Brantley County Dissolution Filings
Dissolution of marriage records in Brantley County are filed and kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Nahunta, Georgia. These records are public court documents once the judge signs the final decree. You can look up cases at the courthouse in person or use several Georgia state online tools to find filings. This guide covers where to search, how the filing process works, what the records contain, state verification options, and where to find legal help in Brantley County.
Brantley County Quick Facts
Brantley County Superior Court Clerk
The Brantley County Superior Court Clerk in Nahunta accepts all dissolution of marriage petitions and maintains the full case index for the county. Once a final decree is entered, the clerk keeps a certified copy in the court file. Staff can search records by party name or case number. Call ahead if you need certified copies, as fees may vary and payment methods should be confirmed before your visit.
| Office | Brantley County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 117 Brantley Street, Nahunta, GA 31553 |
| Mailing | PO Box 16, Nahunta, GA 31553 |
| Phone | (912) 462-5720 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Not available |
The courthouse is in Nahunta. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of the parties in the case. Older records are stored in paper form at the courthouse. There is no online portal for Brantley County at this time. Mail requests are possible, but call the clerk first to ask about their process, what to include in the request, and how to pay for copies.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association maintains a statewide Find My Clerk directory. You can use it at gaclerks.org/Clerks/FindMyClerk.aspx to look up current contact details for Brantley County and all other Georgia counties.
The directory is updated regularly and covers all 159 Georgia counties.
How to Search Brantley County Dissolution Records
The clerk's office at 117 Brantley Street in Nahunta is the primary source for dissolution of marriage records in Brantley County. Visit in person with a photo ID and the party names. The clerk will search the index and pull the case file. For copies, confirm the current fee before you go. Mail requests are accepted if you cannot visit in person.
Online options include Georgia Courts at georgiacourts.gov, which covers statewide court information and some case data. PeachCourt at peachcourt.com offers public civil case searching for many Georgia counties. Both sites are worth checking before making the trip to Nahunta.
The GSCCCA eCertification system at ecert.gsccca.org allows online requests for certified copies of recorded dissolution documents. Re:SearchGA at researchga.tylerhost.net covers about 25 Georgia counties, so check whether Brantley is included when you visit the site. For older historical materials, the Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org can be reached at (678) 364-3710, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Dissolution of Marriage in Brantley County
Georgia law requires that at least one spouse has been a resident of the state for six months before filing for dissolution of marriage. This is set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file the petition with the Brantley County Superior Court Clerk in Nahunta. Once filed, you must serve the other spouse with a copy of the petition and a summons through proper service under Georgia rules.
After service is complete, Georgia law requires at least 30 days to pass before the court can hold a final hearing. This waiting period is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. In cases where both spouses agree on all matters, the case can be resolved fairly quickly after the wait period ends. If there are disputes, the court must address those before the judge can sign the final decree.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is the most common. You do not need to show that either spouse did something wrong to use this ground. Once the judge signs the final decree in Brantley County, it is filed with the clerk and becomes a public record available to anyone who asks for it.
What Dissolution Records Contain
The dissolution of marriage case file in Brantley County contains multiple documents. The final decree is the core, but the full file includes every document submitted during the case.
- Legal names of both parties exactly as listed in the petition
- Date of the marriage and date the court granted the dissolution
- Grounds stated in the petition and accepted by the court
- Division of marital property and allocation of debts
- Child custody terms, parenting plan, and visitation schedule if children are involved
- Child support amount and payment schedule
- Alimony or spousal support award if the court ordered it
The petition, summons, proof of service, and any motions or orders issued during the case are all part of the public file. A consent agreement or settlement, if one was filed, will be in the record as well. Some financial documents may be sealed by court order, but the decree itself remains a public record under Georgia law.
Georgia State Dissolution Verifications
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state dissolution of marriage verifications for cases finalized between 1952 and 1996 only. These are basic confirmations that a dissolution occurred and are not full court decrees. For any record outside that date range, or when you need a certified copy of the actual decree, the Brantley County Superior Court Clerk is the right source.
State verifications cost $10. You submit Form 3917 to the DPH office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The phone number is (404) 657-2700. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for full details on the request process.
Before you order, confirm what the receiving party needs. Many courts, lenders, and government agencies require a certified copy of the actual decree from the county clerk, not just a state verification. These are two different documents and they serve different purposes.
Legal Help in Brantley County
People in Brantley County who need help with dissolution of marriage have access to free and low-cost legal resources. Legal Services Georgia serves income-eligible residents and handles civil cases, including family law. Their site is glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free guides, downloadable forms, and referrals for family law cases across Georgia.
The State Bar of Georgia offers a lawyer referral service through gabar.org and by calling 1-800-334-6865. The service connects you with a licensed Georgia attorney who practices family law. Initial consultations through this program are typically available at a reduced fee. If your case involves children, property disputes, or any contested issue, speaking with an attorney before you file is a practical step.
Re:SearchGA is another tool worth knowing about. It covers dissolution and civil court records for roughly 25 Georgia counties. Check availability for Brantley County at researchga.tylerhost.net.
Re:SearchGA allows free public access to participating counties' court case information without visiting the courthouse.
Cities in Brantley County
Nahunta is the county seat and primary city in Brantley County. No cities in Brantley County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage records for counties bordering Brantley are held by those counties' Superior Court Clerks. Use these links to find records in nearby counties.