Chatham County Divorce Decree Records
Chatham County divorce decree records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Savannah, Georgia. The clerk's office scans and electronically stores all documents recorded or filed with the court, making many records accessible online as well as in person. Whether you need a certified copy of a final divorce decree or want to look up a case by name, this page explains how the Chatham County Superior Court clerk handles divorce records, what the files contain, applicable fees, and what legal resources are available locally.
Chatham County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Chatham County Divorce Decrees
The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court is at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Call the office at (912) 652-7200 or visit superiorcourtclerk.chathamcountyga.gov for current hours and online access information. The clerk is available in person, by mail, by phone, and through the clerk's website. All documents filed with the court are scanned and can be accessed electronically, which means many records are searchable without a trip to the courthouse.
For in-person visits, bring the full names of both spouses and the approximate filing year. A case number speeds up the process. Bring valid photo ID. For mail requests, write the clerk with the case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Ask about payment before sending money. Effective July 1, 2024, civil filing fees in Chatham County increased by $4.00 per the statewide update to the fee schedule. Copy fees for existing records may differ from filing fees; confirm costs before your visit or request.
Note: The clerk is dedicated to providing prompt service in person, by mail, by phone, and online. Electronic access is available for many records through the clerk's website.
What Chatham County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree issued by the Chatham County Superior Court is the final legally binding order ending a marriage. It covers all terms the court resolved: division of real property and assets, debt responsibility, alimony if ordered, and any child custody and visitation arrangement. The decree is enforceable. Either party can return to court to seek enforcement if the other fails to comply.
The Chatham County clerk scans all documents filed in court cases, so the full case file, from the original petition through the final decree, is part of the digital record. The file includes proof of service, financial affidavits, temporary orders, and any agreed settlement. For contested cases, you may find motions, exhibits, and the court's written rulings. The Georgia Department of Public Health holds a separate and shorter divorce certificate, not a decree. That certificate only confirms a divorce occurred in Georgia between 1952 and 1996. For the actual decree or for divorces outside that period, the Chatham County clerk is the source. The DPH can be reached at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, or at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Chatham County Divorce Decree Fees
The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court, shown at superiorcourtclerk.chathamcountyga.gov, manages all divorce filings and record requests for the county.
Copy fees at the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia's standard rate structure. Plain copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more and are required for legal filings, proof of marital status, name changes, and similar legal uses. As noted above, civil filing fees increased by $4.00 effective July 1, 2024. Additionally, changes effective July 1, 2025 under HB 586 affect short-term note recording periods. For current copy fee rates specific to decree records, call the clerk at (912) 652-7200 before your visit.
Chatham County has a well-staffed clerk's office serving the Savannah metropolitan area. Because of the higher volume of cases compared to smaller counties, records retrieval is generally efficient.
Georgia Divorce Law and Chatham County Cases
Georgia law sets the rules for every divorce filed in Chatham County. Jurisdiction rests with the Superior Court under OCGA 19-5-1. Before a divorce petition can be accepted, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six continuous months, per OCGA 19-5-2. The filing takes place in the county of residence of either spouse.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, the no-fault ground, is used in the large majority of cases filed in Chatham County. After the respondent is served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before the final decree can be entered. No exceptions exist, even for cases where both parties agree on everything. Standard divorce forms for self-represented parties are available at the Georgia Courts self-help portal.
The Georgia Open Records Act applies to Chatham County court records. Any person can request a copy of a divorce decree without being a party to the case.
Public Access to Chatham County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act makes divorce decree records in Chatham County available to any member of the public. The clerk's electronic system means that many records can be accessed or at least identified online before you visit or submit a mail request. The clerk is committed to accessible service through multiple channels.
Some records may be restricted or sealed. Courts seal records in limited circumstances, primarily to protect minor children or to prevent disclosure of financial data that could enable harm. When a record is sealed, the clerk can acknowledge the case but cannot provide the sealed documents. Most routine divorce cases in Chatham County are not sealed and can be accessed without any special authorization. If you are not sure whether a specific record is sealed, call the clerk at (912) 652-7200 first.
Note: Chatham County's electronic records system is more developed than in smaller counties. Many cases filed within the past decade or two may be viewable online through the clerk's website.
Legal Help for Divorce in Chatham County
Georgia Legal Services Program offers free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income Georgians in family law matters. Chatham County residents who meet the income threshold can apply for help with divorce, custody, and support cases. Contact them online or by phone to apply.
Georgia Legal Aid provides online self-help tools and plain-language guides for people navigating divorce without an attorney. This can be a good starting point for uncontested cases in Chatham County where both parties agree on all terms. For contested matters involving property, custody disputes, or complex financial issues, the State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service. Residents of Savannah and Pooler have access to a large number of licensed family law attorneys who are familiar with the Chatham County courthouse. The Georgia Courts website has additional resources and court contact information.