Echols County Divorce Decree Records
Echols County divorce decree records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Statenville, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official keeper of divorce case files and final decrees for the county. Georgia's open records law allows anyone to request a copy of a divorce decree. This guide explains how to get Echols County divorce records, what those documents include, applicable fees, and where to find legal help if you need it.
Echols County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Echols County Divorce Decrees
The Echols County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 129 E. Main Street, Statenville, GA 31648. Call (229) 559-5602 to confirm current office hours and ask about fees before making the trip to Statenville. The Echols County government website may have additional contact details for the clerk's office. In-person visits are the most direct way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Echols County.
Bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed when you visit the clerk's office. A case number helps staff locate the record faster but is not required. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number. Echols County is one of Georgia's smallest counties, so the clerk's office staff is very limited. Calling ahead before your visit ensures you get the help you need and that the office is open.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 129 E. Main Street with the case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required fee. Confirm the fee by phone first. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, especially for a small office with limited staff. For older records that may have been moved to archival storage, ask the clerk in advance how long retrieval takes.
Echols County is one of the smallest and most rural counties in Georgia. The courthouse in Statenville is the only point of access for local divorce records. Plan your visit accordingly, especially if traveling from outside the area.
What Echols County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from Echols County Superior Court is the court's final order ending a marriage. It names both parties, states the date of the divorce, and is signed by the presiding judge. All terms of the divorce are included in the decree. These may cover property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and, in cases with children, custody arrangements, visitation rights, and child support amounts. The decree is the legally binding document both parties must follow.
Certified copies of the decree serve many practical purposes. Remarriage in Georgia or another state typically requires proof that a prior marriage ended. A certified copy from the Echols County clerk serves that purpose. Name change applications at government agencies often need it. Courts use it to enforce support or custody terms. If you need several copies for different purposes, request them all at once to save a return trip to Statenville.
The full case file may also contain the original petition, financial disclosures, motions, and court orders. Most are public. Some portions may be sealed by court order. Note: Ask the clerk about any sealed portions of the file before submitting a full case request so you know what you can access.
Echols County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees for divorce records at the Echols County clerk's office are set by the office and may change. Call (229) 559-5602 before your visit to get current rates. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on the number of pages in the decree. Georgia county clerks typically charge a small per-page fee for certified copies, but the exact rate varies by county. Ask for an estimate when you call.
A filing fee is charged when a divorce case is first opened in Echols County Superior Court. This is separate from copy fees paid when requesting records later. If financial hardship is a concern, ask the clerk whether fee waivers are available. Georgia courts can waive fees for qualifying individuals. The clerk can explain what documentation is required.
Note: Smaller Georgia county clerks typically accept cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before your visit.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Echols County
All Echols County divorces are governed by Georgia state law. Under OCGA 19-5-1, Georgia courts can grant divorces on multiple grounds. The no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common. Neither party needs to prove wrongdoing. Fault-based grounds under OCGA 19-5-3 include adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication, among others. Most Echols County couples use the no-fault approach.
Before filing, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. After the petition is filed, 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 resolved at a single uncontested hearing. Echols County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county.
Once the divorce decree is filed in Echols County, it is a public record under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default. A court can seal specific records, but that requires a specific court order and is not standard for most divorce decrees.
Public Access to Echols County Divorce Records
Echols County divorce records are public under Georgia law. Anyone can request a copy of a divorce decree from the Clerk of Superior Court in Statenville without being a party to the case. Visit the courthouse at 129 E. Main Street, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the file is available. This direct approach is your primary option for Echols County records.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, holds state-level divorce verification records from 1952 to 1996. These are limited verification records, not complete decrees. For the full divorce decree from Echols County, you must contact the county clerk. Online access to Echols County divorce records is not currently available through any public portal.
The image below is from the Georgia DPH vital records office, a secondary source for confirming historical divorce records across Georgia. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about Superior Courts statewide.
Visit Georgia DPH Vital Records for state-level verifications, or contact the Echols County clerk for complete certified decree copies.
For Echols County divorce decree copies, the Clerk of Superior Court at 129 E. Main Street in Statenville is the only local source.
Legal Help for Divorce in Echols County
Georgia Legal Aid offers free legal services to qualifying residents and can help with divorce filings and procedures. Georgia Legal Services Program serves south Georgia counties including Echols County and may provide assistance to eligible clients. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service can connect you with a private attorney if needed.
Uncontested divorces can often be handled with self-help forms from the Georgia Courts self-help portal. For contested cases involving property, children, or fault-based grounds, getting legal advice before filing is strongly recommended. The Echols County clerk can tell you what local forms are required but cannot give legal advice.