Miller County Divorce Records
Miller County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Colquitt, Georgia. The clerk's office is the direct source for certified copies of final divorce orders, full case files, and all documents filed during divorce proceedings in Miller County. Georgia law makes most of these records available to the public without requiring any special status or reason. This page explains how to request Miller County divorce records, what they contain, applicable fees, and where to get legal help if you need it.
Miller County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Miller County Divorce Decrees
The Miller County Clerk of Superior Court is at 155 S. First Street, Colquitt, GA 39837. Call (229) 758-4100 to reach the office. Check the Miller County website for current hours and any additional contact details. Visiting the Colquitt courthouse in person is the most straightforward way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree. Staff can search by party name or case number while you are there.
Bring a valid photo ID when you go. The full legal names of both parties and an approximate year of the divorce will help staff find the case. A case number makes things faster. Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk at the address above with your case details and payment for applicable fees. Call ahead first to confirm current fee amounts before mailing anything.
Note: Miller County is one of Georgia's smaller rural counties. Calling before your visit to confirm hours and current procedures is a smart step.
What Miller County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree from the Miller County Superior Court is the judge's final signed order ending a marriage. It sets out all the terms the court approved: 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 clerk's office includes the original petition, any answer or counterclaim filed by the other party, motions, temporary orders, financial affidavits, and the final signed decree.
A divorce decree and a divorce certificate are two different documents. The decree is the court's full legal order. A certificate is a short document from the Georgia Department of Public Health confirming only that the divorce happened. If you need the actual terms of a Miller County divorce, the Colquitt courthouse is your source. 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. Outside that date range, or when the full decree is needed, the county clerk is your only option.
The image below is from the Miller County government website, showing the clerk's office that handles divorce decree records in Colquitt.
The Miller County website provides current contact information and department listings for the Colquitt courthouse.
Miller County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Miller County Clerk of Superior Court follow 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. They are required when submitting a decree to another court, a government agency, or a financial institution. Specify which type you need before paying. Requesting the wrong format means an extra trip and additional cost.
For older records where only a confirmation is needed, the Georgia Department of Public Health offers a statewide verification service for divorces from 1952 to 1996. Visit the DPH request page for details and current fees. The DPH provides a letter confirming the fact of the divorce, not a copy of the decree. For any full Miller County divorce record, the Superior Court clerk in Colquitt handles all requests regardless of year.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Miller County
Georgia's divorce statutes apply across all counties, including Miller. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before a divorce petition can be filed. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives. The Miller County Superior Court in Colquitt holds jurisdiction over all divorce cases for 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 vast majority of cases. Neither party has to prove wrongdoing. Other grounds including adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment are available but rarely used in Miller County or elsewhere in Georgia. After filing and serving the other party 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 forms for self-represented filers. The Georgia Open Records Act makes final decrees public records once filed with the court.
Public Access to Miller County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act gives any person the right to request divorce records from the Miller County Superior Court. No reason needs to be given and no personal connection to the case is required. The clerk will search the files and provide copies for the applicable fee. Online case access for a smaller county like Miller may be limited; calling or visiting the Colquitt courthouse is usually the most reliable way to get what you need.
Records can be sealed by court order. If a judge seals a file, usually to protect minor children or when both parties agree and the court approves, the clerk will confirm the case exists but will not release the contents without a new court order. Most Miller County divorce cases are not sealed. Routine decrees are public records available to any person who makes a request.
Legal Help in Miller County
Residents of Miller County who need legal help with a divorce have a few solid options. The Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural Southwest Georgia including Miller County and provides free or low-cost help to low-income residents for family law matters. Apply online or by phone to determine eligibility based on income.
Georgia Legal Aid offers self-help resources and plain-language guides for people handling their own divorce in Georgia. These are most useful for straightforward uncontested cases. For contested divorces involving significant property, retirement accounts, or custody disputes, speaking with a private attorney is wise. The State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney serving the Miller County area. The Georgia Courts website also has court contact information and forms for self-represented filers in Miller County Superior Court.