Gwinnett County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Gwinnett County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Gwinnett is the second most populous county in Georgia and one of the busiest court systems in the state, processing thousands of family law filings each year. These records are public under Georgia's Open Records Act, and anyone may request access to petitions, final decrees, and related case documents. The clerk's office at 75 Langley Drive handles all dissolution filings, and the Odyssey online portal allows case searches without a trip to the courthouse. This guide covers how to find records, how to file, and where to get help.

Superior Court Clerk - Where Records Are Filed

All dissolution of marriage cases in Gwinnett County go through the Superior Court Clerk's office at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The main phone number is (770) 822-8100. For civil matters specifically, including dissolution of marriage cases, call (770) 822-8110. Marriage license inquiries go to (770) 822-8130. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The county's court website is gwinnettcourts.com.

If you need to send a written request for dissolution records, mail it to PO Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The clerk accepts written requests for dissolution records but does not process verbal requests by phone for copies. Put the full names of both parties and an approximate filing year in your letter so staff can locate the case efficiently. Include your return address and a check or money order for the copy fees once the clerk's office confirms the amount.

When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID and any case number you have. The civil division staff can look up cases by party name and walk you through the documents on file. For certified copies of a final decree, you need to specify that you want the certified version because plain copies and certified copies have different fees and uses. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for legal purposes such as remarriage, name change on a passport, or updating financial accounts.

The screenshot below shows the Gwinnett Courts website, which is the main portal for case access and court information in Gwinnett County.

Source: gwinnettcourts.com

The Gwinnett Courts portal links to the Odyssey case search system, clerk contact details, filing information, and fee schedules for all court divisions in Gwinnett County.

Online Case Search Through the Odyssey Portal

Gwinnett County uses the Odyssey case management system, which has an online public portal at odyssey.gwinnettcourts.com/Portal/. You can search for dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number without visiting the courthouse. The portal shows basic case information including filing dates, case status, and scheduled hearings. It does not always display the full document text, but it confirms whether a case was filed and what its current status is.

This is one of the more capable online case search tools available in Georgia's county court systems. Because Gwinnett handles a large volume of cases, the Odyssey portal is well-maintained and up to date. Use the name search to find a case if you do not have the case number. Note that sealed records and records with protective orders will not appear in public search results.

The GSCCCA records portal and the eCertification system are additional statewide tools to check. The GSCCCA can be reached at (404) 327-9058. For e-filing, PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide platform and may allow online document submission for Gwinnett cases. The re:SearchGA portal is another search option that covers participating Georgia counties.

Below is a screenshot of the Georgia Courts state portal, which links to circuit-level court information and filing resources across Georgia, including Gwinnett County Superior Court.

Source: georgiacourts.gov

The Georgia Courts portal provides links to all Superior Court circuits and can help you find filing requirements, local rules, and court calendars for Gwinnett County and its neighbors.

Georgia Residency and Filing Requirements

To file for dissolution of marriage in Gwinnett County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months or more before the petition is filed. This requirement is in Georgia Code Title 19. The petition is generally filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives out of state, you can file in Gwinnett County if that is where the petitioner lives.

Georgia provides 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. Most people file under the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This ground requires no proof of wrongdoing and is the fastest path when both parties agree on all terms. Other grounds include adultery, habitual intoxication, cruel treatment, and desertion. The full list of grounds under Georgia law is at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the judge can enter a final decree. In uncontested cases where both parties have signed a settlement agreement covering property, support, and any custody matters, the judge can enter the decree promptly after the 30 days are up. Contested cases where parties disagree on key issues go through discovery, mediation, and hearings, which can take many months or longer in a busy court like Gwinnett's.

Because Gwinnett County handles a very high volume of family law cases, the court has developed structured procedures for dissolution matters. It is worth reviewing local rules on the Gwinnett Courts website before you file, especially if your case involves children, significant assets, or out-of-state parties.

What Dissolution Records Contain

A dissolution case file in Gwinnett County may contain a range of documents, and the size of the file depends on whether the case was contested. Typical records include the following items.

• The original petition for dissolution of marriage
• Proof of service on the defendant
• The defendant's answer or waiver of service
• Any marital settlement agreement signed by both parties
• Orders on custody, support, or property division
• The final decree of dissolution signed by the judge
• Any post-decree motions or modification orders on file

A simple uncontested file may have only a few documents. Heavily contested cases can run to hundreds of pages. The Odyssey portal will show you a list of all case events and filings, which gives you a preview of what is in the file before you order copies.

State Vital Records Verification (1952-1996)

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a dissolution of marriage verification service for records reported to the state between 1952 and 1996. This is not the same as a certified court copy, but it confirms that the state received a report of the dissolution during that period. The DPH office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their website is dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The request uses Form 3917, and the fee is $10. If your record falls outside the 1952 to 1996 range, use the Gwinnett County clerk's office or the Odyssey portal directly.

Legal Help and Resources in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County has several resources for people who need legal help with a dissolution case. Georgia Legal Services Program serves lower-income residents at glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid offers self-help tools and guides at georgialegalaid.org, including step-by-step information on the dissolution process in Georgia. Both organizations are worth contacting early if you have questions about your rights or the paperwork you need.

For private legal help, the Georgia Bar's referral service is at gabar.org, toll-free at 1-800-334-6865. Gwinnett County has a large number of family law attorneys given the county's size and court volume. Many offer flat-fee initial consultations and can tell you quickly whether your situation requires full representation or just targeted advice on specific issues.

Gwinnett County is in the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. The circuit's judges and procedures are well established for high-volume family law matters. If you have a contested case with significant assets, a business interest, or a custody dispute, getting legal counsel is strongly recommended. Even in uncontested matters, having an attorney review your settlement agreement before you sign can prevent problems later.

Cities in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County is one of the most densely populated counties in Georgia and includes several large cities with dedicated records pages on this site.

Other communities in Gwinnett County include Buford, Suwanee, Snellville, Norcross, and Lilburn. These cities do not have separate pages on this site, but dissolution filings from all of them go through the same Superior Court Clerk's office in Lawrenceville.

Nearby Counties

If a case may have been filed in a neighboring county, the counties that border or are close to Gwinnett County include the following.