Find Wheeler County Divorce Records
Wheeler County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Alamo, Georgia. This office is the official keeper of all divorce case files in Wheeler County, including petitions, final decrees, and all related documents. Wheeler County is a small rural county in south-central Georgia. Access to divorce records here follows the same Georgia Open Records Act rules that apply statewide, any member of the public can request copies without special standing or a stated reason.
Wheeler County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Wheeler County Divorce Decrees
The Wheeler County Clerk of Superior Court is at 41 W. Main Street, Alamo, GA 30411. Reach the office at (912) 568-7137. The Wheeler County website has contact information and hours. Because Wheeler County is small with limited courthouse staff, calling ahead before a visit is a smart move, it confirms someone will be available and can prepare for your request in advance.
In-person visits tend to be most efficient. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties in the divorce. A case number or approximate year helps staff locate the file faster. For mail requests, write to the clerk at 41 W. Main Street, Alamo, GA 30411. Include both spouses' full legal names as shown in court records, the approximate year of the divorce, and any case number you have. Specify whether you need plain copies or certified copies, certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are required for legal purposes like name changes and formal court filings. Plain copies work for most personal uses. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and verify the current fee by phone before mailing payment.
What Wheeler County Divorce Decrees Include
A Wheeler County divorce decree is the court's final order ending the marriage. It is legally binding on both parties from the moment the judge signs it. The decree covers property and debt division, any spousal support award, and, where children are involved, custody arrangements, a parenting plan, and child support terms. Failure to comply can result in contempt proceedings in the same Superior Court.
The full case file at the Alamo courthouse includes the original divorce petition, proof that the respondent was properly served, any answer or counterclaim, temporary orders governing finances or custody while the case was active, required financial disclosures, and the final settlement agreement if the parties resolved the case without trial. For cases that went to hearing, the file may also contain motion records, exhibits, and transcripts. Unless a judge sealed specific materials, the entire file is public and available for inspection at the Wheeler County courthouse.
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index for 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce and identify the county, but for the actual decree you need to contact the Wheeler County Superior Court Clerk in Alamo directly.
Wheeler County Divorce Records, Fees and State Resources
The image below is from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Atlanta, which maintains the statewide divorce registration index for divorces recorded from 1952 through 1996.
Copy fees at the Wheeler County Clerk of Superior Court are set by Georgia law. Plain copies typically run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because they carry the clerk's official seal. For divorces 1952 to 1996 where you are unsure which county handled the case, call the Georgia DPH at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, before heading to Alamo.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Wheeler County
All divorce cases in Wheeler County are governed by Georgia state law. Residency is required. 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, not where you were married.
Georgia provides 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault, the marriage being irretrievably broken, is the ground used in most Wheeler County cases. It does not require proving fault by either party and is the fastest route in uncontested situations. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion remain valid 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 to all terms upfront.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce proceedings in Georgia comes from OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can get approved forms from the Georgia Courts divorce forms page.
Public Access to Wheeler County Divorce Files
The Georgia Open Records Act gives any person the right to request and receive copies of court records, including divorce decrees, at the Wheeler County Clerk of Superior Court. No reason, legal interest, or connection to the case is required. You ask for the records, pay the fee, and get copies. That is the rule across all Georgia courts.
The exception is when a judge specifically orders a case sealed. Routine Wheeler County divorce cases are not sealed. If you are uncertain whether a case has any restrictions, ask the Alamo clerk by phone. They can confirm access before you make the trip.
Legal Help in Wheeler County
Wheeler County residents who need help with a divorce can contact the Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians and handles family law cases statewide. Georgia Legal Aid has online guides and self-help tools for those managing their own divorce case in Superior Court.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that connects residents with licensed family law attorneys in the Wheeler County area. For contested cases involving property, debt, or custody, professional legal help early in the process can save time and prevent costly mistakes. The Georgia Courts website lists Superior Court contact details and provides procedural guidance for parties filing in Alamo.