Search Long County Divorce Decrees
Long County divorce decree records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Ludowici, Georgia. The clerk is the direct source for certified copies of final divorce orders, complete case files, and any documents submitted during divorce proceedings in Long County. Georgia's Open Records Act makes most of these records available to the public. This page covers how to request Long County divorce records, what those records include, what fees apply, and what legal resources are available to people in Long County who need help with a divorce.
Long County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Long County Divorce Decrees
The Long County Clerk of Superior Court is at 47 S. Macon Street, Ludowici, GA 31316. The phone number is (912) 545-2020. Check the Long County website for current hours and any updated contact details. Visiting the Ludowici courthouse in person is the most direct way to get a divorce decree. Staff can search by party name or case number while you wait.
Bring a valid photo ID. The full legal names of both parties and an approximate year of the divorce will help staff locate the right case quickly. A case number, if you have one, makes the search faster. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the clerk's address above, include all case details you have, and add payment for the applicable fees. Always call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before sending a payment.
Note: Long County is a smaller, rural county. Staff may handle multiple court functions, so calling ahead is a smart step before making the trip to Ludowici.
What Long County Divorce Records Contain
A Long County divorce decree is the judge's final signed order ending a marriage. It sets out all terms the court approved: how property and debts are divided, whether alimony is owed, and all custody and child support details if children were part of the case. The case file at the Long County clerk's office includes the original petition, any answer filed by the other spouse, motions, temporary orders, financial affidavits, and the signed final decree.
Many people confuse a divorce decree with a divorce certificate. They are not the same document. The decree is the court's full order. The certificate is a short document from the Georgia Department of Public Health confirming only that a divorce happened. If you need specific terms from a Long County divorce, such as what property was awarded or what custody arrangement was ordered, you need the decree from the Ludowici courthouse. For a simple confirmation that a divorce occurred between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can help. Outside that date range, the county clerk is your only option.
Long County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Long County Clerk of Superior Court are consistent with Georgia's general schedule. Plain copies run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more and carry the clerk's official seal and signature. Many legal uses require a certified copy, including submitting the decree to another court, a government agency, or a financial institution. Be clear about which type you need when you make your request.
For older records where only a confirmation is needed, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides a statewide verification service for divorces between 1952 and 1996. Their request page explains the submission process and fees. The DPH provides a letter confirming the fact of divorce, not a copy of the decree. For full copies of any Long County divorce record, the Superior Court clerk in Ludowici handles all requests.
The image below is from the Long County Clerk of Superior Court website, the official source for divorce decree records in Ludowici.
The Long County government website provides contact information and department listings that can help you plan your visit or mail request to the clerk's office.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Long County
Georgia's divorce laws apply to Long County exactly as they do in every other county. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing for divorce. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently resides. The Long County Superior Court in Ludowici has jurisdiction over all divorces filed by county residents under OCGA 19-5-1.
Georgia lists 13 grounds for divorce in OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is used in most cases. It requires no proof of wrongdoing. Other grounds such as adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment are available but far less commonly used. After filing and serving the other party under OCGA 19-5-5, a 30-day waiting period is required before a final decree can issue, even in fully agreed cases. The Georgia Courts self-help portal has divorce forms available for download. The Georgia Open Records Act governs public access to the resulting case files.
Public Access to Long County Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act entitles any member of the public to request divorce decree records from the Long County Superior Court. No personal connection to the case is required and no reason needs to be given. The clerk will search for the case and provide copies for the applicable fee. Online access to Long County court records may be limited, so visiting or calling the Ludowici courthouse is often the most practical approach.
Courts can seal records when disclosure would harm minor children or when both parties agree to it and the court approves. If a file is sealed, the clerk will tell you it exists but will not release the contents without a court order. Most Long County divorce cases are not sealed. Routine decrees are open to the public under Georgia law and can be requested by anyone willing to pay the copy fee.
Legal Help in Long County
Residents of Long County who need help with a divorce have several options. The Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural counties including Long County and provides free or low-cost legal help to eligible residents for family law matters. Apply online or by phone based on income eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid offers online tools, guides, and form walkthroughs for people handling their own divorce cases in Georgia. These resources cover each step and are written in plain language. If your case is contested or involves significant assets, retirement funds, or children's custody, consulting a licensed attorney is a smart move. The State Bar of Georgia has a referral service that can match you with a family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website also lists court contacts and forms for self-represented filers in Long County Superior Court.