Search Upson County Divorce Decree Records
Upson County divorce decrees are held at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Thomaston, Georgia, the county seat. All divorce cases filed in Upson County, contested or uncontested, run through this office, and the final decrees stay on file there indefinitely. You can request copies in person, by mail, or by phone. Georgia's Open Records Act makes most divorce case files publicly available, so you do not need to be a party to the case or offer an explanation to get access.
Upson County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Access Upson County Divorce Records
The Upson County Clerk of Superior Court is at 116 E. Main Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. Call (706) 647-7835 to reach the office. The Upson County website lists current hours and contact details. In-person visits work best, bring photo ID and as much case information as you have, including both party names and the approximate year of divorce.
For mail requests, write to the clerk at the Thomaston address. Include the full legal names of both spouses, the year the divorce was finalized, and any case number you already know. Indicate whether you need plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are the version required for legal proceedings, name change filings, and similar purposes. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed things along. Confirm the current fee schedule by phone before sending a check, since copy fees can change and vary based on the number of pages in the file.
Staff search the records index by name or case number. If you are not sure which year the divorce was filed, they can run a broader name search to locate the case.
What Upson County Divorce Decrees Contain
The final divorce decree in an Upson County case is the judge's binding order ending the marriage. It spells out property division, any spousal support, and, when children are involved, custody and child support terms. Once the judge signs it, both parties are legally bound by its terms. Violating the decree can result in contempt proceedings back in Superior Court.
The full case file at the Thomaston courthouse includes more than just the decree itself. You will find the original divorce petition, documentation showing the respondent was properly served, any answer or counterclaim the other party filed, temporary orders entered while the case was pending, financial disclosures, and the marital settlement agreement if the parties settled rather than going to trial. Trial cases may also contain exhibit lists, deposition summaries, and other hearing materials. Every document in an open file is available for inspection and copying by any member of the public.
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide divorce index covering registrations from 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce was registered and tell you which county handled it, but they do not provide the full decree. For the complete Upson County divorce record, the Superior Court Clerk in Thomaston is the right place.
Upson County Divorce Records, Fees and Requests
The image below is from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office, which maintains the statewide divorce index for records from 1952 to 1996.
Copy fees at the Upson County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia statutory rates. Plain copies generally cost between $0.50 and $5.00 per page. Certified copies run higher because they carry the clerk's official seal and signature. Always tell the clerk whether you need plain or certified, it directly affects the cost and what the clerk prepares. For older divorces not on file locally, the Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can help narrow down which county has the records you need.
Georgia Divorce Laws That Apply in Upson County
All Upson County divorce cases operate under Georgia state law. The first requirement is residency. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one party must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently resides.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Most Upson County cases use the no-fault ground, the marriage being irretrievably broken, because it is the simplest path and requires no proof of wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery, desertion, or habitual intoxication remain available and can influence alimony decisions in contested cases. After the petition is filed and the respondent is served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before a judge can enter the final decree, even if both parties have already agreed to everything.
The Superior Court's jurisdiction over divorce proceedings in Georgia is established by OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can download the standard forms they need from the Georgia Courts divorce forms page before going to the Thomaston courthouse. Residency requirements under OCGA 19-5-5 also govern which county has proper jurisdiction to hear the case.
Public Access to Upson County Divorce Case Files
The Georgia Open Records Act gives anyone the right to inspect and copy court records held by the Upson County Clerk of Superior Court. Divorce case files are generally public. No relationship to the case is required. No explanation is needed. You show up, request the file, pay the fee, and you get copies.
Cases sealed by court order are the exception. If a judge specifically ordered a file restricted, the clerk cannot provide access without further court action. This is uncommon in routine divorce cases. If you are not sure whether a specific file has been sealed, ask the clerk directly before making the trip. Most Upson County divorce records move through the standard process and stay in the public file at the Thomaston courthouse without any restriction.
Legal Help for Upson County Residents
Residents of Upson County who need guidance on divorce can reach out to the Georgia Legal Services Program, which offers civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians across the state. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support matters. Georgia Legal Aid provides online self-help resources for those who plan to represent themselves in Superior Court.
For more involved situations, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service that can match you with a licensed family law attorney near Upson County. If contested property, debt division, or custody disputes are involved, professional legal advice is worth getting early. The Georgia Courts website also lists Superior Court contact information and links to procedural guides and forms.