Search Atlanta Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Atlanta residents searching for dissolution of marriage records or preparing to file a petition need to know which county court applies to their address. Atlanta is unique in Georgia because the city spans two counties, Fulton and DeKalb. The court where you file depends entirely on which county your home address falls in. Most of Atlanta is in Fulton County, making the Fulton County Superior Court the most common filing destination, but a portion of the city is in DeKalb County and must file there instead. This guide explains how to determine which court you need, how to search records, and what steps are involved in the process.
Atlanta Quick Facts
Which County Court Handles Your Atlanta Dissolution Filing
Atlanta spans Fulton and DeKalb counties. Your county of residence determines where you must file a dissolution of marriage petition. There is no Atlanta city court for dissolution matters. Jurisdiction belongs to the Superior Court of whatever county you live in.
If you live in the Fulton County portion of Atlanta, you file at the Fulton County Superior Court, located at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk can be reached at (404) 613-5313. The Fulton County Clerk website has case search tools, eServices, and filing information. Most Atlanta addresses are in Fulton County.
If your address is in the DeKalb County portion of Atlanta, you file at the DeKalb County Superior Court, located at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. The DeKalb Superior Court Clerk number is (404) 371-2836. Information about the DeKalb court system is available at the DeKalb County Judicial System page.
If you are not sure which county your address falls in, you can check with the county tax assessor's website or call either clerk's office with your street address. It is important to file in the correct county because filing in the wrong court will result in dismissal or transfer. Note: Your county of residence, not your workplace or mailing address, determines which court has jurisdiction.
Residency Requirements and the 30-Day Waiting Period
To file a dissolution of marriage in Georgia, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before filing. This requirement is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. If you have lived in Atlanta for six months or more, you satisfy this rule and can file in the Superior Court of your county.
After filing and serving the other spouse, a mandatory 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can hold a final dissolution hearing. This 30-day period runs from the date the other spouse is served with the petition, not from the filing date. Both contested and uncontested cases must observe this waiting period. No exceptions exist for this rule, even when both parties are in full agreement.
In Atlanta, where case volumes at both Fulton and DeKalb Superior Courts are among the highest in the state, actual case timelines often run well beyond the 30-day minimum. Contested cases dealing with complex property, business interests, or custody disputes can take a year or more to resolve. Uncontested cases with complete paperwork submitted early in the process tend to close faster once the docket allows.
Searching Dissolution Records for Atlanta Cases
Dissolution of marriage records filed at both Fulton and DeKalb Superior Courts are public records. The main online search tool for Georgia is the GSCCCA Portal, maintained by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. You can search by party name and find case numbers and filing dates for records in both Fulton and DeKalb counties.
For Fulton County cases, the Fulton County Clerk eServices portal provides direct access to case dockets and some filed documents. This is a good resource if you need more detail than what the GSCCCA Portal provides. For DeKalb County cases, the DeKalb County Judicial System website links to available online resources for case searches.
re:SearchGA is another platform worth checking for Atlanta dissolution records. It covers participating Georgia courts and may include case documents from both Fulton and DeKalb courts. Availability depends on how records have been digitized and loaded into the system for each county.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees can be ordered from the Fulton or DeKalb Superior Court Clerk depending on where the case was filed. You can also use the GSCCCA eCertification system to request certified copies online for qualifying cases. Certified copies are required for name changes, government benefits applications, remarriage, and other official purposes.
The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk website provides case search, eServices, and filing resources for Atlanta residents in the Fulton County portion of the city.
Most Atlanta residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Fulton County Superior Court, whose clerk office is located in downtown Atlanta.
Filing Fees at Fulton and DeKalb County Courts
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage petitions in Georgia generally range from around $200 to $250 for the initial petition, with variation by county. Fulton County and DeKalb County may each have slightly different fee schedules. Always confirm the current fee directly with the clerk's office before submitting your filing, as amounts can change.
Additional costs apply beyond the initial filing fee. Service of process fees are charged for officially serving the petition on your spouse. If you file motions for temporary relief, request certified copies, or need to file amended documents, each of those actions carries its own cost. Cases involving minor children may have additional fees tied to parenting plans and child support worksheets.
If you qualify financially, you can request a fee waiver by filing an in forma pauperis affidavit. The clerk's office at either Fulton or DeKalb can provide the form and explain the current income guidelines. For historical dissolution verifications from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health charges $10 per request using Form 3917. Note: DPH verifications confirm that a record exists but do not serve as certified court copies for legal proceedings.
Legal Resources and Self-Help in Atlanta
Atlanta has extensive legal resources for dissolution of marriage matters. Atlanta Legal Aid Society serves low-income residents in Fulton and DeKalb counties and provides free legal help for qualifying individuals. Their family law unit handles dissolution cases and can assist with uncontested and some contested matters. Contact them directly for eligibility information.
The Georgia Courts website offers statewide information on dissolution procedures, court forms, and self-help resources. The Find My Clerk directory provides quick access to contact information for both Fulton and DeKalb Superior Court Clerks. For those filing on their own, reviewing this information before visiting the clerk's office saves time and helps you arrive with the right documents.
Many Atlanta law firms specialize in family law and dissolution of marriage. If your case involves significant marital assets, a business, or child custody disputes, professional legal help is worth the investment. The State Bar of Georgia's online directory lets you search for licensed family law attorneys in the Atlanta area by location and practice area.
The GSCCCA Portal is the statewide tool for searching dissolution of marriage records in both Fulton and DeKalb counties for Atlanta cases.
The Find My Clerk directory helps Atlanta residents quickly locate the correct Superior Court Clerk office for their Fulton or DeKalb County dissolution filing.
Fulton County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
The majority of Atlanta dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the Fulton County Superior Court. For full record access, filing guidance, certified copies, and county-level information, visit the Fulton County dissolution records page.