Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Martinez
Martinez, Georgia is a Census-Designated Place in Columbia County, and residents looking for dissolution of marriage records will find those cases filed with the Columbia County Superior Court Clerk. The clerk's office is located in Evans, which serves as the county seat. Martinez is the largest community in Columbia County by population, but because it has no city government, all court functions -- including dissolution filings -- go through Columbia County. This guide covers how to search those records, what the process involves, and where to get help.
Martinez Quick Facts
Where Martinez Dissolution Cases Are Filed
Columbia County Superior Court has sole jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage cases for Martinez residents. The Superior Court Clerk is located at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building C, Evans GA 30809. The phone number is (706) 312-7139. Evans is just a few miles from Martinez, making the drive straightforward for most residents of the community.
Martinez does not have its own court system. As a Census-Designated Place rather than an incorporated city, it has no municipal government and no local court. Everything related to civil filings, including dissolution of marriage, runs through Columbia County. The county's Superior Court clerk is the official keeper of all case files.
Georgia requires that at least one spouse live in the state for six months before filing for dissolution. The filing must be made in the county where that spouse resides. For Martinez residents, that means Columbia County. After the complaint is filed, a mandatory 30-day waiting period applies before the court can enter a final decree.
Note: Even in cases where both parties fully agree, the 30-day waiting period cannot be waived under Georgia law.
How to Search Columbia County Dissolution Records
The Columbia County Superior Court Clerk maintains case indexes that can be searched in person at the Evans courthouse. For online access, the GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org indexes Columbia County dissolution records along with records from most other Georgia counties. The portal is run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority and is free to search.
Through GSCCCA, you can search by party name or case number. The index results show case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Full document images may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office or a formal request, depending on the document and the court's current procedures.
For certified copies of dissolution decrees, the GSCCCA eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org allows online ordering of certified documents. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are accepted by most agencies as legal proof of a dissolved marriage.
The GSCCCA portal serves as the central statewide access point for Georgia Superior Court records, covering Columbia County and all other counties.
The portal is a reliable starting point before making a trip to the Columbia County courthouse in Evans.
Filing Process for Martinez Residents
A dissolution of marriage case in Columbia County starts with filing a Complaint for Divorce (Georgia's statutory term) with the Superior Court Clerk. The petitioner must attach required supporting forms and pay the filing fee. After filing, the respondent must be served according to Georgia court rules. In uncontested matters, the respondent can sign an Acknowledgment of Service before a notary to avoid formal process service.
Once both parties have participated and the 30-day waiting period has passed, the case moves toward a final decree. Uncontested cases without children are among the simpler matters the Superior Court handles and often proceed without a hearing. Contested cases, and any matter involving minor children, typically require more steps and court appearances.
When children are involved, Georgia requires both a parenting plan and a child support worksheet as part of the dissolution filing. These documents must be completed and approved before the court can enter a final order. The Georgia Courts website at georgiacourts.gov has forms and guides for self-represented filers.
Note: The child support worksheet uses an income shares model, and both parents' incomes are factors in the calculation under Georgia law.
Vital Records and Older Dissolution Verifications
Georgia's Department of Public Health maintains a dissolution of marriage verification database covering cases finalized between 1952 and 1996. Residents who need to confirm a dissolution that happened during those years can submit Form 3917 with a $10 fee to the DPH. The DPH verification is a summary confirmation, not a certified copy of the actual decree.
For cases before 1952 or after 1996, the only source is the Superior Court Clerk in Evans. The clerk's office holds the case file and can produce certified copies for a fee. Older files may be stored in archives, so allow extra processing time for pre-1980 cases.
The Georgia DPH vital records office processes dissolution verification requests and explains which years are covered by the state database.
The about page provides useful context on what types of dissolution records DPH holds and how they differ from certified court copies.
The Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org may hold supplementary historical records for dissolution cases predating the DPH database, particularly for cases involving property, estates, or other legal proceedings connected to the dissolution.
Note: DPH verifications are not the same as certified court copies and may not satisfy all legal or administrative requirements.
eFiling and Remote Access for Martinez Residents
Georgia's PeachCourt eFiling system at peachcourt.com is available in many Georgia counties and allows electronic submission of dissolution filings. Checking whether Columbia County currently participates is recommended before attempting to file through the platform, as participation can change.
The re:SearchGA tool at researchga.tylerhost.net provides online access to Georgia court case data, including dissolution case indexes. It covers multiple counties and is a useful research tool for attorneys and individuals alike.
For self-represented filers, the Georgia Courts self-help center at georgiacourts.gov provides guides, fillable forms, and procedural checklists. The site walks users through what to expect at each stage of the dissolution process, which can be especially useful for those who are not familiar with court procedures.
Legal Aid Resources Near Martinez
Columbia County and the Augusta area are served by the Augusta Judicial Circuit's legal aid and pro bono programs. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has resources for low-income residents and can direct you to local programs that may offer free or reduced-cost help with dissolution cases.
The Augusta Bar Association and the Columbia County Bar Association both have referral services that can connect residents with family law attorneys. For those who qualify, volunteer lawyer programs in the Augusta area may provide limited assistance with dissolution paperwork.
Note: Georgia Legal Services Program covers many of the counties surrounding the Augusta metro area, including Columbia County, and may have intake offices accessible to Martinez residents.
Columbia County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Martinez dissolution of marriage cases are part of the Columbia County Superior Court record system. The county page has full details on the Columbia County Superior Court Clerk office in Evans, including hours, fees, and additional search options for the entire county.