Haralson County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Haralson County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Buchanan, Georgia. These records are public under Georgia's Open Records Act, and any person can request access to petitions, final decrees, and case documents on file. The clerk's office on Georgia Highway 120 handles every dissolution filing in the county, from quick uncontested cases to more complex matters involving property and children. This guide covers how to contact the clerk, how to use statewide online tools, what the filing process involves, and where to get legal help in Haralson County.

Superior Court Clerk - Where Records Are Filed

All dissolution of marriage cases in Haralson County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk. The courthouse is at 4485 Georgia Highway 120, Buchanan, GA 30113. The phone number is (770) 646-2005. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written and mailed requests go to PO Box 330, Buchanan, GA 30113.

When you contact the clerk's office, have the names of both parties and a rough filing year ready. Staff can search by name or case number and tell you what documents are in the file. They can also explain the difference between certified and plain copies and let you know the current fees. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required when you need to prove a dissolution legally, such as for remarriage, a name change, or a legal proceeding. Plain copies are cheaper and work fine for personal use or research.

Haralson County does not have a dedicated online case search portal at this time. In-person visits and mail requests are the primary ways to access dissolution records here. Before making the trip to Buchanan, check the statewide tools described below to see if the record you need is accessible online or to confirm the filing county before you travel.

Online Access Through State Tools

Georgia has several statewide resources that allow you to look for court records without visiting the courthouse in Buchanan. These are good first steps before you call or drive to the clerk's office.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association directory lists every county clerk in Georgia with contact details. The Find My Clerk tool is useful if you are not certain whether a case was filed in Haralson County or a neighboring county like Carroll or Paulding.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association website, which serves as the central directory for all 159 county clerk offices in Georgia.

Source: gaclerks.org

The Clerks' Association directory links directly to each county's clerk page and contact information. Use it to find the current address and phone for the Haralson County clerk or to identify the right office if a case may have been filed nearby.

re:SearchGA is a Tyler Technologies search tool that covers participating Georgia courts. Check whether Haralson County Superior Court cases are accessible through this system before making a trip to Buchanan. PeachCourt is Georgia's e-filing and case access platform; it may allow online lookup for some Haralson County cases. The GSCCCA portal and eCertification system cover certain document types statewide and are worth checking as well.

The screenshot below shows the re:SearchGA portal, which provides online access to case records in participating Georgia counties through a unified search interface.

Source: researchga.tylerhost.net

re:SearchGA lets you search by party name or case number across all participating counties in Georgia. Check whether Haralson County is included in the system's current coverage.

For historical records from 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999, the Georgia Archives maintains a statewide dissolution index. If you are researching an older case, start with the Archives index to confirm the county before contacting the clerk directly. The Georgia Courts website provides circuit-level filing information and court resources for Haralson County and its neighbors.

Georgia Residency and Filing Requirements

To file for dissolution of marriage in Haralson County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for at least six months before the petition is submitted. This requirement is in Georgia Code Title 19. The case is normally filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives outside Georgia, you can file in Haralson County if that is where the petitioner lives.

Georgia law provides 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. Most people use the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," which does not require proof of wrongdoing by either party. It is the simplest and fastest option for uncontested cases. Other grounds available under Georgia law include adultery, habitual intoxication, desertion, and cruel treatment. The complete list is available at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

Once the defendant is served with the petition, a 30-day waiting period applies before the judge can sign a final decree. In cases where both parties have reached a full agreement on all issues, the judge can enter the decree soon after the waiting period ends. Contested cases, where there are disputes over property, support, or children, take longer and involve hearings before a Superior Court judge.

Filing fees are paid to the clerk when you submit your petition. Call (770) 646-2005 ahead of your visit to confirm the current amount. You will also need to arrange service of process on the defendant, which is typically done through the county sheriff or a private process server at an additional cost.

What Dissolution Records Contain

A dissolution case file in Haralson County typically contains the following documents, though the exact contents depend on whether the case was contested and what issues were involved.

• The original petition for dissolution of marriage
• Proof of service showing the defendant received the petition
• The defendant's answer or waiver, if filed
• Any marital settlement agreement signed by both parties
• Court orders on property, alimony, or custody
• The final decree of dissolution signed by the judge

Simple uncontested cases often have just a few documents. Contested cases can include many more filings. The clerk can tell you what is in a specific file before you order copies.

State Vital Records Verification (1952-1996)

The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a verification service for dissolution of marriage records reported to the state between 1952 and 1996. This is not a certified court copy, but it confirms that the state received a report of the dissolution during that time 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. For records outside the 1952 to 1996 window, contact the Haralson County Superior Court Clerk directly at (770) 646-2005.

Legal Help and Resources in Haralson County

Haralson County residents who need help with a dissolution case have several options. Georgia Legal Services Program serves lower-income Georgians at glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid provides self-help tools and guides at georgialegalaid.org. Both organizations can help you understand what forms you need, what to expect in court, and what your rights are under Georgia family law.

For private legal representation, the Georgia Bar referral service is at gabar.org, with a toll-free number at 1-800-334-6865. A referral can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in the Haralson County area or the broader northwest Georgia region. Many attorneys offer a low-cost initial consultation, which is worth taking even if you plan to handle most of the case yourself.

Haralson County is in the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit, which covers Haralson and Polk counties. The circuit's judge handles all family law matters filed in Haralson County Superior Court. If your case involves property, business interests, or a contested custody matter, a local attorney who knows the circuit can help you avoid delays.

Cities in Haralson County

Haralson County's county seat is Buchanan, with a population of roughly 1,200. The largest city in the county is Bremen, with about 6,200 residents. Neither city meets the threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All dissolution filings from any community in Haralson County are processed through the Superior Court Clerk's office at 4485 Georgia Highway 120 in Buchanan.

Nearby Counties

If a case may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, the counties that border or are near Haralson County include the following.