Rockdale County Divorce Decree Search
Rockdale County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Conyers, Georgia, and are open to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all divorce records filed in Rockdale County and is the only source for certified copies of divorce decrees and official case file searches. This page explains how to request records, what they contain, the fees involved, the Georgia laws that apply, online access options, and legal resources available to Rockdale County residents.
Rockdale County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Rockdale County Divorce Decrees
The Rockdale County Clerk of Superior Court is at 922 Court Street, Conyers, GA 30012. You can reach the office by phone at (770) 278-7900. The Rockdale County website has additional information about the clerk's office and current hours. In-person visits to the Conyers courthouse are the most direct way to get a certified divorce decree. Bring a valid photo ID and the full legal names of both parties in the case. The approximate year of the divorce helps staff search the index fast. A case number, if you have one, speeds things up even more.
Mail requests are accepted if you cannot come to Conyers. Write to the clerk at the address above. Include both parties' full legal names, the year the divorce was granted, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Including a money order for the anticipated copy fee avoids delays. Call (770) 278-7900 before sending to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods. Rockdale County is part of the Atlanta metro area, and the clerk's office handles a significant volume of cases. Build in some extra lead time for mail requests. For time-sensitive needs, an in-person visit to Conyers will get you what you need faster. Older records from the 1970s and earlier may be stored in archival form; call ahead if your search involves cases from that period.
What Rockdale County Divorce Records Include
A final divorce decree from Rockdale County Superior Court is the judge's written order that legally ends a marriage in Georgia. The decree names both parties, states the date the divorce was granted, and records the court's rulings on all issues the case raised. Property division, alimony, child custody, visitation, and child support are resolved in the decree or in attached court orders. The decree is the document that courts, banks, government agencies, and other institutions need as official proof that a marriage was dissolved.
The full Rockdale County divorce case file is substantially more than just the decree page. It opens with the original petition filed by one spouse to start the proceeding. A written response from the other party follows if one was filed. Any temporary orders the judge entered while the case was pending are part of the record. Both parties are required to file sworn financial disclosures in Georgia divorce proceedings, and those documents are in the file. Settlement agreements reached before trial, parenting plans, and child support worksheets are also included when applicable. Once the judge signs the final decree and closes the case, all of these documents form the permanent public record at the Conyers courthouse. Any member of the public can review them and request copies. Some portions relating to minor children may be restricted under Georgia court rules, but the final decree is fully open to public inspection. No special authorization is needed to request it.
For a quick confirmation of a divorce, the clerk can issue a certified copy of the final decree alone without pulling the entire case file.
Rockdale County Divorce Decree Fees
The Rockdale County Clerk of Superior Court charges fees for copies of divorce records. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and signature, cost more than plain photocopies. Most legal and government purposes require certified copies. Courts, financial institutions, and agencies will typically not accept an uncertified copy as valid proof. Call (770) 278-7900 before your visit to confirm current per-page and certification fees.
Searching the index and reviewing case files in person at the courthouse is free of charge. Copy fees apply only when you want to take documents with you. If you need multiple certified copies of the same decree, ask the clerk whether placing a single order for all of them qualifies for a reduced per-copy rate. Cash and personal check are typical payment options at the counter. Mail requests generally require a money order. Confirm accepted payment methods with the clerk when you call.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Rockdale County
Rockdale County divorces are governed by the same Georgia statutes that apply statewide. At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing, as required by OCGA 19-5-2. The case must be filed in the proper county, which is typically where the defendant spouse lives. Rockdale County Superior Court in Conyers handles all divorces filed within the county. Georgia law provides thirteen grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3.
Most Rockdale County divorce cases use the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This option requires no proof of wrongdoing by either party and is generally faster to process than fault-based cases. The twelve fault-based grounds, including adultery, habitual intoxication, and desertion, can affect how the judge divides property and decides on alimony. They are used less often because they add complexity and legal costs. Once the judge signs the final decree, a 30-day appeal window opens. The divorce is not final until that period passes without an appeal. OCGA 19-5-1 defines what a Georgia divorce means legally. All Rockdale County divorce decrees are public records subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, and any member of the public may request them.
Online Access to Rockdale County Divorce Records
The Georgia Courts website provides statewide court information and may link to any online case search tools available for Rockdale County. As part of the greater Atlanta metro area, Rockdale County may have more developed digital access to court records than rural Georgia counties. Check the Georgia Courts site or call the clerk's office at (770) 278-7900 to find out what online docket search options are currently available for Rockdale County divorce cases.
The image below shows the Georgia Courts divorce forms portal, which is a free statewide resource providing court-approved divorce forms accepted in Rockdale County Superior Court.
For divorces that took place between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health can provide verification at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, website dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. DPH confirms that a divorce occurred but does not issue certified copies of the court decree. The Rockdale County clerk is the sole source for certified copies of the actual court order.
Legal Help in Rockdale County
Rockdale 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 services to income-eligible individuals and cover family law matters including divorce. Rockdale County's proximity to Atlanta means more resources may be accessible than in smaller Georgia counties, including in-person appointments at legal aid offices.
Free court-approved divorce forms for uncontested cases are available through the Georgia Courts self-help center. These forms are accepted in Rockdale County Superior Court and walk you through the entire process for cases where both parties agree on all issues. For any contested divorce, a case involving children and custody questions, or a situation with significant marital property, working with a licensed attorney provides far stronger legal protection. The State Bar of Georgia operates a lawyer referral service to help you connect with family law attorneys who handle Rockdale County cases in Conyers and the surrounding area. The clerk's office can process your filings and answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.