Coweta County Divorce Decree Records
Coweta County divorce decree records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Newnan, Georgia. The clerk holds all divorce case documents for the county, from initial petition through the final signed decree, and records are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. This page covers how to request divorce decree records in Coweta County, what case files include, the fees involved, the applicable Georgia statutes, and legal resources available to county residents.
Coweta County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Coweta County Divorce Decree Records
The Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 72 Greenville Street, Newnan, GA 30263. The phone number is (770) 253-2500. Visit the Coweta County government website for additional contact information and court details. Coweta County is a growing suburban Atlanta county, and the clerk's office processes a significant number of records requests. Visiting the Newnan courthouse in person is a reliable method for getting a copy of a divorce decree.
Bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate filing year. A case number helps locate the file faster. Bring valid photo ID. For mail-in requests, write to the clerk's office with the necessary details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Ask about current fees and payment methods before sending anything. Recent cases in Coweta County are likely to be in digital form; asking the clerk about online access options when you call may save a trip to Newnan.
Note: Coweta County's population has grown considerably in recent years. Call ahead to ask about current wait times or appointment requirements for in-person records requests.
What Coweta County Divorce Records Contain
A Coweta County Superior Court divorce decree is the final legal order ending a marriage. It covers all terms the court resolved: property and debt division, spousal support if any was awarded, and child custody and visitation if children are involved. The decree is signed by the judge and filed with the clerk. Both parties are legally bound by its terms, and either can seek enforcement back in court if the other does not comply.
The complete case file at the Coweta County clerk includes the original petition, proof of service on the respondent, financial affidavits from both parties, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, and the final agreement for uncontested divorces. Contested cases will also have motion filings and written court decisions. This is entirely different from the brief certificate the Georgia DPH issues. That document only confirms a divorce was registered in Georgia between 1952 and 1996 and contains no case details. For Coweta County divorces outside that window or if you need the actual decree, the county clerk in Newnan is the right source. DPH is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, (404) 657-2700, or at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Coweta County Divorce Decree Fees
The Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court charges copy fees in line with Georgia's standard rate structure. Plain copies run $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 change applications, and proof of marital status. Ask staff for the current fee schedule when you call (770) 253-2500 or visit the courthouse in Newnan. Confirm the amount before sending any payment for a mail request.
For state-level divorce verification from the DPH for the 1952-1996 period, the fee and process differ from the county clerk. The DPH Vital Records page explains the verification service and what it covers. For Coweta County divorces outside that range or if you need the actual decree, the county clerk handles the request.
Georgia Divorce Law in Coweta County
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database at dph.georgia.gov provides statewide divorce verification for records from 1952 to 1996. The image below shows that public access resource as it appears online.
Georgia law governs every divorce case filed in Coweta County. The Superior Court holds exclusive jurisdiction under OCGA 19-5-1. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months, per OCGA 19-5-2, before a petition can be filed. The petition is filed in the county of either spouse's current residence.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most frequently used in Coweta County. After service on the respondent, a mandatory 30-day waiting period applies before the judge can enter the final decree. This is required even in fully uncontested cases. Free divorce forms for self-represented filers are at the Georgia Courts self-help portal.
Public Access to Coweta County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act makes divorce decree records in Coweta County publicly available. Any person can request records from the Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court. No legal relationship to the parties or stated reason is required. The clerk is legally required to respond and provide copies for the applicable fee.
Courts can restrict access to records in limited circumstances. Records may be sealed to protect minor children or when both parties agree and the court finds good cause. Sealed records cannot be provided without a court order. This is uncommon in standard Coweta County divorce cases. Most divorce decrees are fully public and accessible through a routine records request. Given the county's growth, some records for recent cases may be digitally available through the clerk's system.
Note: Coweta County is a growing metro Atlanta county with a busy courthouse. Call ahead for large or complex requests to understand the best approach and current wait times.
Legal Help for Coweta County Divorce Cases
Georgia Legal Services Program provides free legal help to qualifying low-income Georgians in family law matters including divorce, custody, and support. Coweta County residents can apply by phone or online. Income and household size eligibility requirements apply.
Georgia Legal Aid offers free online self-help tools and guides for people filing their own divorce in Georgia. For simple uncontested Coweta County divorces where both parties agree on all terms, these resources can guide you through the process. For contested matters involving significant property or custody disputes, getting professional legal advice is advisable. The State Bar of Georgia has a referral service to connect you with a licensed family law attorney. Residents of Newnan have ready access to local attorneys familiar with the Coweta County Superior Court. The Georgia Courts website has contact and filing information for the Coweta County clerk in Newnan.