Search Marion County Divorce Decrees
Marion County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Buena Vista, Georgia. The clerk is your direct source for certified copies of final divorce orders, full case files, and documents filed during divorce proceedings in Marion County. Georgia law makes most of these records available to the public. This page covers how to request Marion County divorce records, what they contain, what fees apply, and what legal resources are available if you need help with a divorce in Marion County.
Marion County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Marion County Divorce Decrees
The Marion County Clerk of Superior Court is at 100 W. Broad Street, Buena Vista, GA 31803. Call (229) 649-7321 to reach the office. Check the Marion County website for current hours and department contacts. Visiting the Buena Vista courthouse in person is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree. Staff can search records by party name or case number while you wait.
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The full legal names of both parties and an approximate year of the divorce will help staff find the record quickly. A case number speeds things up even more. Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk's office at the Buena Vista address with your case details and payment for applicable fees. Always call ahead to confirm current fee amounts before mailing.
Note: Marion County is a small, rural county in Southwest Georgia. Staff handle a range of court duties, so calling before visiting is a good step to confirm hours and current procedures.
What Marion County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from Marion County Superior Court is the judge's final signed order ending a marriage. It sets out all terms the court approved, including how property and debts are divided, whether alimony is ordered, and the full custody and child support arrangement if children are involved. The complete case file at the Marion County clerk's office includes the original petition, any answer filed by the other party, motions, temporary orders, financial affidavits, and the final signed decree.
Many people confuse a divorce decree with a divorce certificate. A decree is the court's full order. A certificate is a short document from the Georgia Department of Public Health confirming only that a divorce occurred. If you need the terms of a specific divorce in Marion County, the Buena Vista courthouse is the right place. The Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, handles statewide verifications for divorces from 1952 to 1996. For anything outside that date range, or when you need the actual decree, the county clerk is your only source.
The screenshot below is from the Georgia DPH Vital Records page, showing the statewide source for divorce confirmations from 1952 to 1996.
For full divorce decree copies in Marion County, the Superior Court clerk in Buena Vista is always the right contact, regardless of the divorce year.
Marion County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Marion 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 seal. You need a certified copy when submitting the decree to another court, a government agency, or a financial institution. Always specify which type you need before paying to avoid having to request again.
For older records where only a confirmation is needed, the Georgia Department of Public Health has a statewide verification service for divorces from 1952 to 1996. Visit the DPH request page for details and current fees. The DPH letter confirms a divorce but does not include the full decree. For any complete Marion County divorce record, the Superior Court clerk in Buena Vista handles all requests.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Marion County
Georgia's divorce laws apply equally across all counties, including Marion. Residency is the foundational requirement. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing for divorce. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives. The Marion County Superior Court in Buena Vista holds jurisdiction over all divorces filed by county residents under OCGA 19-5-1.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is used in the majority of cases. Neither party needs to prove wrongdoing. Other grounds, such as adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment, are available but are far less commonly used. After the petition is filed and the other party is served under OCGA 19-5-5, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before a final decree can issue. The Georgia Courts self-help portal has divorce forms for people handling their own cases. The Georgia Open Records Act makes the resulting case files public records once filed.
Public Access to Marion County Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act gives any member of the public the right to request divorce records from the Marion 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 for smaller counties like Marion may be limited; calling or visiting the Buena Vista courthouse is typically the most reliable approach to getting what you need.
Records can be sealed by court order. If a file is sealed, the clerk will confirm the case exists but will not release the contents without a new court order. Sealing is most common when minor children's interests are at stake or when both parties agree to it and the court approves. Most Marion County divorces are not sealed. Standard decrees are open public records available to any person who asks.
Legal Help in Marion County
Residents of Marion County who need legal help with a divorce have a few key options. The Georgia Legal Services Program serves Southwest Georgia, including Marion County, and provides free or low-cost family law help to eligible low-income residents. Apply through their website or by phone to check eligibility.
Georgia Legal Aid offers self-help tools and guides written in plain language for people handling their own divorce cases. These resources work well for straightforward uncontested divorces. If your case is more complex, involving contested property or children's custody, a private attorney is advisable. The State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service that can match you with a family law attorney serving the Marion County area. The Georgia Courts website has court contact information and forms for self-represented filers in Marion County Superior Court.