Access Randolph County Divorce Records
Randolph County divorce decree records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Cuthbert, Georgia, and are open to the public under the Georgia 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 Randolph County. This page explains how to request records, what they contain, the fees involved, the Georgia laws that govern divorce in this county, and where to find legal help if you need it.
Randolph County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Randolph County Divorce Decrees
The Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 93 Front Street, Cuthbert, GA 39840. The office number is (229) 732-2216. The Randolph County website can provide current office hours and contact details. Visiting in person in Cuthbert is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a divorce decree. Bring a photo ID and the full names of both parties in the divorce case. The year of the divorce helps staff locate the file quickly in the case index.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot travel to Cuthbert. Write to the clerk at the address above. Include both parties' full legal names, the divorce year, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Enclosing a money order for the expected copy fee avoids delays. Call the office at (229) 732-2216 first to confirm the current fee schedule and accepted payment methods. Mail processing time varies. Randolph County is a small rural county, and the clerk's office has limited staff. Calling ahead before you visit or mail a request is advisable to make sure someone is available to help. For cases from the 1970s or earlier, records may exist only in paper ledger form; ask the clerk about older records when you call.
What Randolph County Divorce Records Contain
A final divorce decree from Randolph County Superior Court is the judge's order ending the marriage. It names both parties, states the date the divorce was granted, and records the court's decisions on all issues the case presented. Property division, debt, alimony, custody, and child support are resolved in or alongside the final decree. This is the document that most courts, agencies, and institutions accept as proof that a marriage has ended.
The full Randolph County divorce case file holds the entire history of the proceeding. It begins with the petition one spouse filed to start the case. The other party's written response follows if one was submitted. Any temporary orders signed by the judge while the case was open, sworn financial disclosures from both parties, and any written settlement agreements are all in the file. If minor children were involved in the case, a parenting plan and child support worksheet are included. Once the judge signs the final decree and closes the case, all of these documents are preserved as a permanent public record at the Cuthbert courthouse. They are open to inspection and copying by any member of the public. Some content relating to minor children may be restricted under Georgia court rules, but the decree itself is fully public and requires no special authorization to access.
If you only need proof the divorce happened, ask the clerk for a certified copy of the final decree alone.
Randolph County Divorce Decree Fees
The Randolph 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 and government purposes, cost more than plain photocopies. Call (229) 732-2216 before your visit to get current copy and certification fees. Rates are set within limits defined by Georgia law.
Searching the index and viewing files at the courthouse is free. Fees apply only when you request copies to take with you. If you need more than one certified copy, ask about a reduced rate for multiple copies ordered at the same time. Cash and personal check are the usual forms of payment at the counter. Mail requests require a money order. The office can confirm what they accept when you call.
Randolph County Divorce Records Online
The Georgia Courts website is the statewide resource for court information and records access. Online case search availability for Randolph County Superior Court is limited. Randolph is a small county with modest resources, and digital access to its court records may require an in-person visit. Call the clerk's office to ask about any available online docket search before making the trip to Cuthbert.
The image below shows the Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court, the office responsible for maintaining all divorce decree records in the county.
For divorces from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides verification at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH can confirm a divorce was recorded but does not issue certified copies of the court decree. The Randolph County clerk is the source for certified documents.
Georgia Divorce Law in Randolph County
All Randolph County divorce cases follow Georgia state law. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing, as set out in OCGA 19-5-2. The case is filed in the county where the defendant lives. Georgia law lists thirteen grounds for divorce in OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the most common in Randolph County. The twelve fault-based grounds can affect property and alimony rulings but add cost and complexity to any case. After the final decree is signed, a 30-day appeal window must pass before the divorce becomes final. OCGA 19-5-1 defines what a Georgia divorce is. All Randolph County divorce records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Legal Help in Randolph County
Randolph County residents who need legal assistance with a divorce can contact Georgia Legal Aid or the Georgia Legal Services Program. Both organizations provide free legal help to low-income individuals, including assistance with divorce cases. Income eligibility applies. Because Randolph County is small and rural, some services may require phone or remote consultation rather than an in-person visit.
The Georgia Courts self-help divorce forms are free to download and accepted in Randolph County Superior Court. They cover the full process for uncontested cases where both parties agree on all issues. For contested divorces, cases involving children, or any situation that involves significant property or disagreement, the State Bar of Georgia can connect you with a qualified family law attorney through its referral service. The clerk's office in Cuthbert processes filings but cannot give legal advice.