DeKalb County Public Records /DeKalb County Divorce Records

DeKalb County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In DeKalb County in 2026

DeKalbCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in DeKalb County, Georgia. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, party names, filing dates, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in DeKalb County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Superior Court's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online case management tools maintained by the Georgia court system.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk maintains an online case search portal through which members of the public may search divorce and family law cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.

2. Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA)

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides a statewide platform for searching court records across Georgia's 159 counties. This consolidated database allows users to locate cases filed in DeKalb County Superior Court and other jurisdictions.

3. Georgia Vital Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office maintains divorce records for dissolutions finalized in Georgia. Divorce certificates issued by the state provide official confirmation of marital status and may be requested for legal, immigration, or personal purposes. Fees apply for certified copies.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Superior Court – Family Division

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's Office
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 371-2836
DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance for locating archived or older case files

Records Department

The Clerk's office maintains a separate records and archives function for historical divorce cases. Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in physical form and require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases may be submitted in person or by mail.

By Mail

Written Request

Mail requests to:

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's Office
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 371-2836
DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk

Written requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing year
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mailed requests is typically one to two weeks, though archived or older cases may require additional time.

By Phone

Limited Information Available

The Clerk of Superior Court may be reached at (404) 371-2836. Staff can confirm:

Whether a case exists in the system
The assigned case number
Current case status
The original filing date

Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information classified as confidential under Georgia law.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Georgia may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through appropriate court motions, and obtain certified copies for legal proceedings. The State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys for complex record access situations.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in DeKalb County
Names of minor children involved
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

In Georgia, divorce proceedings are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in DeKalb County should consider searching adjacent counties, particularly if either party relocated prior to filing. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, a petition for divorce must be filed in the county of the defendant's residence, or in the county of the plaintiff's residence if the defendant is a nonresident of Georgia.

Residency Requirement:

Georgia law requires that at least one spouse be a bona fide resident of Georgia for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce. The case is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff resides if the defendant cannot be served within Georgia.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Electronic filing has reduced processing delays for cases filed in recent years

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing systems may be stored in physical archives
Retrieval of archived records may require a special request and additional processing time
Some older records may not be digitized and must be reviewed in person

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different Georgia county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case remains pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (404) 371-2836 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings or maiden name searches
Search both spouses' names independently
Check the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records for a divorce certificate
Consult a licensed Georgia family law attorney for sealed or complex cases

What Are DeKalb County Divorce Records?

DeKalb County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the DeKalb County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the public court file maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and document the legal dissolution of a marriage under Georgia law.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a divorce proceeding in DeKalb County may include:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Summons and proof of service
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and timesharing schedules
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and rulings issued during the case
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree

The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the official court order that legally ends the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Superior Court.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents filed in a divorce case may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders entered after the original decree.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Legal Purposes:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation following dissolution
Property transfer and title recording
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriages
Social Security benefit determinations
Legal status verification in civil proceedings

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal recordkeeping
Verification of divorce terms for compliance purposes

Who Maintains Divorce Records

Clerk of Superior Court

The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The Clerk's office maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by the names of both parties.

Georgia Department of Public Health – Vital Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains divorce records at the state level. Georgia registers divorces as vital records, and the state vital records office can issue certified divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Georgia. These certificates contain limited information compared to the full court file.

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Georgia are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the authority of the Superior Court to dissolve marriages. Public access to court records is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., which presumes that court records are open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Are DeKalb County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in DeKalb County Superior Court are public court records subject to the Georgia Open Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. Certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled court hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings under Georgia court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Some financial affidavits may have restricted portions

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld
Schools attended by minor children
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are typically restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Medical records submitted as exhibits
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims
Information protected by court-issued protective orders

Sealed Records:

Cases sealed by specific court order
Cases involving allegations of abuse where sealing is ordered for victim protection
Confidential mediation communications, which are not part of the public record under Georgia law

Legal Basis for Public Access

The Georgia Open Records Act establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings. Restrictions on access require a specific legal basis, such as a court order sealing the record or a statutory exemption protecting sensitive categories of information. The balancing of transparency and privacy is determined on a case-by-case basis by the presiding judge.

Who Can Access Records

General Public:

May access most case information and docket entries
May obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
May be required to present identification at the courthouse

Parties to the Case:

Have full access to their own case file, including confidential portions
May obtain all documents filed in their case without restriction

Attorneys:

Have access to case files on behalf of clients
May file motions to access sealed documents upon demonstrating good cause
Subject to professional responsibility obligations regarding confidential information

Researchers and Media:

May access public portions of divorce records
Must obtain court permission to access sealed records
News reporting on matters of public concern is protected under the First Amendment

Obtaining Confidential Records

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved. Certain parties, including law enforcement agencies, child protective services investigators, and court-appointed evaluators, may be entitled to access restricted records by statute.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in DeKalb County?

The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's office charges standard fees for copies and certified documents. Current fees are established pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, which governs fees charged by Superior Court Clerks throughout Georgia.

Standard Copy and Certification Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy (per document)	$2.50 certification fee + $0.25 per page
Exemplified/authenticated copy	Additional fee applies
Electronic copy (if available)	Varies by document

Additional Fee Information:

Inspection of records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
Certification of the final decree for legal purposes requires payment of the certification fee in addition to per-page copy costs
The Georgia Department of Public Health charges a separate fee for certified divorce certificates issued through the state vital records office; current fees are listed on the Georgia Vital Records fee schedule
Accepted payment methods at the Clerk's office include cash, money order, and credit or debit card; personal checks may be accepted at the Clerk's discretion

Fee Waivers:

Indigent parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waive certain copy fees
Parties to the case may review their own file at the courthouse without charge; fees apply only to copies requested

What Is Available at No Cost:

Viewing case docket entries and case status through the online case search portal
In-person inspection of public case documents at the courthouse public access terminals
Verbal confirmation of case existence, case number, and filing date by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in DeKalb County

A divorce case file maintained by the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk is a comprehensive collection of documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The contents of any individual file vary depending on whether the case was contested or uncontested, whether children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.

