Carroll County Dissolution Of Marriage Search

Carroll County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Carrollton. The clerk's office holds every case file from the petition stage through the signed final decree. This page covers how to search dissolution records in Carroll County, what those records contain, how the filing process works, how DPH verification differs from the full record, and where to find legal help in the area.

Carroll County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk in Carrollton is the official keeper of dissolution of marriage records for Carroll County. Every case is indexed by party name and case number. Staff can locate files and provide copies during regular office hours. Always bring a valid government-issued photo ID when you visit in person.

Carroll County is located in west-central Georgia, west of Atlanta. The courthouse in Carrollton handles all dissolution filings and records for the county. The clerk's office sees a moderate volume of cases. Staff can usually assist walk-in visitors during regular hours. If you are searching for an older case, call ahead to confirm it is on-site and not in off-site storage.

Plain copies and certified copies are both available from the clerk. Most official uses require certified copies, which carry the clerk's seal. Ask for certified copies if you need the record for legal, financial, or government purposes. Fees for copies are set by state law and local rule. Call the clerk's office to confirm the current fee schedule before you visit.

Mail requests are an option if you cannot come in person. Send a written request with both parties' names, the approximate filing year, and the case number if you know it. Ask the clerk about payment methods and expected turnaround time for mail requests.

Searching Dissolution of Marriage Records in Carroll County

The clerk's office in Carrollton is the primary place to search dissolution of marriage records for Carroll County. In-person visits give you direct access to the case file. The clerk can search by name or case number. Call ahead if you are looking for cases from many years ago, as older files may be stored off-site.

The GSCCCA statewide records portal covers Superior Court cases from many Georgia counties. You can search by name and find basic case information. The GSCCCA eCertification tool lets you request certified copies online from counties that participate. Check whether Carroll County is represented in the system before relying on it exclusively.

The image below shows the About Vital Records page from Georgia DPH, explaining the state's vital records services including dissolution verification.

Georgia DPH - About Vital Records

The DPH vital records information page explains what types of records are available through the state, including divorce verifications for cases from 1952 through 1996.

Georgiacourts.gov is the official state courts site and provides links to local court resources. PeachCourt gives online access to case filings in participating counties. The re:SearchGA platform is a statewide tool that covers courts in a number of Georgia counties and may have Carroll County data.

For historical cases from 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index. The index confirms whether a case was filed and finalized but does not include decree details. Use it to verify a case exists before requesting the full file from the clerk in Carrollton.

The Find My Clerk tool at gaclerks.org lists current contact details for all Georgia Superior Court Clerks, including Carroll County.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Carroll County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Carroll County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before the filing date. The petition is submitted to the Superior Court Clerk in Carrollton. You pay the filing fee at the time of submission and must arrange to serve the other party with notice of the case.

Georgia allows dissolution on the no-fault ground of "irretrievably broken." Other statutory grounds are also available. The requirements for filing are set out in Georgia Code section 19-5-3. After the petition is filed and the other party is served, a mandatory 30-day waiting period must run before the court can enter a final decree.

Uncontested cases, where both parties agree on all terms, generally move through the process quickly after the waiting period ends. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the final decree if it is acceptable. Contested cases may take longer and can involve mediation or a hearing. Either way, once the judge signs the decree, the clerk files it as the permanent court record.

The filing fee varies. Ask the clerk for the current amount. If cost is a concern, ask about the fee waiver process. The court can waive fees for parties who demonstrate financial need.

What Carroll County Dissolution Records Include

Dissolution of marriage records in Carroll County are kept in the Superior Court case file. The file is built over the course of the case and contains every document filed from start to finish. When you request records from the clerk, you can ask for the entire file or for specific documents.

Most dissolution case files in Carroll County will include these types of information and documents:

• Legal names of both spouses and any court-granted name restoration
• Case number, filing date, and the date the final decree was signed
• Grounds stated for the dissolution of the marriage
• Division of marital property and debts as ordered by the court
• Child custody and visitation schedule, if the parties have minor children
• Child support amounts and payment terms set by the court
• Alimony or spousal support terms, if the court ordered them

The final decree is the document that matters most for most purposes. It ends the marriage legally and sets out the terms. Always request a certified copy for official uses. Most agencies and courts will not accept a plain photocopy.

Divorce Verification vs. Dissolution Records

Georgia DPH provides a limited divorce verification service through its Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, located at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. This service covers divorces recorded from 1952 through 1996 only. Cases outside that window are not available through DPH.

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

The image below shows the FindLaw page for Georgia Code section 19-5-3, the main state statute governing dissolution of marriage proceedings.

Georgia Code Section 19-5-3 - Dissolution of Marriage Statute

Georgia Code section 19-5-3 sets out the grounds and procedural requirements for dissolution of marriage, including the 30-day waiting period and residency rules.

For the full dissolution record in Carroll County, go to the Superior Court Clerk in Carrollton. The clerk holds the complete 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 for official purposes.

Legal Resources in Carroll County

Carroll County residents who need help with dissolution of marriage cases have access to legal aid organizations and referral services that cover this part of west Georgia. These resources serve people who cannot afford private legal fees or need guidance on how to handle the process.

Legal Services Georgia provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents across Georgia, including Carroll County and the surrounding region. They handle family law matters such as dissolution filings, custody disputes, and modifications of court orders. You can apply through their intake process online or by phone.

Georgia Legal Aid is an online resource with step-by-step guides, forms, and instructions for self-represented parties. If you plan to handle your own dissolution, the site explains what to expect at each stage, from filing the petition to attending the final hearing. This is a solid starting point even if you plan to hire a lawyer, since it helps you understand the process.

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

For historical records, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index for 1965-1971 and 1973-1999. This is useful for locating older cases before requesting full copies from the clerk in Carrollton.

Cities in Carroll County

Carrollton is the county seat of Carroll County and the largest city in the county, with a population of around 28,000. Carrollton does not currently have a dedicated dissolution records page. Other communities in Carroll County include Bremen, Villa Rica, and Bowdon. Residents of all cities in Carroll County file and search dissolution records at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Carrollton.

Nearby Counties

Carroll County borders several counties in west-central Georgia. Each has a Superior Court Clerk who handles dissolution of marriage records.