Search Smyrna Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Smyrna residents who need to file or look up dissolution of marriage records must go through the Cobb County Superior Court, located in Marietta. Smyrna sits in eastern Cobb County, and all dissolution filings for the city are handled at the county courthouse. This page covers where to file, how to search existing records, what the process requires, and what resources are available to Smyrna residents working through a dissolution case.
Smyrna Quick Facts
Where Smyrna Residents File Dissolution Cases
Smyrna residents file dissolution of marriage petitions at the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's office, located at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta GA 30090. You can reach the clerk by phone at (770) 528-1303. The courthouse in Marietta is the county seat and is accessible from eastern Cobb County where Smyrna is located.
Smyrna does not have its own Superior Court. Under Georgia law, Superior Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage. All dissolution cases for Smyrna residents go to Cobb County Superior Court in Marietta, regardless of which part of the city the person lives in.
More information about the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's office is available at superiorcourtclerk.cobbcounty.gov. The website has contact information, filing guidance, and links to forms and services. Check the site before your first visit to confirm what you need to bring and what the current hours are.
Cobb County also accepts electronic filings through PeachCourt, the state-approved eFiling platform for Georgia Superior Courts. Smyrna residents who cannot easily get to Marietta during business hours may find eFiling a useful alternative. You can submit your dissolution petition and supporting documents through the platform and have them processed without visiting the courthouse. Note: Confirm which document types Cobb County accepts via eFiling before submitting that way.
Residency and Waiting Period Rules
Before filing for dissolution of marriage in Cobb County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of six months. This is a state law requirement. If both spouses recently moved to the state, check whether the six-month threshold has been met before filing. Until it is, the Superior Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.
After the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, a 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree until those 30 days have passed from the date of service. The 30 days run from service, not filing. If service is delayed for any reason, the waiting period does not start until it happens.
In Smyrna and the rest of Cobb County, uncontested dissolutions where both parties agree on all terms can often be resolved relatively quickly after the waiting period ends, depending on the court's schedule. Contested cases take longer. Property disputes, disagreements over retirement accounts, or contested custody can extend a case significantly.
If children are involved, a parenting plan must be submitted as part of the dissolution. Cobb County judges review parenting plans to make sure they address all required topics and serve the child's best interests. A plan that is too vague or does not clearly resolve custody and visitation can be sent back for revision, which delays the case. Note: Getting legal advice on the parenting plan is worth doing even if the rest of the dissolution is straightforward.
Cobb County Superior Court Clerk
The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk at superiorcourtclerk.cobbcounty.gov is the official keeper of dissolution records for Smyrna and all of Cobb County. The clerk's office at 70 Haynes Street in Marietta records all dissolution filings, maintains the case docket, and issues certified copies of decrees when requested.
The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk website provides filing resources, contact details, and services for Smyrna residents.
The clerk's website at superiorcourtclerk.cobbcounty.gov lists available services, office hours, and guidance on what documents are required for dissolution filings. Calling ahead at (770) 528-1303 before your first visit can save time.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available from the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk. You can request them in person at 70 Haynes Street or through the GSCCCA eCertification system at ecert.gsccca.org. Certified copies are commonly needed for tasks like legal name changes, updating financial records, or other administrative purposes after a final decree is entered. Fees are set by state law.
Searching Cobb County Dissolution Records Online
Dissolution of marriage records from Cobb County Superior Court are public records and can be searched through the GSCCCA Portal. This statewide Georgia Superior Court index covers Cobb County and allows you to search by party name to find case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Basic searches are free.
Cobb County has strong coverage in the GSCCCA index. Some records include scanned document images that can be viewed through the portal without contacting the clerk. For records that are not digitized, contact the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk at (770) 528-1303 to request copies. You can also order certified copies through the GSCCCA eCertification system online.
For older dissolution records that predate the online index, the Georgia Archives holds historical court records from across Georgia. If the case you are looking for is from many decades ago, the Archives may have what you need.
The Georgia Department of Public Health offers a divorce verification service at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords covering dissolutions recorded in the state index from 1952 to 1996. Using Form 3917 and a $10 fee, you can request a verification letter confirming a dissolution was entered in the state system. This is a verification, not a certified court copy.
The Georgia Courts website provides information about the dissolution process and court resources across the state.
The site is a useful resource for Smyrna residents who want to understand what to expect before they file or search for records at the Cobb County Superior Court.
Legal Help and Resources for Smyrna Residents
Smyrna residents have access to a range of legal resources given the city's location in the Atlanta metro area. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about the dissolution process, court forms, and guidance for self-represented parties. It is a good first stop if you are not sure how the process works.
Georgia Legal Services may be able to assist low-income Smyrna residents with dissolution cases. Legal aid organizations in the metro area can provide advice, help with forms, or direct representation depending on your situation and eligibility. Contact them to find out what services are available in Cobb County.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia website and the Find My Clerk directory are useful tools for confirming current contact information for the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk. The directory lists clerk name, address, phone, and website for every county in Georgia.
The GSCCCA Portal is also worth bookmarking as you move through a dissolution case. It lets you track filings, check case status, and access scanned documents without going to the courthouse. Combined with eFiling through PeachCourt, Smyrna residents can handle much of the dissolution process remotely if needed.
Cobb County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for Smyrna residents are filed and maintained at the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk in Marietta. The county page has more detail on the clerk's office, fees, online tools, and other county-level resources for dissolution records.