Basic Case Information

Every divorce case file includes a case caption identifying the case number, the name of the court and division, the names of the petitioner and respondent, the judge assigned to the case, and the attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the petition was filed, the filing fees paid, and the jurisdictional basis for the case.

Initial Pleadings

The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce, information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. Under Georgia law, the most common ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, as provided under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The respondent's answer or response sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, and any counterclaims for relief.

Financial Affidavits

Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly living expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt. Social Security numbers and account numbers are redacted from the public version of these documents.

Discovery Documents

In contested cases, the file may contain interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition notices, and responses to requests for admission. Financial records such as tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and investment account statements may be attached as exhibits.

Property-Related Documents

The case file may include a marital asset inventory listing real property with descriptions and estimated values, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property. A corresponding debt inventory lists mortgages, car loans, credit card balances, and other obligations. Appraisal reports and expert valuations for real property, businesses, or personal property of significant value may also be included.

Children-Related Documents

When minor children are involved, the case file includes a parenting plan establishing legal custody, physical custody, and a detailed timesharing schedule covering regular weeks, holidays, school breaks, and vacations. Child support calculation worksheets reflect both parties' incomes, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. If the court ordered a custody evaluation, the evaluator's report may be part of the file, though such reports are frequently restricted from public access.

Support Documents

Alimony provisions, if any, are documented in the settlement agreement or final judgment and specify the type of support ordered, the monthly amount, the duration, and the conditions for modification or termination. Calculation worksheets supporting the alimony determination may also be included.

Settlement Documents

A marital settlement agreement, when the parties reach a negotiated resolution, is a comprehensive document addressing all issues in the case, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters. The agreement is signed by both parties, notarized, and incorporated into the final judgment. Mediation agreements, if the parties participated in mediation, may also be part of the file, though the communications occurring during mediation are confidential under Georgia law.

Court Orders and Final Judgment

Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case address interim custody, support, use of the marital home, and any restraining orders. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the court's definitive order ending the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and specific directives regarding all issues resolved in the case. If retirement accounts are divided, a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is prepared and filed to instruct the plan administrator.

Post-Judgment Documents

After the final judgment is entered, the case file may be supplemented with petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions alleging non-compliance, income deduction orders for support enforcement, and other enforcement-related filings.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Residential addresses and school information for minor children
Domestic violence details where sealing is ordered
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications
Trade secrets contained in business valuation reports
Settlement negotiations not reduced to a filed agreement

How to Get Proof of Divorce in DeKalb County?

Proof of divorce in DeKalb County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage issued by the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk, or through a certified divorce certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Method 1: Certified Copy from the Clerk of Superior Court

A certified copy of the final decree is the most comprehensive form of proof and is accepted for remarriage, name change, immigration, and legal proceedings. Members of the public may request a certified copy:

In person at the Clerk's office at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
By mail by submitting a written request with party names, approximate filing date, case number if known, and payment for applicable fees to the same address
Online through the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's online portal, where available

Method 2: Certified Divorce Certificate from Georgia Vital Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records issues certified divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Georgia. These certificates confirm the fact of divorce and are accepted for many official purposes. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Georgia Vital Records office.

Georgia Department of Public Health – Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Georgia Vital Records

Method 3: Online Case Search Confirmation

For informal verification purposes, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority online search tool allows members of the public to confirm the existence of a divorce case and obtain the case number, which can then be used to request certified documents.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in DeKalb County?

A divorce proceeding in DeKalb County may be partially or fully confidential under specific circumstances recognized by Georgia law and court rules. While the default rule under the Georgia Open Records Act is that court records are open to public inspection, the Superior Court has authority to seal records or restrict access when the interests of justice or the protection of vulnerable parties require it.

Circumstances Under Which Divorce Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: When a party is a victim of domestic violence, the court may seal the victim's address, contact information, and related evidence to prevent further harm
Child protection: Information identifying the residential address, school, or medical providers of minor children may be withheld from public access to protect the children's safety
Mental health and medical records: Records reflecting a party's mental health treatment, substance abuse history, or medical conditions submitted as exhibits may be restricted
Sealed by court order: Either party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a showing of good cause; the court evaluates such requests under a balancing test
Mediation communications: Under Georgia law, all communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public record
Guardian ad litem reports: Reports prepared by attorneys appointed to represent the interests of minor children are typically restricted from public access

Members of the public who encounter a sealed case or restricted documents may file a motion with the Superior Court requesting access, subject to the court's discretion. Parties to the case retain access to their own confidential records regardless of any sealing order.

How Long Does DeKalb County Keep Divorce Records?

DeKalb County Superior Court divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Georgia's records retention schedules for court documents. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Authority and the Georgia Archives establish minimum retention periods for court records maintained by Superior Court Clerks throughout the state.

Retention Periods for Divorce Records:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents are never destroyed
Complete case files (contested cases): Retained for a minimum of several decades; many counties retain family law case files permanently given their ongoing legal significance
Uncontested case files: Subject to the same minimum retention schedules as contested cases; the final decree is always preserved
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying case
Archived paper records: Older cases stored in physical form may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilm; retrieval requires advance notice to the Clerk's office
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are accessible through online search tools

Members of the public seeking records from cases filed many decades ago should contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly at (404) 371-2836 to confirm availability and arrange retrieval. The Georgia Archives may hold historical court records transferred from county clerks for long-term preservation.