Wilkes County Divorce Decree Records
Wilkes County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Washington, Georgia. All divorce filings in Wilkes County go through this office, and the resulting decrees and full case files remain there as permanent public records. Wilkes County is in northeast Georgia, and the county seat of Washington is where the Superior Court that handles all family law matters is located. Under Georgia's Open Records Act, these records are available to the public and anyone can request copies without needing a connection to the case.
Wilkes County Divorce Decree Quick Facts
How to Get Wilkes County Divorce Decrees
The Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court is at 23 E. Court Street, Washington, GA 30673. Call (706) 678-2423 for assistance. Check the Wilkes County website for current hours before visiting. In-person requests tend to go smoothly at a courthouse this size. Bring photo ID and both parties' names. A case number or an approximate year of the divorce helps staff locate the record faster.
Mail-in requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at the Washington address. Your letter should 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. State whether you need plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are required for legal use, a name change petition, formal court filings, or proving marital status for official purposes. Plain copies are fine for personal reference. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and confirm the current copy fee by phone before mailing any payment. Staff can run name-based searches in the records index when no case number is available.
Wilkes County sits in the Augusta Judicial Circuit. If you are searching for a case and cannot locate it in Wilkes County, the circuit clerk's office can help determine whether records may be filed in a neighboring county's court.
What Wilkes County Divorce Records Contain
A Wilkes County divorce decree is the judge's final order ending the marriage. It is legally binding. The decree covers division of marital property and debt, any spousal support the court awards, and, when there are minor children, custody, a parenting schedule, and child support. Both parties must comply once the judge signs it.
The full case file at the Washington courthouse includes every document filed over the life of the proceedings: the original divorce petition, service records showing proper notification of the respondent, any answer or counterclaim, temporary orders governing custody or finances while the case was pending, required financial affidavits and disclosures, and the settlement agreement if the case resolved before trial. For contested cases that went to hearing, the file may also contain motion records, deposition summaries, exhibit lists, and transcripts. Unless a judge sealed specific materials, all of this is part of the public record available at the Wilkes County courthouse.
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps 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 identify which county handled it, but for the actual decree you need the Wilkes County Superior Court Clerk in Washington.
Wilkes 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 Wilkes 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 seal. If you are not sure which county holds a pre-1997 divorce, the Georgia DPH at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700, can check the statewide index before you make the trip to Washington.
Georgia Divorce Laws That Apply in Wilkes County
Every divorce filed in Wilkes County is governed by Georgia state law. Residency is the starting point. Under OCGA 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing. The case is filed in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.
Georgia provides 13 grounds for divorce under OCGA 19-5-3. No-fault, the marriage being irretrievably broken, is the most common ground in Wilkes County cases. It does not require proving any wrongdoing and is the simplest, most direct path. Fault grounds like adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion are still valid and can factor into alimony determinations in contested cases. After filing and service on the other party, Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period before the court can issue the final decree, even if both parties are in full agreement from the beginning.
The Superior Court's authority over divorce in Georgia is grounded in OCGA 19-5-1. Self-represented parties can find court-approved forms at the Georgia Courts divorce forms page. Jurisdiction questions are also covered under OCGA 19-5-5.
Public Access to Wilkes County Divorce Case Files
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, divorce case files at the Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court are publicly available. No special standing or explanation is required. You request the record, pay the copy fee, and get what you asked for. This applies to all court records at Georgia county courthouses as the default rule.
Sealed cases are the only exception. A judge can order a case or specific documents restricted, but this is uncommon with routine Wilkes County divorce proceedings. If you are unsure whether a case is restricted, ask the clerk in Washington before visiting. They can confirm access immediately.
Legal Help in Wilkes County
Wilkes County residents who need legal assistance with a divorce can contact the Georgia Legal Services Program. They provide civil legal help to income-qualifying Georgians and cover family law matters including divorce, custody, and support. Georgia Legal Aid has online self-help guides for those planning to handle their own case in Superior Court.
For contested situations involving property, debt, or custody disputes, the State Bar of Georgia has a referral service connecting Wilkes County residents with licensed family law attorneys. Early legal advice can prevent costly mistakes in contested proceedings. The Georgia Courts website has Superior Court contact details and links to procedural forms and guidance for self-represented parties filing in Washington.