Fulton County Divorce Decree Records
Fulton County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Atlanta, Georgia. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees, full case files, and related records for Fulton County. Georgia law makes most divorce records public, and anyone can request a copy. This guide covers how to get Fulton County divorce records, what those documents include, fees, and where to find legal help in the Atlanta area.
Fulton County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Fulton County Divorce Decrees
Divorce records in Fulton County can be obtained from the Fulton County Superior Court. The clerk's office is at 136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C155, Atlanta, GA 30303. Reach them at (404) 613-5313. You can also visit the Fulton County Court website for current service hours, fee schedules, and information about online access. The court's dedicated marriage and divorce records page explains the specific process for requesting certified copies of divorce decrees.
Fulton County offers an eCertified PDF option for requesting certified copies of divorce decrees online. This is one of the most convenient options for getting a legally valid digital copy of a divorce decree without visiting the courthouse in Atlanta. For in-person requests, visit the clerk's office at 136 Pryor Street SW and bring the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a valid photo ID. A case number will speed up the search. Mail requests are also accepted at the same address.
For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the case number if you have it, the approximate date of the divorce, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the copy fee. The processing time for mail requests is typically 7 to 14 business days. In-person requests are handled faster. The eCertified PDF option, where available through the online portal, can be processed without waiting in line at the courthouse.
Fulton County is the most populous county in Georgia and home to the city of Atlanta. The Superior Court in Atlanta processes a very high volume of divorce cases and records requests. Using the online eCertification option when available, or calling ahead to confirm the right department for your request, can save significant time.
Cities in Fulton County with their own pages on this site include Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, East Point, and Union City. All divorce cases for residents of these cities are handled by the Fulton County Superior Court clerk's office in Atlanta.
What Fulton County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree shows the specific terms of a divorce approved by the Fulton County Superior Court. The decree names both parties by their full legal names, states the date the divorce was granted, is signed by the presiding judge, and sets out all the terms the court ordered. Property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support amounts all appear in the decree when they were part of the case.
Certified copies of the divorce decree are required for a range of legal purposes. A copy is required to help enforce court decisions about spousal support, custody and visitation, child support, and the division of a couple's debts and assets. You need it to remarry in Georgia or another state. A divorce certificate may be needed for name changes or to update records with government agencies and financial institutions. The Fulton County clerk's office provides certified copies that are legally valid for all these purposes.
Standard records requests in Fulton County generally range from $5 to $25 per document depending on the type of copy and the length of the document. Most requests are processed within 5 to 10 business days for mail or online submissions. In-person requests at the clerk's window can be handled faster. The full case file at the clerk's office may also include the original divorce petition, financial affidavits, motions, court orders, and any settlement agreement. These are generally public records, though some documents may be restricted by court order.
Note: Some financial records attached to Fulton County divorce cases may be sealed by court order. Ask the clerk which portions of the specific file you are requesting are publicly accessible before submitting a full case record request.
Fulton County Divorce Record Fees
As of July 1, 2024, the filing fee to open a new divorce case in Fulton County Superior Court is $223.00. This is the fee paid when you first file for divorce, not when you request copies later. For certified copies of divorce decrees, the fee is $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Uncertified photocopies are $0.50 per page without clerical assistance, or $1.00 per page with staff assistance. These are specific fees set by the Fulton County Superior Court and may be subject to change.
Standard document request costs generally range from $5 to $25 total, depending on the type of copy, whether it is certified, and how many pages are involved. Call (404) 613-5313 or check the Fulton County Court website for the most current fee schedule before submitting your request. For eCertified PDF copies, the online portal will display the applicable fee at the time of the request.
If financial hardship is a concern, ask the clerk's office about fee waiver options. Georgia courts can waive fees for qualifying individuals. The clerk can tell you what documentation is required to apply for a waiver in Fulton County. For mail requests, be sure to include the correct payment amount with your request to avoid processing delays.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Fulton County
Georgia state law governs all divorces filed in Fulton County. Under OCGA 19-5-1, Georgia courts can grant divorces on multiple grounds. The no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is by far the most common in Fulton County and statewide. Neither party has to prove wrongdoing to use this ground. Georgia also recognizes fault-based grounds under OCGA 19-5-3, including adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, habitual intoxication, and others. The majority of Fulton County divorces use no-fault grounds regardless of the circumstances.
Before filing in Fulton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of six months, as required under OCGA 19-5-2. Once the petition is filed with the Fulton County Superior Court clerk, a mandatory 30-day waiting period applies before the court can issue the final divorce decree. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can often be resolved at a brief uncontested hearing. Contested cases involving significant assets, business interests, or custody disputes are handled through a more extensive litigation process and may take months or longer to resolve.
Fulton County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce matters filed in the county. As the court for the state's largest county, it processes more divorce cases than any other Superior Court in Georgia. The presiding judge reviews all agreements and signed orders to confirm compliance with Georgia law before the divorce is finalized and the decree is issued. Once issued, the decree is filed with the clerk's office and becomes part of the public record.
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce decrees filed in Fulton County are public records. Any person can request a copy. Courts can seal specific documents in individual cases, but the default under Georgia law is open public access. Fulton County follows state open records law without exception.
Public Access to Fulton County Divorce Records
Fulton County divorce records are public under Georgia law. Anyone can request a copy of a divorce decree from the Clerk of Superior Court at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta. You do not need to be a party to the case. Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and pay the applicable copy fee. Certified copies are available in person, by mail, or through the eCertification online portal.
The images below show the Fulton County Superior Court divorce records system and the clerk's office where decrees are maintained and accessed by the public.
The Fulton County Court marriage and divorce records page provides specific instructions on how to request certified copies and what information to include in your request.
The Fulton County Superior Court records system provides online and in-person access to divorce decree records through the clerk's office at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta.
The Fulton County Court website and the clerk's physical office both handle records requests. The image below shows the clerk's office location that processes certified copies of divorce decrees.
The clerk's office at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta is the official keeper of all Fulton County Superior Court divorce records, including decrees going back many decades.
The Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, maintains state-level divorce verification records from 1952 to 1996. These are verification records only, not full decrees. For certified copies of complete Fulton County divorce decrees, the Fulton County Superior Court clerk is the official and most complete source. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about the Superior Court system statewide.
Legal Help for Divorce in Fulton County
Georgia Legal Aid provides free legal services to qualifying residents of Fulton County and can help with divorce filings, court procedures, and understanding your rights. Georgia Legal Services Program also serves the Atlanta area and may assist eligible clients. For those who need a private attorney, the State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an experienced family law attorney in the Atlanta area.
For uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms, self-help forms are available through the Georgia Courts self-help portal. These forms are designed for people who represent themselves without an attorney. Fulton County divorces involving significant assets, business interests, multiple properties, or contested child custody are complex matters. For those situations, consulting with an attorney before filing is strongly recommended. The Fulton County clerk's staff can tell you what forms to file but cannot give legal advice.