Peach County Divorce Decree Search
Peach County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Fort Valley, Georgia, and are open to the public under Georgia's Open Records Act. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case file searches for divorces finalized in Peach County. This page covers how to request records, what they include, fees charged by the clerk, the Georgia laws that apply to Peach County divorces, and where to find legal assistance in the area.
Peach County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Peach County Divorce Decrees
The Peach County Clerk of Superior Court is at 205 W. Church Street, Fort Valley, GA 31030. Call (478) 825-3323 or check the Peach County website for office hours before you visit. In-person requests at the Fort Valley courthouse are handled while you wait. Staff can search the case index by name and pull the file quickly when you provide the parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce.
Bring photo ID with you. If you have a case number, that helps staff find the record faster. For mail requests, write to the clerk's address above. Include both parties' full legal names, the divorce year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A money order for the expected copy fee avoids delays. Call first to confirm the current fee schedule. Mail processing takes longer than in-person requests, so if you are working against a deadline, visiting in person is the better choice. For divorces from the 1970s or earlier, some records may only be in paper ledger form. Call ahead if the case is old.
What Peach County Divorce Records Include
A divorce decree from Peach County Superior Court is a final court order that legally dissolves a marriage. It names both parties, states the date the divorce was granted, and records the court's decisions on all issues the case raised. Property division, alimony, child custody, parenting time, and child support are all resolved in or alongside the final decree. This document is what most agencies and institutions require when they ask for proof of divorce.
The full case file behind a Peach County divorce decree is typically much longer than the decree itself. It starts with the petition one spouse filed to open the case. A response from the other party, if one was filed, follows. Temporary orders signed by the judge during the pending case are part of the record. Both parties are usually required to file financial disclosures, and those sworn statements are in the file. If the couple reached any written agreements on property or support, those agreements are attached. Parenting plans and child support worksheets are included when minor children were part of the case. All of these documents are public court records. You can view and copy them at the Fort Valley courthouse. Some portions relating to minor children may be restricted under Georgia court rules, but the final decree is open to inspection by anyone.
Peach County Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for divorce records at the Peach County clerk's office depend on the type of copy you need. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and signature, cost more than plain photocopies. Most legal purposes require certified copies. Call (478) 825-3323 to ask about current per-page and certification fees. Rates are set by the clerk within limits defined by state law and can change.
There is no fee to look at a case file in person at the courthouse. You pay only when you request copies. If you need several certified copies of the same decree, asking about the rate for multiple copies ordered at once can sometimes save money. Cash and personal check are standard payment options at the counter. Mail requests usually call for a money order. The office can tell you exactly what they accept when you call.
Accessing Peach County Divorce Records Remotely
The Georgia Courts website provides a statewide overview of court resources and may link to any online docket search tools available in Peach County. Online case lookup availability differs across Georgia counties, and smaller counties sometimes have limited digital access. Call the clerk's office to ask whether Peach County Superior Court has an active online search portal for divorce cases before making the trip to Fort Valley.
The image below shows the Peach County Clerk of Superior Court, the office that maintains all official divorce decree records for cases filed in the county.
For divorces that happened between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health offers divorce verification at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH can confirm that a divorce was recorded but does not provide the actual court decree. The Peach County clerk is the only source for a certified copy of the full decree.
Georgia Divorce Law and Peach County Cases
All Peach County divorces follow Georgia state law. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. The case is filed in the county where the defendant lives, which makes Peach County Superior Court the right court for most residents of Fort Valley and surrounding areas. Georgia's thirteen recognized grounds for divorce are listed in OCGA 19-5-3.
Most divorces in Peach County are filed on no-fault grounds. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most used option because neither party has to prove the other did something wrong. The fault-based grounds, which include adultery, desertion, and habitual intoxication, add complexity to the case and are used less often. What a divorce is and what it legally accomplishes under Georgia law is defined in OCGA 19-5-1. After the judge signs the final decree, there is a 30-day window for appeals before the divorce becomes permanent. Peach County divorce decrees are public records under the Georgia Open Records Act, and anyone can request them.
Legal Assistance in Peach County
Peach County residents who need help with a divorce can reach out to Georgia Legal Aid and the Georgia Legal Services Program. Both organizations offer free legal help to low-income individuals and cover family law matters including divorce. If you qualify based on income, these programs can help you understand the process, fill out forms, and navigate the court system.
The Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms are free to download and accepted in all Superior Courts, including Peach County. These forms work best for uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all issues. If your case has complications, such as property disputes, child custody disagreements, or a non-cooperative spouse, you are better served by hiring an attorney. The State Bar of Georgia has a referral service to help you find a family law attorney who works in Peach County. The clerk's office in Fort Valley can process your paperwork but cannot provide legal advice.