Early County Divorce Records
Early County divorce decree records are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Blakely, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case files in Early County. Georgia's open records law makes most divorce records available to the public, so anyone can request a copy. This guide explains how to get Early County divorce records, what they contain, what fees apply, and where to find legal help.
Early County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Early County Divorce Decrees
The Early County Clerk of Superior Court handles all divorce records in the county. The office is at 111 Court Square, Blakely, GA 39823. Call (229) 723-3008 to confirm office hours and get current fee information before you make the trip to Blakely. The Early County government website may have additional clerk contact details. Visiting the courthouse in person is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Early County.
When you arrive, bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed. A case number helps staff locate the record faster. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can search by name or case number and pull the file if it is available on-site. For older records that may be stored in an archive, call ahead to ask about retrieval time and any special procedures.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 111 Court Square with all the case details you have, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the copy fee. Confirm the fee by calling before you mail, as amounts can change. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so give yourself extra time if you have a deadline. Early County is a small rural county, and the clerk's staff is limited, so calling ahead is always a good first step.
What Early County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from Early County Superior Court is the court's final written order ending a marriage. It includes both parties' full legal names, the date the divorce was granted, the judge's signature, and all terms of the divorce. Property division, debt allocation, spousal support amounts, child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support obligations are all spelled out in the decree when those issues were part of the case. The decree is legally binding on both parties.
Certified copies of the divorce decree serve many purposes. You will need one to remarry in Georgia or another state. Government agencies, courts, and financial institutions accept certified copies as legal proof of divorce. Name change requests at the DMV, Social Security, and passport agencies often require it. Keep your certified copy in a secure place and get extra copies if you anticipate needing multiple. It is easier to request them upfront than to return to the clerk later.
The full case file also includes the original petition, financial documents, motions, and court orders from the case. Most are public. Some records may be restricted by court order, particularly documents involving minor children or sensitive financial data. Note: Ask the clerk which parts of the file are publicly accessible before submitting a request for the full case record.
Early County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees for divorce records in Early County are set by the clerk's office and can change over time. Call (229) 723-3008 for the current fee schedule before your visit. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on how many pages the decree runs. For most divorces, the cost is modest, but ask about the page count for your specific record if you want an estimate. Bring enough to cover the fee plus any additional per-page charges.
Filing fees apply when a divorce case is first opened in Early County Superior Court. These are different from the copy fees paid when requesting records later. If cost is a concern, ask the clerk about fee waiver options. Georgia law allows courts to waive fees for qualifying individuals who demonstrate financial hardship. The clerk can tell you what is required to request a waiver.
Note: Early County clerk's office typically accepts cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before your visit since credit card processing may not be available at smaller Georgia courthouses.
Georgia Divorce Laws That Apply in Early County
All divorces filed in Early County follow Georgia state law. Under OCGA 19-5-1, Georgia courts can grant divorces on multiple grounds. The most common is the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, which does not require either party to prove wrongdoing. Fault-based grounds are available under OCGA 19-5-3 and include adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication. Most Early County couples file on no-fault grounds.
At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing for divorce, per OCGA 19-5-2. Once the petition is filed in Early County Superior Court, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can issue the final decree. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often be wrapped up at a single brief hearing. Early County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce matters in the county.
Once the decree is issued and filed in Early County, it becomes a public record under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default, with narrow exceptions for records sealed by court order.
Public Access to Early County Divorce Records
Early County divorce decrees are public records. Any person can request a copy from the Clerk of Superior Court in Blakely. You do not need to be a party to the case. Visit the courthouse at 111 Court Square, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the record is on-site. This is the most direct path for Early County divorce records.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, maintains state-level divorce verification records from 1952 to 1996. These are verifications only, not full decrees. For complete certified copies, the Early County clerk is the source. The Georgia Courts website has general information about the Superior Court system for background.
Early County does not offer an online public portal for divorce case searches. In-person or mail contact with the clerk in Blakely is the standard route. The image below is from the Georgia DPH vital records database, showing one secondary resource for confirming Georgia divorce records.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records office handles state-level verifications, while the Early County clerk holds complete decree copies.
For certified copies of Early County divorce decrees, contact the Clerk of Superior Court at 111 Court Square in Blakely, Georgia.
Legal Help for Divorce in Early County
Georgia Legal Aid provides free services to qualifying Early County residents and can help with divorce filings and court procedures. Georgia Legal Services Program serves southwest Georgia counties including Early County. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service can connect you with a private family law attorney in the Blakely area if you need one.
For uncontested divorces, self-help forms are available at the Georgia Courts self-help portal. For contested cases involving property, children, or fault-based grounds, consulting with an attorney before filing is strongly recommended. The Early County clerk can tell you what forms are required locally but cannot give legal advice.