Search Bacon County Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Superior Court Clerk in Alma holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in Bacon County. These records are public, and anyone may request copies or review case files. Whether you are looking for a certified decree for a name change, trying to confirm that a case was finalized, or researching older records, the clerk's office is your primary source. This guide explains how to search, what documents you may find, and where else to turn for help or additional information.

Bacon County Superior Court Clerk

The Bacon County Superior Court Clerk is located in the courthouse on East 16th Street in Alma. This is the office that files, maintains, and provides access to all dissolution of marriage records in the county. The clerk accepts in-person requests, phone inquiries, and mail requests for copies. Fees for certified copies are set by the court and are typically in line with standard Georgia rates.

When calling or writing, provide both parties' full names and the year the case was filed if you know it. That information helps the clerk locate the record faster, especially for older cases stored in paper files.

How to Search Bacon County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Bacon County does not offer a standalone public case search tool online. Searches are handled through the clerk's office directly. However, several statewide digital resources can supplement your search before you contact the courthouse.

The Georgia DPH Vital Records website provides a starting point for understanding what records the state holds. The image below shows the main DPH Vital Records page, which describes the state's verification service for divorces in the 1952 to 1996 range.

Keep in mind that DPH holds verification records only, not actual court documents. For Bacon County case files, contact the Superior Court Clerk directly.

The GSCCCA portal indexes some civil case filings statewide. It is worth searching there to see if any documents in your case are indexed. If they are, the GSCCCA eCertification service may let you request certified copies online. The GSCCCA is reachable at (404) 327-9058 if you need help navigating the system.

PeachCourt serves as Georgia's statewide eFiling platform. Cases filed electronically in Bacon County in recent years may be searchable there. The Georgia Courts portal offers broader court system information and can help you understand how the process works if you are filing or searching for the first time.

For mail-in requests, send a written request with the case details to PO Box 39, Alma, GA 31510. Include your contact information so the clerk can reach you if there are questions. Processing times for mail requests can vary, so allow extra time if you are working with a deadline.

Dissolution of Marriage Process in Bacon County

Georgia has clear rules about who can file for dissolution of marriage and how the process works. The main requirement is residency. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months before filing. Cases filed in Bacon County must meet this standard.

Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The most used is the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Filing on this ground does not require proving that either party did anything wrong. Most cases in Bacon County use this option.

After the petition is filed and served, a mandatory 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can hold the final hearing. This wait applies even when both parties fully agree on all terms. The court will not issue a final decree before that period ends. In practice, contested cases take much longer because scheduling hearings, exchanging financial information, and resolving disputes each add time.

The clerk's office can provide information on local filing requirements and any county-specific forms that may be needed in addition to standard state court forms. PeachCourt supports electronic filing for some case types, which may be available for Bacon County cases depending on the specific proceeding.

What Bacon County Dissolution Records Contain

Dissolution of marriage case files in Bacon County can vary significantly in size. A basic uncontested case might include only a few key documents. A case involving children, property, or contested terms can run to many more pages.

Typical documents in a dissolution case file include:

• The original petition for dissolution of marriage
• Proof that the other party received legal notice
• Any written response or counterclaim by the respondent
• Temporary orders for support or custody if they were entered
• A settlement agreement if the parties reached one
• The final decree of dissolution of marriage

The final decree is typically the document most people need. It is the official court order that terminates the marriage. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required by many agencies and institutions as proof of dissolution. The clerk issues certified copies for a fee per page or per document, depending on current local rates.

These records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Certain documents may be restricted if the court issued a sealing order, but most dissolution case records are accessible to the public without special permission.

State Divorce Verification Records

Georgia's Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Atlanta can verify whether a divorce occurred in Georgia, but only for a limited date range. Understanding this limitation will save you time and effort.

DPH Vital Records covers divorce verifications for the period 1952 through 1996 only. They do not hold actual court records, case files, or certified copies of decrees. Their verification letter confirms an event occurred, but it is not a substitute for the court's own certified decree. For anything outside the 1952 to 1996 window, or for actual case documents from any era, the Bacon County Superior Court Clerk is the correct source.

DPH Vital Records is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 657-2700. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Requests require Form 3917, and fees are $10 for the search and $5 per copy. More information is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

The GSCCCA eCertification service offers another option for obtaining certified copies of some court documents online. The screenshot below shows the eCertification request portal.

Not all Bacon County records are available through eCertification, but if the document you need is indexed in the GSCCCA system, this service can save you a trip to the courthouse.

Bacon County Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage

If you need legal advice or representation for a dissolution case in Bacon County, several resources serve this area of southeast Georgia. Getting help from the right source early can prevent costly mistakes.

Legal Services Georgia assists low-income residents with civil legal matters, including dissolution of marriage, custody, and related family law issues. Their services are free for those who qualify. Bacon County falls within their service region. Contact them to check eligibility and schedule an intake.

Georgia Legal Aid offers a free online library with self-help guides covering the dissolution process in Georgia. The guides walk through filing requirements, serve as a checklist for documents, and explain what to expect at each stage. This resource is particularly helpful for uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service you can reach by calling 1-800-334-6865. This service can connect you with a licensed Georgia attorney who handles family law. An attorney familiar with Bacon County and its court practices can provide guidance that goes beyond what general online resources offer.

The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds a statewide divorce index for the periods 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999. If you are looking for older dissolution cases and the clerk's office records are incomplete or difficult to search, the Archives index may help you locate the case first. The Archives are at 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260, open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Phone: 678-364-3710.

Cities in Bacon County

Alma is the county seat of Bacon County and the location of the Superior Court Clerk's office where dissolution of marriage records are kept. No cities in Bacon County exceed the population threshold for a dedicated records page.

Alma residents and others in Bacon County file dissolution cases at the clerk's office on East 16th Street in Alma.

Nearby Counties

Bacon County shares borders with several southeast Georgia counties. Each neighboring county handles its own dissolution of marriage records through its Superior Court Clerk.