Warren County Divorce Decree Access
Warren County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Warrenton, Georgia. Every divorce case filed in Warren County goes through this office, and the resulting decrees and full case files stay on record there. Warren County is a small rural county in east-central Georgia, and the clerk's office handles a manageable caseload with straightforward access. Under Georgia's Open Records Act, anyone can request copies of divorce records without a special reason or connection to the parties involved.
Warren County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Warren County Divorce Records
The Warren County Clerk of Superior Court is at 521 Main Street, Warrenton, GA 30828. The office can be reached at (706) 465-2262. Visit the Warren County official website for current hours and any updates on services. In-person visits are straightforward in a small county court like Warren. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties in the divorce. Any case number or approximate year you have will help narrow the search quickly.
For mail requests, write to the clerk at the Warrenton address. Include both spouses' full legal names, the approximate divorce year, and any case number available. Indicate whether you need plain or certified copies, certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are needed for legal purposes such as name changes and court filings. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and confirm the current fee by phone before mailing any payment. In a county this size, staff typically have records well organized and can locate cases quickly by name or number.
Warren County is in the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Cases from this area occasionally cross circuit boundaries for administrative reasons, so if you cannot locate a case, the clerk can help determine whether records may have been transferred or filed elsewhere.
Warren County Clerk of Superior Court
The image below is from the Warren County government website, showing the clerk's office in Warrenton that serves as the official keeper of all Warren County divorce decree records.
The Clerk of Superior Court in Warrenton maintains all divorce case files, including the original petition, any orders entered during the case, and the final decree. Staff can retrieve records by party name or case number and provide plain or certified copies on request. Because Warren County handles a lower volume of cases than metro-area courts, requests are usually processed quickly.
What Warren County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Warren County divorce decree is the judge's final signed order ending the marriage. It is binding on both parties. The decree addresses property and debt division, any spousal support award, and, when there are minor children, custody, a parenting schedule, and child support. Once the judge signs it, both parties are legally required to follow its terms.
The full case file at the Warrenton courthouse includes more than the decree. You will find the original divorce petition, documentation that the respondent was properly served, any answer or counterclaim, temporary orders governing finances or custody while the case was pending, required financial disclosures, and the settlement agreement if the parties resolved the case without going to trial. For cases that went to a hearing or trial, the file may also include motion records, exhibit lists, and transcripts. Unless a judge sealed specific materials, all of this is public and available for inspection at the Warrenton courthouse.
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index covering 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce occurred and identify which county handled it, but it does not provide the full decree documents. For those, contact the Warren County Superior Court Clerk in Warrenton directly.
Warren County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the Warren County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia statutory rates. Plain copies generally run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because the clerk's official seal makes them legally valid for formal use. The total cost depends on how many pages are in the file, so it is worth asking the clerk to estimate the page count if cost is a concern before committing to a full copy request.
For divorces from 1952 to 1996 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 search the statewide index. Once the county is confirmed, contact the Warren County clerk in Warrenton for the actual case file.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Warren County Cases
Every divorce filed in Warren County is subject to Georgia state law. Residency is the first requirement. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for at least six months before the petition is filed. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
Georgia provides 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. Most Warren County cases use the no-fault ground, the marriage being irretrievably broken, because it does not require proof of any wrongdoing and is generally the most direct path to a final decree. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication remain available under Georgia law and can factor into alimony decisions in contested cases. After filing and proper service, the court must wait 30 days before the judge can enter the final decree, regardless of whether both parties have agreed to all terms.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce in Georgia is set by OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can find approved divorce forms at the Georgia Courts self-help page. Jurisdiction requirements are further addressed in OCGA 19-5-5.
Public Access to Warren County Divorce Records
The Georgia Open Records Act gives the public the right to inspect and copy court records at the Warren County Clerk of Superior Court. Divorce case files are public records. No special standing or explanation is required. Walk in, ask for the file by name or case number, pay the copy fee, and receive your documents. This is the standard in all Georgia counties.
Sealed records are the exception. When a judge orders a case or specific documents restricted, those materials cannot be released without further court action. This is uncommon in routine Warren County divorce cases. Ask the clerk if you are unsure, they will tell you immediately whether a file has any restrictions.
Legal Help in Warren County
Warren County residents who need help with divorce proceedings can contact the Georgia Legal Services Program. They offer civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians and cover family law matters including divorce and custody. Georgia Legal Aid also provides online self-help guides for those handling their own Superior Court cases.
The State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service that can connect Warren County residents with licensed family law attorneys in the area. If contested issues like property division or custody disputes are involved, professional legal advice early in the process can save time and expense. The Georgia Courts website has contact information for the Superior Court serving Warren County along with forms and procedural guides.