Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Hinesville
Hinesville residents, including the many military families connected to Fort Stewart, file for dissolution of marriage through the Liberty County Superior Court. This page covers how to search dissolution records in Hinesville, where to file, what the process involves, and which resources are available for people who need help navigating the Liberty County court system.
Hinesville Quick Facts
Where Hinesville Residents File for Dissolution
Hinesville is the county seat of Liberty County, so the Superior Court is located within the city. All dissolution of marriage filings for Hinesville residents go to the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk at 112 North Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. The clerk's office phone number is (912) 876-3625.
Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before a dissolution petition can be filed. After filing, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final judgment. These requirements apply to all Liberty County residents, including those who live in Hinesville.
Because the courthouse is in Hinesville itself, residents do not need to travel far to file documents or pick up copies of records. The clerk's office handles initial filings, certified copy requests, and general case inquiries. Call ahead to confirm current office hours and any specific document requirements.
Note: Military personnel stationed at Fort Stewart may have questions about residency requirements for dissolution filings. Georgia courts generally accept a military assignment as meeting state residency, but it is best to confirm with a family law attorney if you have questions about your specific situation.
Military Families and Dissolution in Liberty County
Hinesville sits adjacent to Fort Stewart, one of the largest military installations in the eastern United States. As a result, Liberty County sees a significant number of dissolution of marriage cases involving active duty service members and their families. The Liberty County Superior Court has experience handling these cases.
Military dissolution cases can be more complex than civilian cases in some ways. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides certain protections for active duty members, which can affect how and when a case proceeds. If one spouse is deployed or stationed overseas, there may be procedural steps that differ from a standard case.
The Georgia Courts website provides general guidance on family law procedures, but military families often benefit from consulting with a family law attorney who understands both Georgia law and federal military regulations. Fort Stewart's legal assistance office may also be a free resource for service members with questions about dissolution procedures.
Records from military dissolution cases filed in Liberty County are public records maintained by the Superior Court Clerk. Anyone can request access to those records through the clerk's office or through statewide search tools.
How to Search Dissolution Records in Hinesville
Dissolution of marriage records in Hinesville are part of Liberty County's Superior Court case files. There are several ways to access them depending on what information you have and what you need.
The GSCCCA Portal at gsccca.org is a statewide index for Georgia Superior Court records. You can search by party name and see basic case information for Liberty County filings. This is a good starting point if you only know one party's name or the approximate year of the dissolution.
For more detailed records or certified copies, contact the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk directly at (912) 876-3625. Staff can search the court's internal system and provide copies for a fee. You will need the names of the parties and a general timeframe to help narrow the search.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia organization at gaclerks.org is a central hub for information about the clerk system statewide.
The site links to the Find My Clerk directory, which provides current contact information for every county clerk in Georgia, including Liberty County.
The re:SearchGA tool at researchga.tylerhost.net is another free option for searching court records by county and case type. It provides index-level data and is useful for initial searches before contacting the clerk directly.
Note: Online search tools show index data, not full document images. You need to contact the clerk for complete records and certified copies.
Filing a Dissolution Case in Liberty County
To begin a dissolution of marriage case in Liberty County, one or both spouses must file a petition with the Superior Court Clerk in Hinesville. The petition must include basic information about the marriage, both parties, and what the petitioner is requesting, such as division of property or custody arrangements.
Georgia's standard dissolution forms are available through the Georgia Courts website. These forms work across all Superior Courts in the state, including Liberty County. Using the correct, current forms avoids delays in processing.
Once you file, the other spouse must be formally served with the petition. After service is confirmed, the 30-day waiting period begins. Uncontested cases, where both parties agree on all terms, often move through the court more quickly once the waiting period ends. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings before a judge.
PeachCourt at peachcourt.com allows eFiling for Georgia Superior Court cases. This means you may be able to file your dissolution documents in Liberty County without going to the courthouse in person. Check the PeachCourt site to confirm that Liberty County accepts electronic filings for family law cases.
Requesting Certified Copies and Historical Records
If you need a certified copy of a dissolution decree or judgment for a legal purpose, contact the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk at (912) 876-3625. Certified copies are often required for name changes, remarriage applications, and certain financial or legal transactions. The clerk charges fees for copies, and rates vary by document type and number of pages.
The GSCCCA eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org allows online orders for certified copies of certain court documents. Check whether Liberty County records are available through this system. If not, a direct request to the clerk by phone or mail is the right approach.
Georgia's Department of Public Health maintains statistical dissolution records for cases from 1952 through 1996. These are not full court records but confirm that a dissolution occurred. You can request a verification through the DPH Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords using Form 3917 and a $10 fee.
For dissolution records outside the 1952-1996 range, the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk is the correct source. Older records may take more time to retrieve but are generally accessible.
Legal Help and Self-Help Tools
Not everyone can afford a family law attorney, and self-represented filing is allowed in Georgia. The Georgia Courts website has a self-help center with guides for common family law matters, including dissolution of marriage. These guides walk through how to complete forms and what to expect at each stage of the case.
Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents in many Georgia counties, including Liberty County. If you qualify, they may be able to help with dissolution paperwork or represent you in court. Contact their nearest office to ask about eligibility and services.
The Liberty County Bar Association or local law school programs may also offer referrals and limited assistance. The Liberty County Superior Court Clerk's office can often point you toward self-help resources available at the courthouse.
Note: Court staff can explain procedures and what forms to use, but they cannot give legal advice about your specific case.
Liberty County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage records for Hinesville residents are maintained by the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk. Visit the Liberty County page for full clerk details, office hours, fee schedules, and more information about how to search and access records in Liberty County.