Find Franklin County Divorce Decree Records
Franklin County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Carnesville, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case files in the county. Georgia law makes most divorce records public, and any person can request a copy. This guide explains how to find and obtain Franklin County divorce records, what they include, applicable fees, and where to find legal help.
Franklin County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Getting Divorce Decrees in Franklin County
The Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court manages all divorce records for the county. The office is at 9592 Lavonia Road, Carnesville, GA 30521. Call (706) 384-2514 to confirm current hours and ask about fees before making the trip. The Franklin County government website may have additional contact information for the clerk's office. Visiting the Carnesville courthouse in person is the most direct way to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree in Franklin County.
When you visit, bring the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was filed. A case number helps staff find 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 on-site. Franklin County is a smaller northeast Georgia county, so the clerk's office staff is limited and handles multiple responsibilities. Calling ahead before your visit ensures staff can help you when you arrive.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 9592 Lavonia Road with all the case details you have, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the correct fee. Confirm the fee by phone first. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so allow extra time if you have a deadline. For older records that may be archived, ask the clerk in advance whether retrieval requires additional time.
What Franklin County Divorce Records Contain
A Franklin 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, bears the judge's signature, and includes all terms the court approved. Property and debt division, spousal support terms, child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support amounts are all in the decree when those issues were part of the case. The decree is legally binding and governs what both parties must do after the divorce.
You will need a certified copy of the decree for a range of practical needs after the divorce. Remarrying in Georgia or another state requires proof the prior marriage ended legally. Government agencies commonly require a certified copy for name change requests at the DMV, Social Security office, and other places. Courts use the decree to enforce support or custody terms if one party fails to comply. Request extra certified copies when you first visit the clerk in Carnesville to save a return trip.
The full case file includes the original petition, financial disclosures, motions, court orders, and any settlement agreement. Most are public. Some may be restricted if the court issued a sealing order, particularly for records involving minor children or sensitive financial information. Note: Ask the clerk whether any portion of the file has restricted access before requesting the full case record.
Franklin County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees in Franklin County are set by the clerk's office and can change. Call (706) 384-2514 before your visit to get current rates. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on the page count of the decree and any attached orders. Georgia county clerks typically charge a few dollars per page for certified copies. Ask for an estimate when you call so you know what to bring.
A filing fee is charged when a divorce case is first opened in Franklin County Superior Court. This is a separate charge from the copy fees paid when requesting records later. Ask about fee waiver options if cost is a concern. Georgia courts can waive fees for qualifying individuals facing financial hardship. The clerk can explain what documentation is needed for a waiver request.
Note: Franklin County clerk's office typically accepts cash, check, or money order. Credit card processing may not be available at smaller Georgia courthouses. Confirm payment types before your visit.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Franklin County
All Franklin 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 commonly used. Neither party has to prove fault. Georgia also allows fault-based divorce under OCGA 19-5-3, covering grounds such as adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication. Most Franklin County couples use the no-fault approach.
At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before the divorce petition is filed, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. A 30-day waiting period applies after filing before the court can issue the final decree. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often be resolved at a brief uncontested hearing. Franklin County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce matters filed in the county.
Once the divorce decree is issued and filed in Franklin County, it becomes a public record under the Georgia Open Records Act. Open access is the default, with narrow exceptions for records sealed by specific court order.
Public Access to Franklin County Divorce Records
Franklin 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 Carnesville. You do not need to be a party to the case. Visit 9592 Lavonia Road, provide the party names and approximate date, pay the fee, and receive a certified copy if the file is on-site. This direct approach is your most reliable option in Franklin County.
The image below shows the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court office, the official source for all divorce decree records in the county.
The Franklin County government website has contact information for the clerk's office and may include current hours and service details.
The Carnesville courthouse clerk's office maintains divorce decree records for all cases filed in Franklin County, Georgia, and processes public records requests.
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 verification database. These are not full decrees. For certified copies of the complete Franklin County divorce record, the county clerk in Carnesville is the source. The Georgia Courts website has general information about the state Superior Court system.
Legal Help for Divorce in Franklin County
Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal services to qualifying Franklin County residents and can assist with divorce filings and court procedures. Georgia Legal Services Program also serves northeast Georgia 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 northeast Georgia area if you need one.
For uncontested divorces, self-help forms are available through the Georgia Courts self-help portal. For contested cases involving children, property, or fault-based grounds, consulting with an attorney before filing is strongly recommended. The Franklin County clerk can tell you which forms to file locally but cannot give legal advice.