Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Chamblee
Chamblee residents who need to search dissolution of marriage records or file a new case must work through the DeKalb County Superior Court, which holds jurisdiction over all family law matters in the county. Whether you are looking up a past case, confirming a final decree, or starting the filing process, this guide covers where to go, how to search online, and what to expect at each step.
Chamblee Quick Facts
Where Chamblee Cases Are Filed
Chamblee is a city in northern DeKalb County. There is no city-level court that handles dissolution of marriage. All cases go to the DeKalb County Superior Court, which sits in Decatur. The clerk's office there maintains every dissolution record filed by Chamblee residents, from the initial petition through the final decree and any post-decree modifications.
The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk is located at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. You can reach the clerk's office by phone at (404) 371-2836. The office handles in-person record requests, certified copies, and general case inquiries. If you are driving from Chamblee, Decatur is roughly 10 miles south.
For general information about the DeKalb County judicial system, the county maintains a resource page at dekalbcountyga.gov. That page lists court divisions, contact numbers, and links to related offices. It is a good starting point before you call or visit in person.
How to Search Dissolution Records Online
Georgia offers several ways to search dissolution of marriage records from home. The most widely used is the GSCCCA Portal, run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. This portal indexes case records from Superior Courts across the state, including DeKalb. You can search by party name and get basic case details at no cost.
The GSCCCA also runs an eCertification system that lets you request certified copies of recorded documents electronically. This is useful if you need official proof of a dissolution decree for legal or financial purposes. Certified copies carry the same legal weight as paper copies issued at the courthouse window.
Another statewide tool is re:SearchGA, which provides access to court case records for many Georgia counties. Availability varies by county, so it is worth checking whether DeKalb records are indexed there for the time period you need. For older cases, the Georgia Archives may hold historical records that are not in any online database.
The DeKalb County judicial system page lists court contacts, clerk hours, and filing information for dissolution cases originating in Chamblee and throughout DeKalb County.
The Filing Process for Chamblee Residents
To file for dissolution of marriage in Georgia, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months before filing. Once you file in DeKalb County Superior Court, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final decree. This waiting period applies whether the case is contested or uncontested.
You file the petition at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's office. The clerk accepts the paperwork, assigns a case number, and collects the filing fee. Filing fees in Georgia Superior Courts generally run in the range of $200 to $215 for a dissolution petition, though the exact amount can change. The clerk's office can confirm the current fee when you call or visit.
Georgia uses a no-fault dissolution standard. You do not have to prove wrongdoing by either spouse. The most common ground cited is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Contested cases involving property, children, or support will take longer and typically involve additional hearings before a judge.
Once a case is resolved, the clerk records the final decree. That recorded decree is what shows up in public record searches. If you need a certified copy later, you go back to the same clerk's office where the case was filed.
Note: The Superior Court Clerk does not provide legal advice. If you need help with forms or procedural questions, contact a licensed Georgia attorney or a local legal aid office.
Vital Records: Dissolution Verifications
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a separate index of dissolution of marriage verifications for cases finalized between 1952 and 1996. If you need proof that a dissolution occurred during that period, you can request a verification through the Georgia DPH Vital Records office. The request form is DPH Form 3917 and the fee is $10 per verification.
This DPH record is a verification, not a certified copy of the actual decree. It confirms the event happened and provides basic details such as names and the county where the case was filed. For a full copy of the decree itself, you still need to go to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk.
Cases after 1996 are not in the DPH index. For those, the court clerk is the only source.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records office handles dissolution verifications for cases from 1952 through 1996, available by submitting Form 3917 with a $10 fee.
Legal Framework for Dissolution in Georgia
Georgia dissolution of marriage law falls under Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The core provisions governing grounds, procedures, and residency requirements are found at O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. That section lists the recognized grounds for dissolution, including the no-fault irretrievable breakdown standard used in most cases.
Georgia law gives Superior Courts exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution cases. No other court type, including state court or municipal court, can grant a dissolution. This is why all Chamblee filings go to the DeKalb County Superior Court regardless of where in the county you live.
For a broader look at Georgia dissolution statutes, Title 19, Chapter 5 covers the full chapter on dissolution of marriage, including annulment provisions, service of process rules, and decree requirements. Reading the statute gives you a clear picture of what the court requires before it will enter a final order.
The Georgia Courts website also has plain-language resources on family law procedures that can help you understand what to expect at each stage of a case.
Note: Statutes are subject to amendment by the Georgia General Assembly; always verify you are reading the current version before relying on any specific provision.
Electronic Filing Through PeachCourt
Georgia courts use PeachCourt as the statewide eFiling platform. Many Superior Courts, including DeKalb, accept electronic filings through this system. If you are working with an attorney, they will likely use PeachCourt to submit your dissolution petition and related documents without a trip to the courthouse.
Self-represented filers can also use PeachCourt, though some courts may still require in-person filing for initial petitions in family law cases. Check with the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk before submitting electronically to confirm what is accepted for your case type.
For the Superior Court Clerks of Georgia directory, including the Find My Clerk tool, you can quickly look up the current clerk contact information for DeKalb and any other Georgia county.
DeKalb County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for Chamblee residents are filed and maintained at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. The county page has full clerk contact details, online search links, fee information, and guidance on getting certified copies of decrees.