Floyd County Divorce Decree Search
Floyd County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Rome, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case files for the county. Georgia law makes most divorce records public, and any person can request a copy. This page explains how to find and obtain Floyd County divorce records, what those documents include, applicable fees, and where to get legal assistance.
Floyd County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Floyd County Divorce Decrees
The Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court handles all divorce records for the county. The office is at 3 Government Plaza, Rome, GA 30161. Reach them by phone at (706) 291-5190. The Floyd County website may have additional information on clerk services and hours. In-person visits to the Rome courthouse are the most direct way to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree in Floyd County.
When you visit, bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number speeds up the search but is not required. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search records by name or case number. Floyd County is the regional hub for northwest Georgia, and the clerk's office handles a significant number of civil and family cases. Coming with as much case information as possible will help staff locate the record you need efficiently.
Mail requests are accepted at 3 Government Plaza. Send a written request with all case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the copy fee. Call (706) 291-5190 first to confirm the current fee before mailing payment. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person visits. For older archived records, ask the clerk in advance whether retrieval from storage requires extra time or a separate request process.
Residents of Rome file divorce cases with the Floyd County Superior Court. The courthouse at 3 Government Plaza in Rome serves all county residents, including those within city limits.
What Floyd County Divorce Records Contain
A Floyd County divorce decree is the Superior Court's final order ending a marriage. It identifies both parties by their full legal names, states the date the divorce was granted, is signed by the presiding judge, and spells out all terms the court approved. Property division, debt allocation, and spousal support appear in the decree when they were part of the case. For cases involving children, the decree also includes custody arrangements, visitation terms, and child support amounts. This document is legally binding and governs post-divorce obligations for both parties.
Certified copies of the decree are required for many post-divorce needs. Remarrying in Georgia or another state requires proof the prior marriage ended legally. Name change requests at the DMV, Social Security, and other government agencies typically require a certified copy. Courts use the decree to enforce support or custody terms if a dispute arises. Financial institutions may need it to update account ownership. Get extra copies when you first visit the clerk to avoid returning to Rome later.
The full case file at the Floyd County clerk's office includes the original petition, financial disclosures, motions, orders issued during the case, and any settlement agreement. Most are public records. Some documents may be restricted under a court seal, particularly those involving minor children or sensitive financial information. Note: Ask the clerk whether any portion of the file is under a court seal before submitting a full case request.
Floyd County Divorce Record Fees
Copy fees for divorce records in Floyd County are set by the clerk's office and may change. Call (706) 291-5190 before your visit to get the current rate. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on the number of pages in the decree and any attached orders. Ask the clerk for an estimate based on the document you need.
A filing fee is charged when a divorce case is first opened in Floyd County Superior Court. This is separate from copy fees paid when requesting records later. Ask about fee waiver options if financial hardship applies. Georgia courts can waive fees for qualifying individuals, and the clerk can tell you what documentation is required.
Note: Floyd County clerk's office typically accepts cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before your visit to Rome.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Floyd County
All Floyd County divorces 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 common. Neither party needs to prove fault. Fault-based grounds under OCGA 19-5-3 include adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication. Most Floyd County cases use the no-fault approach.
Before filing in Floyd County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. A 30-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed before the court can finalize the divorce. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often be resolved at a brief uncontested hearing. Floyd County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce cases filed in the county.
Once the divorce decree is issued and filed in Floyd County, it becomes a public record under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default. Courts can seal specific documents by order, but that is not common for standard divorce decrees.
Public Access to Floyd County Divorce Records
Floyd 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 Rome. You do not need to be a party to the case. Visit 3 Government Plaza, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the file is on-site. This is the most reliable approach for Floyd County records.
The image below shows the Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court office, the official repository for all divorce decree records in the county.
The Floyd County website has contact details for the clerk's office and may include current hours of operation.
The Rome courthouse clerk's office handles divorce decree requests for all cases filed in Floyd County, including cases for residents of the city of Rome.
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 certified copies of the full decree, the Floyd County clerk is the source. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about the Superior Court system across the state.
Legal Help for Divorce in Floyd County
Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal services to qualifying Floyd County residents and can help with divorce filings and court procedures. Georgia Legal Services Program also serves northwest Georgia and may assist eligible clients in the Rome area. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service can connect you with a private family law attorney experienced in Floyd County cases.
For uncontested divorces, 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 Floyd County clerk can explain local procedures but cannot give legal advice.