Search Pulaski County Divorce Records
Pulaski County divorce decree records are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Hawkinsville, Georgia. They are open public records available to anyone under the Georgia Open Records Act. The clerk's office is the direct source for certified copies of divorce decrees and case file searches in Pulaski County. This page explains how to get records, what they contain, what fees apply, the Georgia statutes that govern local divorce cases, and where to find legal assistance in the area.
Pulaski County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Pulaski County Divorce Decrees
The Pulaski County Clerk of Superior Court is at 112 E. 3rd Street, Hawkinsville, GA 31036. Call the office at (478) 783-1911 or check the Pulaski County website for current hours before your visit. In-person requests at the Hawkinsville courthouse are processed while you wait. Bring a photo ID and the full names of both parties in the case. The approximate year of the divorce helps staff find the record quickly.
For mail requests, write to the clerk at the above address. Include both parties' full legal names, the divorce year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A money order for the expected copy fee speeds up processing. Call the office first to confirm current fees and payment options. Mail turnaround is slower than in-person service. If time is a factor, make the trip to Hawkinsville. For very old records, particularly those from before the 1980s, check with the clerk about format and retrieval time, since older files may be in physical ledger books.
The clerk's office in Hawkinsville serves the entire county. There is no separate courthouse branch for Pulaski County divorces.
What Pulaski County Divorce Records Contain
A final divorce decree from Pulaski County Superior Court is the judge's order that legally ends a marriage. It identifies both parties, records the date the divorce was granted, and states the court's rulings on all issues before it. Property division, alimony decisions, custody arrangements, and child support orders are all recorded in or alongside the decree. The final decree is the document agencies, courts, and institutions typically require as proof that a marriage was dissolved.
The full Pulaski County divorce case file that sits behind that decree contains the complete record of the proceeding. You will find the original petition, any response the other party filed, and all temporary orders entered by the judge while the case was pending. Financial disclosures both parties are required to file in Georgia court proceedings are part of the record. If the parties reached a settlement on any issues before trial, the written agreement is in the file. Parenting plans and child support worksheets are included when children were involved in the case. After the judge signs the final decree and the case closes, all of these documents are stored permanently at the Hawkinsville courthouse as public records. Anyone can review them in person. Some details about minor children may be restricted under Georgia court rules, but the decree itself is fully public. You do not need to be a party to the divorce to request the record.
Pulaski County Divorce Decree Fees
The Pulaski County Clerk of Superior Court charges for divorce record copies. Certified copies cost more than plain photocopies. For most legal and government uses, a certified copy is required. Call (478) 783-1911 before you visit to confirm the current fee schedule. Fees can vary and are set by the clerk within state guidelines.
Viewing records in person at the courthouse is free. Fees apply only when you request copies. If you need multiple certified copies, ask whether ordering them all at once reduces the per-copy cost. Payment at the counter is typically by cash or check. Mail requests usually require a money order. Confirm with the office what forms of payment they accept when you call.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Pulaski County
All divorce cases in Pulaski County are governed by 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. Venue typically lies in the county where the defendant spouse lives. Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce, listed in OCGA 19-5-3.
The no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the one most Pulaski County couples use. No wrongdoing has to be shown. The twelve fault-based grounds, which include adultery, habitual intoxication, and cruelty, are used less often. They can affect how a judge divides property and rules on alimony but add complication to the process. Once the judge signs the final decree, a 30-day appeal window opens. If no one appeals, the divorce is final at the end of that period. OCGA 19-5-1 sets out what a divorce means under Georgia law. Pulaski County divorce records are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act and are available to any member of the public.
Online Access to Pulaski County Divorce Records
The Georgia Courts website provides statewide court information and may indicate whether Pulaski County has an active online case search tool. Online docket access for smaller Georgia counties like Pulaski can be limited or unavailable. Call the clerk's office to ask what remote access options currently exist for Pulaski County divorce records before making a trip to Hawkinsville.
The image below shows the Georgia Courts divorce forms portal, a free resource for anyone navigating a divorce case in Pulaski County or elsewhere in the state.
For divorces that occurred between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health handles verification requests at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH provides verification only. Certified copies of the actual court decree must be obtained from the Pulaski County clerk.
Legal Help in Pulaski County
Free and reduced-cost legal help for divorce is available to Pulaski County residents through Georgia Legal Aid and the Georgia Legal Services Program. Both serve low-income individuals with family law matters, including divorce. Income eligibility applies, but these programs can be a significant resource for residents who cannot afford a private attorney.
The Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms are free to download and are accepted in Pulaski County Superior Court. They are designed for uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all issues. For contested cases, cases involving children, or situations where the other party is uncooperative, working with a licensed attorney provides much stronger protection for your rights. The State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service to help you find family law attorneys who handle Pulaski County cases. The Hawkinsville clerk's office staff can accept and process filings but are not able to provide legal advice.