White County Divorce Records
White County divorce decree records are filed with and held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Cleveland, Georgia. This office maintains all divorce case files for White County, including petitions, final decrees, temporary orders, and any related documents, and serves as the official public keeper of these records. White County is in the northeast Georgia mountains, and the clerk's office in Cleveland is the only place to get certified divorce decree copies or access full case files for this county. Georgia's Open Records Act makes most divorce records publicly accessible without any special qualification.
White County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get White County Divorce Decrees
The White County Clerk of Superior Court is at 59 S. Main Street, Cleveland, GA 30528. The office phone is (706) 865-2613. Visit the White County website for current hours and contact details. In-person visits work well for this size courthouse. Bring photo ID and the full names of both parties in the divorce. If you have a case number or know the approximate year of the divorce, that helps staff run the index search faster and more accurately.
Mail-in requests are also an option. Write to the clerk at the Cleveland address above. Your letter should include both spouses' legal names as they appear in court documents, the year the divorce was finalized, and any case number you have. Be clear about whether you need plain copies or certified copies, the preparation and cost are different. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are the version required for legal use, such as name change filings, applications in other states, or formal court proceedings. Plain copies are fine for personal reference. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and call to verify the current copy fee before sending any payment.
White County is served by the Mountain Judicial Circuit. Staff at the Cleveland courthouse are accustomed to requests from both county residents and people searching records for family or legal purposes.
White County Clerk of Superior Court
The image below is from the White County government website, showing the clerk's office in Cleveland that serves as the official keeper of all White County divorce decree records.
The White County Clerk of Superior Court manages all family law filings in the county, including divorce petitions, final decrees, temporary orders, and case docketing. Staff can search the records index by party name or case number and can provide plain or certified copies of any unrestricted file. Requests made in person at the Cleveland courthouse are typically handled on the same day.
What White County Divorce Records Contain
A White County divorce decree is the judge's final signed order dissolving the marriage. It is a binding legal document. The decree addresses every issue the court was asked to resolve: 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 with its terms. Noncompliance can be raised as contempt in the same Superior Court that issued the decree.
The full case file at the Cleveland courthouse includes the original petition, service documentation showing the respondent was properly notified, any answer or counterclaim, temporary orders from while the case was open, financial disclosures required under Georgia law, and the final settlement agreement if the parties settled before trial. Cases that were contested and went to hearing may also include motion records, exhibits, deposition summaries, and transcripts. Unless a judge sealed specific materials, everything in the file is part of the public record accessible to anyone.
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index covering registrations from 1952 to 1996. Their Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords can confirm a divorce occurred and tell you which county handled it, but for the actual decree you need the White County Superior Court Clerk in Cleveland.
White County Divorce Decree Fees
Copy fees at the White County Clerk of Superior Court follow Georgia statutory rates. Plain copies typically run $0.50 to $5.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because they carry the clerk's official seal, making them valid for formal legal use. The cost for a complete case file depends on the number of pages, so it is worth asking the clerk for an estimate before requesting an entire file if cost is a consideration.
For divorces registered between 1952 and 1996 where you are unsure which county holds the records, the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can search the statewide index and confirm the county. After that, contact the White County clerk in Cleveland directly for the case documents.
Georgia Divorce Laws in White County Cases
All divorces filed in White County are governed by Georgia state law. Residency must be established. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before the petition is filed. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
Georgia recognizes 13 divorce grounds under OCGA 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, is used in the vast majority of White County cases because it requires no proof of fault and is the most direct path to a final order. Fault grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion remain available and can affect alimony awards in contested cases. After the petition is filed and the respondent is served, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter the final decree, regardless of whether both parties agree to all terms.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce in Georgia is established in OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can access standard divorce forms through the Georgia Courts divorce forms page before going to the Cleveland courthouse. Jurisdiction standards are also addressed in OCGA 19-5-5.
Public Access to White County Divorce Case Files
The Georgia Open Records Act establishes that court records at the White County Clerk of Superior Court are public. Divorce case files are included. You do not need to be a party to the case, an attorney, or a relative of anyone named in the file. You request the record, pay the copy fee, and receive what you asked for. The default rule in Georgia is public access.
Sealed cases are the exception. A judge can restrict specific documents or an entire file, but this is uncommon in routine White County divorce proceedings. If you are unsure, ask the clerk in Cleveland before making the trip. They can tell you immediately whether a case is open or restricted.
Legal Help in White County
White County residents who need legal assistance with a divorce can reach the Georgia Legal Services Program. They provide civil legal aid to income-eligible Georgians statewide and handle family law matters including divorce and custody. Georgia Legal Aid also has online self-help guides for parties representing themselves in White County Superior Court.
For more complex cases, the State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service that can connect White County residents with licensed family law attorneys in the area. The Georgia Courts website provides Superior Court contact information and links to forms and procedural guides for self-represented parties filing in Cleveland.