Bibb County Divorce Decree Records
Bibb County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Macon, Georgia, which serves as the official custodian for all family court filings in the county. Whether you need to locate a past divorce case, get a certified copy of a final decree, or review the full contents of a case file, the Macon courthouse is your primary source. Bibb County is home to Macon, one of Georgia's larger cities, meaning the Superior Court handles a substantial volume of divorce cases. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most divorce decree records in Bibb County are open to the public.
Bibb County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Bibb County Divorce Records
The Bibb County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 601 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. The phone number is (478) 621-6527. Visit the Bibb County official website for current hours and any updates to clerk services. In-person visits are generally the most efficient option for obtaining divorce decree copies. Bring photo ID and the full legal names of both parties, along with the approximate year of divorce or the case number if available.
Because Macon is a larger city, the Bibb County Superior Court handles a higher volume of divorce cases than many other Georgia counties. This means the clerk's staff are experienced with record searches, but it also means wait times can be longer during peak periods. For mail requests, write to the clerk at the Mulberry Street address. Include party names, the approximate year of the divorce, the case number if known, and whether you need a plain or certified copy. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment.
Residents of Macon file divorce cases in Bibb County Superior Court. All Macon divorce records are stored at the Mulberry Street courthouse.
What Bibb County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from the Bibb County Superior Court is the judge's final signed order dissolving the marriage. It sets out the binding legal terms of the divorce. Nearly every decree covers property division, addressing how real estate, retirement accounts, vehicles, and debts are allocated. Spousal support orders are included when the court grants them. Cases involving minor children include a custody determination, parenting plan, and child support order calculated under Georgia's income shares guidelines.
The full Bibb County case file contains the original petition for divorce, the respondent's answer if one was filed, proof that service was made on the other party, temporary orders issued while the case was pending, financial affidavits from both parties, and all other motions and exhibits submitted during the proceedings. If the parties settled out of court, their settlement agreement is incorporated into the final decree and is part of the file. All of this is available to the public for standard cases not sealed by court order.
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 whether a divorce was recorded in Georgia during that period. For the full decree or for divorces outside that window, the Bibb County Clerk of Superior Court in Macon is the source.
Note: Bibb County has a higher volume of older records than smaller counties; if searching for a decades-old divorce case, call ahead to learn how older records are stored and accessed.
Bibb County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Bibb County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia's standard schedule. Plain copies of divorce records typically cost between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee because they include the clerk's seal and signature. For legal proceedings, government submissions, or name changes, a certified copy is generally required. For personal reference or research, a plain copy works fine and is less expensive.
The Georgia Department of Public Health charges a separate fee for their divorce verification service. That service covers the period from 1952 to 1996 and only confirms the fact of a divorce. For the full Bibb County divorce decree, you need to contact the Macon courthouse. Reach DPH Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 657-2700.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Bibb County
Every divorce in Bibb County follows Georgia's statewide statutes. The residency requirement is found in OCGA 19-5-2: at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Bibb County Superior Court is the proper venue if either party lives in Bibb County at the time of filing.
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The most commonly used is no-fault: the marriage is irretrievably broken. This ground is straightforward and does not require proof of wrongdoing by either party. Fault-based grounds, including adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual drug or alcohol dependency, remain available and may be relevant in contested cases, especially when alimony is at issue.
Georgia law imposes a 30-day waiting period after a divorce petition is filed and served in Bibb County. No final decree can be entered until that period passes. The Superior Court's authority over divorce actions statewide is established by OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can access divorce forms through the Georgia Courts self-help portal.
Public Access to Bibb County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy court records, including divorce case files held at the Bibb County Clerk of Superior Court. You do not need a specific reason or personal connection to the case. Pay the copy fee and you will receive the documents from the public file. This is the default rule under Georgia law.
Exceptions apply when a judge seals a record or limits access to specific documents. Sealed materials cannot be released without a court order. Most standard Bibb County divorce cases move through the normal process and remain accessible at the Macon courthouse. If you are unsure whether a record is restricted, the clerk can tell you when you contact the office.
Legal Help for Divorce in Bibb County
Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents, including those in Bibb County. They handle divorce, custody, and related family law matters. Check their website to apply or call to determine if you qualify. Georgia Legal Aid also offers online self-help tools and guides for people representing themselves in Bibb County divorce proceedings.
For more complex or contested cases, the State Bar of Georgia runs a referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney in the Macon area. The Georgia Courts website provides Superior Court contact information, forms, and resources for self-represented parties filing in Bibb County.
Bibb County Court and State Records Image
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database, shown below, provides a statewide index of Georgia divorces registered from 1952 to 1996. It is a useful first step when searching for an older divorce if you are not certain the case was filed in Bibb County. Visit the DPH Vital Records page for submission instructions and fee information.
For the full Bibb County divorce decree and complete case file, the Clerk of Superior Court at 601 Mulberry Street in Macon is the right contact. That office holds all divorce records filed in Bibb County Superior Court.