Hart County Divorce Decree Records
Hart County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Hartwell, Georgia, and are open to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. If you need a certified copy of a final divorce decree, want to search for a case by name, or need documentation that a divorce was finalized in Hart County, the clerk's office in Hartwell is the right starting point. This guide covers how to access those records, what they include, what fees apply, and how Georgia law governs divorce proceedings filed in this county.
Hart County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Hart County Divorce Decrees
The Hart County Clerk of Superior Court handles all divorce decree records for the county. The office is at 185 W. Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643, and can be reached by phone at (706) 376-7189. The Hart County website may have updated hours and contact details for court services. Visiting in person is the most direct way to get a same-day certified copy of a divorce decree.
When you visit the courthouse, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was filed or finalized. A case number speeds up the process but is not required. Photo ID is standard for records requests. For those who cannot visit in person, the clerk accepts written requests by mail. Write to 185 W. Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643, describe the record you need, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and your contact details, and call ahead to confirm current fees. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies, and the total depends on how many pages are in the file.
Mail requests take more time than an in-person visit. If you are working toward a deadline, plan accordingly or contact the clerk to ask about priority options.
The Georgia Courts website provides useful background on how Superior Court records work in Georgia, including divorce filings and case file access across the state's 159 counties.
What Hart Divorce Records Contain
The complete case file maintained by the Hart County clerk includes all documents submitted during the divorce proceedings. That means the original petition, any response filed by the other party, temporary orders entered during the case, financial disclosures, consent agreements, and the final signed decree. Everything is stored under the case number assigned at the time of filing.
The final decree is the official court order ending the marriage. It is signed by the Superior Court judge and reflects all terms the court ordered or the parties agreed upon. Property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and, when children were involved, custody and support arrangements are all addressed in the decree or attached orders. Name restoration is included if one spouse requested it. All of this is part of the public record in most cases. Sealing portions of a file requires a specific court order and is not automatic.
The Hart County Clerk of Superior Court in Hartwell is the official office for divorce decree records, serving as the repository for all civil case files including divorce proceedings in the county.
The Hart County courthouse in Hartwell processes Superior Court civil matters, including divorce cases, and stores all case records that are accessible under Georgia's Open Records Act.
To verify a divorce finalized between 1952 and 1996 without obtaining the full decree, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. That office maintains a statewide verification index for that period. For the actual document, or for divorces outside that date range, the Hart County clerk is the right office.
Hart County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the clerk's office cover the work of locating and reproducing records. Certified copies require an official seal and signature, which is why they cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on page count. Call (706) 376-7189 before your visit to confirm current pricing. Knowing the case number ahead of time helps estimate the cost.
Filing a new divorce in Hart County requires paying a Superior Court filing fee at the time of submission. Georgia filing fees for divorce cases generally run a few hundred dollars. If cost is a barrier, Georgia courts allow petitioners to file a Pauper's Affidavit, which is a sworn statement of financial circumstances. If approved, filing fees may be waived or reduced. Ask the clerk how to submit one. Using the free, state-approved forms available at the Georgia Courts self-help page is a good starting point for anyone filing without an attorney. The right forms reduce the chance of rejection at filing.
Georgia Divorce Law and Hart County Cases
Georgia's divorce statutes are consistent across all counties. Residency is the foundation. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing for divorce. Hart County Superior Court has jurisdiction when the petitioning spouse has established residency here for that period prior to filing the petition.
Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is by far the most common in Hart County as it is statewide. It requires no proof of wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment are available but are less common because they require more evidence and add time to the process. They can, however, influence how judges resolve property and support disputes. Most couples in uncontested situations use the no-fault approach.
After filing and service, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final decree. OCGA 19-5-1 defines divorce under Georgia law, and OCGA 19-5-5 governs what a petition must contain and how proceedings are conducted. Uncontested cases with all issues resolved and complete paperwork can finalize in Hart County Superior Court relatively quickly after that mandatory window closes.
Public Access to Hart Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act (OCGA 50-18-70) gives any member of the public the right to inspect and copy most government records. Divorce case files at the Hart County Clerk of Superior Court are public records. You do not need to be a party to the divorce to request access.
Limited exceptions apply. Records involving minor children can be partially sealed by court order. Financial exhibits may also carry access restrictions in some cases. But absent a specific sealing order, Hart County divorce records are open. If you want to search from a distance, contact the clerk at (706) 376-7189 to ask what options are available for remote records access.
Legal Help in Hart County
Simple, agreed-upon divorces can be filed without an attorney using the free forms and guides from the Georgia Courts site. When disagreements exist over property, children, or support, professional legal help reduces risk and protects your long-term interests.
The State Bar of Georgia offers a referral service for residents looking for a family law attorney in the Hart County area. For those who cannot afford an attorney, Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural Georgia and may be able to assist qualifying residents. Georgia Legal Aid also accepts applications online and covers family law cases. Both programs have income requirements. The Hart County clerk's office can point you to any self-help materials available at the Hartwell courthouse for those representing themselves.