Gilmer County Dissolution of Marriage Records Search
Dissolution of marriage records in Gilmer County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Ellijay, Georgia. The clerk's office at the Gilmer County Courthouse is the only official source for all case files, certified copies of final decrees, and public record access for dissolution cases filed here. This page explains how to search for records, how to contact the clerk, what statewide tools are available for remote searches, and where to find legal help in the Ellijay area.
Gilmer County Quick Facts
Gilmer County Superior Court Clerk
The Gilmer County Superior Court Clerk in Ellijay maintains all dissolution of marriage records filed in this county. The courthouse is at 1 Broad Street in downtown Ellijay, and the clerk's office is on the first floor. Staff can search records by party name or case number. When you call or visit, have the names of both parties and an approximate filing year ready. Photo ID is required for in-person requests.
| Office | Gilmer County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Broad Street Suite 104, Ellijay, GA 30540 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 670, Ellijay, GA 30540 |
| Phone | (706) 635-4462 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Directory | Find My Clerk |
Gilmer County does not maintain a clerk-specific public website for online case searches. For mail requests, write to PO Box 670, Ellijay, GA 30540. Include both parties' full names, the filing year if known, and a return address. The clerk will let you know the fee and how long it will take to locate and process your request.
Online Search Tools for Gilmer County
Since Gilmer County does not have its own online portal, statewide tools are the best starting point for remote searches. The Georgia Department of Public Health vital records request page, shown below, is one entry point for dissolution verification requests for older cases in the state's DPH window.
The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org indexes civil filings and recorded instruments from all 159 Georgia counties. Gilmer County records are included. A name search on the GSCCCA may return a case number for a dissolution of marriage filing, which you can then use when contacting the clerk in Ellijay. The portal is free to search and can save time when you don't know the exact case number.
The GSCCCA eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org allows online requests for certified copies of some indexed documents. Not every dissolution of marriage document is available through eCert, but recorded instruments connected to a case sometimes are. Check there before calling the courthouse to see whether what you need can be ordered online.
The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA eCertification portal, which handles online certified copy requests for indexed Georgia court documents including some instruments from Gilmer County cases.
PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide eFiling system. Cases filed electronically in Gilmer County appear there and are searchable by name. Older paper-filed cases will not be in PeachCourt, but for more recent filings it can confirm a case exists and provide basic information before you call the clerk.
Vital Records and the DPH Window
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps dissolution of marriage verifications for cases filed between 1952 and 1996. These are brief confirmation letters, not full court documents. If you need a quick verification for a case in that window, DPH can sometimes respond faster than a courthouse file pull.
Reach DPH at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. For anything before 1952 or after 1996, and for all requests for actual certified copies of final decrees, the Gilmer County clerk is the only official source. DPH does not issue copies of court decrees.
What Records Are in the Case File
The Gilmer County clerk keeps the full case file for every dissolution of marriage filed here. That includes the petition, proof of service, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and the final decree. Certified copies of the final decree are the most commonly requested item. These are used for name changes, insurance updates, property transfers, and other legal purposes that require proof of dissolution.
Most dissolution of marriage records in Gilmer County are public. Judges occasionally seal parts of files for specific reasons, typically involving minors or sensitive financial information. If a file has sealed portions, the clerk will tell you what is available for public access.
Very old files may be in off-site storage rather than at the courthouse. Call ahead at (706) 635-4462 if you are looking for a case from the 1970s or earlier. A storage retrieval can add time to the process, so it is best to plan for that in advance.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Gilmer County
To file in Gilmer County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. Gilmer County falls under the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. The petition is filed at the clerk's office at 1 Broad Street in Ellijay. Call (706) 635-4462 to ask about the current filing fee before you go.
Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period after the other party is served before a final decree can be entered. Uncontested cases, where both spouses agree on all terms, tend to move through the process after the waiting period more quickly than contested ones. When parties disagree on key matters, additional hearings are needed and the case takes longer.
Self-help forms are available from Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org. Read the forms carefully before filing. Mistakes in the paperwork can delay your case significantly.
Legal Help in Gilmer County
The Georgia Legal Services Program serves rural and lower-income residents across Georgia. Gilmer County is within their coverage area. If you meet income eligibility requirements, they may be able to provide free or low-cost legal help. Visit glsp.org to learn more and apply.
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has plain-language guides and step-by-step tools for people handling their own civil cases. The site covers how dissolution of marriage works in Georgia, what forms are required, and what to expect through each stage. It is free to use and a solid starting point for anyone who is not sure where to begin.
The State Bar of Georgia at gabar.org runs a lawyer referral service reachable at 1-800-334-6865. They can connect you with a licensed attorney in the Ellijay or north Georgia area. If cost is a barrier, contact Georgia Legal Services first to check whether free assistance is available before paying for private counsel.
Historical Records at the Georgia Archives
For very old dissolution of marriage cases in Gilmer County, the Georgia Archives in Morrow may hold transferred court materials. The Archives collects historical records from Superior Courts across Georgia. If you are researching a case from the early to mid-twentieth century, contact the Archives to ask whether Gilmer County records from that period are available there.
re:SearchGA Case Index
The re:SearchGA system at researchga.tylerhost.net provides case index access for participating Georgia courts. This tool is used widely by attorneys but is also open to the public. If Gilmer County participates, you may be able to find basic case index information there before calling the clerk. It does not give you full document access, but it can confirm whether a case is in the system.
Cities in Gilmer County
Ellijay is the county seat of Gilmer County. No cities in Gilmer County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. Ellijay has a population of approximately 1,700. All dissolution of marriage cases for Gilmer County residents are filed at the clerk's office in Ellijay regardless of where in the county the filer lives.
Nearby Counties
Gilmer County is in the north Georgia mountains and borders several counties in that region. Each has its own Superior Court Clerk handling dissolution of marriage records.