Search Harris County Divorce Decree Records
Harris County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Hamilton, Georgia, and are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. If you need a certified copy of a final divorce decree, want to look up a specific case, or need to confirm a divorce was finalized in Harris County, the clerk's office in Hamilton is where you start. This page explains how to request records, what they contain, what fees to expect, and how Georgia law governs the divorce process in Harris County.
Harris County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Harris County Divorce Decrees
The Harris County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all divorce records in this county. The office is at 102 S. College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811, and can be reached at (706) 628-5044. The Harris County website lists current hours and additional contact details. Visiting in person is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce when you visit. A case number is helpful but not required. Photo ID is expected. For mail requests, write to the clerk at 102 S. College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811. Include a clear description of the record you need, your contact information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call ahead to confirm fees before sending. Certified copies carry an official seal and cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on the page count of the file.
Processing times for mail requests run longer than in-person visits. Call the clerk before your visit if you are unsure about current hours, since smaller county offices occasionally adjust their schedules.
The Georgia Courts website provides a solid overview of how Superior Court civil cases, including divorce, are organized and accessed across all Georgia counties.
What Harris County Divorce Records Contain
The full case file for a Harris County divorce includes every document submitted during the proceedings. That starts with the original petition and continues through any responses, temporary orders, financial disclosures, consent agreements, and the final signed decree. All of these are stored together under the case number assigned at filing.
The final decree is the court's official order ending the marriage. It is signed by the Superior Court judge and entered into the official record. It names both parties and states the date the marriage was dissolved. Property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child custody, and child support are all reflected in the decree or in attached orders when those issues were part of the case. Name restoration is noted if one party requested it. These details are part of the public record in the vast majority of cases. Sealing requires a specific court order and does not happen automatically.
The Harris County Clerk of Superior Court in Hamilton maintains all divorce decree records and handles certified copy requests and case file access for the county.
The Harris County courthouse in Hamilton is the official repository for all Superior Court civil records, including divorce case files for residents throughout the county.
For divorces finalized between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office keeps a statewide verification index. Contact them at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. They can confirm a divorce occurred but cannot provide the actual decree. For the document itself, and for divorces outside that date range, the Harris County clerk is the only official source.
Harris County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Harris County clerk's office depend on whether you need a certified or plain copy and how many pages the record contains. Certified copies require the clerk's seal and signature, which is why they cost more. Call (706) 628-5044 before visiting to confirm current pricing. Knowing the case number in advance can help estimate the total cost.
Filing a new divorce case in Harris County involves a Superior Court filing fee paid at submission. Georgia divorce filing fees generally run a few hundred dollars depending on case type and any additional motions. If paying that fee is a hardship, Georgia provides a path to fee relief through a Pauper's Affidavit. This is a sworn statement of your financial situation. If approved, fees may be reduced or waived entirely. The clerk's office can explain how to submit one. Free court-approved divorce forms are available through the Georgia Courts self-help resources page.
Georgia Divorce Law and Harris County Cases
Georgia's divorce statutes are uniform across all counties. Residency is the first requirement. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Harris County Superior Court has jurisdiction when the petitioning spouse has established residency here for that period. The six months must elapse before the petition is filed.
Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is the most commonly used in Harris County and throughout Georgia. It requires no proof of specific wrongdoing. Fault-based grounds like adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment are available but add complexity. They can affect how a judge decides property and support issues, but most people prefer the simplicity and speed of the no-fault option, especially in uncontested cases.
Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period after filing and service before a final decree can be entered. OCGA 19-5-1 provides the foundational definition of divorce in Georgia, and OCGA 19-5-5 covers what must be in a divorce petition and how proceedings work. Uncontested cases with no disputes and complete paperwork can finalize in Harris County Superior Court without a hearing once that mandatory window has passed.
Public Access to Harris Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act (OCGA 50-18-70) entitles the public to inspect and copy most government records. Divorce case files at the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court are public records. Anyone can request access, not just the parties named in the case.
There are narrow exceptions. Records involving minor children can be partially sealed by court order. Some financial exhibits may carry access restrictions. But the default is openness, and most Harris County divorce records are fully available. If you want to request a record remotely, contact the clerk at (706) 628-5044 to ask what options exist for searching and requesting records without an in-person visit.
Legal Help in Harris County
Simple uncontested divorces can be managed without an attorney using the free forms and guides from the Georgia Courts self-help page. When disputes arise over property, children, or support, an attorney can protect your interests and help avoid errors that are difficult to correct after the fact.
The State Bar of Georgia operates a referral service that can help you find a qualified family law attorney who practices in this area. For residents who cannot afford legal fees, Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural counties in Georgia and may be able to assist qualifying Harris County residents. Georgia Legal Aid also accepts online applications for family law matters. Both programs have income requirements. Ask the clerk's office in Hamilton about any self-help materials posted at the courthouse for people representing themselves.