Calhoun County Divorce Decree Records
Calhoun County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Morgan, Georgia. The clerk holds the full case files for every divorce filed in the county, including final decrees, petitions, and supporting documents. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, these divorce decree records are generally public. This guide covers how to request records, what they contain, what they cost, and where to turn if you need legal help in Calhoun County.
Calhoun County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Calhoun County Divorce Decrees
The Calhoun County Clerk of Superior Court is the place to go for divorce decree records. The office sits at 200 S. Washington Street, Morgan, GA 39866. Call ahead at (229) 849-2715 to confirm hours and ask about any forms you need to bring. The county's official website has contact details for the court. In-person requests are typically handled the same day if records are on file and easily located.
When you visit, bring the full names of both spouses, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and a valid photo ID. A case number helps a lot if you have one. Without a case number, staff will search by name and year. For mail requests, write to the clerk's office with a clear description of the record you need, your contact information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order for copy fees once you confirm the amount by phone. Mail turnaround is longer than an in-person visit, so plan accordingly.
Note: Call ahead to verify office hours and current copy fees before making a special trip to Morgan.
Calhoun County Divorce Records: What They Contain
The Calhoun County Superior Court divorce decree is the court's final order ending a marriage. It is more than a simple confirmation that a divorce happened. The decree spells out the specific terms the judge approved, including how property was divided, whether spousal support applies, and the custody arrangement for any minor children. The full case file also contains the original divorce petition, responses filed by either party, financial disclosures, and any agreed settlement terms.
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds a separate, shorter record called a divorce certificate. That document only confirms that a divorce took place and gives basic identifying details. It does not include the decree terms. The DPH index covers divorces registered in Georgia from 1952 through 1996. If you need the actual terms of the divorce or the case predates 1952 or is more recent than 1996, the Calhoun County Clerk of Superior Court is your source. These are two different documents that serve different needs.
Note: Some records may include sealed exhibits, particularly those involving child custody matters.
Calhoun County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Calhoun County Clerk of Superior Court are consistent with standard Georgia court rates. Plain paper copies generally run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and signature, cost more and are required for most legal purposes. If you need a certified copy to file with another court, a government agency, or for a name change, request it specifically so staff knows which type to prepare.
For older divorce verifications, the Georgia Department of Public Health charges a separate fee for their index search service. Reach them at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or by phone at (404) 657-2700. Their Vital Records page explains the verification process and what information you need to provide. This verification only confirms a divorce occurred; it does not give you the decree terms or case documents.
Calhoun County Divorce Records and Georgia State Law
The clerk's office shown on the Calhoun County website is the repository of all local Superior Court divorce records. The image below shows the courthouse access portal as it appears to the public.
Georgia divorce law governs every case filed in Calhoun County. The basic framework starts with OCGA 19-5-1, which gives the Superior Court jurisdiction over all divorce actions in the state. Before you can file, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six continuous months, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives, not necessarily where the marriage took place.
Georgia lists 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The most widely used is the no-fault ground, stating the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither party has to prove the other did anything wrong. Other grounds include adultery, desertion, habitual intoxication, and conviction of a crime of moral turpitude. Most uncontested Calhoun County divorces proceed on the no-fault ground. After filing, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before the final decree can be signed. This applies to all cases, even those where both parties agree on every term.
Self-represented parties can download divorce forms from the Georgia Courts self-help portal. These forms cover standard uncontested divorces and include step-by-step instructions.
Public Access to Calhoun County Divorce Decrees
The Georgia Open Records Act makes divorce decree records public. Any person can request a copy from the Calhoun County Clerk of Superior Court without being a party to the case. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk is required to respond to requests and provide copies for the applicable fee.
That said, courts can and do seal records in some situations. Cases involving minor children may have certain exhibits sealed to protect the children's privacy. Financial records in high-stakes cases are sometimes sealed when disclosure could cause harm. If a record is sealed, the clerk will confirm the case exists but cannot share the sealed portion without a court order. Routine divorce cases in Calhoun County are almost never sealed, and most records can be pulled and copied without issue.
Note: If you are unsure whether a record is sealed, ask the clerk directly before making a trip or sending a mail request.
Legal Help for Divorce in Calhoun County
Calhoun County residents who need legal help with a divorce have a few options. Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in rural areas of the state. They handle family law matters including divorce, custody, and support cases. Income limits apply, so contact them to find out if you qualify. Their staff works across southwest Georgia and can assist Calhoun County residents.
Georgia Legal Aid has a website with guides, forms checklists, and self-help tools for people handling their own divorce in Georgia. If your case is simple and uncontested, the online resources may be enough to help you file correctly without an attorney. For more complex cases, the State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney licensed in Georgia who handles cases in the Calhoun County area.
The Georgia Courts website lists contact information for every Superior Court in the state, including Calhoun County. Start there if you need to find out who your judge is, how to file, or where to send documents.