Find Effingham County Divorce Decree Records
Effingham County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Springfield, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case files in the county. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most divorce decrees are available to the public, and any person can submit a records request. This guide explains how to find and obtain Effingham County divorce records, what those documents include, fees to expect, and where to get legal help.
Effingham County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Divorce Decrees in Effingham County
The Effingham County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all divorce records for the county. The office is located at 700 N. Pine Street, Springfield, GA 31329. Call (912) 754-2118 to confirm current office hours and ask about fees before your visit. The Effingham County website may have additional information on clerk services. Visiting the courthouse in Springfield in person is the most direct way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Effingham County.
When you go to the clerk's office, bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed. A case number speeds things up but is not required. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and retrieve the file if it is on-site. For cases that may have been archived, ask in advance whether retrieval takes extra time. Effingham County has grown rapidly in recent years, so the clerk's office handles a growing volume of cases.
Mail requests are accepted at the Springfield address. Write a clear request letter with all the case details you have, include a self-addressed stamped envelope, and send payment for the copy fee. Call (912) 754-2118 first to confirm the current fee amount before mailing. Mail requests take more time than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you have a specific deadline.
What Effingham County Divorce Records Contain
An Effingham County divorce decree is the Superior Court's final 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, any spousal support ordered, child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support amounts all appear in the decree when they were part of the case. The decree is legally binding on both parties and on any subsequent courts that must enforce it.
A certified copy of the divorce decree is regularly needed for legal and personal purposes. You need one to remarry in Georgia. Government agencies require it for name change requests. Courts use it to enforce support or custody terms if one party does not comply. Financial institutions may need it when updating accounts. Keep your certified copy in a safe location. Requesting extra copies when you first visit the clerk is often more efficient than returning later.
The case file at the Effingham County clerk's office includes more than just the final decree. The original petition, financial affidavits, motions, and court orders from the case may all be in the file. Most of these documents are public. Some may be restricted if the court issued a sealing order. Note: Ask the clerk whether any portion of a specific file is sealed before submitting a full request for the case record.
Effingham County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees for divorce records in Effingham County are set by the clerk's office and can change. Call (912) 754-2118 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 clerk fees for certified copies typically run a few dollars per page, but Effingham County may have its own specific schedule. Ask for a fee estimate when you call.
A filing fee is charged when a divorce case is first opened in Effingham County Superior Court. This fee is separate from copy fees paid when requesting records later. If financial hardship applies, ask the clerk about fee waiver options. Georgia courts can waive fees for qualifying individuals. The clerk can explain what documentation supports a waiver request.
Note: Effingham County clerk's office typically accepts cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Effingham County
All divorces in Effingham County follow 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 commonly used. Neither party needs to prove wrongdoing to use this ground. Georgia also allows fault-based divorces under OCGA 19-5-3, covering grounds such as adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication. Most Effingham County cases use no-fault grounds.
At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of six months before the divorce petition is filed, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. Once filed, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can finalize the divorce. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often be resolved at a single brief hearing. Effingham County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county.
Divorce decrees filed in Effingham County are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default. Specific records can be sealed by court order, but that is the exception rather than the rule for standard divorce decrees.
Public Access to Effingham County Divorce Decrees
Effingham County divorce records are public under Georgia law. Any person can request a copy of a divorce decree from the Clerk of Superior Court in Springfield without being a party to the case. Visit the courthouse at 700 N. Pine Street, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the file is on-site. This in-person approach is the most reliable for Effingham County records.
The image below shows the Effingham County Clerk of Superior Court office, the official home of divorce decree records in the county.
The Effingham County website has contact details for the clerk's office and may include current hours and service information.
The Springfield courthouse clerk's office maintains divorce decree records for all cases filed in Effingham County. Staff can search by party name or case number.
For state-level divorce verifications from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, maintains a separate database. These are verifications only. For complete certified copies of Effingham County divorce decrees, the county clerk in Springfield is your source. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about Superior Court procedures statewide.
Note: Effingham County does not currently offer an online public portal for searching divorce case records. In-person or mail contact with the clerk in Springfield is the standard approach.
Legal Help for Divorce in Effingham County
Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal services to qualifying residents and can help with divorce filings and court procedures in Effingham County. Georgia Legal Services Program also serves the Savannah-area counties, including Effingham, and may be able to assist eligible clients. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service can connect you with a private family law attorney if you prefer that route.
For uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on all terms, self-help forms are available at the Georgia Courts self-help portal. For contested cases involving property, children, or fault-based grounds, consulting an attorney before filing is strongly recommended. The Effingham County clerk can tell you what forms to file locally but cannot give legal advice.