Search Dissolution of Marriage Records in Brooks County
Dissolution of marriage records in Brooks County are on file with the Superior Court Clerk in Quitman, Georgia. These records are public court documents once the judge signs the final decree. You can search them at the courthouse or through several Georgia state online systems. This page covers how to find records, how the filing process works in Brooks County, what the documents contain, and where to get legal help if you need it.
Brooks County Quick Facts
Brooks County Superior Court Clerk
The Brooks County Superior Court Clerk in Quitman handles all dissolution of marriage filings in the county. The clerk's office accepts petitions, maintains the case index, records final decrees, and provides certified copies to those who request them. Staff will search the index by party name or case number. They can tell you what is on file and what copies cost, but they cannot give legal advice.
| Office | Brooks County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Screven Street, Quitman, GA 31643 |
| Mailing | PO Box 630, Quitman, GA 31643 |
| Phone | (229) 263-4747 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Not available |
The courthouse is at 100 Screven Street in Quitman. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Have the names of both parties ready so the clerk can search the index quickly. There is no online portal specific to Brooks County. Mail requests are an option, but call the clerk first to ask about the process and payment before sending anything.
The Georgia Department of Public Health hosts vital records information online, including details about dissolution of marriage verifications for 1952-1996. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords to learn more about what the state holds and how to request it.
The DPH vital records page explains the scope and limits of state-held dissolution records and outlines the request process.
How to Search Brooks County Dissolution Records
The most direct way to search dissolution of marriage records in Brooks County is a visit to the clerk's office at 100 Screven Street in Quitman. Bring your photo ID and the full names of both parties. The clerk searches the index and can tell you what documents are on file. Older records stored in paper form are accessible this way. Copy fees apply for any documents you take with you.
For online access, check Georgia Courts at georgiacourts.gov. That site provides statewide court information and case data for many Georgia courts. PeachCourt at peachcourt.com offers a public search for civil filings in participating Georgia counties. Both are worth trying before driving to Quitman.
The GSCCCA eCertification portal at ecert.gsccca.org lets you order certified copies of recorded court documents online. The main GSCCCA site at gsccca.org has additional search tools. Re:SearchGA at researchga.tylerhost.net covers about 25 counties statewide. For historical records, the Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org may have older materials related to Brooks County cases.
Dissolution of Marriage in Brooks County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Brooks County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six consecutive months before filing. This rule is established by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The petition is filed with the Brooks County Superior Court Clerk in Quitman. After filing, you serve the other spouse with the petition and a summons according to Georgia rules.
Once service is complete, Georgia law requires a waiting period of at least 30 days before the court can schedule a final hearing. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 sets this requirement. In cases where both parties agree on all matters, the case can often proceed fairly quickly after the wait period. If disputes remain over property, children, or support, the court must resolve them before entering the final decree.
Georgia law recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is the one most people use. It does not require proof of fault or wrongdoing by either spouse. Once the judge signs the final decree in Brooks County, it becomes a public record on file with the clerk. Any person can request a copy of it.
What the Records Include
The dissolution of marriage case file in Brooks County includes the final decree and all documents submitted during the proceeding. The decree covers every issue the court resolved.
- Full legal names of both spouses as listed in the petition
- Date of marriage and date the court entered the final dissolution decree
- Grounds as pleaded in the petition and found by the court
- Division of marital property and assignment of debts
- Child custody, parenting time, and visitation provisions if children are in the case
- Child support amount and terms for payment
- Any alimony or spousal support ordered by the court
The petition, summons, proof of service, any motions filed, and all court orders are part of the public file. If the parties agreed to terms in writing before the final hearing, that settlement agreement is in the file too. Some financial documents may be sealed if the court issued a protective order, but the decree itself remains open to the public under Georgia law.
Georgia State Dissolution Verifications
The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level dissolution of marriage verifications. These cover records from 1952 through 1996 only. They confirm that a dissolution took place but do not include the full court decree. For records outside that window, or when you need the actual decree for any year, the Brooks County Superior Court Clerk is the right office to contact.
State verifications cost $10. Submit Form 3917 to DPH 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. See full details at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Confirm with whoever is asking for the record whether a DPH verification will work or whether they need a certified court decree. These are different documents, and ordering the wrong one means starting over. The county clerk issues certified decree copies; DPH issues verification letters only.
Legal Help in Brooks County
Legal Services Georgia provides civil legal aid to income-eligible residents in Brooks County. Family law, including dissolution of marriage, is one of the areas they handle. Reach them at glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has free online guides, form downloads, and contact information for legal help across the state.
The State Bar of Georgia operates a lawyer referral line you can call at 1-800-334-6865 or access through gabar.org. The service refers callers to licensed Georgia family law attorneys. Initial consultations through the program are usually offered at a reduced rate. If you have any questions about how to file, what forms to use, or what to expect in court, talking to an attorney first can help you avoid mistakes.
PeachCourt is another state resource that lets you search civil case filings online. Check it at peachcourt.com to see if Brooks County cases are available in the system.
PeachCourt is free to use for public case searching and is a convenient alternative to an in-person courthouse visit.
Cities in Brooks County
Quitman is the county seat and largest city in Brooks County. No cities in Brooks County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. Valdosta, which qualifies, is located in neighboring Lowndes County.
Nearby Counties
Counties bordering Brooks each have their own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage filings. Use the links below to find records in nearby counties.