Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in South Fulton
South Fulton residents who need to file or search dissolution of marriage records go through the Fulton County Superior Court, with the clerk's main office in downtown Atlanta. South Fulton was incorporated as a city in 2017 and sits in the southern portion of Fulton County. All dissolution filings for the city are handled at the county level, not through any city office. This page explains where to file, how to search records, what the law requires, and what resources exist for South Fulton residents going through the dissolution process.
South Fulton Quick Facts
Where South Fulton Residents File for Dissolution
Dissolution of marriage cases for South Fulton residents are filed at the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's office at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta GA 30303. The clerk can be reached by phone at (404) 613-5313. The courthouse is north of South Fulton in downtown Atlanta, so plan for the drive if you are filing or picking up documents in person.
South Fulton is a relatively new city, having been incorporated in 2017. Despite having its own city government and some municipal services, South Fulton does not have a Superior Court. Georgia law gives Superior Courts exclusive authority over dissolution of marriage. The Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta handles all dissolution cases for residents throughout the county, including those in South Fulton.
To reduce the need for trips to Atlanta, Fulton County offers eServices at fultonclerk.org/eServices that let residents access case information and submit certain requests online. Fulton County also accepts electronic filings through PeachCourt. For South Fulton residents, eFiling is often more practical than driving to the Pryor Street courthouse. You can submit your petition and supporting documents through PeachCourt without visiting Atlanta in person.
The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's main website at fultonclerk.org is the official resource for all clerk services in the county. Check it for current hours, document requirements, and contact information before filing. Note: Fulton County processes a very high volume of cases, so expect some variation in processing times depending on the current docket.
Residency and Waiting Period Requirements
Before filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Fulton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. This is a state law requirement that applies to all Georgia dissolution cases. For South Fulton residents who have been in Georgia for some time, this is typically not an issue. If you recently moved from another state, check the calendar before filing.
Once the petition is filed and the other spouse is served, a 30-day waiting period begins. No final dissolution decree can be issued until at least 30 days have passed from the date of service. This applies to all cases in Georgia, regardless of whether the spouses agree on everything or are in a contested dispute.
The practical timeline for dissolution cases in Fulton County often runs longer than the minimum 30 days. The county handles an extremely large number of family law cases, and scheduling a hearing after the waiting period can take additional time. Uncontested cases with complete paperwork and a signed settlement agreement generally move faster. Contested cases involving property disagreements, retirement accounts, or custody can stretch to many months.
Cases involving minor children require a parenting plan before the court will enter a final decree. Both parents must address custody, visitation, and child support in writing. Fulton County judges review these plans and will return ones that do not satisfy Georgia's standards or that leave key issues unresolved. Even in agreed cases, a poorly written parenting plan can cause delays. Note: Getting at least a consultation with a family law attorney before submitting a parenting plan is often worthwhile.
Fulton County Superior Court Clerk
The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk at fultonclerk.org is the official keeper of dissolution records for South Fulton and all of Fulton County. The clerk records all filings, maintains the case docket, and issues certified copies of decrees on request.
The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk website provides filing resources, eServices, and contact details for South Fulton residents.
The eServices portal at fultonclerk.org/eServices is a practical tool for South Fulton residents who want to manage their case without traveling to the Atlanta courthouse. Case status checks, some document submissions, and other tasks can be handled online.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available through the clerk's office at 136 Pryor Street SW or through the GSCCCA eCertification system at ecert.gsccca.org. Certified copies are needed for legal name changes, updating bank accounts and government records, and other official purposes after a final decree is entered. Fees are set by state law.
Searching Fulton County Dissolution Records
Dissolution records for Fulton County are public and searchable through the GSCCCA Portal at gsccca.org. The statewide Georgia Superior Court index covers Fulton County cases and allows name-based searches to find case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Basic searches are free.
Fulton County has strong coverage in the GSCCCA system, and many cases include scanned document images available through the portal. For records that are not digitized, contact the clerk's office directly at (404) 613-5313 to request copies. Certified copies can also be ordered through the GSCCCA eCertification system without visiting the courthouse.
For older dissolution records that predate the online index, the Georgia Archives may hold relevant documents. The Archives is a useful resource for historical research on cases from many decades ago.
The Georgia Department of Public Health offers a divorce verification service covering dissolutions recorded from 1952 to 1996. Using Form 3917 and a $10 fee, you can request a letter confirming a dissolution was recorded in the state index at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Note: This is a verification only, not a certified court copy. For certified records, contact the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk.
PeachCourt is the state-approved eFiling platform for Georgia Superior Courts, including Fulton County.
South Fulton residents can use PeachCourt to file dissolution petitions and related documents electronically without driving to the Atlanta courthouse.
Legal Help for South Fulton Residents
South Fulton residents have access to legal resources through the broader Atlanta metro area. The Georgia Courts website provides information about the dissolution process, available forms, and guidance for self-represented parties. Start there if you want a general overview before diving into the specifics of your case.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society serves Fulton County and may be able to assist income-eligible South Fulton residents with dissolution matters. Services depend on case type and eligibility. Cases involving children, domestic issues, or significant hardship often get priority. Call their office to find out what is available and whether your situation qualifies.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia website at gaclerks.org provides an overview of clerk office functions statewide. The Find My Clerk directory lists current contact details for the Fulton County clerk so you can confirm the right number and address before reaching out.
For South Fulton residents handling their own dissolution, combining eFiling through PeachCourt with the eServices portal and the GSCCCA search tool means you can manage much of the case online. The key is to have your paperwork in order before you start. An incomplete filing gets returned, which adds time and may require another trip or resubmission. If your situation is complex, a family law attorney familiar with Fulton County's procedures is worth consulting even if you plan to do most of the work yourself.
Fulton County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for South Fulton residents are filed and maintained at the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk in Atlanta. The county page has more detail on the clerk's office, online tools, fees, and other Fulton County resources for dissolution records.