Schley County Divorce Decree Records
Schley County divorce decree records are filed and kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Ellaville, Georgia. The clerk's office holds the full case files, certified copies of final decrees, and docket records for every divorce processed in the county. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy for legal use, or simply confirm a marriage ended, the Ellaville courthouse is your starting point. This guide covers how to access those records, what fees apply, and what Georgia law requires for a divorce filed in Schley County.
Schley County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Schley County Divorce Decrees
The Schley County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 567 Georgia Highway 26, Ellaville, GA 31806. You can call the office at (229) 937-5581 to ask about hours, available services, and how to submit a records request. The county website may list additional contact details. Visiting in person tends to be the fastest way to walk out with what you need. Staff can search case records on the spot and tell you immediately what is available.
To request a divorce decree, you will need the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. A case number speeds things up considerably, so check any paperwork you already have before you go. You do not need to be one of the parties to the divorce to ask for a copy of the decree. Any member of the public can request court records under Georgia law, as long as those records are not sealed by court order. Bring a valid photo ID for your own records and be prepared to pay copy fees at the time of your visit.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk's office with your request, include your contact information, and ask for a fee schedule before sending payment. Allow extra time for mail turnaround.
What Schley County Divorce Records Show
A divorce decree is the judge's final order in a divorce case. It is much more than just confirmation that a marriage ended. The decree spells out exactly what the court decided: how property was divided, who keeps the marital home, how debts are split, and whether one party pays spousal support. If the couple had minor children, the decree also sets out the custody arrangement, visitation schedule, and child support obligations. All of these terms are legally binding. A party who fails to follow them can be brought back to court for enforcement.
The full case file at the Schley County courthouse includes more than the final decree. It holds the original petition for divorce, any answers or counterclaims filed by the other spouse, motions, financial affidavits, parenting plans if children were involved, and any orders entered before the final decree. This can be useful if you are trying to understand the history of a case or if a dispute has come up over what the original order required.
Keep in mind that the decree is different from a divorce certificate. The Georgia Department of Public Health issues short certificates that confirm a divorce happened. Those certificates do not contain the terms of the decree. If you need the actual terms, you need the decree from Schley County Superior Court.
Schley County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Schley County Clerk of Superior Court are consistent with standard Georgia clerk rates. Plain photocopies of documents in a case file generally run between $0.50 and $2.50 per page. Certified copies cost more because the clerk adds an official seal and signature, which makes the document acceptable for legal proceedings. If you need the copy for a court filing, name change application, or government form, ask specifically for a certified copy. That will cost a few dollars more but carries the legal weight you need.
For divorces recorded between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 can provide a verification. Call them at (404) 657-2700 or visit the Vital Records page. This service confirms only that a divorce occurred; it does not provide a copy of the terms. For anything outside that date range, the Schley County clerk is the sole source of records.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Schley County
Georgia sets the rules for divorce, and those rules apply the same way in Schley County as anywhere else in the state. One of the first things to know is the residency rule. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. That requirement is found in OCGA 19-5-2. You file in the county where either spouse currently lives, not necessarily where the marriage took place.
Georgia law under OCGA 19-5-3 lists 13 grounds for divorce. The most commonly used is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, which is the no-fault ground. This means neither party has to prove the other did something wrong. They simply state the marriage cannot continue. Other grounds include adultery, habitual intoxication, willful desertion, and mental incapacity at the time of marriage. Most uncontested cases in rural counties like Schley use the no-fault ground because it keeps proceedings simpler and faster.
Once the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This applies even when both parties agree on everything. The clock starts from the date of service, not the date of filing. Self-represented parties can access divorce forms at no cost through the Georgia Courts self-help portal.
The foundation for Superior Court jurisdiction over divorce is set out in OCGA 19-5-1. That statute confirms that Superior Courts across the state, including the one in Schley County, have authority to grant divorces and enter decrees.
The Georgia statute on divorce grounds, codified at OCGA 19-5-3, is accessible through the Justia legal database, which mirrors official state code.
Georgia's divorce statute lists all 13 grounds recognized by state law, including the no-fault option used in most Schley County cases.
Public Access to Schley County Divorce Records
Georgia's Open Records Act gives the public the right to inspect and copy most government records, including divorce case files held by the Schley County Clerk of Superior Court. You do not need a special reason to request a divorce record. You do not have to be related to the parties or connected to the case in any way. The default is openness. The clerk processes your request, and as long as the record is not sealed, you get access.
Some records are sealed. Courts can seal divorce files when they contain sensitive information about minor children, when financial data could enable identity theft, or when both parties request sealing and the court agrees. If a file is sealed, the clerk will acknowledge the case exists but will not release documents without a court order directing access. Most routine divorces are not sealed. For those, a standard public records request is all you need to get a copy from the Schley County courthouse.
Legal Help in Schley County
Schley County is a small, rural county, and local attorney options may be limited. If you cannot afford a lawyer or are having trouble finding one locally, Georgia Legal Services Program serves this area and provides free legal help to income-eligible residents. They can assist with divorce filings, custody matters, and related family law questions. You can apply online or by phone to check if you qualify for their services.
Georgia Legal Aid offers online self-help tools, plain-language guides to Georgia divorce law, and step-by-step instructions for people handling their own cases. For contested divorces involving significant property or custody disputes, the State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website has forms, court contact information, and guidance for self-represented parties throughout the state's Superior Court system.