Webster County Divorce Decree Lookup
Webster County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Preston, Georgia. All divorce filings in Webster County are processed at this courthouse, and the resulting case files and final decrees stay on record there. Webster County is one of Georgia's smallest counties by population, located in southwest Georgia. The clerk's office handles a limited caseload, and records access is generally straightforward. Georgia's Open Records Act makes these records available to any member of the public.
Webster County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Webster County Divorce Records
The Webster County Clerk of Superior Court is at 6330 Hamilton Road, Preston, GA 31824. Call (229) 828-3525 for information. Check the Webster County website for current hours before visiting. Webster County is very small, and the clerk's office operates with limited staff. Calling ahead is a good idea to confirm someone will be available when you arrive, especially if you are coming from out of the area.
In-person visits are the most reliable way to request records. Bring photo ID and the full names of both parties in the divorce case. An approximate year or case number makes the search much faster. For mail requests, write to the clerk at the Preston address. Include both spouses' names as they appear in court records, the approximate year of divorce, and any case number. Indicate whether you need plain or certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are required for legal use like name changes and court filings. Plain copies work for personal reference. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and call to confirm the current fee before mailing payment.
What Webster County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Webster County divorce decree is the judge's final order ending the marriage. It is binding on both parties. The decree handles division of marital property and debt, any spousal support award, and, when children are involved, custody, a parenting schedule, and child support. Both parties are legally required to comply once the judge signs it.
The full case file at the Preston courthouse includes all documents filed over the life of the case: the original petition, service records, any answer or counterclaim from the respondent, temporary orders from while the case was pending, financial disclosures, and the final settlement agreement if the case settled. For cases that went to a hearing, the file may include motion documents, exhibit lists, and hearing records. All of these are part of the public record unless a judge sealed them.
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a statewide divorce index for registrations from 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce was registered and identify which county handled it, but the full decree is only at the Webster County courthouse in Preston. For divorces outside that date range, the Preston courthouse is your primary source.
Webster County Divorce Records, Fees
The image below is from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office, which maintains the statewide divorce registration index covering 1952 through 1996.
Copy fees at the Webster County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia statutory rates. Plain copies generally run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. For divorces 1952 to 1996 where the county is uncertain, contact Georgia DPH Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. They can point you to the right county before you make the drive to Preston.
Georgia Divorce Laws That Apply in Webster County
Every divorce in Webster County is governed by Georgia state law. The first requirement is residency. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing the petition. The case is filed in the county where you or your spouse lives.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, is the most widely used in Webster County cases because it does not require proving any fault. Fault grounds such as adultery, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment are still available and can affect alimony decisions in contested proceedings. After the petition is filed and served, Georgia mandates a 30-day waiting period before the court can issue the final decree, even when both parties have already agreed to all terms.
The Superior Court's jurisdiction over Georgia divorce cases is grounded in OCGA 19-5-1. Court-approved forms for self-represented parties are available from the Georgia Courts divorce forms page.
Public Access to Webster County Divorce Records
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce case files at the Webster County Clerk of Superior Court are public. Anyone can request them. You do not need a reason. You do not need a legal interest in the case. You provide the party names or case number, pay the copy fee, and get your documents.
Sealed cases are the exception. Judges can order specific records restricted, but this is not common in routine Webster County divorce proceedings. If you are not sure whether a record is sealed, ask the Preston courthouse by phone before making the trip. They can confirm right away whether a case is accessible.
Legal Help in Webster County
Webster County residents who need legal guidance on a divorce can contact the Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians across the state, including family law cases. Georgia Legal Aid offers online self-help resources for those who plan to handle their own case in Superior Court.
For more complex situations, the State Bar of Georgia can refer Webster County residents to licensed family law attorneys through its referral service. The Georgia Courts website has contact details for the Superior Court serving Webster County and links to forms and guidance for self-represented parties filing in Preston.