Search Clayton County Divorce Decrees
Clayton County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Jonesboro, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all divorce case filings in Clayton County, and records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. This page explains how to request divorce decree records, what case files contain, the costs involved, Georgia divorce law, and legal resources available to Clayton County residents.
Clayton County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Clayton County Divorce Decree Records
The Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court is at 9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236. Reach the office by phone at (770) 477-4565. The Clayton County government website has contact details for the court. Clayton County is a densely populated metro Atlanta county, and the clerk's office processes a high volume of records requests. Visiting in person at the Jonesboro courthouse is a reliable way to get records, though calling ahead to ask about electronic access options may save a trip.
Bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year of filing. A case number is helpful. Bring valid photo ID. For mail requests, write to the clerk with case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Confirm payment methods and current copy fees before sending money. Given the volume of cases in Clayton County, records for recent filings are likely to be in digital form and may be searchable through a court terminal. Ask about online access options when you call.
Note: Clayton County Superior Court handles a large number of cases as a major metro Atlanta county. For complex requests or requests for older archived records, allow extra time and call ahead to confirm procedures.
What Clayton County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from the Clayton County Superior Court is the final legal order ending a marriage. It covers all terms resolved by the court: division of marital property and assets, debt assignment, spousal support if any was ordered, and child custody and visitation arrangements. The decree is enforceable by law. If either party fails to comply, the other can return to Superior Court to seek enforcement.
The full case file at the Clayton County clerk includes the original petition, proof of service, financial affidavits, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, and the final agreement or decree. Contested cases may include motion filings, exhibits, and written rulings. This is very different from the brief divorce certificate the Georgia DPH issues. That certificate only confirms a divorce occurred in Georgia between 1952 and 1996; it does not contain case terms, property details, or custody information. For the actual decree, or for divorces outside the DPH's 1952-1996 window, the Clayton County clerk is the right source. DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, (404) 657-2700, or dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Clayton County Divorce Decree Fees
The Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court charges copy fees consistent with Georgia's standard court rate structure. Plain copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page in most Georgia counties. Certified copies, which bear the clerk's seal and are required for many legal uses, cost more. If you need a certified copy for a legal filing, a name change, or to prove marital status to a government agency, request it specifically when you contact the clerk. Ask for the current fee schedule before visiting or sending a mail request.
For state-level divorce verification from the DPH index covering 1952-1996, the fee structure differs from county court fees. The DPH Vital Records page explains the process. For Clayton County divorces outside that window or if you need the decree itself, the county clerk is the source.
Georgia Divorce Law in Clayton County
The Georgia DPH Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov maintains a statewide index of divorces registered from 1952 to 1996. The image below shows that resource as it appears to the public.
Georgia divorce law applies in every county. The Superior Court holds jurisdiction under OCGA 19-5-1. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. The petition is filed in the county where either spouse currently lives. For Clayton County residents, that means filing in Jonesboro.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is by far the most common in Clayton County and across the state. A 30-day waiting period applies after service on the respondent before the final decree can be entered. Free self-help divorce forms are available through the Georgia Courts portal.
Public Access to Clayton County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act makes divorce decree records in Clayton County publicly accessible. Any person can request copies from the clerk's office without being a party to the case. No reason is required. The clerk must respond and provide copies for the applicable fee.
Exceptions to public access exist in limited circumstances. Courts can seal records to protect minor children, to shield sensitive financial information, or when both parties ask the court to seal and the court finds good cause. Sealed records are not available without a court order. Routine Clayton County divorce cases are almost never sealed. Most files are open and can be accessed through a standard request. For high-volume request times or complex multi-document searches, calling ahead and allowing extra processing time is helpful.
Note: Clayton County's courthouse serves a large, dense population. Peak times may lead to longer wait times for in-person requests. Calling ahead can help you plan your visit more efficiently.
Legal Help for Clayton County Divorce
Georgia Legal Services Program offers free legal help to qualifying low-income Georgians including Clayton County residents. They handle family law matters including divorce, custody, and support issues. Apply by phone or online to check eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid provides free online self-help guides and forms for people filing divorce in Georgia without an attorney. For straightforward uncontested cases in Clayton County, these tools can walk you through every step. For contested cases involving disputed property, custody disagreements, or support disputes, consulting a licensed attorney is wise. The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service to connect you with a family law attorney familiar with Clayton County court procedures. The Georgia Courts website has contact and filing information for the Clayton County Superior Court in Jonesboro.