Dissolution of Marriage in Bleckley County
Dissolution of marriage records in Bleckley County are on file with the Superior Court Clerk in Cochran, Georgia. These court records become public once the judge signs the final decree. You can search them at the courthouse or use state online tools to look up certain filings. This page explains where to find records, how the filing process works, what documents the records contain, and how to get legal assistance if you need it in Bleckley County.
Bleckley County Quick Facts
Bleckley County Superior Court Clerk
The Bleckley County Superior Court Clerk in Cochran is the office that files and maintains all dissolution of marriage records in this county. The clerk accepts petitions, issues summonses, records orders, and provides certified copies. Staff will search the case index by party name or case number. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what is in the file and what it costs to get copies.
| Office | Bleckley County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 306 Southeast Second Street, Cochran, GA 31014 |
| Mailing | PO Box 67, Cochran, GA 31014 |
| Phone | (478) 934-3210 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Not available |
The courthouse is at 306 Southeast Second Street in Cochran. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Have the names of both parties ready so staff can search quickly. There is no online portal for Bleckley County at this time, so in-person or mail requests are the primary options. If you need certified copies, call ahead to confirm the current fee and payment method before you go.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records page covers state-level dissolution verifications for cases from 1952 through 1996. You can find details at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. This is separate from the county court records but can be a useful starting point for older cases.
The DPH vital records page explains the difference between a state verification and a county court decree, which are two separate documents.
How to Search Bleckley County Dissolution Records
In-person searching at the courthouse in Cochran is the most reliable way to find dissolution of marriage records in Bleckley County. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of both parties in the case. Staff will check the index and let you view the file. Older records may be stored in paper form at the courthouse. Copy fees apply if you need documents to take with you.
For online searching, Georgia Courts at georgiacourts.gov provides statewide court access and case information. PeachCourt at peachcourt.com offers public civil case search for many Georgia counties and may cover Bleckley. These are good first stops before making a drive to Cochran.
The GSCCCA eCertification portal at ecert.gsccca.org allows certified copy requests for recorded documents. The GSCCCA main portal is at gsccca.org. Re:SearchGA at researchga.tylerhost.net indexes records for roughly 25 Georgia counties. For older and historical records, the Georgia Archives can be reached at (678) 364-3710, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at georgiaarchives.org.
Dissolution of Marriage in Bleckley County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Bleckley County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Georgia for at least six continuous months before the petition is filed. This requirement is established by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The petition goes to the Bleckley County Superior Court Clerk at the Cochran courthouse. After filing, you must serve the other spouse with the petition and summons according to Georgia service rules.
Once service is complete, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can hold a final hearing. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 sets this requirement. In straightforward cases where both parties have already agreed on all terms, the case can often be wrapped up fairly quickly once the wait period ends. When disputes remain over property division, children, or support, the court must resolve them before issuing the final decree.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution. Most people file using the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This ground does not require proving that either party did something wrong. After the judge signs the final decree, it is filed with the clerk and becomes a public record. Anyone may ask for a copy.
What Dissolution Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Bleckley County has several parts. The final decree is the key document, but the file includes all papers submitted from start to finish.
- Full legal names of both spouses as listed in the petition
- Date the marriage took place and date the court granted the dissolution
- Grounds for dissolution as set out in the petition and found by the judge
- How marital property and debts were divided
- Child custody arrangement, parenting plan, and visitation terms if children are involved
- Child support amount and payment terms
- Any alimony provisions ordered by the court
The original petition, summons, proof of service, and any motions filed during the case are all in the public file. If the parties submitted a settlement or consent agreement, that document is part of the record too. Financial affidavits may be restricted if the court sealed them, but the decree itself is public under Georgia open records rules.
Georgia State Dissolution Verifications
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level dissolution of marriage verifications for cases finalized between 1952 and 1996 only. These are not certified copies of the actual decree. They confirm that a dissolution occurred and give basic identifying information. If you need records from before 1952, after 1996, or the full court decree for any year, contact the Bleckley County Superior Court Clerk directly.
To request a DPH verification, submit Form 3917 with a $10 fee. The DPH office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone is (404) 657-2700. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Additional information is at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Before ordering from DPH, check whether the requesting party needs a state verification or the actual court decree. Many legal and financial institutions require the certified decree from the county clerk. Confirm what is needed so you request the right document the first time.
Legal Help in Bleckley County
Legal Services Georgia provides civil legal aid to people who qualify by income in Bleckley County. Their website is glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has self-help guides, form downloads, and statewide contact information for those who need help with family law cases but cannot afford a private attorney.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service reachable at gabar.org or by phone at 1-800-334-6865. The service connects callers with licensed Georgia attorneys who handle dissolution and family law cases. Initial consultations through the referral program are usually available at a low rate. If your case involves any dispute or you are unsure how to proceed, speaking with an attorney before filing is a good idea.
The eCertification portal from GSCCCA is useful even after a dissolution is final. You can use it to order certified copies of recorded documents for use in legal or financial matters. Access it at ecert.gsccca.org.
The eCertification system is available online and allows you to order copies without traveling to the county courthouse.
Cities in Bleckley County
Cochran is the county seat of Bleckley County and its main city. No cities in Bleckley County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Neighboring counties each have their own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage records. Use the links below to find information for counties near Bleckley.