Savannah Divorce Decree Records
Savannah divorce decree records are filed with the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court, the official keeper of all divorce records for cases filed in the Savannah area. If you want to search for a decree, get a certified copy, or understand how the process works, this page covers the clerk's office details, what Georgia divorce law requires, what a decree contains, and where to get help in Savannah.
Savannah Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court: Savannah Divorce Records
The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court holds all divorce decrees for Savannah cases. The clerk's office is at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Phone: (912) 652-7200. Their official website is superiorcourtclerk.chathamcountyga.gov. The current clerk is Tammie Mosley.
The office scans and electronically stores all documents recorded or filed with the court. That means many records are accessible through the court's digital systems. Whether you're searching in person or asking staff for records, the electronic format speeds up access for cases that have been digitized. Older records may still be in physical form, so the ease of access can vary depending on when the case was filed.
One thing to note: civil filing fees increased by $4.00 effective July 1, 2024. If you're filing a new case or paying for copies, confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk's office before you go. The website or a phone call will get you the latest numbers. Certified copies of decrees are available for a fee, and plain copies cost less if you don't need the official seal.
When requesting a specific decree, bring the names of both parties and the approximate year of the case. Having a case number is even better. Staff can search the indexes if you give them enough to work with. In-person visits are the most direct option, but mail and possibly online requests may also be available depending on the record type.
The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court website is the official starting point for any Savannah divorce decree search or records request.
The Chatham County Superior Court Clerk's website provides search tools, filing information, and contact details for obtaining Savannah divorce decree records.
The Chatham County clerk's website shows the court's record access tools and provides guidance on how to request a Savannah divorce decree in person, by mail, or online.
What a Savannah Divorce Decree Contains
A divorce decree is more than a piece of paper confirming a marriage ended. It's a court order that carries legal force. The terms in a decree can be enforced in court, and violating them can have real consequences.
Most Savannah divorce decrees contain the full names of both spouses, the date the court granted the divorce, the specific ground cited, custody arrangements and visitation schedules if minor children were involved, child support amounts and terms, alimony or spousal support orders if applicable, a division of marital property and debts, and any requested name change orders. The decree may also incorporate a marital settlement agreement the parties reached on their own.
A divorce certificate, which is the short state form, just confirms the divorce took place. It works for things like getting a new driver's license or applying for a marriage license. But if you need to show a court, an attorney, or a financial institution the specific terms of a divorce, the full decree is what you need. Only the Chatham County clerk can issue a certified copy of a Savannah divorce decree.
If the case had post-decree modifications, those are separate orders in the same file. A modification of child support, for example, creates a new order that supersedes the original on that issue. Ask the clerk for all filings if you need the complete picture of where a case stands.
Georgia Divorce Law and Savannah Cases
All Savannah divorce cases are governed by Georgia state law. Under OCGA 19-5-1, the Superior Court is the only court in Georgia that can grant a divorce. The Chatham County Superior Court handles all cases filed by Savannah residents. No other local court has this authority.
Before filing, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. That's the residency rule under OCGA 19-5-2. Once the petition is filed and served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can issue a final decree. After that window closes, if the case is uncontested, a hearing can be scheduled quickly. Contested cases take longer depending on what issues are in dispute.
Georgia law lists 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The most common is "irretrievably broken," the no-fault ground. Most Savannah divorces are filed this way. No one has to prove wrongdoing. The divorce petition must be a written, verified document, per OCGA 19-5-5. That means the person filing has to sign it under oath, confirming the facts in it are true.
Note: If a Savannah divorce case involved property in Chatham County, that property division order is enforceable by the Superior Court that issued it.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records system can confirm older Savannah-area divorces, though full decrees are held only by the Chatham County court.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records main page describes the state's divorce verification services for cases between 1952 and 1996 in Chatham County and statewide.
Georgia DPH Vital Records can confirm a Savannah-area divorce occurred within the 1952-1996 range, but directs all full decree requests to the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court.
Public Access to Savannah Divorce Records
Divorce decrees in Chatham County are public records. Georgia's Open Records Act at OCGA 50-18-70 gives anyone the right to request most court records. You don't need to be a party to the case. You don't need to explain why you want them. Any member of the public can request a non-sealed Savannah divorce decree from the clerk's office.
Some records are sealed. A judge can order a divorce file sealed when it contains sensitive information, such as financial account details or information about minor children that warrant protection. If a file is sealed, the clerk will tell you. Accessing sealed records requires going back to court and getting judicial approval. That's not common, but it does happen in cases involving sensitive circumstances.
The Georgia DPH at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can verify a Savannah-area divorce for cases from 1952 to 1996. As the department says, it can confirm divorces, but "copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted." For Savannah divorces, that's Chatham County.
Legal Resources for Savannah Divorce Cases
If you need legal assistance in Savannah, Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org offers free help to people who meet income guidelines. Their southeast Georgia offices assist with family law matters, including divorce and post-decree enforcement. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has guides and local resources in plain language.
The State Bar of Georgia's lawyer referral service at gabar.org can connect you with private family law attorneys in the Savannah area. If you're handling your own case, official Georgia divorce forms are available at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. The Chatham County Superior Court uses these forms. Make sure you're using the current version before filing.