Union County Divorce Decree Records
Union County divorce decree records are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Blairsville, Georgia. The clerk's office is the single official source for all divorce petitions, final decrees, and case documents in Union County. Access is open to the public under Georgia's Open Records Act, meaning you do not need a personal connection to a case to request copies. Whether you need proof of a past divorce, a certified copy for a name change, or a review of an old case file, the Blairsville courthouse is where you start.
Union County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Union County Divorce Decrees
The Union County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 65 S. Main Street, Blairsville, GA 30512. Reach the office by phone at (706) 439-6022. Visit the Union County official website for current hours, closures, and any updates on in-person services. When you visit, bring a photo ID and the names of both parties in the divorce. Having an approximate year or case number ready speeds up the search considerably.
Mail requests work too. Send a written request to the clerk's office at the Blairsville address above. Include the full names of both spouses as they appear on court documents, the approximate divorce year, and any case number you may already have. Specify clearly whether you need plain copies or certified copies, since the fee and processing differ. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule before mailing payment. The clerk's staff can search the records index by either party name or case number, and they will let you know if a case file is available or restricted.
Union County is in far north Georgia near the Blue Ridge Mountains. The courthouse handles a smaller caseload than metro-area courts, so in-person visits tend to move quickly.
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
The image below is from the Union County government website, showing the clerk's office that serves as the official custodian of all divorce decree records in Union County.
The Clerk of Superior Court in Blairsville keeps full divorce case files for all proceedings handled in Union County. This includes petitions, responses, temporary orders, final decrees, and any settlement agreements that were incorporated into the decree by the judge. Requests for copies can be handled in person, by mail, or by phone to confirm availability.
What Union County Divorce Records Contain
A Union County divorce decree is the judge's final signed order ending a marriage. It is a binding legal document that controls property division, any spousal support award, and, in cases with minor children, custody arrangements and child support. Both parties must follow its terms after the judge signs it. The decree itself is typically a few pages, but the full case file can run much longer depending on how contested the proceedings were.
The case file kept at the Blairsville courthouse includes the original divorce petition, service documentation showing the other party was properly notified, any answer or counterclaim filed by the respondent, temporary orders that governed issues like custody or finances while the case was active, financial affidavits, and any marital settlement agreement. When a case went to trial rather than settling, the file may also include witness lists, exhibits, and hearing transcripts. Each of these documents is part of the public case file unless a judge ordered it sealed.
For divorces registered between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index through their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. That index can confirm a divorce took place and identify which county handled it, but it does not contain the full decree. The Union County Superior Court Clerk in Blairsville holds the complete records.
Union County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Union County Clerk of Superior Court follow standard Georgia rates. Plain copies typically run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee because they include the clerk's seal and official signature, making them legally valid for court filings, name change petitions, and other formal uses. Always tell the clerk upfront whether you need plain or certified copies, it affects both cost and processing.
If the divorce you are searching for occurred between 1952 and 1996 and you are not sure which county handled it, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can search the statewide index. That office can point you to the right county, after which you contact Union County directly for the actual decree documents.
Georgia Divorce Laws as They Apply in Union County
Every divorce filed in Union County operates under Georgia state law. Residency comes first. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before the petition is filed. You file in the county where you live or where your spouse lives, not necessarily where you got married.
Georgia law provides 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault, the marriage being irretrievably broken, is by far the most common in Union County cases. It is straightforward because it requires no proof of wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery or cruel treatment are still available and can factor into alimony decisions, but most couples in Union County use the no-fault route. After filing and proper service on the other party, Georgia law imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period before a judge can enter the final decree. This applies even in fully uncontested cases.
The Superior Court's authority to hear divorce cases in Georgia rests on OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can download standard forms from the Georgia Courts divorce forms page before heading to the Blairsville courthouse.
Public Access to Union County Divorce Records
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce case files held by the Union County Clerk of Superior Court are public records. Anyone can walk into the Blairsville courthouse, request a case file, pay the copy fee, and receive copies. You do not need to be a party to the case, a lawyer, or a relative. You do not need to state a reason.
Exceptions apply when a judge has specifically sealed a case or certain documents within a file. Sealed records cannot be disclosed without further court action. In practice, routine Union County divorce cases are not sealed. If you are not sure whether a particular file is restricted, the clerk can tell you when you make your request. Most of the time, you will find the case is open and copies are available on the spot.
The statewide Open Records framework, codified at OCGA 50-18-70, sets the baseline. County clerks must respond to records requests promptly, and they cannot charge more than the statutory fee for copies.
Legal Help in Union County
Union County residents who need help with divorce proceedings can contact Georgia Legal Services Program. They provide civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians, including family law matters like divorce, custody, and support. Georgia Legal Aid offers online guides and self-help tools useful for those handling their own cases in Superior Court.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that connects people with licensed family law attorneys serving the Union County area. The referral line is a good starting point if your situation involves contested property, disputes over support, or complex custody questions that go beyond what self-help resources can address. The Georgia Courts website also provides contact information for the Superior Court serving Union County and links to forms and local rules.