Find Divorce Decrees in Barrow County
Barrow County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Winder, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for all divorce case filings, final decrees, and related case documents in Barrow County. You can search for a divorce case, request certified copies of decrees, or review a public case file by contacting the Winder courthouse directly. Georgia's Open Records Act gives any member of the public the right to access most divorce decree records without needing to be a party to the case or explain why you need the records.
Barrow County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Barrow County Divorce Records
The Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 30 N. Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680. The office can be reached at (770) 307-3000. Visit the Barrow County official website for current hours and any service updates. Visiting in person is generally the fastest option. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties along with an approximate divorce year or case number.
Barrow County is a growing suburban county northeast of Atlanta. The clerk's office handles a high volume of cases, so having case details ready before you arrive saves time. For mail requests, write to the clerk at the address listed above. Include full names of both parties, the approximate year of divorce, any case number you have, and whether you need plain or certified copies. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call before sending payment to confirm the current copy fee schedule.
Staff can search the records index by name or case number. For certified copies needed for legal use, specify that when you make the request.
Barrow County Divorce Decree Clerk Office
The Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court manages all family court records including divorce decrees filed in Winder. The image below shows the Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court office, which is located at 30 N. Broad Street in Winder. You can visit the Barrow County website for the most current information on hours, fees, and services.
The clerk's office keeps all Barrow County divorce decree records on file and provides copies on request. They also handle case number assignments, docketing of new filings, and issuance of certified documents for court use.
What Barrow County Divorce Records Contain
A Barrow County divorce decree is the judge's final order in a divorce case. It dissolves the marriage and addresses the terms of the settlement or the court's rulings on disputed issues. Property division is covered in almost every decree, as is any award of spousal support. Decrees involving minor children include custody arrangements and a child support order. The decree is a binding court order that both parties must comply with after it is signed.
The full case file at the Barrow County clerk's office includes the initial petition, proof of service on the other party, responses or cross-petitions filed by the respondent, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, financial affidavits required under Georgia law, and all other documents submitted to the court. If the parties reached a settlement agreement, that agreement is typically incorporated into the final decree. If a case went to trial, the file will also contain evidence lists and sometimes transcripts.
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorces registered from 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce occurred but does not provide full decree copies. For Barrow County divorce decrees, the Superior Court Clerk in Winder is the primary source.
Note: If a divorce case was expunged or sealed by court order, the clerk will tell you the record is restricted and cannot provide access without a court order authorizing disclosure.
Barrow County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court are set under Georgia law. Standard rates for plain copies run between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies are higher because they carry the clerk's official seal and signature, which makes them legally recognized documents for court filings, name changes, and other official uses. Always specify whether you need a plain or certified copy when you request records, as the cost difference can be significant for long case files.
For divorces from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, provides statewide divorce verification. This service is useful when you are uncertain which county handled a divorce and want to search the state index first before contacting Barrow County directly.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Barrow County
Georgia law applies to every divorce filed in Barrow County. The core requirement is residency. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of six months before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives, not where you were married.
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce, listed in OCGA 19-5-3. Most Barrow County cases use the no-fault ground: the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is the simplest path because it does not require proving any wrongdoing. Other grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication are still available and may affect alimony determinations in contested cases. After a petition is filed and served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before the judge can sign a final decree. This applies even when both parties agree on all terms.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce proceedings in Georgia is grounded in OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can access forms through the Georgia Courts divorce forms page.
Note: Barrow County's rapid population growth means the Superior Court handles a high case volume; filing and processing times may reflect that.
Public Access to Barrow County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act gives the public a clear right to inspect court records, including divorce case files, held by the Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court. You do not need a reason or a connection to the case. Walk in, provide case details, pay the fee, and get copies. This is the default rule for Georgia court records.
Exceptions exist when a judge has ordered records sealed. Sealed files cannot be accessed without further court action. Most routine Barrow County divorce cases move through the standard process and remain in the public file at the Winder courthouse. If you are unsure whether a record is sealed, ask the clerk when you make your request.
Legal Help for Divorce in Barrow County
Barrow County residents needing legal assistance with divorce can reach out to Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides civil legal aid to income-qualifying Georgians across the state. They handle family law including divorce and custody. Georgia Legal Aid has online resources and self-help guides for those managing their own cases.
For more complex situations, the State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney in the Barrow County area. The Georgia Courts website provides forms, Superior Court contacts, and guidance for self-represented parties filing in Barrow County Superior Court.