Ben Hill County Divorce Decree Records
Ben Hill County divorce decree records are held and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Fitzgerald, Georgia. The clerk's office is the sole official source for divorce case files and final decrees in Ben Hill County. If you need to find a divorce case, request certified copies of a decree, or review case documents, the Fitzgerald courthouse is where you start. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most Ben Hill County divorce decree records are accessible to the general public without requiring any specific justification for the request.
Ben Hill County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Ben Hill County Divorce Records
Contact the Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court at 211 E. Pine Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750. The phone number is (229) 426-5113. You can also visit the Ben Hill County official website for office hours and any additional contact information. In-person requests are the most direct route. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties involved in the divorce, along with the approximate year of the divorce if you know it.
If you cannot visit Fitzgerald in person, the clerk accepts mail requests. Write a letter stating what you need, include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of divorce, and the case number if available. State whether you need a plain copy or a certified copy, and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment. The clerk will send back the documents or a fee notice with instructions on how to proceed.
Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court
The image below shows the Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court office in Fitzgerald, which handles all divorce filings and record requests for Ben Hill County. You can visit the Ben Hill County website for the most up-to-date information on the clerk's office hours and procedures.
The Fitzgerald courthouse serves as the central location for all Ben Hill County Superior Court matters, including divorce case filings, decree records, and certified copy requests. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number and provide copies of documents in the public file.
What Ben Hill County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from Ben Hill County Superior Court is the judge's final binding order. It dissolves the marriage and sets out the legal terms of the separation. Property division is covered in nearly every decree, including how real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, and debts are allocated between the parties. Spousal support is included when the court orders it. When children are part of the case, the decree specifies custody arrangements and a child support order.
The case file at the Ben Hill County Clerk's office holds more than just the final decree. It contains the initial petition for divorce, proof that the other party was served, any answer the respondent filed, temporary orders that were in effect during the case, financial affidavits from both parties, and any additional documents submitted to the court. If a settlement agreement was reached, it will be attached to or incorporated in the final decree. All of these documents are part of the public case file for standard Ben Hill County divorce cases.
For proof of a divorce without needing the full decree, the Georgia Department of Public Health can help with divorces registered between 1952 and 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce occurred in Georgia during that period. For the full decree or for divorces outside that window, the Ben Hill County clerk is the only source.
Note: Some portions of divorce case files involving minor children may be protected by court order and not available to the general public even under the Open Records Act.
Ben Hill County Divorce Decree Fees
The Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court charges copy fees under Georgia's standard rate schedule. Plain copies of divorce records typically cost between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's seal and signature, cost more but are required for legal use such as court filings, name changes, and submissions to government agencies. When you contact the clerk, ask about the current fee for both types so you can plan accordingly before your visit or mail request.
The Georgia Department of Public Health provides divorce verification for the 1952 to 1996 period. Their office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 657-2700. This service confirms a divorce but does not provide case file contents. For the full Ben Hill County divorce decree, the Superior Court Clerk in Fitzgerald is the correct contact.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Ben Hill County
Ben Hill County divorces follow Georgia state law. The six-month residency requirement under OCGA 19-5-2 applies before a petition can be filed. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months prior to filing. The filing is made in the county where you or your spouse currently resides.
Georgia has 13 statutory grounds for divorce listed in OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault divorce, based on the marriage being irretrievably broken, is the most common ground used in Ben Hill County. It requires no proof of wrongdoing from either party, making it the simplest route to a final decree. Fault-based grounds are available but require more evidence and may influence the outcome on alimony and other issues in contested cases.
Georgia's mandatory 30-day waiting period applies to all divorces in Ben Hill County. After the petition is filed and the respondent is served, the judge cannot sign a final decree until that period passes. The Superior Court's jurisdiction over divorce actions in Georgia is established in OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can get divorce forms from the Georgia Courts self-help portal.
Public Access to Ben Hill County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act gives any member of the public the right to inspect and copy most government records, including divorce case files at the Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court. You do not need a personal connection to the case. The clerk will search for a case by name or number and provide copies at the standard fee.
Sealed records are an exception. When a judge orders a file sealed, the clerk cannot provide its contents. Most Ben Hill County divorce cases go through the standard process and remain in the public file. If you have any question about whether a specific record is restricted, ask the clerk when you call or visit the Fitzgerald courthouse.
Legal Help for Divorce in Ben Hill County
Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural Georgia including Ben Hill County and provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents. They handle divorce, custody, and related family law matters. Apply online or by phone to check if you qualify.
Online self-help resources are available through Georgia Legal Aid, which has guides and step-by-step instructions for common divorce situations. For contested or complex cases, the State Bar of Georgia runs a referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website provides forms and Superior Court contact information for Ben Hill County.
Note: For cases involving domestic violence, local shelters and crisis centers can often connect clients with emergency legal help beyond what standard legal aid organizations provide.