Camden County Dissolution Of Marriage

Camden County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Woodbine and cover all cases handled in the county. The clerk's office holds the full case file, including the petition, any agreements, and the final decree. Whether you need a certified copy of a past decree or want to start a new dissolution case, this page covers the steps to take, the tools available to search records, and the legal aid resources that serve this part of southeast Georgia.

Camden County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk in Woodbine is the official records keeper for dissolution of marriage cases in Camden County. The office indexes all cases by name and case number. Staff can locate records and provide copies during regular business hours. Always bring a valid government-issued photo ID when visiting in person.

Camden County is located in the southeast corner of Georgia, near the Georgia-Florida border. The courthouse in Woodbine handles filings and records for the entire county. If you know the case number or the names of both parties, bring that information to help the clerk's staff locate the file quickly.

The clerk's office can provide plain copies and certified copies of records. Most agencies and courts require certified copies for official purposes. Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature. Fees for copies are set by state law and may vary. Call or visit the office to get the current fee schedule before you go.

Mail requests are accepted. If you send a request by mail, include the names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, and any case number you have. Mail requests may take additional time to process. Ask the clerk how to submit payment and how long you can expect to wait.

Searching Dissolution of Marriage Records in Camden County

The most direct method for finding dissolution of marriage records in Camden County is an in-person visit to the clerk's office in Woodbine. Staff can search the case index by name or case number and show you the available documents. For older cases, call ahead to confirm whether files are stored on-site or have been moved to off-site archives.

The GSCCCA statewide portal provides online access to Superior Court records across Georgia, including basic case information and document searches. The system pulls from data submitted by each county clerk. The GSCCCA eCertification tool lets you request certified copies of court documents online for counties that participate. Check whether Camden County is in the system before relying on these tools.

The image below shows the GSCCCA records portal, the main statewide tool for searching Georgia Superior Court case data.

GSCCCA - Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority

The GSCCCA portal lets you search dissolution of marriage case data from participating Georgia counties, including basic case details and filing information.

Georgiacourts.gov is the official state court site with links to local resources. PeachCourt covers online filings in participating counties. The re:SearchGA platform is another statewide search option that covers courts in a number of Georgia counties and may have Camden County data.

For historical cases from 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index. This index confirms whether a case was filed and granted but does not include full decree text. Use it to verify that a case exists, then request the full file from the clerk in Woodbine.

The Find My Clerk tool at gaclerks.org shows contact details for every Georgia Superior Court Clerk and can confirm the current information for the Camden County office.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Camden County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Camden County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before the filing date. The case is started at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Woodbine. You submit the petition, pay the filing fee, and arrange for the other party to be served with the court papers.

Georgia law provides for dissolution on the ground of "irretrievably broken," which is the most commonly used no-fault ground. Other statutory grounds are also available. The residency and procedural requirements are spelled out in Georgia Code section 19-5-3. After the petition is filed and the other party is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter the final decree.

If the parties reach an agreement on all issues, the case can be resolved quickly after the waiting period. The judge reviews the agreement and, if it is acceptable, signs the final decree. If there are contested issues, the case may go to mediation or a hearing. Once the judge signs the final decree, the clerk files it as the permanent record of the dissolution.

Filing fees change from time to time. Ask the clerk's office for the current amount before you file. If the fee is a hardship, ask about the fee waiver process. The court can waive fees for qualifying individuals based on financial need.

What Camden County Dissolution Records Include

A dissolution of marriage case file in Camden County can contain a range of documents, from the original petition to the signed final decree. The file reflects the full history of the case. When you request records from the clerk, you can ask for the full file or for specific documents from it.

Dissolution case files in Georgia typically include the following types of information:

• Legal names of both spouses and any name change granted in the decree
• Filing date, case number, and the date the final decree was entered
• Grounds stated for the dissolution
• Division of marital property and debts
• Custody and visitation schedule for minor children, if applicable
• Child support amounts and how payments are to be made
• Alimony or spousal support terms, if ordered by the court

The final decree is the core document. It is the official court order that ends the marriage and sets out the terms. Most official uses, including changing a name, refinancing property, or proving marital status, require a certified copy of the decree. Request a certified copy from the clerk when you need it for these purposes.

Divorce Verification vs. Dissolution Records

Georgia's DPH Vital Records office offers a divorce verification service for cases recorded between 1952 and 1996. The office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, and can be reached at (404) 657-2700. The service is available online at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. You use Form 3917 to request a verification. The fee is $10 for the search and $5 per copy.

A DPH verification is a limited document. It confirms that a divorce occurred and provides the party names and county of filing. It does not include the decree terms, property orders, custody arrangements, support amounts, or any other specifics from the case. Cases filed before 1952 or after 1996 are not covered by this service.

The image below shows the GSCCCA eCertification portal, which provides a way to request certified court documents online from participating counties.

GSCCCA eCertification - Request Certified Court Documents

The eCertification tool from GSCCCA lets you request certified copies of court documents online for counties that have joined the system.

For the complete dissolution record in Camden County, contact the Superior Court Clerk in Woodbine. The clerk's office holds the full case file and can issue certified copies of the final decree and other documents. A certified copy from the clerk is what most agencies and courts require.

Legal Resources in Camden County

Camden County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case can reach out to several legal aid organizations that serve southeast Georgia. These groups offer free or reduced-cost legal services to people who qualify.

Legal Services Georgia serves low-income Georgians across the state, including the southeast region. They can assist with family law matters such as dissolution filings, modifications of existing orders, and custody issues. Their intake process is available online or by phone, and they determine eligibility based on income.

Georgia Legal Aid provides an online resource library with guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for self-represented parties. If you plan to file for dissolution on your own, the site walks through what forms to use, how to prepare the petition, and what to expect at the hearing. It is a useful tool even if you intend to hire a lawyer.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service is available at 1-800-334-6865. This number connects you to a referral to a licensed attorney in or near Camden County who handles family law. First consultations through the referral program are often available at a reduced fee.

For historical records research, the Georgia Archives maintains a statewide dissolution index covering 1965-1971 and 1973-1999. This resource can help confirm older cases before you request full copies from the clerk in Woodbine.

Cities in Camden County

Camden County includes the communities of Woodbine, Kingsland, and St. Marys, among others. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. Residents throughout Camden County search and file dissolution records at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Woodbine.

Nearby Counties

Camden County sits in the far southeast corner of Georgia. Bordering counties in Georgia each handle dissolution records through their own Superior Court Clerks.