Search Pooler Divorce Decree Records

Pooler divorce decree records are handled by the Chatham County Superior Court, which serves as the court of record for all divorce cases in Pooler and throughout Chatham County. If you're trying to find a divorce decree filed for a Pooler case, need a certified copy, or want to verify a past divorce, this guide covers where to go, what the records contain, the Georgia laws that govern the process, and what help is available to you.

Chatham County Superior Court: Pooler Divorce Record Access

Pooler is in Chatham County, so all divorce cases filed by Pooler residents are processed and stored at the Chatham County Superior Court. The courthouse is located in Savannah, the county seat, at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401. The Clerk of Superior Court, Tammie Mosley, maintains all official court records including divorce decrees. You can reach the clerk by phone at (912) 652-7200. The official website is superiorcourtclerk.chathamcountyga.gov.

Chatham County's clerk scans and electronically stores all court documents, and many records are accessible online through the clerk's website. This means you may be able to view or request records without traveling to Savannah in person. Check the clerk's website for the current online search and request options. For certified copies, there are fees that the clerk can confirm when you contact the office.

Civil filing fees in Chatham County increased $4.00 effective July 1, 2024. For in-person visits, bring a photo ID and any case information you have, such as the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. That makes it much faster to locate the right file in the court's case index.

The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court website below shows the official portal for Pooler residents searching for divorce decree records and requesting certified copies online.

The site provides case search access, information about online record requests, and clerk contact details for Chatham County divorce cases.

What a Pooler Divorce Decree File Contains

A divorce decree is the court's final ruling on all issues in the case. It's the document that ends the marriage under Georgia law and sets out every term the parties must follow going forward. For Pooler cases filed in Chatham County, the decree will address property division, any allocation of marital debt, whether alimony is ordered, and, for cases involving children, the custody arrangement, parenting plan, and child support terms.

The full case file the clerk maintains includes more than the decree. It has the original petition for divorce, the other party's answer, any temporary orders entered while the case was active, financial affidavits or disclosure forms, and any written settlement agreement the parties signed before or during trial. These documents together make up the public court record for the case.

Some portions of a case file can be sealed. Records involving specific details about minor children or domestic violence matters are the most common candidates for restriction. If a document you're looking for isn't accessible, ask the clerk's office whether any part of the file carries a court-imposed restriction.

Note: The divorce decree from the Chatham County Superior Court is not the same as a DPH divorce certificate. The decree is the complete court order. A state certificate is a brief administrative document used for identification and not a substitute for the full case record.

Georgia Divorce Law for Pooler Residents

Georgia's Superior Courts hold exclusive divorce jurisdiction under OCGA 19-5-1. That applies everywhere in the state, including Pooler. The Chatham County Superior Court is the only court that can grant a divorce for a Pooler resident.

Before filing, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months. This is the requirement set out in OCGA 19-5-2. If both spouses are Georgia residents, either can file, choosing the county where either of them lives. For Pooler residents, that means filing in Chatham County.

Georgia law recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault option, "irretrievably broken," is by far the most common. It's simpler to prove and doesn't require either party to make allegations against the other. Fault grounds exist for situations involving adultery, cruelty, or other specified circumstances, and they can affect alimony outcomes.

Once the respondent receives the divorce petition, Georgia law imposes a minimum 30-day wait before the court can enter a final decree. Most disputed cases take much longer. The petition must be written and signed under oath per OCGA 19-5-5. These rules apply to every Chatham County case, including those filed by Pooler residents.

Georgia DPH Vital Records and Older Pooler Divorces

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds a statewide index of divorces granted from 1952 through 1996. If you're trying to verify an older Pooler-area divorce and aren't sure of the county or case details, DPH can confirm the divorce occurred and identify the county of filing. However, DPH cannot give you a copy of the actual decree. That must come from the Chatham County Superior Court clerk.

DPH Vital Records is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call them at (404) 657-2700 or visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH is clear on this point: "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 divorces filed after 1996, contact the Chatham County clerk directly.

The Georgia DPH vital records request page screenshot below shows the portal for submitting divorce verification requests for the Pooler area covering the pre-1997 period.

The page outlines the types of vital records available and the steps for submitting a request by mail or online to the Georgia DPH.

Note: DPH records cover only the 1952 to 1996 period. For any divorce granted before 1952 or after 1996, the Chatham County Superior Court clerk is the only source.

Open Records Access for Pooler Divorce Decrees

Chatham County divorce decrees are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can access or request copies of divorce case records through the Chatham County Superior Court clerk. You don't need to be a party to the case or have a special reason to request access.

Courts can seal specific parts of a case file in limited circumstances. Portions involving minor children's personal information or protective matters may be restricted by court order. Even when records are partially sealed, the case name and index information are typically available to the public. If you can't find what you're looking for, check with the clerk about what's accessible.

Georgia Courts provides self-help resources and court information at georgiacourts.gov. Divorce forms for Georgia Superior Court cases are available at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These forms give you a clear sense of what types of documents you might encounter in a Chatham County divorce case file.

Legal Help for Pooler Residents

If you need legal assistance with a divorce in Pooler, Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org offers free help for low-income residents in Chatham County. They handle family law matters and can assist with divorce filings, forms, and procedure questions. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has a searchable directory of resources organized by county.

The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org runs a lawyer referral service for those who want to hire a private attorney. Family law attorneys in the Savannah and Chatham County area often offer free initial consultations to help you assess your situation. For straightforward uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms, using the self-help forms from Georgia Courts to handle the case yourself is a viable and common option.

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