests for statewide vital records, including divorce verifications for the 1952 to 1996 period.

Open Records Access for Martinez Divorce Decrees

Under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70, most court records are public. Divorce decrees filed in Columbia County are public records, and any person can request access to them through the Superior Court clerk. You don't need a special reason or a legal relationship to the case to request a copy.

Courts can seal specific records in limited situations. Portions of files that contain details about minor children or that involve sensitive protective matters may be restricted. Even in those cases, the existence of the divorce case and the parties' names are generally visible in the public index. If something you're looking for isn't there, ask the clerk what's available.

Georgia Courts provides self-help resources and court information at georgiacourts.gov. Divorce forms are available at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These materials can help you understand the types of documents you might find in a typical Columbia County divorce case file.

Legal Help for Martinez Divorce Cases

Several organizations can help Martinez residents with divorce-related legal questions. Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org assists low-income individuals with family law matters across Georgia, including in Columbia County. If you qualify for their services, they can help with filings, forms, and legal questions.

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org offers a statewide directory of legal help resources. The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org has a referral service for those who want to connect with a private attorney. Family law attorneys in the Augusta-Columbia County area often offer initial consultations to help you understand your options before committing to full representation.

Nearby Cities