Ware County Divorce Records Search
Ware County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Waycross, Georgia. All divorce petitions filed in Ware County go through this office, and the final decrees remain on file there permanently. The records are public under Georgia's Open Records Act, and any person can request copies without needing to be a party to the case or state a reason. Ware County is in southeast Georgia and is the largest county by area in the state, though its population is smaller than many metro counties.
Ware County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Ware County Divorce Decrees
The Ware County Clerk of Superior Court is at 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501. Call (912) 287-4340 to reach the office directly. The Ware County website has contact information and hours. In-person requests tend to be the fastest option. Bring photo ID and both parties' names. If you have a case number or an approximate divorce year, bring that information too, it cuts down the time the staff spends searching the index.
Written requests by mail are an option as well. Send your request to the clerk at 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501. Your letter needs to include both spouses' full legal names as they appear in court records, the approximate year of the divorce, and any case number you have. State clearly whether you need plain copies or certified copies, as the fee and the preparation process differ. Certified copies have the clerk's official seal and are required for legal use such as name changes, remarriage licenses, and court filings. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and confirm the current fee by phone before mailing payment. Staff can search by name if no case number is available.
What a Ware County Divorce Decree Contains
The final divorce decree in a Ware County case is the judge's binding order dissolving the marriage. It covers every issue the court was asked to resolve, property and debt division, spousal support if awarded, and if children are involved, custody, a parenting schedule, and child support. It is a court order. Both parties must comply with its terms or face contempt proceedings.
The complete case file at the Waycross courthouse contains more than the decree itself. It includes the original divorce petition, proof of service on the respondent, any answer or counterclaim, temporary orders entered while the case was open, financial affidavits and disclosures, and the final settlement agreement if the parties resolved the case without trial. When a case did go to trial, the file may also contain motion documents, deposition summaries, exhibit lists, and hearing records. Unless a judge ordered specific materials sealed, all of this is part of the public record at the Waycross courthouse.
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorces registered from 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce and identify which county handled it, but it does not provide the actual decree. For the full case file, the Ware County Superior Court Clerk in Waycross is your source.
Ware County Divorce Records, Fees and the State Index
The image below is from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office, which maintains the statewide divorce registration index for 1952 through 1996.
Copy fees at the Ware County Clerk of Superior Court are set under Georgia law. Plain copies generally run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because they carry the clerk's official seal. For older divorces where you are unsure which county handled the case, the Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can check the statewide index. Once you have confirmed Ware County, contact the Waycross courthouse directly for the full decree and case documents.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Ware County
All divorces in Ware County are governed by Georgia state law. The foundational requirement is residency. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault divorce, based on the marriage being irretrievably broken, is the standard choice in most Ware County cases. It does not require proving any wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion remain available under Georgia law and can influence alimony outcomes in contested cases. A mandatory 30-day waiting period applies after the petition is filed and the respondent is served, even if both parties agree on everything from the start.
The Superior Court's exclusive authority to hear divorce cases in Georgia comes from OCGA 19-5-1. People handling their own cases can find approved forms at the Georgia Courts divorce forms page.
Public Access to Ware County Divorce Files
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce case files held by the Ware County Clerk of Superior Court are available to the public. No special standing, legal connection to the case, or explanation is needed. You request the record, pay the copy fee, and receive what you asked for. The Open Records framework covers all county court records and gives members of the public a clear right to inspect them.
Exceptions apply when a judge orders a case sealed. In practice, routine Ware County divorce cases are not sealed. If you are unsure whether a specific file has restrictions, ask the clerk before visiting. They can tell you right away whether the case is open or restricted, saving you an unnecessary trip to Waycross.
Legal Help in Ware County
Ware County residents who need help with a divorce can reach the Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides civil legal aid to income-eligible Georgians and handles family law cases including divorce and custody. Georgia Legal Aid has online guides and self-help tools for those who want to manage their own case in Superior Court.
For more complex situations, the State Bar of Georgia operates a lawyer referral service that can connect Ware County residents with a licensed family law attorney. The Georgia Courts website provides contact details for the Superior Court serving Ware County and links to forms and guidance for self-represented parties filing in Waycross.