Crisp County Divorce Decree Records
Crisp County divorce decree records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Cordele, Georgia. The clerk is the official keeper of all divorce case files in the county, and records are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. This page explains how to request a Crisp County divorce decree, what case files include, the fees involved, the Georgia legal framework for divorce, and where residents can get help with a divorce case.
Crisp County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Crisp County Divorce Decree Records
The Crisp County Clerk of Superior Court is at 510 N. 7th Street, Cordele, GA 31015. The phone number is (229) 276-2616. The Crisp County government website has contact information for the court. Visiting the Cordele courthouse in person is the most direct way to request a divorce decree. Cordele serves as a regional center for the area around Crisp County, and the clerk's office handles public records requests for both local residents and people searching from elsewhere.
When visiting, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce filing. A case number is helpful. Bring valid photo ID. Staff will search the record index by name and year. For mail requests, write to the clerk's office with the case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Always call ahead to confirm payment methods and current fees before sending any payment by mail. The clerk can tell you whether a record is available before you make the trip.
Note: Call the Crisp County clerk's office before visiting if you are looking for an older case, as records from earlier decades may be stored separately from current active files.
What Crisp County Divorce Records Contain
A Crisp County Superior Court divorce decree is the final legal order ending a marriage. It covers every term the court resolved: how marital property and debts are split, whether either spouse pays support and for how long, and the custody and visitation arrangement for any children. The decree is signed by the judge and filed with the clerk. Its terms are binding on both parties and can be enforced through court action if either party fails to comply.
The full case file at the Crisp County clerk includes the original petition, proof of service on the respondent, financial affidavits, any temporary orders entered while the case was active, and the final agreement for uncontested divorces. Contested cases will have motion filings and written rulings from the judge. The Georgia DPH divorce certificate is a completely different document. It only confirms that a divorce was registered in Georgia between 1952 and 1996. It has no decree terms, no property details, and no custody information. For Crisp County divorces 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.
Crisp County Divorce Decree Fees
The Crisp County Clerk of Superior Court charges copy fees in line with Georgia's standard court rate structure. Plain copies typically run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's seal and are required for legal filings, name change applications, and proving marital status, cost more. Ask staff about current rates when you call (229) 276-2616 or visit the Cordele courthouse. Confirm fees before sending any payment for a mail request.
For state-level divorce verification from the DPH index covering 1952-1996, the fee structure differs from county court copy fees. The DPH Vital Records page explains the verification process and what information to provide. For Crisp County divorces outside that window or if you need the full decree, the county clerk is the right place to go.
Georgia Divorce Law in Crisp County
The Georgia DPH Vital Records database at dph.georgia.gov is the statewide index for divorces registered from 1952 to 1996. The image below shows that resource as it appears to people searching for divorce verifications in Georgia.
Georgia law governs every divorce case filed in Crisp County. The Superior Court holds exclusive jurisdiction under OCGA 19-5-1. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six continuous months before filing, per OCGA 19-5-2. The petition is filed in the county of either spouse's current residence. For Crisp County residents, that is the Cordele courthouse.
Under OCGA 19-5-3, Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most common in Crisp County and across the state. After service on the respondent, a 30-day waiting period applies before the final decree can be entered. No exceptions apply, even in fully agreed cases. Self-represented filers can download free forms at the Georgia Courts self-help portal. The Georgia Open Records Act makes Crisp County divorce records publicly accessible through the clerk's office.
Public Access to Crisp County Divorce Decrees
Divorce decree records in Crisp County are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Any person can request copies from the Crisp County Clerk of Superior Court. No stated reason or legal relationship to the parties is required. The clerk must respond and provide copies for the applicable fee.
Courts can seal records in limited situations. Records may be sealed to protect minor children or when both parties request sealing and the court finds good cause. Sealed records are not available without a court order. This is uncommon in standard Crisp County divorce cases. Most divorce decrees are fully public and can be obtained through a routine request to the clerk in Cordele. For older cases stored on paper, allow extra time for the clerk to retrieve files from archives.
Note: If you are searching for a case and are not sure which county handled the divorce, the county of filing is the county where either spouse lived at the time the petition was filed. DPH verification for older cases can sometimes help narrow down the county.
Legal Help for Crisp County Divorce
Georgia Legal Services Program covers Crisp County and serves qualifying low-income Georgians in south-central Georgia with free legal assistance in family law matters. Apply online or by phone to see if your income qualifies for free divorce, custody, or support help.
Georgia Legal Aid provides free online guides and forms for people handling their own Georgia divorce. Uncontested Crisp County divorces where both parties agree on all terms can often be navigated using the self-help tools. For contested cases or disputes over property or children, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a licensed family law attorney serving the Crisp County area. The Georgia Courts website has contact and filing information for the Crisp County Superior Court clerk in Cordele.