Find Gwinnett County Divorce Decree Records
Gwinnett County divorce decree records are held by the Gwinnett Clerk of Court in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and are open to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Gwinnett is one of the most populous counties in Georgia, which means the clerk's office processes a high volume of divorce cases. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree, want to search a case by name or number, or need to confirm a divorce was filed here, this page covers how to access those records, what they contain, the fees involved, and how Georgia divorce law applies in Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Gwinnett County Divorce Decrees
Divorce records in Gwinnett County are held by the Gwinnett Clerk of Court, as the clerk's own resources confirm: "Divorce records are held by the Gwinnett Clerk of Court." The office is located at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, and can be reached by phone at (770) 822-8100. The Gwinnett County Court divorce and marriage records page provides specific guidance on how to request records and what to submit.
One important detail about Gwinnett: the clerk's office only accepts written requests for divorce records. Walk-in record lookups may not be available the same way they are in smaller counties. Mail requests should go to Clerk of Court, PO Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. In your letter, include the full legal names of both spouses, the approximate year of the divorce, and a case number if you have one. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and any required fees. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before mailing.
The records office describes what divorce documents typically cover: "Divorce records typically include basic information about the parties involved, the grounds for divorce, child custody and support arrangements, division of property and assets, and any restraining or protective orders and/or court orders and decrees." That summary applies to the Gwinnett case files as well.
The Georgia Courts website has general guidance on how Superior Court civil cases are handled across the state. Gwinnett County follows the same statewide procedures for filing and maintaining divorce case records.
What Gwinnett Divorce Records Contain
A complete Gwinnett County divorce case file includes the original petition for divorce, any responses filed by the other party, temporary orders issued during the case, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, and the final decree. All of these documents are indexed under the case number assigned at the time of filing. The clerk stores them as part of the official court record.
The final decree is the court's official order ending the marriage. It is signed by the judge and entered into the record. It names both parties and includes the dissolution date. If property or debts were divided, those terms appear in the decree or in an attached agreement. Child custody arrangements, child support orders, and spousal support terms are included when those issues were part of the case. Requests for name restoration are noted in the decree as well. All of this is public record unless the court issued a specific sealing order.
For divorces finalized between 1952 and 1996, a verification index is maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. They can confirm whether a divorce took place in Georgia during that window but cannot provide a copy of the decree. For the actual document, and for anything outside that date range, the Gwinnett Clerk of Court is the right place to go.
The Gwinnett County Court divorce records page explains how to request divorce records, what documents to include, and how to mail requests to the clerk's office in Lawrenceville.
The Gwinnett Clerk of Court handles divorce record requests by mail only and maintains a comprehensive case file system for all divorce proceedings filed in the county.
Gwinnett County Divorce Decree Fees
Filing a new divorce case in Gwinnett County comes with a filing fee. The range for divorce filings in Gwinnett runs from $220 to $260, depending on the type of case and any additional motions filed with the initial petition. This is higher than some smaller Georgia counties but reflects the volume and resources of a large metro court system.
If the filing fee is a financial hardship, Georgia provides a way to ask for relief. The clerk's own information notes: "If money is tight, ask about a Pauper's Affidavit to request a fee waiver." This is a sworn statement of your financial situation. If the court approves it, fees may be reduced or waived entirely. It does not change how your case is treated. Ask the Gwinnett clerk's office how to submit one when you contact them.
Copy fees for existing records are separate from filing fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies because the clerk applies an official seal. Call (770) 822-8100 for current pricing on copies. Free court-approved divorce forms are available through the Georgia Courts self-help resources page, which is helpful if you are handling the case yourself.
Georgia Divorce Law in Gwinnett County
Georgia's divorce statutes apply the same way in Gwinnett as in every other county. Residency comes first. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Gwinnett County Superior Court has jurisdiction when the petitioning party has established residency here, which includes residents throughout the county's many cities and communities.
Georgia allows thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The most widely used is the no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This does not require proof of any specific misconduct. Fault-based grounds like adultery and desertion are available and can factor into how judges handle property and support, but they add legal complexity and are less common. The no-fault route is the most practical choice for most couples, especially in uncontested cases.
After filing, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. The Gwinnett County clerk's information puts it plainly: an "Uncontested case timeline: 45 to 60 days after filing if documents are complete." That accounts for the 30-day window plus processing time. OCGA 19-5-1 defines divorce under Georgia law, and OCGA 19-5-5 covers petition requirements and court procedures. Complete, accurate paperwork speeds up the timeline.
Public Access to Gwinnett Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act (OCGA 50-18-70) gives the public the right to inspect and copy most government records. Divorce case files at the Gwinnett Clerk of Court are public records. Any person can request to view or copy them, not just the parties involved. The clerk's policy of accepting written requests applies to all requestors, not just parties to the case.
Certain records may be restricted. Portions of files involving minor children can be sealed by court order. Financial exhibits may also carry access restrictions in some cases. But the standard is openness, not secrecy, and most Gwinnett divorce case files are fully accessible. If you want to search remotely, the Gwinnett Court website is a useful first stop, and you can call (770) 822-8100 to discuss what options are available for locating a specific record.
Legal Help in Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County has a large population and a wide range of legal resources. For straightforward uncontested cases, self-representation is manageable using the free forms and guides from the Georgia Courts site. When custody, property, or support disputes arise, working with an attorney significantly reduces risk.
The State Bar of Georgia has a referral service that connects residents with qualified family law attorneys in the Gwinnett area. For those who cannot afford an attorney, Georgia Legal Aid serves the metro Atlanta region and accepts online applications for family law matters. Georgia Legal Services Program is another option, though it focuses primarily on rural areas. Income limits apply to both. The Gwinnett Clerk of Court's self-help resources and the courthouse's public access computers may also be useful for those filing on their own.
Gwinnett has cities with their own local resources as well. Divorce cases for residents of Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Sugar Hill are all handled through the Gwinnett County Superior Court.