Access Terrell County Divorce Decrees
Terrell County divorce decree records are filed and held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Dawson, Georgia. The clerk's office maintains certified copies of all final divorce orders, full case files for every divorce action in the county, and a complete docket of proceedings. If you need to find a Terrell County divorce decree, get a certified copy, or review the terms of a prior court order, the Dawson courthouse is your starting point. This guide covers the request process, what records contain, applicable fees, and the Georgia laws that govern divorce in Terrell County.
Terrell County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Request Terrell County Divorce Records
The Terrell County Clerk of Superior Court is at 235 E. Lee Street, Dawson, GA 39842. Call (229) 995-6313 to confirm office hours and discuss what you need. The county website may have current contact information and service details. Going in person is the most straightforward way to get a copy; staff can search records on site and tell you what is available.
To request a divorce decree, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. A case number helps considerably. Under Georgia's open records rules, any member of the public can request a copy; you do not need to be a party to the case. Bring a valid photo ID. Fees are due at the time of the request. If you need a certified copy, which is required for most official uses, tell the clerk upfront. Mail requests are accepted; write to the office and ask for the fee schedule before sending payment.
What Terrell County Divorce Decrees Contain
The divorce decree from Terrell County Superior Court is the final binding court order that ends a marriage and sets the terms both parties must follow. It addresses every major issue the court resolved. Property division is set out clearly: which assets each spouse receives, how the marital home is handled, and how retirement accounts or investments are split. Debts are assigned to one party or the other. Alimony, if ordered, is specified with both the amount and the duration. When minor children were involved, the decree contains the full custody arrangement, the visitation schedule, and the child support amount. Every provision is enforceable by the court.
The full case file at the Terrell County courthouse holds more than just the final decree. The file includes the original divorce petition, any response or counterclaim from the other spouse, financial affidavits, motions filed during the case, temporary orders entered while the case was pending, and any parenting plans submitted when children were involved. Accessing the full file gives a broader picture of how the case developed and why certain terms were included in the final order. Fees apply per page for copies of any documents in the file.
Keep in mind that a short divorce certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health only confirms that a divorce occurred. It does not include the terms. For the actual terms of the decree, the Terrell County Clerk of Superior Court is your source.
Terrell County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Terrell County Clerk of Superior Court are consistent with standard Georgia rates. Plain copies of case documents typically cost between $0.50 and $2.50 per page. Certified copies cost more because the clerk applies an official seal and signature to the document. That certification is what makes the document legally acceptable for use in court proceedings, government submissions, and name change applications. Ask for a certified copy by name when you make your request if you plan to use it officially.
For divorces registered in Georgia between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index. Contact their Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 657-2700. See the Vital Records page for details on submitting a verification request. DPH verification only confirms the fact of divorce; it does not supply the decree or its terms. For anything outside that date range, the Terrell County clerk holds the only records.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Terrell County
Georgia state law sets the framework for all divorces, and Terrell County Superior Court applies the same rules as every other Georgia court. The residency requirement in OCGA 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. You file in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse currently resides, not necessarily where the marriage took place.
Under OCGA 19-5-3, Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce. The most common in Terrell County and across the state is the no-fault ground: the marriage is irretrievably broken. Neither party has to prove any wrongdoing. Other grounds such as adultery, willful desertion, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment are available but require proof. Most uncontested divorces in Terrell County use the no-fault ground because it is simpler and faster. After the respondent is served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before a final decree can be entered. This applies in all cases. Self-represented parties can get official forms through the Georgia Courts self-help portal. Superior Court authority over divorce statewide comes from OCGA 19-5-1.
Public Access to Terrell County Divorce Records
The Terrell County clerk's office in Dawson serves as the public records center for divorce decrees and case files in the county. The image below shows the clerk's official location.
The Terrell County Clerk of Superior Court processes all records requests for divorce decrees filed in the county.
Visitors to the Dawson courthouse can request copies of divorce decrees and review case files in person during regular office hours.
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most divorce case files in Terrell County Superior Court are available to the public. Any person can submit a request to the clerk's office without explaining why they want the records. The clerk locates the file and provides copies after fees are paid. Courts may seal records when they contain sensitive information about minor children, financial data posing fraud risks, or when parties have agreed to sealing and the court approved. Sealed records are not accessible without a court order. Most Terrell County divorce cases are not sealed and are available through a standard records request.
Legal Help in Terrell County
Georgia Legal Services Program covers southwest Georgia, including Terrell County, and provides free legal assistance to income-eligible residents for divorce and family law matters. Apply online or by phone to check eligibility. Georgia Legal Aid offers online self-help tools and guides to Georgia divorce law for anyone to use regardless of income.
For contested cases or disputes involving significant assets or custody, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service to help you find a licensed family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website provides forms, court contacts, and resources for self-represented parties in Superior Court proceedings statewide.