Find Putnam County Divorce Decrees
Putnam County divorce decree records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Eatonton, Georgia, and are available to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. The clerk's office handles all requests for certified copies of divorce decrees and case file searches for divorces finalized in Putnam County. This page explains how to access records, what they contain, current fees, the Georgia laws that apply, and where to find legal help in the Eatonton area.
Putnam County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Putnam County Divorce Decrees
The Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 100 S. Jefferson Street, Eatonton, GA 31024. You can reach the office by phone at (706) 485-4501. The Putnam County website has information about the clerk's office and current hours. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree in Putnam County. Bring a photo ID and the full legal names of both parties. The approximate year of the divorce helps staff locate the record quickly in the index.
Mail requests work too, though they take longer. Write to the clerk at the address above. Include both spouses' full legal names, the divorce year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A money order for the estimated fee avoids delays. Call the office before sending to confirm current copy fees and what forms of payment are accepted. If you are working against a deadline, visiting Eatonton in person is the safer option. For older records from the 1970s or earlier, check with the clerk about format since some files from that period may exist only in paper form.
What Putnam County Divorce Records Include
A divorce decree from Putnam County Superior Court is the final court order that legally ends a marriage in Georgia. The decree names both parties, states the date granted, and records the court's rulings on all issues before it. Property division, alimony, child custody, and child support are addressed in or attached to the decree. The final decree is the document banks, courts, agencies, and other institutions need when they ask for proof of divorce.
The full case file behind a Putnam County divorce holds the complete record of the proceeding. The file opens with the original petition filed to start the case. A written response from the other party, if one was filed, follows. Temporary orders signed by the judge while the case was open are included. Sworn financial disclosures required by Georgia courts are part of the record. Any written agreement the parties reached before or at trial on property, support, or custody is in the file. Parenting plans and child support worksheets appear when minor children are involved. After the judge signs the final decree and closes the case, all of these documents become a permanent public record at the Eatonton courthouse. Anyone can review and copy them during business hours. Some information about minor children may be restricted under Georgia court rules, but the decree itself is fully accessible to any member of the public, whether or not they were a party to the case.
Putnam County Divorce Record Fees
The Putnam County clerk charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies, bearing the clerk's official seal, cost more than plain photocopies. Most legal purposes require certified copies. Courts, banks, and government offices generally will not accept uncertified copies as valid proof. Plain copies are fine for personal use and cost less. Call (706) 485-4501 before your visit to confirm the current fee structure.
Searching the index and reviewing files in person at the Eatonton courthouse is free of charge. You only pay when you want copies to take with you. If you need multiple certified copies at once, ask whether the clerk offers any reduction for ordering several copies at the same time. Cash and personal check are typical at the counter. Mail requests typically require a money order. Ask when you call about accepted payment options.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Putnam County
Putnam County divorces are subject to the same Georgia statutes that apply statewide. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. The case must be filed in the county where the defendant lives or, in some cases, where the parties agree. Georgia recognizes thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3.
The vast majority of Putnam County divorce cases use the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. No blame has to be assigned. The twelve fault-based grounds, including adultery, abandonment, and habitual intoxication, can influence how a judge divides property and decides alimony, but they also make cases more complex and costly. After the judge signs the final decree, a 30-day window opens for appeals. If neither party appeals, the divorce is fully final at the end of that period. The legal nature and effect of a Georgia divorce is defined in OCGA 19-5-1. Putnam County divorce records are public documents subject to the Georgia Open Records Act.
Online Access to Putnam County Divorce Records
The Georgia Courts website is the statewide resource for court information and may link to any online docket search available in Putnam County. Whether the Putnam County Superior Court has an active public online case search for divorce records is something to confirm directly with the clerk's office by calling (706) 485-4501. Online access across Georgia counties varies, and smaller counties sometimes have limited digital tools for public case searches.
The image below shows the Georgia Courts divorce forms portal, a free resource for anyone working through a divorce case in Putnam County or anywhere in Georgia.
Divorces that took place between 1952 and 1996 can be verified through the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH provides verification only, not certified copies of the actual court decree. The Putnam County clerk is the source for certified documents.
Legal Help in Putnam County
Putnam County residents facing a divorce have access to free legal assistance through Georgia Legal Aid and the Georgia Legal Services Program. Both serve eligible low-income individuals with family law matters including divorce cases. Income criteria apply, but if you qualify, these programs provide meaningful help navigating the court process.
The Georgia Courts self-help center offers free divorce forms that are accepted in Putnam County Superior Court. For uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms, these forms cover the entire process from petition to final hearing. For cases that are disputed, involve children, or have complex property issues, hiring a private attorney is strongly advised. The State Bar of Georgia can connect you with a family law attorney through its referral service. The clerk's office in Eatonton can accept and process your paperwork but is not authorized to provide legal advice.