Columbia County Divorce Decree Search
Columbia County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Evans, Georgia. The clerk's office maintains all divorce case files for the county, and these records are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. This page explains how to request Columbia County divorce decrees, what the case files contain, the costs involved, how Georgia law applies, and where residents can find legal assistance in the Augusta-Columbia County area.
Columbia County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Columbia County Divorce Decrees
The Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court is at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. Call the office at (706) 312-7342 for hours and information on how to request records. The Columbia County government website has contact details for the court clerk. Visiting in person at the Evans courthouse is the most direct method for requesting a divorce decree. Columbia County is one of Georgia's faster-growing suburban counties in the Augusta area, and the clerk's office handles a significant volume of records requests.
When visiting, bring the full names of both spouses and the approximate filing year. A case number helps considerably. Bring valid photo ID. For mail requests, write to the clerk with case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Confirm payment method and fees before sending anything. Columbia County's court system may have electronic records access for more recent cases; asking about online search options when you call can save a trip to Evans.
Note: Columbia County's population has grown rapidly. The clerk's office processes a high volume of requests. Calling ahead to ask about wait times and electronic access is helpful before making an in-person visit.
What Columbia County Divorce Records Contain
A Columbia County Superior Court divorce decree is the final legally binding order ending a marriage. It covers all terms the court resolved: division of real and personal property, debt allocation, alimony if ordered, and child custody and visitation. The judge signs the decree and it is filed with the clerk. Both parties are legally bound by it, and either can seek enforcement in court if the other fails to comply.
The complete case file at the Columbia County clerk includes the original petition, proof of service, financial affidavits from both parties, temporary orders if any were entered, and the final settlement for uncontested divorces. Contested cases will also have motion filings and the court's written decisions. This is separate from the Georgia DPH divorce certificate, which covers only divorces registered in Georgia from 1952 to 1996 and contains no case terms or details. For Columbia County divorces outside that date range or if you need the actual decree, the county clerk in Evans is the right source. DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, (404) 657-2700, or at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Columbia County Divorce Decree Fees
The Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court, found at columbiacountyga.gov, is the official keeper of all local court records including divorce decrees. The image below shows the county's public-facing records access portal.
Copy fees at the Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia's standard rate structure. Plain copies are typically $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies, which bear the clerk's official seal, cost more and are required for legal filings, name changes, and proof of marital status. Ask staff about current rates when you call (706) 312-7342 or visit. Confirm fees before sending payment for a mail request.
For state-level divorce verification from the DPH's 1952-1996 index, the fee structure differs from the county clerk. Their site at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords outlines what the verification covers and how to submit a request.
Georgia Divorce Law in Columbia County
Georgia law governs every divorce filed in Columbia County. The Superior Court holds jurisdiction under OCGA 19-5-1. Before filing, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months, per OCGA 19-5-2. The petition is filed in the county where either spouse currently lives. For Columbia County residents, that means filing in Evans.
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 Columbia County cases. After service on the respondent, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the final decree can be entered. This applies even when both parties agree on everything. Free self-help forms for Georgia divorces are at the Georgia Courts portal.
The Georgia Open Records Act makes Columbia County divorce decrees available to any member of the public upon a standard records request to the clerk.
Public Access to Columbia County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Columbia County are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Any person can submit a records request to the Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court. No legal relationship to the parties or stated reason is required. The clerk must respond and provide copies for the applicable fee.
Limited exceptions exist. Courts seal records to protect minor children or when both parties jointly request sealing and the court finds cause. Sealed records are not accessible without a court order. Routine Columbia County divorce cases are almost never sealed. Most files are fully accessible through a standard request. Given the county's growth, the clerk may have more modern digital records systems for recent cases compared to older ones stored on paper or in archives.
Note: Columbia County borders Richmond County, which includes Augusta. If you are unsure which county handled a specific divorce filing, the filing county depends on where the petitioner or respondent resided at the time of filing.
Legal Help for Columbia County Divorce
Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income Georgians, including Columbia County residents. Family law matters like divorce, custody, and support cases are within their scope. Apply by phone or online to check eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid has free online guides and forms for people handling their own Georgia divorce. For simple uncontested cases in Columbia County, the self-help tools often cover everything you need. For more complex matters, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney. Residents of Evans and Martinez have access to local attorneys familiar with the Columbia County courthouse and the Augusta metro legal community. The Georgia Courts website has contact information for the Columbia County Superior Court clerk in Evans.