Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Charlton County

Charlton County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Folkston, Georgia. Every case in the county, from the original petition through the final decree, is held by this office. If you need to look up a past case, request a certified copy, or start a new dissolution filing, this page covers the steps, the search tools available, what records contain, and where to get legal help in this part of southeast Georgia.

Charlton County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk in Folkston holds all dissolution of marriage records for Charlton County. Cases are indexed by party names and case numbers. Staff can search the index and provide access to case files during regular office hours. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting in person to request records.

Charlton County is one of the smaller counties in southeast Georgia, located near the Florida border and adjacent to the Okefenokee Swamp. The courthouse in Folkston handles all court filings and records for the county. The clerk's office can assist with searches and copy requests during normal business hours. Call ahead if you are looking for older records that may be in off-site storage.

Both plain copies and certified copies of records are available. Most legal and financial uses require certified copies, which bear the clerk's official seal. Fees for copies are set by state law. Call the clerk's office for the current fee schedule before your visit. Mail requests are accepted; ask the clerk what to include when you call.

If you have the names of both parties and the approximate year of filing, bring that information to help the staff locate the case quickly. The clerk can also search by case number if you have it.

Searching Dissolution of Marriage Records in Charlton County

The clerk's office in Folkston is the primary source for dissolution of marriage records in Charlton County. An in-person visit gives you direct access to the case file. Staff can search by name or case number and show you the available documents. Call ahead for older cases to confirm the file is still on-site.

The GSCCCA statewide records portal offers online access to Superior Court records across Georgia. The portal lets you search by name and find basic case information. The GSCCCA eCertification tool is available for requesting certified copies online from counties that participate. Check whether Charlton County records are in the system before depending on it.

The image below shows the Find My Clerk directory at gaclerks.org, which lists current contact information for every Superior Court Clerk in Georgia.

Georgia Superior Court Clerks - Find My Clerk

The Find My Clerk directory is maintained by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority and lists current addresses, phone numbers, and hours for every county clerk.

Georgiacourts.gov links to court resources statewide. PeachCourt covers online case access in participating counties. The re:SearchGA platform is a statewide search tool that may include Charlton County data. Check each system for current county coverage.

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 granted but does not provide decree details. Use it to locate older cases before requesting the full file from the clerk in Folkston.

The Find My Clerk tool lists updated contact information for the Charlton County clerk and all other Georgia Superior Court Clerks.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Charlton County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Charlton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The petition is filed at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Folkston. You pay the filing fee at 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 grounds are also available under state law. The procedural and residency requirements are in Georgia Code section 19-5-3. After the petition is filed and served, a mandatory 30-day wait period must pass before the court can enter the final decree.

If both parties agree on all terms, the case can be wrapped up quickly after the waiting period ends. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the final decree if it is complete and lawful. Contested cases may go to mediation or a hearing. Once the judge signs the decree, the clerk files it as the permanent record of the dissolution.

Ask the clerk for the current filing fee when you are ready to file. If cost is a barrier, ask about the fee waiver process. The court can reduce or waive the fee based on your financial situation.

What Charlton County Dissolution Records Include

Dissolution of marriage records in Charlton County are stored in the Superior Court case file. The file holds every document added from the day of filing through the close of the case. When you request records, you can ask for the full file or for specific documents within it.

Dissolution case files in Charlton County typically contain the following types of information:

• Full legal names of both parties and any name change granted by the court
• Case number, filing date, and the date the final decree was entered
• Grounds cited for the dissolution
• Property and debt division as ordered by the court
• Custody and visitation terms for minor children, if applicable
• Child support amounts and payment schedule
• Alimony or spousal support terms, if ordered

The final decree is the document most often requested. It is the official court order ending the marriage and setting out all terms. For legal, financial, or name-change purposes, you need a certified copy from the clerk, not a plain photocopy.

Divorce Verification vs. Dissolution Records

Georgia DPH provides a divorce verification service for cases recorded from 1952 through 1996. The service is available through the Vital Records office at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords, at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. You request a verification using Form 3917. The cost is $10 for the search plus $5 per copy.

The DPH verification is not the same as the full dissolution record. 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 case details. Cases outside the 1952-1996 window are not covered by this service.

The image below shows the Georgia Courts statewide portal, which connects users to court resources and local court information across Georgia.

Georgia Courts - Statewide Court Portal

The Georgia Courts website provides links to local court resources, forms, and general guidance on court procedures across the state.

For the full dissolution record in Charlton County, go to the Superior Court Clerk in Folkston. 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 Charlton County

Charlton County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage have access to legal aid organizations that cover southeast Georgia. These groups can assist with understanding the process or handling the case directly if you qualify for services.

Legal Services Georgia provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents throughout Georgia, including the southeast region where Charlton County is located. They can help with family law matters including dissolution filings, custody disputes, and modifications of existing orders. You can apply through their online intake or by phone to see whether you qualify.

Georgia Legal Aid is an online resource with guides, forms, and step-by-step information for people handling their own dissolution case. The site covers how to prepare the petition, serve the other party, and what to expect at the final hearing. It is a good starting point even if you plan to hire a lawyer.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-334-6865. Calling this number can connect you with a licensed family law attorney in or near Charlton County. First consultations through the program are often available at a reduced fee.

For historical records, the Georgia Archives maintains 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 Folkston.

Cities in Charlton County

Folkston is the county seat of Charlton County. No cities in Charlton County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated dissolution records page. All residents of the county, including those in Folkston and St. George, file and search dissolution of marriage records at the Superior Court Clerk's office in Folkston.

Nearby Counties

Charlton County is located in the far southeast corner of Georgia and shares borders with several neighboring counties. Each has its own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage records.