Find Houston County Divorce Decree Records
Houston County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Perry, Georgia, and are open to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Houston County sits in the heart of central Georgia and includes Warner Robins, one of the state's larger cities. The clerk's office in Perry handles divorce filings for all county residents. This page covers how to access Houston County divorce decrees, what those records contain, what fees apply, and how Georgia law governs the divorce process here.
Houston County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Houston County Divorce Decrees
The Houston County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all divorce decree records in the county. The office is at 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069, and can be reached at (478) 218-4800. The Houston County website lists current hours and contact details for courthouse services. Visiting the Perry courthouse in person is the most direct way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree on the same day.
When you go to the office, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the year the divorce was filed or finalized. A case number helps the clerk pull the record faster but is not required if you have the names. Photo ID is standard for records requests. For those who cannot visit in person, written mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069, describe the specific record you need, include your contact information and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and call first to confirm current fees. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies, and the total depends on page count.
Houston County handles a higher volume of cases than many rural Georgia counties due to its population and proximity to Warner Robins. Calling ahead or going early in the day can reduce wait times at the counter.
The Georgia Courts website provides statewide context on how divorce cases are filed and maintained in Superior Courts across Georgia. Houston County follows those same procedures.
What Houston Divorce Records Contain
The complete case file stored by the Houston County clerk covers everything from the initial petition through the final court order. That includes the petition for divorce, any response filed by the other spouse, temporary orders issued while the case was pending, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, and the signed final decree. All documents are filed under the case number assigned at the start of the proceedings.
The final decree is the court's official order dissolving the marriage. It names both parties and states the exact dissolution date. All terms resolved by the court or agreed to by the parties appear in it: property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child custody, and child support. Name restoration is included when one spouse requested it. These details are public record in most cases. A court order is required to seal any portion of the file, and that does not happen automatically in Georgia.
The Houston County Clerk of Superior Court in Perry maintains all divorce decree records and handles certified copy requests for cases filed throughout the county, including residents of Warner Robins.
The Houston County courthouse in Perry processes Superior Court civil matters for one of Georgia's more populous central Georgia counties and stores all divorce case records accessible under state open records law.
For verification of divorces finalized between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office keeps a statewide index. That office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. They can confirm a divorce occurred but cannot provide the decree. For the actual document, and for divorces outside that range, the Houston County clerk is the right source.
Houston County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the clerk's office cover the cost of locating and reproducing records. Certified copies require an official seal and signature and cost more than plain photocopies. Call (478) 218-4800 before your visit to confirm current pricing. The total depends on how many pages are in the file, so having the case number ahead of time helps.
Filing a new divorce case in Houston County involves paying a Superior Court filing fee at submission. Georgia filing fees for divorce cases generally run a few hundred dollars. If the cost presents a financial hardship, Georgia courts provide a path to relief. A Pauper's Affidavit is a sworn statement of your financial circumstances. If approved by the court, fees may be reduced or waived. Ask the clerk how to request one. This does not affect how your case is handled. Free, state-approved divorce forms are available through the Georgia Courts self-help page, which is a practical starting point for self-represented parties.
Georgia Divorce Law in Houston County
Georgia's divorce statutes apply uniformly in Houston County. Residency is the starting requirement. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Houston County Superior Court has jurisdiction when the petitioning spouse has established residency here for that period prior to filing the petition.
Georgia allows thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is used in the vast majority of cases in Houston County. It requires no proof of specific wrongdoing by either party. Fault-based grounds including adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment are available and can affect how courts handle property and support, but they add time and legal complexity. Most uncontested cases rely on no-fault because it is faster and simpler.
After filing and service, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. OCGA 19-5-1 defines divorce under Georgia law, and OCGA 19-5-5 governs petition requirements and court procedures. Uncontested cases with complete, accurate paperwork and no disputed issues can finalize in Houston County Superior Court without a hearing once that 30-day window has closed.
Public Access to Houston 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 Houston County Clerk of Superior Court are public records. Anyone can request access, not just the parties named in the divorce.
Limited exceptions apply. Records involving minor children may be partially sealed by court order. Certain financial exhibits can also carry restrictions. But the standard is public access, and most Houston County divorce records are fully open. If you want to search remotely, contact the clerk at (478) 218-4800 to ask what remote or online options exist for case searches and copy requests.
Legal Help in Houston County
Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms can be handled without an attorney. The free forms and plain-language guides on the Georgia Courts site are designed for self-represented parties. When disputes arise over property, children, or support, legal help is worth the investment.
The State Bar of Georgia operates a referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney practicing in Houston County. For residents who cannot afford private legal fees, Georgia Legal Aid accepts online applications and covers family law matters. Georgia Legal Services Program also assists qualifying residents with civil legal matters. Both programs have income limits. The Houston County clerk's office can point you to any self-help materials at the courthouse as well.
All divorce cases for residents of Warner Robins, the largest city in the county, are filed and processed through the Houston County Superior Court in Perry.