Bryan County Divorce Decree Search
Bryan County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Pembroke, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official custodian for all divorce filings, final decrees, and related case documents in Bryan County. Whether you need to find a divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or review a public case file, the Pembroke courthouse is the right starting point. Under Georgia's Open Records Act, most Bryan County divorce records are public and available to anyone who makes a proper request without needing to explain their reason.
Bryan County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Bryan County Divorce Records
Contact the Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court at 151 S. College Street, Pembroke, GA 31321. The phone number is (912) 653-3870. The Bryan County official website lists current office hours and contact details. In-person requests at the Pembroke courthouse are the fastest way to get copies. Bring photo ID and know the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce.
Bryan County is a fast-growing county near Savannah. The Superior Court handles a growing caseload, so having accurate information ready before your visit saves time. For mail requests, write to the clerk at the Pembroke address. Include both parties' names, the year of divorce, any case number, and what type of copies you need. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call first to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment. The clerk will send back the documents or a fee notice.
Certified copies are required for legal use. Plain copies cost less and work fine for personal reference or research.
What Bryan County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from Bryan County Superior Court is the judge's final signed order dissolving the marriage. It addresses the major legal issues in the case, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support if ordered, and, when minor children are involved, custody arrangements and a child support order. The decree is a binding legal order both parties must follow.
The full case file at the Bryan County Clerk's office includes the original petition, the respondent's answer if one was filed, proof of service, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, financial affidavits from both parties, and all other documents submitted to the court. If the parties settled, the settlement agreement is incorporated into the final decree and is part of the file. All of this is in the public record for most Bryan County divorce cases.
For divorces registered in Georgia between 1952 and 1996, the state's Vital Records office can confirm a divorce occurred without providing the full decree. Their website is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For the full Bryan County divorce decree or cases outside that date range, the Superior Court Clerk in Pembroke is the source.
Note: Some Bryan County divorce files may contain restricted portions, particularly those related to minor children; the clerk can tell you what is accessible in a specific case.
Bryan County Divorce Decree Fees
The Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court charges per-page copy fees in line with Georgia law. Plain copies of divorce records typically cost between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee for the clerk's official seal. For legal proceedings, name changes, and government submissions, you generally need a certified copy. For personal use or background research, a plain copy is sufficient.
The Georgia Department of Public Health provides divorce verifications for the 1952 to 1996 period through their Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 657-2700. This confirms a divorce occurred but does not provide the full case file or decree terms. For Bryan County divorce records, the Pembroke courthouse is the primary source.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Bryan County
Bryan County divorces are governed by Georgia state law. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing, per OCGA 19-5-2. The case is filed in Bryan County if either party lives there. No additional local requirement applies beyond the state statute.
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce listed in OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most commonly used in Bryan County. It requires no proof of misconduct and is the simplest path for uncontested divorces. Fault-based grounds like adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual drug or alcohol use are still available and may affect alimony awards in contested cases.
After a divorce petition is filed and the other party is served in Bryan County, Georgia's mandatory 30-day waiting period applies before a final decree can be entered. This is true even when both parties have agreed on all terms. Superior Court jurisdiction over divorce in Georgia comes from OCGA 19-5-1. Divorce forms for self-represented parties are at the Georgia Courts self-help page.
Public Access to Bryan County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act gives any person the right to inspect and copy court records held by the Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court, including divorce case files. No connection to the case is required. Pay the fee and the clerk provides the documents from the public record. This is the general rule under Georgia law.
Sealed records are restricted and cannot be provided without a court order. Most standard Bryan County divorce cases go through the normal process and remain fully accessible at the Pembroke courthouse. If you are unsure about a specific record's status, the clerk can advise you when you call or visit.
Legal Help for Divorce in Bryan County
Georgia Legal Services Program serves Bryan County and can provide free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents dealing with divorce, custody, and other family law matters. Apply online or by phone to check eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid has self-help guides and step-by-step instructions online for common divorce situations. For contested or more complex cases, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service. The Georgia Courts website lists Superior Court contacts for Bryan County and provides family law forms and self-help resources.
State Database for Bryan County Divorces
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database, shown below, is a statewide tool for verifying divorces registered in Georgia from 1952 to 1996. It is a useful starting point if you are uncertain whether a divorce was filed in Bryan County or a neighboring county like Chatham or Bulloch. Visit the DPH Vital Records page for instructions on how to submit a request.
For Bryan County divorce decrees and full case file access, the Clerk of Superior Court at 151 S. College Street in Pembroke is the primary source for all divorce records filed in Bryan County Superior Court.