Marietta Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Marietta residents who need to search dissolution of marriage records will find those filings maintained by the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk, located right in the heart of Marietta at 70 Haynes Street. Because Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County, the courthouse and the clerk's office are both within the city, making in-person access more direct than in many other Georgia communities. This page explains how to look up dissolution records, what the filing process involves, and where to turn for related resources.
Marietta Quick Facts
Where Marietta Dissolution Records Are Filed
All dissolution of marriage cases for Marietta residents are filed with the Cobb County Superior Court. The Superior Court is the only court in Georgia that has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage proceedings. Since Marietta sits at the center of Cobb County government, the clerk's office that handles these filings is just a short walk from most of downtown Marietta.
The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk is located at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta GA 30090. You can reach the office by phone at (770) 528-1303. The clerk's office is the place to go whether you want to file a new dissolution case, access an existing case file, or request copies of a final decree.
Georgia law requires that at least one spouse have lived in the state for six months before filing. Residency in Cobb County is also required for the case to be filed there. Once a petition is filed, a 30-day waiting period applies before the court can grant a final decree. That minimum holds even in uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms.
Note: The clerk's office hours can change around holidays, so call ahead if your visit is time-sensitive.
Searching Cobb County Dissolution of Marriage Cases Online
The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk maintains an online search portal at superiorcourtclerk.cobbcounty.gov. From that site you can look up case records by party name, case number, or filing date. Public case indexes are available without an account. Actual document images may require in-person review or a formal records request depending on the document type.
The statewide GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org also indexes many Cobb County court records. GSCCCA is run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority and covers most counties across the state. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which county a case was filed in or if you need to confirm case details before visiting the clerk's office.
For certified copies of dissolution decrees, the GSCCCA eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org allows users to order official certified documents online. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts, agencies, and other institutions that require proof of a dissolution.
The GSCCCA portal provides statewide access to Superior Court case records across Georgia, including Cobb County.
The portal is free to search and covers a wide range of civil and domestic relations cases filed across the state.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Marietta
To start a dissolution case in Cobb County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months and in Cobb County for at least six months immediately before filing. The petitioner files a Complaint for Divorce with the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk. Georgia still uses the term "divorce" in its statutes, but the proceeding and the resulting decree are what most people call a dissolution of marriage.
After the complaint is filed, the other party must be served with the papers. In an uncontested case, the responding spouse can sign a notarized Acknowledgment of Service to waive formal service. After the 30-day waiting period expires and all required forms are complete, the case can be heard by a judge. Uncontested cases may proceed without a formal hearing if all paperwork is in order.
The Cobb County Superior Court also handles issues that arise during the dissolution process, including temporary orders for child support, spousal support, and property use. If children are involved, a parenting plan and child support worksheet are required filings before a final decree can be entered.
Note: Forms for dissolution cases in Georgia can be found through the Georgia Courts self-help resources at georgiacourts.gov, though consulting an attorney is always advisable for contested matters.
Vital Records and Historical Dissolution Verifications
Georgia's Department of Public Health maintains a separate dissolution of marriage verification database for cases finalized between 1952 and 1996. This database does not include court records from before 1952 or after 1996. For those years, the court file at the Superior Court Clerk's office is the primary source.
To request a verification from the DPH database, use Form 3917 and pay the $10 fee. Verifications from DPH confirm that a dissolution was granted but do not provide certified copies of the actual decree. For legal purposes, the certified copy from the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk is the document most agencies and institutions require.
The Georgia DPH vital records page outlines what dissolution verifications are available and how to submit a request using Form 3917.
DPH verifications are useful for older records from the mid-20th century when courthouse records may be harder to access remotely.
For records predating the DPH database, the Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org may hold relevant historical court files. The Archives can be helpful when researching older dissolution cases from Cobb County and other parts of the state.
Note: The DPH verification service covers only the 1952 to 1996 window, so cases outside that range require direct contact with the court clerk.
eFiling and Remote Access Options for Marietta Residents
Georgia's PeachCourt system at peachcourt.com allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file dissolution cases electronically in participating counties. Cobb County participates in PeachCourt eFiling. This can be a convenient option for those who prefer not to appear in person just to submit initial paperwork.
The re:SearchGA platform at researchga.tylerhost.net is another statewide tool that provides access to court case information. It is used primarily by attorneys and legal professionals, but public access features are available for searching dissolution case indexes.
The Georgia Courts website at georgiacourts.gov offers self-help guides, forms, and procedural information for those navigating the dissolution process without an attorney. The site includes resources specific to domestic relations cases and is updated periodically as procedures change.
Legal Aid and Support Resources in Marietta
Marietta is well-served by legal aid organizations that assist low-income residents with dissolution of marriage cases. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society serves Cobb County residents who cannot afford private counsel. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides online self-help tools and information about qualifying for free legal assistance.
The Cobb County Bar Association also maintains a lawyer referral service for residents who need to find a family law attorney. For those who qualify, pro bono assistance may be available through local volunteer lawyer programs.
The Cobb County Law Library, located in the courthouse complex on Haynes Street, is open to the public and holds Georgia statutes, legal form books, and practice guides related to domestic relations. Staff can help you locate materials, though they cannot give legal advice.
Note: Georgia Legal Services Program also serves rural counties adjacent to Cobb, so residents near the county line may find resources through either program.
Cobb County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for Marietta residents are part of the Cobb County Superior Court record system. The county page has additional details on the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk, courthouse access, online search options, and local filing procedures that apply to the entire county.