Whitfield County Divorce Decree Search
Whitfield County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Dalton, Georgia. All divorce cases filed in Whitfield County, whether contested or uncontested, go through this office, and the final decrees and full case files remain on record there permanently. Dalton is both the county seat and the largest city in Whitfield County. Under Georgia's Open Records Act, these records are open to the public, and anyone can request copies without needing to be a party to the case or explaining a reason.
Whitfield County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Whitfield County Divorce Records
The Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court is at 205 N. Selvidge Street, Dalton, GA 30720. Call (706) 278-1363 to reach the office. The Whitfield County website has current hours and contact information. In-person visits work well for straightforward requests. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties. A case number or approximate year will help staff locate the record quickly.
Mail requests are an option for those who cannot come in person. Write to the clerk at the Dalton address. Include both spouses' full legal names as they appear in court records, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, and any case number you have. Be clear about whether you need plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies bear the clerk's official seal and signature and are required when you need the decree for legal purposes, a name change, proof of marital status, or formal court use. Plain copies work for personal reference. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and call to confirm the current fee schedule before sending payment. The clerk's office in Dalton handles a substantial case volume and can typically run name-based searches when no case number is provided.
Residents of Dalton file their divorce cases with the Whitfield County Superior Court Clerk, as Dalton is located within Whitfield County.
What Whitfield County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Whitfield County divorce decree is the judge's final order ending the marriage. It is a binding court document. The decree resolves all issues presented to the court: division of marital property and debt, spousal support if awarded, and, when children are involved, custody, a parenting plan, and child support. Both parties must comply with its terms or face contempt proceedings.
The complete case file at the Dalton courthouse contains much more than just the decree. It includes the original divorce petition, service documentation, any answer or counterclaim filed by the respondent, temporary orders entered while the case was active, required financial affidavits and disclosures, and the final settlement agreement if the parties resolved their differences before trial. For contested cases that went to hearing or trial, the file may also include motion records, deposition summaries, exhibit lists, and transcripts. All documents in an open file are available for public inspection at the Whitfield County courthouse.
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 and identify which county handled it, but for the actual decree and case file, the Whitfield County Superior Court Clerk in Dalton is the source.
Whitfield County Divorce Decree Fees
The image below is from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office, which holds the statewide divorce registration index for 1952 through 1996.
Copy fees at the Whitfield 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 divorces between 1952 and 1996 where the county is uncertain, the Georgia DPH at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can check the statewide index. Once confirmed, contact the Dalton courthouse directly for the full case file.
Georgia Divorce Laws in Whitfield County
Every divorce filed in Whitfield County is 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 the petition. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce listed in OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault divorce, based on the marriage being irretrievably broken, is used in most Whitfield County cases because it does not require proving fault by either party and is the fastest, least complicated route to a final order. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion remain valid and can affect alimony in contested proceedings. After the petition is filed and the respondent is served, Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter the final decree. This applies even when both parties have already agreed on all terms.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce in Georgia is grounded in OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can access standard divorce forms through the Georgia Courts divorce forms page. Jurisdiction standards are also addressed in OCGA 19-5-5.
Public Access to Whitfield County Divorce Case Files
The Georgia Open Records Act establishes the public's right to inspect and copy court records, including divorce case files, held at the Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court in Dalton. You do not need a reason, a personal interest in the case, or legal representation to access these records. Request the file, pay the fee, receive copies. That is the default.
Sealed cases are the exception. A judge can order specific documents or an entire case file restricted. That is uncommon with routine divorce cases in Whitfield County. If you are unsure about a specific case, call the Dalton courthouse and ask before making the trip. Staff can tell you right away whether a file is open or has any restrictions on access.
Legal Help in Whitfield County
Whitfield County residents who need legal guidance on a divorce can reach the Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides civil legal assistance to income-eligible Georgians and handles family law matters statewide. Georgia Legal Aid has online guides and self-help resources for parties who plan to represent themselves in Dalton's Superior Court.
For contested matters or complex situations, the State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service that connects residents with licensed family law attorneys in the Whitfield County area. The Georgia Courts website provides Superior Court contact information and links to forms and procedural guides for self-represented parties filing in Dalton.