Tucker Divorce Decree Records
Tucker divorce decree records are maintained by the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur, and that office is where you go to search for a case, get a certified copy of a decree, or access any part of a divorce case file tied to a Tucker address. This page explains the request process, what the records contain, how Georgia divorce law applies in DeKalb County, and where to get help if you need it.
Tucker Divorce Decree Quick Facts
DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk
Tucker falls within DeKalb County, so all divorce filings go to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. The clerk's office address is 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. You can reach them at (404) 371-2261, and their website is at dksuperiorclerk.com.
DeKalb County has an eCertification portal that allows people to order certified copies of court records online. This is a significant convenience for Tucker residents who do not want to drive to Decatur. Check the clerk's website to see if that system covers the type of record you need and whether the case is old enough to be in the electronic system. For cases that predate the electronic records, an in-person or mail request may still be needed.
For all requests, have both parties' full names ready and, if possible, the case number or year of the divorce. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most formal purposes. Plain copies cost less but may not be accepted in legal filings or government applications. Note: Confirm fees and accepted payment methods with the clerk's office before your visit or before sending a mail request.
The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk website, shown below, is the starting point for Tucker divorce decree records and online copy orders. Visit dksuperiorclerk.com to check current services including the eCertification portal for online requests.
The screenshot shows the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk website where Tucker residents can find information on requesting certified divorce decree copies and accessing the county's online records system.
What Tucker Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree in DeKalb County is a formal court order signed by a Superior Court judge. It is the legal proof of divorce and sets out every decision the court made in the case. The decree names both parties, gives the date the divorce was granted, and identifies the court. For simple cases, it may be concise. For complex cases, it can cover many pages of findings and orders.
When children were part of the case, the decree will include legal custody, a parenting plan, and child support terms. When property was at issue, it will describe the division of the marital home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and debts. If the court ordered alimony, the decree states the amount, how it is paid, and for how long. All of these terms carry the force of a court order once the judge signs.
The case file behind the decree holds more material. It includes the original petition, financial disclosures, any agreements the parties signed, motions, responses, and all orders the court issued. If you need a specific document from the case rather than just the final decree, ask the clerk what is available. The cost depends on the number of pages and whether you want a plain or certified copy.
Georgia Divorce Law and DeKalb County Cases
Georgia's divorce statutes are in Title 19, Chapter 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Under OCGA 19-5-1, only the Superior Court can grant a divorce in Georgia. Every Tucker divorce case, whether contested or uncontested, goes through the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur.
The residency requirement is in OCGA 19-5-2: one spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months before filing. If you recently moved to Tucker from out of state, you may need to wait before filing. If you are already a long-term Georgia resident, you can file right away in DeKalb County since that is where you live.
Georgia allows 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Most Tucker-area cases use the no-fault "irretrievably broken" ground. It does not require proving fault on either side and is the standard approach for couples who agree the marriage has ended. There is a 30-day waiting period after service of the divorce papers before the court can finalize the case. The petition must be in writing and verified by the filer, as required by OCGA 19-5-5.
State Vital Records and Georgia Divorce Index
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index for cases between 1952 and 1996. This index is helpful when you need to verify a divorce but are not certain which county filed it. The DPH can check the index and confirm the county. But DPH does not provide copies of decrees. The department states: "copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted."
For Tucker-area cases in that period, you can use the DPH to confirm DeKalb County, then come here for the actual decree copy. The DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their portal for vital records is at georgia.gov/request-vital-records.
Georgia's vital records portal, shown below, handles statewide verification requests including divorces in the 1952-1996 index. Visit georgia.gov/request-vital-records for current instructions on how to submit a request.
The screenshot shows the Georgia state vital records portal, used for divorce verifications covering the statewide index period, which includes records for Tucker-area cases filed in DeKalb County.
Open Records Access for Tucker Divorce Cases
DeKalb County divorce records are public under Georgia's Open Records Act, OCGA 50-18-70. Anyone can request them. You don't need to be a party to the case, and you generally don't need to state a reason for the request. The clerk's office processes records requests during business hours, and the online eCertification portal may allow requests around the clock.
If a file has been sealed by court order, it is not accessible to the public without a court order authorizing access. Judges seal files when they contain particularly sensitive information about children, finances, or other matters the court has determined warrant protection. Most Tucker divorce records are not sealed. The clerk can confirm the status of a specific file before you complete a formal records request, so it is worth asking first if you have any doubt.
Legal Help in DeKalb County
Tucker and DeKalb County residents can access several free and low-cost legal resources for divorce matters. The Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org provides civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has online self-help guides and referrals for those managing their own cases.
For private legal representation, the State Bar of Georgia's attorney directory at gabar.org lets you search by county and practice area. Family law attorneys in the DeKalb County area are experienced with the Superior Court and its local rules. Standardized divorce forms for self-represented filers are available free at georgiacourts.gov.