Clinch County Divorce Decree Records
Clinch County divorce decree records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Homerville, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for all divorce filings in Clinch County, and records are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. This page covers how to request divorce decrees in Clinch County, what case files contain, typical fees, how Georgia divorce law applies, and where local residents can get legal help.
Clinch County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Clinch County Divorce Decrees
The Clinch County Clerk of Superior Court is at 25 Court Square, Homerville, GA 31634. The phone number is (912) 487-5854. The Clinch County government website provides contact information for the court clerk. Visiting the Homerville courthouse is the most direct way to request a divorce decree. Clinch is a rural county with a small courthouse staff, so calling ahead to confirm hours and availability is essential before making a trip.
When you arrive, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate filing year. A case number is helpful if you have it. Staff will search the record index by name. Bring valid photo ID. For mail requests, write to the clerk with the case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call first to ask about current fees and payment method before sending anything. Allow extra time for mail responses from small county clerk offices.
Note: Clinch County is in a remote part of south Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp area. Plan your visit well in advance, and always confirm office hours before traveling.
What Clinch County Divorce Records Include
A divorce decree from the Clinch County Superior Court is the final court order legally ending a marriage. The decree covers every term the court resolved: how marital property is divided, whether either spouse owes the other support and for how long, and the custody and visitation arrangement for any minor children. The decree is legally binding once the judge signs it and it is filed with the clerk. Either party can seek court enforcement if the other does not comply.
The full case file at the Clinch County clerk includes the original petition, proof that the other spouse was served, financial affidavits, temporary orders if any were entered during the case, and the final settlement for uncontested divorces. Contested cases will also have motion filings and the judge's written decisions. This is entirely different from the Georgia DPH divorce certificate, which only confirms a divorce was registered in Georgia from 1952 to 1996 and contains no case details. For Clinch County divorce decrees or cases outside the DPH's date range, the county clerk is your source. Reach DPH at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, (404) 657-2700, or at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Clinch County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Clinch County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia's standard rate structure for court records. Plain copies typically run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and cost more. Certified copies are needed for legal filings, name changes, and proving marital status. Ask staff what the current fee is before visiting or sending a mail request with payment. Payment methods may vary for small county offices.
For a state-level divorce verification from the DPH for the 1952-1996 period, the fee and process differ from the county clerk. The DPH site at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords explains the verification process. For Clinch County divorces outside that range or if you need the actual decree, the county clerk is the place to go.
Georgia Divorce Law in Clinch County
The Georgia DPH Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov holds the state's index of divorce records from 1952 to 1996. The screenshot below shows the public access portal for that database.
Georgia law governs every divorce in Clinch 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, per OCGA 19-5-2. The petition is filed in the county where either spouse lives. For Clinch County residents, that is the Superior Court in Homerville.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most common choice in Clinch County and statewide. A 30-day waiting period must pass after service on the respondent before the final decree can be signed. Free self-help forms for Georgia divorces are available at the Georgia Courts portal.
Public Access to Clinch County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act makes divorce decree records public. Any member of the public can request records from the Clinch County Clerk of Superior Court. No special status or stated reason is required. The clerk must respond and provide copies for the applicable fee.
Limited exceptions exist. Courts can seal records to protect minor children or prevent harm from financial disclosures. Sealed records are not accessible without a court order. This is rare in routine Clinch County divorce cases. Most files are public and accessible through a standard records request. Because the county is small and remote, it is best to handle as much as possible by phone before making the trip to Homerville.
Note: For very old records from the pre-digital era, paper files may be stored separately from active records. Allow additional time for the clerk to locate and pull archived materials.
Legal Help for Clinch County Divorce
Georgia Legal Services Program covers Clinch County and the surrounding rural south Georgia region. Eligible low-income residents can get free legal help with divorce, custody, and support matters. Apply by phone or through their website. Income and household size determine eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid provides free online guides and forms for people filing Georgia divorces without an attorney. For uncontested cases in Clinch County where both parties agree on all terms, these tools can guide you through the process. For more complex matters, the State Bar of Georgia has a referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney in your area. The Georgia Courts website also has contact information for the Clinch County Superior Court clerk in Homerville.