Redan Divorce Decree Court Records

Redan divorce decree records are filed and stored at the DeKalb County Superior Court, which is the court of record for all divorce cases involving Redan residents. If you need to locate a divorce decree tied to a Redan case, get a certified copy, or verify that a divorce was granted, this guide explains where the records are kept, what they contain, the Georgia laws that apply, and where to get legal help if you need it.

DeKalb County Superior Court: Redan Divorce Records

Redan is a community in DeKalb County, and all divorce cases for Redan residents go through the DeKalb County Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains every divorce decree and case file at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. You can reach the clerk by phone at (404) 371-2261. Their official website is dksuperiorclerk.com, where you'll find information on searching records and ordering certified copies.

DeKalb County offers an eCertification portal that allows you to order certified copies of divorce decrees online. This is a convenient option for Redan residents who can't make it to the Decatur courthouse during business hours. Visit the clerk's website to check current availability and any applicable fees. Certified copies are accepted for legal, financial, and government purposes and carry the court's official seal.

For in-person searches, bring a valid photo ID and know the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was granted. That information helps the clerk's staff quickly locate the right case in the county's index. Fees for copies vary, so call ahead if you want to know the exact amount before you go.

The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court website below shows the official portal for Redan residents searching divorce decree records and using the eCertification system for online copy requests.

The site includes access to case search tools, the online eCertification portal, and contact details for the DeKalb County clerk's office.

What Redan Divorce Decree Files Contain

A divorce decree is the court's final order in a divorce case. It legally dissolves the marriage and sets out the terms both parties are bound by. For a Redan case handled in DeKalb County, the decree will generally address property division, any marital debt allocation, alimony if ordered, and custody arrangements along with child support if the couple has children.

The full case file at the DeKalb County clerk's office typically includes the original divorce petition, the respondent's answer, any temporary orders issued while the case was pending, financial disclosure forms from both sides, and the final settlement agreement if the case was resolved without a trial. All of these documents are part of the public court record and can be accessed through the clerk.

Courts can seal specific portions of a file. Records involving minor children's personal information or sensitive protective matters may be restricted by court order. If you're searching for a particular document and it doesn't appear, ask the clerk whether any part of the case file has been sealed.

Note: A divorce decree from the Superior Court is separate from a Georgia divorce certificate issued by the Department of Public Health. The decree is the full court order with all case details. A DPH certificate is a brief summary document used for identification only.

Georgia Divorce Law as Applied in Redan

Under OCGA 19-5-1, Georgia's Superior Courts are the only courts in the state with authority to grant a divorce. No other court can do it. Every divorce case filed by a Redan resident is handled exclusively by the DeKalb County Superior Court.

Georgia's residency requirement, set out in OCGA 19-5-2, requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six continuous months before the petition is filed. For Redan residents, that means six months of Georgia residency. If both spouses meet that requirement, either can file, and they file in the county where either of them lives.

The state's 13 grounds for divorce are listed in OCGA 19-5-3. The overwhelming majority of cases in DeKalb County use the no-fault ground, which says the marriage is irretrievably broken. It's straightforward, doesn't require proof of wrongdoing, and is accepted without dispute in most cases. Fault grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, or desertion are available and can influence alimony, but they make the process more complex.

After the divorce papers are served on the other party, Georgia law requires a minimum 30-day wait before a judge can finalize the case. Contested matters usually take much longer. The petition must be in writing and signed under oath, as required by OCGA 19-5-5. These rules apply to all Redan divorce filings in DeKalb County.

Georgia DPH and Older Redan Divorce Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorces granted between 1952 and 1996. If you're looking for an older Redan divorce and don't know the exact case details, the DPH index can help confirm that a divorce occurred and which county handled it. But DPH cannot provide certified copies of the actual divorce decree. Those come from the DeKalb County Superior Court clerk.

You can reach DPH Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or by calling (404) 657-2700. Their website is dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. As the department states: "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, go directly to the DeKalb County clerk.

The Georgia.gov vital records page screenshot below shows the state portal used for divorce verification requests covering older Redan area cases from the 1952 to 1996 period.

The page details the process for submitting requests to the state for vital record verifications, including older divorce records.

Public Access to Redan Divorce Records

DeKalb County divorce decrees are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can request access to a divorce case file through the DeKalb County clerk, either in person at Decatur or through the online eCertification portal. No special legal standing is needed to view or obtain copies of these public records.

Courts can seal specific portions of a case. Records involving children's personal details or sensitive matters may be restricted. Even when parts of a file are sealed, the case name and basic index information remain in the public record. If you encounter a dead end in your search, ask the clerk what portions of the file are accessible.

Georgia Courts provides self-help materials and 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/. Reviewing these forms gives you a good sense of what documents are typically part of a Georgia divorce case file.

Legal Help for Redan Residents

Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides free legal help for low-income DeKalb County residents, including assistance with divorce filings and family law matters. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org offers a directory of legal resources organized by county that can help you find services near Redan.

The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org operates a lawyer referral service for those who want private representation. Many family law attorneys in DeKalb County and the Atlanta metro area offer initial consultations at low or no cost. For simple uncontested divorces where both sides agree on all terms, using the Georgia Courts self-help forms to handle the case yourself is a practical and commonly used option.

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