Cartersville, Georgia Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Cartersville residents who need to file for dissolution of marriage or search existing records will go through the Bartow County Superior Court, whose clerk's office is located in downtown Cartersville. As the county seat of Bartow County, Cartersville is home to the courthouse that handles all family law matters for the county, including dissolution of marriage cases. This page covers how to file, how to search records, what fees apply, and where to get help in Cartersville and Bartow County.
Cartersville Quick Facts
Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Cartersville
All dissolution of marriage filings for Cartersville residents go to the Bartow County Superior Court Clerk. The clerk's office is at 135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 233, Cartersville, GA 30120. The phone number is (770) 387-5025. The office is in downtown Cartersville, making it easy to reach for city residents. The courthouse handles all dissolution petitions, case files, and certified copies of final decrees for Bartow County.
When you file a dissolution petition, bring your completed forms, any required attachments, and your payment for the filing fee. The clerk stamps the filing, assigns a case number, and enters the case into the court's records system. From that point, the case proceeds through the court's scheduling process toward a hearing before a Superior Court judge.
Bartow County Superior Court accepts electronic filings through PeachCourt, Georgia's state-approved eFiling platform. If you want to file your initial petition or supplemental documents without going in person, PeachCourt lets you submit from home. After you create an account and upload your documents, the clerk reviews and accepts or rejects the filing electronically. Note: In-person attendance is still required for hearings before the judge.
If you are not sure how to start, the clerk's staff at (770) 387-5025 can answer basic procedural questions about what forms are needed and how the filing process works. They cannot provide legal advice or review your documents for accuracy, but they can point you in the right direction. The Find My Clerk directory on the Superior Court Clerks of Georgia site confirms current Bartow County Clerk contact details.
Residency Requirements and Waiting Period
To file a dissolution of marriage in Bartow County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months before filing. This requirement is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. If you have been a Cartersville resident for six months or more, you satisfy this rule and can file at the Bartow County Superior Court.
Once the petition is filed and served on the other spouse, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can hold a final dissolution hearing. The 30 days run from the date of service on the other spouse, not from the date you filed the petition. This waiting period is mandatory for both contested and uncontested cases. There is no option to shorten it, even if both parties have already signed a settlement agreement and want to wrap up the case quickly.
Most dissolution cases in Cartersville and Bartow County take longer than the 30-day minimum. Scheduling, document review, and the need for any supplemental filings all add time. If your case is uncontested and you file complete paperwork from the start, you can often close the case within a few months. Contested cases where spouses disagree on property, debt, or custody routinely take much longer and benefit from legal representation.
Searching Dissolution Records in Bartow County
Dissolution of marriage records from the Bartow County Superior Court 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 Bartow County dissolution cases, including those filed by Cartersville residents.
For older cases and more detailed record searches, the Georgia Archives holds historical court records from counties across the state. Cases that predate digital indexing may be stored on microfilm or in physical files at the Archives facility. If you are searching for a case from several decades ago, contacting the Georgia Archives is worth doing, especially if the GSCCCA Portal does not return results.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available from the Bartow County Superior Court Clerk in person at 135 West Cherokee Avenue or by mail. The GSCCCA eCertification system is another option for ordering certified copies online for qualifying cases without a trip to the courthouse. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are accepted for name change applications, government benefits, financial accounts, and legal proceedings. Note: Fees apply for certified copies, and the amount varies by the number of pages in the document.
Filing Fees and Costs at Bartow County Superior Court
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Bartow County requires payment of court fees at the time of filing. Initial petition fees in Georgia generally range from about $200 to $250. The exact Bartow County fee should be confirmed with the clerk at (770) 387-5025 or on the clerk's website before you file, as amounts can change.
Beyond the initial filing fee, other costs apply as the case moves forward. Service of process fees cover officially serving the petition on your spouse. If you file motions for temporary orders, request emergency custody relief, or need certified copies, each action carries its own cost. Cases involving minor children require a parenting plan and child support worksheet at filing, which may add to the total.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may request a waiver by submitting an in forma pauperis affidavit with the court. This form explains your financial situation and asks the court to waive the fee. The clerk's office can provide the form and explain the current income guidelines for Bartow County. For dissolution verifications from 1952 through 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health charges $10 per request using Form 3917. This service confirms a record exists but does not produce a certified court copy.
The Georgia Archives holds historical court records from Bartow County that may not be in online indexes, making it useful for searching older Cartersville dissolution cases.
For dissolution cases predating online indexes, the Georgia Archives in Morrow is a key resource for Bartow County records.
Legal Help and Resources in Cartersville
Cartersville has family law attorneys who handle dissolution of marriage cases for Bartow County residents. If your case involves real property, retirement accounts, business interests, or disputes over child custody, an experienced attorney can protect your interests and help the case move efficiently through the court. The State Bar of Georgia has a searchable online directory of licensed attorneys by location and practice area.
Residents who cannot afford private counsel may qualify for help through Georgia Legal Services Program, which serves the Cartersville area. They provide free or low-cost legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals and may be able to help with dissolution paperwork, court filings, or representation depending on your case and their current capacity. Contact them to ask about eligibility.
The Georgia Courts website provides self-help information on the dissolution process and links to forms used statewide. This is a good starting point if you plan to represent yourself in an uncontested case. Pro se filers should review the forms carefully, confirm current requirements with the Bartow County Clerk, and make sure their settlement agreement covers all required topics before submitting. An incomplete filing will delay the process.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia website offers resources and contact information for the Bartow County Superior Court Clerk, the office that handles all Cartersville dissolution filings.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia site links to county clerk offices statewide, including the Bartow County Clerk in Cartersville.
Bartow County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Bartow County Superior Court handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Cartersville residents. The county maintains all case files, final decrees, and certified copies. For complete record access and Bartow County filing details, visit the Bartow County page.