Find Statesboro Divorce Decree Records
Statesboro divorce decree records are held by the Bulloch County Superior Court, which is located in Statesboro at 20 Siebald Street, making it easy for local residents to request records without traveling to another city. If you need to search for a Statesboro divorce decree, get a certified copy, or learn how Georgia's divorce process works in Bulloch County, this guide covers what you need to know about the records, the law, and the resources available to help.
Statesboro Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk
The Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk handles all divorce filings and decree records for Statesboro and the surrounding county. The courthouse is at 20 Siebald Street, Statesboro, GA 30458. You can call the clerk's office at (912) 764-9009, and the county website is at bullochcounty.net.
Statesboro is the county seat of Bulloch County, so the courthouse is conveniently located within the city. In-person requests are easy to make during regular business hours. Bring both parties' full legal names and, if you have it, the case number or approximate year of the divorce. Certified copies carry the court seal and are the standard choice when you need the record for official purposes. Plain copies are less expensive but may not satisfy formal requirements.
Statesboro is also home to Georgia Southern University, and the city has a younger demographic with cases sometimes tied to student or faculty residents. Regardless of who filed the case, the records are held by the same clerk's office and follow the same Georgia law. Note: If you plan to mail in a records request, check the county website for the current form and fee schedule before sending anything.
The Bulloch County Clerk of Superior Court website, shown below, is where Statesboro residents go to request divorce decree records and access court services. Go to bullochcounty.net for current contact information and office hours.
The screenshot shows the Bulloch County website, which provides access to Superior Court Clerk services and information for Statesboro residents seeking divorce decree copies and case records.
What Is in a Statesboro Divorce Decree
A divorce decree is the final order a Superior Court judge signs to end a marriage. It is the primary legal document proving that a divorce occurred. The decree identifies both parties by name, states the court, and records the date the divorce was granted. Everything after that depends on what issues the case covered.
When children are involved, the decree sets out custody arrangements. It says who has legal decision-making authority, what the physical custody arrangement looks like, what the parenting schedule is, and how much child support one parent pays. Property and debt division appears in the decree as well: who keeps the house, how vehicles are handled, how bank accounts and retirement funds are divided, and who is responsible for which debts. If the court ordered alimony, it appears with specific terms.
The full case file holds everything filed over the course of the case. That includes the original petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, motions, responses, and every order the court issued. If you want only the final decree, that is one request. If you want specific documents from the file, such as a settlement agreement or a support order, ask the Bulloch County clerk what is available. Costs are based on the number of pages and whether you need certified copies.
Georgia Divorce Law in Bulloch County
All divorces in Georgia are governed by Title 19, Chapter 5 of the state code. Under OCGA 19-5-1, only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia. Every Statesboro divorce case goes through the Bulloch County Superior Court, no matter how simple or complex the facts are.
The six-month residency rule in OCGA 19-5-2 requires that at least one spouse have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. For Statesboro residents, this typically means six months in the state. New arrivals who haven't met that threshold must wait before filing in Bulloch County. If both parties are long-term residents, the case is ready to file right away.
Georgia allows 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Most Bulloch County cases use the no-fault ground: "irretrievably broken." It requires no evidence of wrongdoing and is the default choice for couples who agree the marriage has ended. After the other party is served with divorce papers, there is a 30-day period before the court can enter a final decree. The petition must be in writing and verified by the person filing, per OCGA 19-5-5.
Georgia Courts provides standardized divorce forms for self-represented filers, shown below. Visit georgiacourts.gov to download forms used in Bulloch County and across Georgia.
The screenshot shows the Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms page, which provides standardized documents for Statesboro residents who are filing for divorce without an attorney in Bulloch County Superior Court.
Georgia DPH and Statewide Divorce Index
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a divorce index covering records statewide from 1952 through 1996. This is useful if you need to verify a divorce from that period and are not certain which county filed the case. The DPH can confirm the event and the county of filing. It does not, however, provide copies of the actual decrees. The DPH states that "copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted."
For Statesboro cases in that range, the DPH can confirm Bulloch County. After that, you contact the Bulloch County clerk for the actual document. The DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their records website is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Public Access to Statesboro Divorce Records
Divorce records filed in Bulloch County are public under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. You don't need to be a party to the case to request a copy, and you don't have to give a reason. The clerk processes public records requests in person, by mail, and possibly online. Call to confirm what formats are currently available and what the fees are before making a request.
Sealed files are the exception. A judge can seal a file to protect sensitive information, particularly involving children or confidential financial matters. Sealed records require a court order to access. For the vast majority of Statesboro divorce cases, the records are fully open. Ask the clerk whether a file is sealed before you commit to a full request if you have any reason to think it might be restricted.
Legal Help in Statesboro and Bulloch County
Free and low-cost legal resources are available for Statesboro residents who need help with a divorce case or with records access. The Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides civil legal assistance to income-qualified residents, including help with family law matters. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has online guides and referral services.
The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org has a searchable directory of licensed family law attorneys. Attorneys in the Bulloch County area know the local Superior Court and its procedures. For self-represented filers, standardized divorce forms are free at georgiacourts.gov. These forms cover most needs for a straightforward, uncontested divorce in Statesboro.