Fannin County Divorce Decree Records
Fannin County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all divorce case files and final decrees in the county. Georgia's open records law makes most divorce decrees available to the public, and any person can request a copy. This guide explains how to get Fannin County divorce records, what those documents include, applicable fees, and where to find legal help.
Fannin County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Divorce Decrees in Fannin County
The Fannin County Clerk of Superior Court is the official source for divorce records in the county. The office is at 400 W. Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Call (706) 632-2039 to confirm current office hours and ask about copy fees before making the trip to Blue Ridge. The Fannin County government website may have additional information on clerk services and contact details. Visiting the Blue Ridge courthouse in person is typically the fastest way to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree in Fannin County.
When you visit the clerk's office, bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. 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 and pull the file if it is stored on-site. For older records that may have been moved to an archive, ask the clerk in advance whether retrieval from storage takes extra time.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 400 W. Main Street with all case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required fee. Confirm the current fee by calling first. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you have a deadline. Fannin County is a smaller north Georgia mountain county, so the clerk's office staff handles multiple duties. Calling before your visit is a smart way to make sure staff can help you when you arrive.
What Fannin County Divorce Records Contain
A Fannin County divorce decree is the Superior Court's final order ending a marriage. It names both parties by their full legal names, states the date the divorce was granted, is signed by the judge, and spells out all terms the court approved. Property division, debt allocation, any spousal support ordered, child custody arrangements, visitation terms, and child support amounts all appear in the decree when those were part of the case. This document is legally binding on both parties.
Certified copies of the divorce decree serve important purposes after the marriage ends. You need a certified copy to remarry in Georgia or another state. Government agencies, courts, and financial institutions accept it as legal proof of divorce. Name change requests at state agencies typically require it. Keep your certified copy in a secure location. Requesting extra copies when you first visit the clerk's office is more efficient than returning to Blue Ridge a second time.
The full case file at the Fannin County clerk's office also includes the original petition, financial documents, motions, court orders, and any settlement agreement. Most are public. Some documents may be restricted if the court issued a sealing order, particularly those involving minor children or sensitive financial records. Note: Ask the clerk whether any portion of the file you need is sealed before submitting a complete records request.
Fannin County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees for divorce records in Fannin County are set by the clerk's office and can change. Call (706) 632-2039 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 and any attached orders. Georgia county clerks typically charge a few dollars per page for certified copies, but Fannin County may have its own rate. Ask for an estimate when you call.
A filing fee is charged when a divorce case is first opened in Fannin County Superior Court. This is separate from copy fees paid when requesting records later. Ask the clerk about fee waiver options if cost is a concern. Georgia courts can waive fees for individuals facing financial hardship. The clerk can tell you what documentation is required for a fee waiver request.
Note: Fannin County clerk's office typically accepts cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before your visit.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Fannin County
All Fannin 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 to use this ground. Georgia also recognizes fault-based grounds under OCGA 19-5-3, including adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication. Most Fannin County cases use the no-fault approach.
Before filing in Fannin County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of six months, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. A 30-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed 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. Fannin County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce matters in the county.
Once the divorce decree is issued and filed in Fannin County, it is a public record under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default. Courts can seal specific records by individual order, but that is not the norm for standard divorce decrees.
Public Access to Fannin County Divorce Records
Fannin 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 Blue Ridge. You do not need to be a party to the case. Visit the courthouse at 400 W. Main Street, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the file is available on-site. This is the most reliable route for Fannin County divorce records.
For state-level divorce verifications covering 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, not full decree copies. For complete certified copies, the Fannin County clerk is your source. The Georgia Courts website has background on the Superior Court system statewide.
Fannin County does not offer an online public portal for searching divorce records. In-person or mail contact with the clerk in Blue Ridge is the standard route. The image below shows the Georgia DPH vital records office, one secondary resource for confirming historical divorce records in Georgia.
For state verifications, visit Georgia DPH Vital Records. For Fannin County certified decree copies, contact the clerk in Blue Ridge.
All Fannin County divorce decree copies must be requested from the Clerk of Superior Court at 400 W. Main Street in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Legal Help for Divorce in Fannin County
Georgia Legal Aid offers free legal services to qualifying Fannin County residents and can assist with divorce filings and court procedures. Georgia Legal Services Program also serves north Georgia mountain counties and may be able to help eligible clients. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service can connect you with a private family law attorney in the Blue Ridge area.
For uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms, self-help forms are available through 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 Fannin County clerk can explain local filing requirements but cannot give legal advice.