Pierce County Divorce Decree Records
Pierce County divorce decree records are filed with and kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Blackshear, Georgia, and they are open to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies of divorce decrees, case file searches, and docket lookups for divorces finalized in Pierce County. This page covers the request process, what records contain, fee information, applicable Georgia statutes, remote access options, and legal resources available to Pierce County residents.
Pierce County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Pierce County Divorce Decrees
The Pierce County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 3550 Savannah Highway, Blackshear, GA 31516. The phone number is (912) 449-2020. Visit the Pierce County website for current hours and any updates about the office. Going to the Blackshear courthouse in person is the fastest way to get what you need. Staff can search the case index while you wait. Bring a valid photo ID and the full legal names of both parties in the divorce. The approximate year of the divorce helps narrow the search quickly.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk at the address above. Include both parties' names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Sending a money order for the expected copy fee will help speed things along. Call (912) 449-2020 before sending to confirm current fees and payment methods accepted by the office. Remote requests take longer to process than in-person visits. If your need is time-sensitive, visiting Blackshear in person is the better option. For older cases, particularly from before the 1980s, records may exist only in paper format. Call ahead for guidance on those.
What Pierce County Divorce Records Contain
A final divorce decree from Pierce County Superior Court is the judge's binding order that legally ends a marriage. The decree names both parties, records the date granted, and states what the court decided on each issue before it. That includes property division, debt allocation, alimony (if any), custody, parenting time, and child support when children are involved. The decree is the primary document you need to show when proving a marriage ended.
The full case file attached to a Pierce County divorce record goes well beyond the decree itself. It starts with the petition one spouse filed to open the case, followed by a response from the other party if one was submitted. Any temporary orders the judge issued while the case was pending are included. Both parties are typically required to file sworn financial statements during the case, and those documents are in the file. Settlement agreements reached before trial, parenting plans, and child support worksheets are also part of the record. Once the case closes, all of these documents sit in the public case file at the Pierce County courthouse in Blackshear. Anyone can come in and review them. The only restrictions are on some content related to minor children, as Georgia court rules limit public access to certain child-related information. The decree itself is fully open to the public, and no special authorization is needed to request it.
Pierce County Divorce Record Fees
The Pierce County Clerk of Superior Court charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and are required for most legal purposes, cost more than plain photocopies. If you need a divorce decree to present to a government agency, financial institution, or court, you almost always need the certified version. Call (912) 449-2020 to confirm current per-page and certification fees before you visit or mail a request.
Browsing records in the courthouse is free. Fees apply only to copies. If you need multiple certified copies of the same decree, ask the clerk whether placing a single order for all of them reduces the per-copy cost. Payment at the counter is typically by cash or check. Mail orders usually require a money order. The office can confirm accepted payment methods when you call.
Online Access to Pierce County Divorce Records
The Georgia Courts website is a starting point for finding court resources across the state. Online case search tools exist for some Georgia counties but not all. Pierce County is a smaller rural county, and digital access to court records may be limited. Call the clerk's office directly to find out whether online docket search is available for Pierce County divorce cases, or check the county's court page on the Georgia Courts site.
The image below shows the Pierce County Clerk of Superior Court's online presence, which is the main contact point for requesting divorce decree records in the county.
For divorces that occurred between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health can provide a divorce verification. Their office is at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH verification confirms that the divorce happened but does not give you a copy of the actual decree. Only the Pierce County clerk can provide a certified copy of the full court document.
Georgia Divorce Law in Pierce County
Pierce County divorces are governed by Georgia state statutes. The spouse filing for divorce must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. The case is filed in the county where the defendant lives, which typically means Pierce County Superior Court for Blackshear-area residents. Georgia law provides thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3.
No-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most commonly filed ground in Pierce County and statewide. It requires no proof of wrongdoing and is usually faster to process. The twelve fault-based grounds, including adultery, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment, can affect property and alimony decisions but add complexity and cost to the case. After the judge signs the final decree, both parties have 30 days to appeal before it becomes final. OCGA 19-5-1 defines the legal nature and effect of a Georgia divorce. Pierce County divorce decrees are public documents subject to the Georgia Open Records Act.
Legal Help in Pierce County
Pierce County residents who need legal assistance with a divorce can contact Georgia Legal Aid or the Georgia Legal Services Program. Both organizations provide free help to low-income individuals and cover family law matters. Income-based eligibility applies, but if you qualify, these programs can guide you through the divorce process at no cost.
Free downloadable divorce forms for uncontested cases are available at the Georgia Courts self-help center. These forms work in Pierce County Superior Court and are designed for cases where both parties agree on all terms. For contested divorces or cases involving children, property disputes, or an uncooperative spouse, working with a private attorney is strongly advisable. The State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service to help you find a family law attorney who handles Pierce County cases. The clerk's office can receive your filings but is not able to give legal advice.