Access Cook County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Cook County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk at the Cook County Courthouse in Adel, Georgia. All filings, including the initial petition, any motions, and the final decree, become part of the public record when the court enters the final order. This page explains how to find and request those records, what information they contain, how to file a case in Cook County, and what legal resources are available to residents of this small south Georgia county.

Cook County Superior Court Clerk

The Cook County Superior Court Clerk handles all dissolution of marriage filings for the county. The office is at the Cook County Courthouse, 212 North Hutchinson Avenue, Adel, GA 31620. Staff accept new petitions, maintain the case index, and provide copies of court documents. Cook County does not have a dedicated court website. The best way to confirm current fees and procedures is to call the clerk's office before you visit or submit anything by mail.

Visit the courthouse on North Hutchinson Avenue during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and have the full names of both parties ready. The clerk will search the index and pull the case file. If you know the case number, have it available. Call ahead to confirm the current copy fees before you visit if you plan to request certified documents. Mail requests are accepted; call first to confirm what to include and how to send payment.

The Georgia DPH Vital Records page is the right starting point if you need to understand what the state offers for dissolution verifications from 1952 to 1996 versus what you get from the Cook County clerk. The screenshot below shows the DPH main vital records page.

DPH verifications cover a limited date range and do not include the full case file. For complete dissolution records, the Cook County clerk is the only source.

Searching Dissolution of Marriage Records in Cook County

The clerk's office at the Cook County Courthouse is the primary and most reliable source for dissolution of marriage records in the county. Visit in person with a photo ID and the names of both spouses. There is no county-specific online case search for Cook County at this time. In-person visits and phone or mail requests are the main options for finding records.

Statewide tools can help for basic lookups. Georgia Courts at georgiacourts.gov is the official state portal with court information and links. PeachCourt at peachcourt.com gives civil case access for a number of Georgia counties. Check whether Cook County is included in their coverage. Re:SearchGA at researchga.tylerhost.net covers a subset of counties and is worth a check as well.

The GSCCCA eCertification system at ecert.gsccca.org allows online ordering of certified copies of recorded court documents. The main GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org provides additional statewide tools. Use the Find My Clerk directory at gaclerks.org/Clerks/FindMyClerk.aspx to get current contact information for the Cook County clerk. Small county offices may have limited staff, so calling before visiting is a good idea.

The GSCCCA portal is the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority statewide system for court records. The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA main page.

The GSCCCA system is updated regularly and includes tools for searching court filings across many Georgia counties. Start here if you need a statewide search before narrowing to Cook County specifically.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Cook County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Cook County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before the petition is filed. The residency requirement is stated in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file the petition at the Cook County Courthouse in Adel, pay the filing fee, and then serve the other spouse with a copy of the petition and summons.

Once service is complete, Georgia law requires a minimum 30-day waiting period before the court can hold a final hearing. In a straightforward uncontested case where both parties agree on all terms, the case can wrap up fairly quickly after that wait. Contested cases take longer because the court must hear both sides before entering a final decree. The grounds for dissolution in Georgia are set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is the most common choice. It does not require any showing of fault by either party. Once the judge signs the final decree, it is entered into the public record at the Cook County clerk's office in Adel.

What Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain

A Cook County dissolution of marriage case file holds all documents submitted to the court from the initial filing through the entry of the final order. The decree summarizes every ruling the judge made in the case.

• Full legal names of both spouses as they appear in the petition
• Filing date and date the final decree was signed by the judge
• Grounds for dissolution as stated in the petition
• Division of marital property and assignment of debts
• Child custody order and parenting plan if children are part of the case
• Child support amount and payment terms if applicable
• Alimony or spousal support order if granted by the court

The petition, proof of service, any filed motions, temporary orders if entered, and the final decree are all public records. A written settlement agreement is part of the file if one was filed. Some financial exhibits may be sealed under a court order, but the decree itself remains in the public record. Requests for copies can be made at the Cook County clerk's office in Adel.

Georgia State Divorce Verification

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds state-level dissolution of marriage verifications for cases recorded from 1952 through 1996. These are limited verification documents, not copies of the actual court decree. A DPH verification confirms a dissolution took place and provides basic details like names and date. It does not include property divisions, custody arrangements, or any other case specifics. For those, or for records outside the 1952-1996 range, contact the Cook County Superior Court Clerk in Adel.

State verifications cost $10 and are requested with Form 3917. The DPH Vital Records office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The phone is (404) 657-2700. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Instructions and the form are posted at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords.

Before you order anything, ask the agency or party requesting the record whether they need the DPH verification or a certified copy of the actual decree from the county clerk. They are different documents. Using the wrong one means delays and extra cost.

Legal Help in Cook County

Legal Services Georgia serves income-eligible clients throughout the state, including Cook County residents. Their website is at glsp.org. They may be able to provide direct help with dissolution of marriage cases for qualifying clients. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has free written guides that explain how to file, what forms to complete, and what to expect at each step.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service at gabar.org and by phone at 1-800-334-6865. The bar can connect you with a licensed Georgia family law attorney who handles cases in Cook County or nearby counties. Initial consultations through the referral program are often at a reduced fee. Cook County's small-town courthouse may have limited self-help resources, so calling ahead to ask what is available is a smart first step.

Cities in Cook County

Adel is the county seat of Cook County. No cities in Cook County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases for Cook County residents are filed with the Superior Court Clerk at the courthouse on North Hutchinson Avenue in Adel.

Nearby Counties

Counties bordering Cook County each maintain their own Superior Court Clerk for dissolution of marriage filings. Use the links below to find records in neighboring counties.