South Fulton Divorce Decree Records
South Fulton divorce decree records are filed with the Fulton County Superior Court, which serves all cities within Fulton County, including South Fulton. Whether you need to find an old divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or understand the filing process for a new case, this guide explains where to go, what the records contain, and how Georgia law applies to South Fulton residents.
South Fulton Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Fulton County Superior Court: South Fulton Divorce Records
South Fulton is a city within Fulton County, and all divorce cases filed by its residents go through the Fulton County Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains those records at 136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C155, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone: (404) 613-5313. The court's website is fultoncountyga.gov/Superior-Court, and the specific page for marriage and divorce records is at fultoncountycourt.us/divorce-records.
South Fulton became a city in 2017, incorporating communities in the southwestern part of the county. But divorce jurisdiction in Georgia doesn't follow city limits. It follows county lines. So regardless of when South Fulton was incorporated, all divorce cases for residents there have always been filed in Fulton County Superior Court. If you're searching for records from before or after 2017, the Fulton County clerk is still the right place.
The filing fee for a divorce in Fulton County is $223. Certified copies of decree pages cost $2.50 for the first certified page. These amounts can change, so confirm current fees with the clerk before you visit or send a mail request. Bring a photo ID when going in person, and have the case details ready to speed up the search process.
Note: The courthouse is in downtown Atlanta. South Fulton residents should plan for travel time and check parking options before visiting in person.
The Fulton County divorce and marriage records page gives South Fulton residents the starting point for searching and requesting decrees.
The Fulton County marriage and divorce records page covers how to search for and request divorce decree records for South Fulton and other Fulton County cities.
The Fulton County divorce records portal serves all South Fulton residents, providing tools to search case files and request certified decree copies from the clerk's office.
What a South Fulton Divorce Decree Contains
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It's a binding document, and the terms in it can be enforced by the court that issued it. Getting a copy matters if you ever need to prove your marital status, enforce support obligations, or show what custody arrangement was ordered.
Most South Fulton divorce decrees include the names of both spouses, the date the divorce was granted, the ground for divorce, any child custody and visitation orders, child support terms, alimony orders if applicable, a division of marital assets and debts, and name change orders if the court granted them. Incorporated settlement agreements also appear in many decrees. The terms in the decree are what the parties must follow, not just what they agreed to informally.
A short divorce certificate from the state tells you the divorce happened. It's enough for some purposes, like updating a name on a state ID. But if a bank needs to see how property was divided, or a court needs to review what custody order applies, the full decree is what gets presented. The Fulton County clerk issues certified copies, and that's the only official source for South Fulton cases.
As the Fulton County court has noted, "A divorce decree shows the specific terms of a divorce. A copy is required to help enforce court decisions about spousal support, custody and visitation, child support, and the division of a couple's debts and assets."
Georgia Divorce Law and South Fulton Residents
Every South Fulton divorce case is governed by Georgia state law. Under OCGA 19-5-1, the Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorces in Georgia. The Fulton County Superior Court exercises that authority for South Fulton cases, just as it does for all Fulton County cities.
The residency requirement in OCGA 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to be a Georgia resident for six months before filing. After the petition is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final decree. Uncontested cases can often proceed to a hearing fairly quickly after that window closes. Contested cases, where the parties disagree on key issues, take longer.
Georgia law recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Most South Fulton divorces use the no-fault ground: "irretrievably broken." No misconduct has to be proven. The petition must be a written document verified by the petitioner, per OCGA 19-5-5.
Open Records and Public Access in Fulton County
Divorce decrees are public records under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Any person can request a non-sealed decree from the Fulton County clerk. You don't have to be a party to the case or provide a reason for the request. The law gives the public access to these court records.
Exceptions exist. A judge can seal a case when it contains sensitive information about minor children or other matters that warrant confidentiality. If a record is sealed, the clerk will tell you, but getting access requires a court order. Most South Fulton divorce cases are not sealed and are available through a standard records request.
For divorces between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, can confirm the divorce occurred. But full decree copies remain with the Fulton County clerk. The DPH confirmation is useful for basic verification. For the full legal document, go to the court.
Note: Georgia.gov also has vital records guidance at georgia.gov/request-vital-records that can help you understand which agency to contact for different record types.
The Georgia.gov vital records page outlines the different agencies that handle divorce verifications and vital records in Georgia, which applies to South Fulton residents.
The Georgia.gov vital records page points residents toward the right agency for different record needs, noting that complete divorce decrees are held by county Superior Court clerks like Fulton County's.
Legal Help for South Fulton Residents
If you need help with a South Fulton divorce case, Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides free legal help to qualifying individuals. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has guides on family law topics in plain language, including divorce and child custody. The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys in the South Fulton area.
Official Georgia divorce forms are available at georgiacourts.gov/a2j/self-help-resources/family-law/divorce-forms/. These are the forms used in Fulton County Superior Court. Using the right form is important. An incorrect or incomplete filing will be rejected at the clerk's window and will delay your case.