Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Butts County

Butts County dissolution of marriage records are on file with the Superior Court Clerk in Jackson, Georgia. The clerk's office holds all case documents from the initial petition through the signed final decree. Whether you need to confirm a past dissolution, get a certified copy of a decree, or file new paperwork, this page explains the process. You will also find information on online search tools, what records contain, the verification service offered by Georgia DPH, and legal aid options for Butts County residents.

Butts County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk in Jackson is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records for Butts County. The office keeps case files in order by name and case number. Staff can pull records for you during regular business hours. A valid photo ID is required when you visit in person to request documents.

Bring a photo ID and, if possible, the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Having this information speeds up the search. Plain copies and certified copies are both available for a fee. Most agencies that need proof of a dissolution will ask for a certified copy, not a plain photocopy.

If you need records by mail, call the office first to confirm what they need from you, the payment method, and how long the request will take. The Butts County clerk's office does not have a public website, so phone contact is the best way to get current fee and process information before you travel to Jackson.

Searching Dissolution of Marriage Records in Butts County

In-person search at the Butts County Courthouse in Jackson is the most reliable way to find dissolution records. The clerk can search by name or case number and provide copies on request. Older records may be stored in archives, so call ahead if you are looking for cases from many years ago.

The image below shows the Georgia.gov vital records request page, one of the statewide resources for records access in Georgia.

Georgia.gov - Request Vital Records

This statewide portal covers vital records requests and links to the DPH Vital Records office for divorce verification services.

The GSCCCA statewide portal lets you search Superior Court records across Georgia by name. Coverage depends on what each county clerk has submitted to the system. The GSCCCA eCertification tool allows you to request certified copies online from participating counties. Check whether Butts County records are available in the system before relying on it.

Georgiacourts.gov is the official Georgia Courts site and includes links to local court resources and general information about court procedures. PeachCourt provides online access to filings in counties that participate. The re:SearchGA platform covers a number of Georgia counties and is worth checking for Butts County case data.

For older cases, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index for 1965-1971 and 1973-1999. This index shows whether a case was filed and granted but does not include the full decree. Use it to confirm that a case exists, then request the full file from the clerk in Jackson.

The Find My Clerk tool at gaclerks.org gives you current contact information for every Superior Court Clerk in Georgia. This is useful if you are searching across multiple counties.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Butts County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Butts County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before the case is filed. You file the petition at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Jackson, pay the filing fee, and arrange to serve the other party with the paperwork. The clerk's staff can tell you the current filing fee and what forms to submit.

Georgia's grounds for dissolution include "irretrievably broken," which does not require proving fault. Other grounds are available under state law. The residency and grounds requirements are set out in Georgia Code section 19-5-3. Once the petition is filed and the other party has been served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final decree.

If both parties agree on all terms, the case can move quickly after the 30-day wait. If there are disputes, the case may require mediation or a hearing before a judge. Property, custody, child support, and alimony are all handled as part of the dissolution process. Once the judge signs the final decree, the clerk files it and it becomes the permanent record.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about the fee waiver process. You may need to fill out a form showing your income. The court decides whether to waive the fee based on your financial situation.

What Butts County Dissolution Records Include

Dissolution of marriage records in Butts County are kept in the Superior Court case file. The file builds over the course of the case, adding each document as it is filed. When you request the file or copies, you can ask for specific documents or the entire case record.

Records in a dissolution case file generally include these key items:

• Legal names of both parties and any court-granted name change
• Case number, filing date, and date the final decree was signed
• Grounds cited for the dissolution
• Division of property and debts as ordered by the court
• Custody and visitation arrangements for any minor children
• Child support amounts and payment schedule
• Any alimony or spousal support awarded

The final decree is the document most people need. It serves as legal proof that the marriage ended and sets out all the terms the court ordered. Always request a certified copy, since plain copies are usually not accepted for legal or financial purposes.

Divorce Verification vs. Dissolution Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a divorce verification service through its Vital Records office. The address is 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, and the phone is (404) 657-2700. The DPH service is available at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. This service only covers divorces recorded from 1952 through 1996. Cases outside that window cannot be verified through DPH.

The verification uses Form 3917. The cost is $10 for the search and $5 per copy. What you receive is a letter confirming that a divorce occurred, with party names and county of filing. It does not include the decree terms, property orders, custody arrangements, or any other details from the case file. It is useful for confirming that a dissolution happened but not for legal purposes that require the full decree.

The image below shows the PeachCourt portal, a statewide tool for accessing court filings in participating Georgia counties.

PeachCourt - Georgia Court Filings Portal

PeachCourt lets you search for court filings online in counties that participate in the system, which may include Butts County.

For the full dissolution record, go to the Butts County Superior Court Clerk in Jackson. The clerk holds the complete case file and can issue certified copies of the final decree and other documents. For legal, financial, or name-change purposes, the certified copy from the clerk is what most agencies require.

Legal Resources in Butts County

Butts County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case have access to several legal aid resources. These groups can help if you cannot afford an attorney or need guidance on how to handle the process yourself.

Legal Services Georgia serves low-income residents across much of the state, including the area around Butts County. They handle family law matters such as dissolution filings, modifications, and custody issues. You can apply online or by phone through their intake process to see whether you qualify for free legal help.

Georgia Legal Aid offers online guides and forms for people who want to handle their own dissolution case without an attorney. The site walks through each step of the process, from preparing the petition to serving the other party and attending the final hearing. It is a useful tool even if you plan to hire a lawyer, because it helps you understand what to expect.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service is available at 1-800-334-6865. You can call to get a referral to a licensed family law attorney in or near Butts County. The first consultation is often available at a reduced rate through the referral program.

For historical records research, the Georgia Archives maintains a statewide dissolution index covering 1965-1971 and 1973-1999. This can help you locate older cases before requesting copies from the clerk.

Cities in Butts County

Jackson is the county seat of Butts County, with a population of around 5,000. No cities in Butts County meet the threshold for a dedicated records page. Residents of Jackson and other communities in the county file and search dissolution records at the Butts County Courthouse in Jackson.

Nearby Counties

Butts County is located in central Georgia and shares borders with several surrounding counties. Each county has its own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage records.