Access Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Dunwoody
Dunwoody residents seeking dissolution of marriage records or filing a new case will work through the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur, which holds jurisdiction over all family law matters for the county. This page explains where to go, how to use online search tools, what the filing process entails, and which statewide resources can help you find the records you need.
Dunwoody Quick Facts
DeKalb County Superior Court: The Filing Court for Dunwoody
Dunwoody is a city in northern DeKalb County. Like all cities in the county, Dunwoody has no city-level court with authority over dissolution of marriage. Georgia law gives exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution to Superior Courts, and the one that serves Dunwoody is the DeKalb County Superior Court, sitting in Decatur.
The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk is at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. The phone number is (404) 371-2836. The clerk's office is the record keeper for all dissolution cases filed by DeKalb County residents, including those from Dunwoody. The county maintains a judicial system page at dekalbcountyga.gov with court division contacts and general filing information.
Decatur is roughly 15 miles south of Dunwoody via I-285 or surface roads. If you are making a trip to file or pick up records, plan for traffic and verify the clerk's hours before you go. A call to (404) 371-2836 will give you current hours and any updates on in-person service availability.
Searching Dunwoody Dissolution Records Online
The most widely used statewide tool for Georgia dissolution records is the GSCCCA Portal. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains this database, which indexes case records from Superior Courts across the state, DeKalb included. A basic name search is free and returns case numbers, party names, and filing dates.
When you need an official certified copy of a dissolution decree, the GSCCCA's eCertification service lets you order one online. This is particularly convenient for Dunwoody residents who do not want to make the trip to Decatur just to pick up a document. The certified electronic copy has the same legal standing as one obtained in person at the courthouse window.
The re:SearchGA portal is another aggregator that covers case records from many Georgia courts. Checking it alongside GSCCCA can be helpful if you are searching for a case that is hard to locate. For older records that are not in any digital system, the Georgia Archives is a resource worth exploring.
The DeKalb County judicial system page lists court contacts, division information, and filing resources for Dunwoody residents with dissolution of marriage cases in DeKalb County Superior Court.
The Dissolution Filing Process for Dunwoody Residents
To file for dissolution of marriage, a Dunwoody resident goes to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. You submit the petition with the required documents and pay the filing fee, which for dissolution cases in Georgia Superior Courts generally runs around $200 to $215. The clerk can confirm the exact amount when you call ahead.
One spouse must have been a Georgia resident for at least six months before the petition is filed. After the respondent is served, the 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree until those 30 days have passed. This statutory wait applies in uncontested and contested cases alike.
Georgia uses a no-fault approach to dissolution. You do not have to prove that either spouse did anything wrong. The standard ground is irretrievable breakdown, meaning the marriage cannot be saved. In cases where both spouses agree on property division, debts, and any child-related matters, the process after the waiting period is relatively straightforward. Contested cases involving disputes over assets, custody, alimony, or child support take more time and require additional court hearings.
After the judge signs the final decree, the clerk records it and it becomes a permanent public record. Anyone who needs a copy can request it from the clerk or through the GSCCCA eCertification system.
Note: The clerk's office provides procedural information but cannot offer legal advice. For help with your specific case, reach out to a Georgia attorney or a legal aid organization in DeKalb County.
Historical Records: Georgia DPH Vital Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office maintains a dissolution of marriage verification index that covers cases finalized between 1952 and 1996. To request a verification from this index, you submit DPH Form 3917 and a $10 fee. The DPH will send back a verification document confirming the dissolution, the parties involved, and the county where it was filed.
This DPH verification is not a copy of the actual court decree and does not include the specific terms of the case. It is a confirmation of the event drawn from the statewide index. For the full decree, the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk is the source. Cases finalized after 1996 are not in the DPH index, making the clerk the only place to go for modern records.
The Find My Clerk directory at gaclerks.org lets you quickly verify the current contact information for the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk and all other Georgia county clerk offices.
Georgia Dissolution Law and eFiling
Dissolution of marriage in Georgia is governed by Title 19, Chapter 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The statute that lists the grounds for dissolution is O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, and the full chapter is available at Title 19, Chapter 5. These laws confirm that only Superior Courts have authority to grant a dissolution in Georgia, which is why all Dunwoody filings go to DeKalb County Superior Court.
Georgia courts use PeachCourt for electronic filing. Attorneys regularly file dissolution documents through PeachCourt in DeKalb County. Self-represented filers should confirm with the clerk whether eFiling is accepted for their specific documents before using the system. The Georgia Courts website has general guidance on family law procedures that can help you understand how the process works from start to finish.
DeKalb County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Every dissolution of marriage case for Dunwoody residents is filed and maintained at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. The county page covers clerk contact information, online search tools, fees, and how to request certified copies of dissolution decrees.