Divorce records in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, are available through several channels. AthensClarkeCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also obtain records directly from the Superior Court that issued the decree, the Clerk of Superior Court's office, or the Georgia Department of Public Health's vital records office. Online tools such as the state's E-Access to Court Records portal may also provide case-level search capabilities for Athens-Clarke County filings.
Athens-Clarke Divorce Records Search
In Athens-Clarke County, divorce cases are handled exclusively by the Superior Court, which is the court of general jurisdiction for civil matters including divorce in Georgia. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official case files — including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and all related filings — as part of the permanent court record.
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, also keeps divorce certificates for divorces granted statewide since June 9, 1952. These certificates are shorter summary documents and do not contain the full terms of the divorce. If you need the complete decree or settlement details, you'll want to contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly.
Athens-Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court
Staff at the clerk's office can assist with locating divorce case files and providing copies. Some records may also be searchable through the Georgia Courts E-Access portal, though you will need to create an account to use the system.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Athens-Clarke
Georgia law assigns divorce jurisdiction to the Superior Court. In Athens-Clarke County, all divorce petitions, final decrees, and related orders are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. After a divorce is finalized, the court reports the divorce to the state vital records office, which then creates a divorce certificate.
Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, or custody order: Contact the Clerk of Superior Court.
- Divorce certificate (summary verification): Contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records.
Athens-Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court
Georgia Department of Public Health — Office of Vital Records
The vital records office holds divorce certificates for divorces finalized in Georgia from June 9, 1952, to the present. For divorces before that date, the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted is typically the only source.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Athens-Clarke
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Georgia Vital Records — first copy) | $25.00 | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate (Georgia Vital Records — additional copy, same order) | $5.00 | 5–10 business days |
| Court record copy (Clerk of Superior Court — per page, uncertified) | $0.25–$0.50 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Superior Court) | $2.50 for first page, $0.25 each additional page plus certification fee | Same day to several business days |