Burke County Divorce Decree Records
Burke County divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the Clerk of Superior Court in Waynesboro, Georgia. The clerk's office holds all divorce case files and final decrees for Burke County and handles public record requests from anyone who needs to search for or obtain copies of these records. Georgia's Open Records Act makes most Burke County divorce decrees accessible to the public without any special requirement or explanation. This guide covers how to get records, what they contain, fees to expect, and what Georgia law requires.
Burke County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Burke County Divorce Records
The Burke County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 200 E. 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Contact them at (706) 554-2279. Visit the Burke County official website for current hours and any updates to the clerk's services. In-person requests at the Waynesboro courthouse are the fastest way to access divorce decree records. Bring photo ID and the full names of both parties in the divorce along with the approximate year of the divorce.
If you cannot visit in person, mail requests are accepted. Write a letter to the clerk at the address above. State what you need, include both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce, specify the case number if you have it, and note whether you want plain copies or certified copies. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call the office before sending payment to confirm the current fee schedule. The clerk will respond with the documents or a fee notice.
Burke County is a large rural county in east Georgia, and the courthouse in Waynesboro handles all family court matters including divorce filings and record requests.
What Burke County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Burke County divorce decree is the judge's final signed order dissolving the marriage. It covers all major issues resolved by the court. Property division is addressed in virtually every decree, setting out how real estate, accounts, and debts are split. If spousal support is ordered, it is specified along with payment terms. When children are involved, the decree includes a custody arrangement, parenting plan, and child support order.
The complete case file at the Burke County courthouse contains the original petition, proof of service on the other party, any answer filed by the respondent, temporary orders issued while the case was pending, financial affidavits submitted by both parties, and all other documents filed with the court. Settlement agreements are part of the file if the parties settled before trial. All of these documents are in the public record for standard Burke County divorce cases not sealed by court order.
For divorces registered in Georgia between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia DPH Vital Records office can confirm a divorce occurred without providing the full decree. Their website is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For the full Burke County divorce decree, the Superior Court Clerk in Waynesboro is the source.
Note: Some documents in a Burke County divorce file may be sealed or restricted by court order; ask the clerk what is accessible in any specific case before requesting copies.
Burke County Divorce Record Fees
The Burke County Clerk of Superior Court charges per-page copy fees consistent with Georgia's standard schedule. Plain copies typically cost between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies, which include the clerk's official seal, cost more and are required for legal proceedings, name changes, and government submissions. Specify whether you need a plain or certified copy when you make your request so the clerk can calculate the correct fee.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, handles divorce verifications for the 1952 to 1996 period. This service confirms a divorce occurred in Georgia but does not provide the decree or case file contents. For Burke County divorce decree access, the Waynesboro courthouse is the right contact.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Burke County
Burke County divorces follow Georgia state law across the board. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before a divorce petition can be filed. The case is filed in Burke County if either party currently lives there.
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce listed in OCGA 19-5-3. The most common in Burke County as in all of Georgia is no-fault: the marriage is irretrievably broken. No proof of misconduct is needed. Fault-based grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, habitual intoxication, and desertion are still available and may matter in contested cases, particularly when alimony is in dispute.
After a petition is filed and the respondent is served in Burke County, Georgia's mandatory 30-day waiting period must pass before the judge can enter a final decree. This rule applies regardless of whether both parties agree. The Superior Court's authority over divorce actions in Georgia comes from OCGA 19-5-1. Self-help divorce forms are available at the Georgia Courts self-help page.
Public Access to Burke County Divorce Records
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce case files at the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court are public records. Any person can request access and obtain copies by paying the standard fee. No reason or personal connection to the case is required.
Records sealed by court order are the exception. Those cannot be released without a court order authorizing access. Most standard Burke County divorce cases go through the regular process and remain in the public file. If you are unsure whether a specific record is available, call the clerk's office at the Waynesboro courthouse before making your trip or sending a mail request.
Legal Help for Divorce in Burke County
Free civil legal help for Burke County residents is available through Georgia Legal Services Program. They serve rural Georgia and assist with divorce, custody, and family law matters for people who meet income requirements. Apply online or call to check eligibility. Georgia Legal Aid has online self-help tools and plain-language guides for those representing themselves.
For contested or complex cases, the State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney near Waynesboro. The Georgia Courts website provides Superior Court contact information for Burke County and links to family law forms and self-help resources.
State Records for Burke County Divorces
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database, shown below, is a statewide resource covering divorces registered in Georgia from 1952 to 1996. If you are uncertain which county filed a specific divorce, the state index can help narrow the search before you contact Burke County directly. The DPH Vital Records page explains how to submit a verification request and what documentation is needed.
For Burke County divorce decrees and full case file access, the Clerk of Superior Court at 200 E. 6th Street in Waynesboro is the primary source for all divorce records filed in Burke County Superior Court.