Statesboro Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Statesboro residents who need to file or search dissolution of marriage records work through the Bulloch County Superior Court, located right in downtown Statesboro. As the county seat of Bulloch County, Statesboro is home to the Superior Court Clerk's office, which handles all dissolution filings, case records, and certified decree copies for the county. This page covers where to file, how to search existing records, what the process requires, and what resources are available to Statesboro residents going through a dissolution case.
Statesboro Quick Facts
Where Statesboro Residents File Dissolution Cases
All dissolution of marriage cases for Statesboro residents are filed at the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk's office at 20 Siebald Street, Statesboro GA 30458. You can reach the clerk by phone at (912) 764-9009. The Siebald Street address is in the downtown courthouse area, and because Statesboro is the county seat, the location is accessible from across the city.
Statesboro does not have its own family court. Under Georgia law, Superior Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage proceedings. The Bulloch County Superior Court is the only court in the county with the authority to grant a dissolution. When you bring your paperwork to the clerk's office, staff can accept it and tell you if anything is missing, but they cannot give legal advice or assist with filling out forms.
Statesboro is home to Georgia Southern University, which means the area has a mix of long-term residents and students or faculty who may be newer to the state. If you recently moved to Statesboro or Georgia, make sure you meet the six-month residency requirement before filing. The university affiliation does not affect legal residency requirements for dissolution purposes.
Residents who prefer to file electronically can use PeachCourt, which is the state-approved eFiling platform for Georgia Superior Courts. Check PeachCourt to confirm whether Bulloch County accepts dissolution filings through the platform before relying on it. Note: Not all counties accept all document types via eFiling, so confirm before submitting electronically.
Residency and Waiting Period Requirements
Georgia law requires that at least one spouse have lived in the state for a minimum of six months before a dissolution of marriage petition can be filed. This is a hard requirement set by state statute. If neither spouse has been in Georgia for six months, the court does not have jurisdiction over the case yet.
Once the petition is filed and the other spouse is formally served, a 30-day waiting period begins. No final dissolution hearing can be scheduled or final decree entered until at least 30 days have passed from the date of service. This minimum applies to all Georgia dissolutions, including those where both parties agree completely.
In Statesboro and Bulloch County, uncontested cases with complete paperwork and a signed settlement agreement can often move forward relatively quickly once the waiting period ends and a hearing date is available. Contested cases take longer, depending on the nature of the disputes and how quickly the parties can resolve them.
If you and your spouse have minor children, you must submit a parenting plan as part of the dissolution. The plan must address custody, visitation, and child support. Bulloch County judges review these plans and will reject or require changes to plans that do not clearly serve the child's interests. Getting the parenting plan right the first time speeds things up considerably. Note: Vague or incomplete parenting plans are a common cause of delays in Bulloch County dissolution cases.
Searching Bulloch County Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage records from the Bulloch County Superior Court are public records and can be searched through the GSCCCA Portal at gsccca.org. The statewide Georgia Superior Court index covers Bulloch County and allows name-based searches to find case numbers, filing dates, and case status. Basic index searches are free.
Bulloch County's coverage in the GSCCCA index goes back a number of years for most case types. Some records in the portal include scanned document images. For records not available digitally, contact the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk at (912) 764-9009 to ask about how to request copies. In-person or mail requests to 20 Siebald Street are the standard options.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available through the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk or through the GSCCCA eCertification system at ecert.gsccca.org. Certified copies are needed for legal name changes, updating financial or government records, and other official purposes after a final decree is entered. Fees are set by state law.
For older dissolution records from before the digital era, the Georgia Archives holds historical court documents from across Georgia. If you are looking for a case from several decades ago, contact the Archives to find out what is available and how to request it.
The GSCCCA Portal provides statewide online access to Georgia Superior Court records, including Bulloch County dissolution cases.
Statesboro residents can use the GSCCCA Portal to search Bulloch County dissolution cases by name without visiting the courthouse.
Georgia DPH Vital Records and Dissolution Verification
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a divorce verification index covering dissolutions recorded in the state index from 1952 to 1996. This service is available through the vital records section of the DPH website at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Using Form 3917 and a $10 fee, you can request a letter that confirms a dissolution was recorded in the state system during that period.
This verification is not the same as a certified copy of the court decree. It confirms only that a dissolution was recorded in the state index, not what the decree says. For many administrative purposes, a verification letter is sufficient. But for legal or financial tasks that require the actual court record, you need a certified copy from the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records page provides divorce verification services for dissolutions recorded in the state index from 1952 to 1996.
Residents who need to verify an older dissolution from Bulloch County can use this service as a starting point before requesting a certified copy from the clerk.
For dissolutions recorded after 1996, or if you need the actual decree, contact the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk at 20 Siebald Street in Statesboro. The clerk can tell you what years are available in their records and how to request a certified copy. Note: Fees and turnaround times for certified copies can vary, so call ahead to ask before submitting a request.
Legal Help and Resources for Statesboro Residents
Statesboro residents have several options for legal help with dissolution cases. The Georgia Courts website provides general information about the dissolution process, court forms, and what to expect at each stage. It is a good resource for people who are navigating the process without an attorney or who want to understand the system before deciding whether to hire one.
Georgia Legal Services serves the southeast Georgia region and may be able to assist low-income Statesboro residents with dissolution matters. Services vary based on income and case type. Contact their office to find out whether you qualify and what help is available in Bulloch County.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia website at gaclerks.org provides general information about what clerk offices do statewide. The Find My Clerk directory lists current contact details for every county clerk in Georgia, including Bulloch County, so you can confirm you have the right information before you call or visit.
Georgia Southern University's legal community and local Statesboro attorneys who practice family law can also be useful resources. Given the university's presence in the city, there are attorneys in the area who handle dissolution cases on a regular basis and are familiar with the Bulloch County Superior Court's procedures. If your case involves significant property, children, or any contested issues, getting professional legal advice is worth the investment.
Bulloch County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for Statesboro residents are filed and maintained at the Bulloch County Superior Court Clerk in downtown Statesboro. The county page has more detail on the clerk's office, search tools, fees, and other county-level resources for dissolution records in Bulloch County.