Bryan County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Bryan County are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Pembroke, Georgia. These records become public documents once the court enters a final decree. You can search them at the Pembroke courthouse or through state online resources. This page explains how to find and access Bryan County dissolution records, what those records contain, how the filing process works, and where to find legal help in the area.
Bryan County Quick Facts
Bryan County Superior Court Clerk
The Bryan County Superior Court Clerk at 151 South College Street in Pembroke accepts dissolution of marriage petitions and keeps all case records for the county. Once a final decree is filed, the clerk maintains it as part of the public record. Staff can search the case index by party name or case number. They can also tell you what documents are on file and what certified copies cost, but they cannot provide legal advice.
| Office | Bryan County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 South College Street, Pembroke, GA 31321 |
| Mailing | PO Box 430, Pembroke, GA 31321 |
| Phone | (912) 653-3878 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Not available |
The courthouse is in Pembroke. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Have the full names of both parties in the case so the clerk can search efficiently. Bryan County does not have a dedicated online portal for court records at this time. Mail requests are possible, but call first to find out what to include and how to send payment for copies.
Information about how to request vital records verifications from the state, including dissolution of marriage records from 1952-1996, is available through georgia.gov/request-vital-records. This covers the overall process for ordering from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The Georgia.gov vital records page walks you through the steps for requesting a state dissolution verification online or by mail.
How to Search Bryan County Dissolution Records
Visiting the clerk's office at 151 South College Street in Pembroke is the main way to search dissolution of marriage records in Bryan County. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The clerk will search the index and let you view the file. Paper records for older cases are kept at the courthouse. Copy fees apply when you want documents to take with you.
Georgia Courts at georgiacourts.gov provides online access to statewide court information and some case data. PeachCourt at peachcourt.com gives public access to civil filings in many Georgia counties. Both are worth checking online before making the drive to Pembroke.
The GSCCCA eCertification portal at ecert.gsccca.org allows certified copy requests for recorded dissolution documents. The main GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org offers additional statewide search tools. Re:SearchGA at researchga.tylerhost.net covers about 25 Georgia counties. For older historical records, the Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org, open Tuesday through Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM, may have relevant materials for Bryan County.
Dissolution of Marriage in Bryan County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Bryan County requires that at least one spouse has been a Georgia resident for at least six months before filing. That rule is found in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file the petition at the Bryan County Superior Court Clerk in Pembroke. After filing, you serve the other spouse with the petition and summons according to Georgia service rules.
After proper service, O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 requires at least 30 days to pass before the court can hold a final hearing. In straightforward, uncontested cases, the proceeding can be resolved fairly quickly once the wait period ends. If any issues are disputed, such as property division, child custody, or support amounts, those must be settled or decided by the judge before the final decree is entered.
Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is the most commonly used. It requires no proof that either party did anything wrong. Once the judge signs the final decree in Bryan County, it is filed with the Superior Court Clerk and becomes part of the public record, available to anyone who requests it.
What Dissolution Records Contain
The dissolution of marriage case file in Bryan County includes the final decree and all documents filed during the case. The decree itself covers every issue the court decided.
- Legal names of both parties as listed in the petition
- Date of the marriage and the date the court entered the final decree
- Grounds for dissolution as pled and found by the court
- Division of marital property and assignment of debts between the parties
- Child custody, visitation, and parenting plan terms if minor children are involved
- Child support amount and payment schedule
- Alimony terms if spousal support was ordered by the court
The petition, summons, proof of service, and any motions or orders issued during the case are part of the public record. A settlement agreement, if one was filed, is included in the case file. Financial disclosure documents may be sealed if the court ordered it, but the decree remains public under Georgia open records law.
Georgia State Dissolution Verifications
Georgia DPH holds state-level dissolution of marriage verifications for records from 1952 through 1996. These confirm that a dissolution occurred but are not copies of the court decree. Records outside that date range, and certified copies of the actual decree for any year, must be obtained from the Bryan County Superior Court Clerk in Pembroke.
To request a state verification, submit Form 3917 with a $10 fee to the Georgia 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. Full details are at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.
Before ordering from DPH, verify with the requesting party whether a verification letter from the state is sufficient or whether they need the certified county court decree. Many agencies and lenders require the certified decree from the county clerk, not the DPH letter. Ordering the wrong document wastes time and money.
Legal Help in Bryan County
Legal Services Georgia offers civil legal aid to income-eligible residents in Bryan County. Family law, including dissolution of marriage, is within their scope. Visit glsp.org to learn about eligibility and services. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free self-help guides, form downloads, and statewide legal aid contacts for family law matters.
The State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service at gabar.org and by phone at 1-800-334-6865. The service connects people with licensed Georgia attorneys who handle family law cases. Initial consultations through the referral program are often available at a low cost. If children, property, or any disputed issue is involved, talking to an attorney before filing can make the process go more smoothly.
The Georgia Archives at georgiaarchives.org holds historical court records that may be relevant for older Bryan County dissolution cases. Their research room is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at (678) 364-3710.
The archives are a useful resource when county court records are incomplete or when you need to research older cases not available through modern county systems.
Cities in Bryan County
Pembroke is the county seat of Bryan County. No cities in Bryan County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. Pooler, which qualifies, is located in neighboring Chatham County.
Nearby Counties
Neighboring counties each maintain their own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage records. Use the links below to find dissolution records in counties near Bryan.