Search Harris County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Harris County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Hamilton, Georgia. These records are public documents under Georgia's Open Records Act, meaning any person can request access to petitions, final decrees, and case materials on file. The clerk's office on South College Street handles all dissolution filings in the county, from straightforward uncontested matters to complex cases involving property division or child custody. This page explains how to contact the clerk, how to use statewide online tools, what the filing process requires, and where to find legal help in Harris County.

Superior Court Clerk - Where Records Are Filed

All dissolution of marriage cases in Harris County go through the Superior Court Clerk's office. The courthouse is at 102 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811. The phone number is (706) 628-4944. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For mailed requests, write to PO Box 528, Hamilton, GA 31811.

When you reach out to the clerk's office, have the full names of both parties and an approximate filing year ready. This allows staff to locate the case quickly. The clerk can describe what documents are on file and explain the fees for certified and plain copies. Certified copies bear the court seal and are required for legal uses such as remarriage or government ID changes. Plain copies are less expensive and serve personal or research needs just fine.

Harris County does not operate a dedicated online case search portal. That means in-person visits and written mail requests are the main ways to access dissolution records here. Before making the trip to Hamilton, check the statewide tools described below to confirm whether a case was filed in Harris County and get a general picture of what the record contains. Harris County is a relatively small, rural county in west Georgia, and its court system handles a manageable volume of family law cases each year.

Online Access Through State Portals

Georgia maintains several statewide resources for court record research. Even when a county does not have its own online portal, these state tools are a good place to start.

The Georgia vital records request portal at georgia.gov/request-vital-records walks you through the process for requesting a state-level dissolution verification for records from 1952 to 1996. More detail on this service is in the DPH section below.

Below is a screenshot of the Georgia.gov vital records request page, which guides users through the steps to request official vital record verifications from the state, including dissolution of marriage records.

Source: georgia.gov/request-vital-records

Use this page to start a state-level dissolution verification request for records from 1952 to 1996. For records outside that window, contact the Harris County Superior Court Clerk directly.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) portal and the eCertification system cover certain court documents statewide. Both are worth checking to see whether Harris County dissolution records are accessible online. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association directory and Find My Clerk tool confirm clerk contact details for Harris County and all neighboring counties. PeachCourt is Georgia's e-filing platform, and re:SearchGA offers case searches for participating counties.

The screenshot below shows the UniCourt Georgia Code reference for Title 19, which covers domestic relations law in Georgia, including the statutes that govern dissolution of marriage filings.

Source: unicourt.github.io

This resource provides access to the full text of Georgia's Title 19 domestic relations statutes, which govern all aspects of dissolution of marriage filings, including residency requirements, grounds, waiting periods, and decree procedures.

For historical records, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index covering 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999. If you are researching an older case, the Archives index can confirm the filing county before you contact the clerk.

Georgia Residency and Filing Requirements

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Harris County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Georgia for six or more months before the petition is submitted. This is in Georgia Code Title 19. The case is normally filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is out of state, you can file in Harris County if that is where the petitioner resides.

Georgia law lists 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. The most widely used is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," a no-fault ground that requires no proof of wrongdoing by either party. This is the simplest path for uncontested cases where both sides agree on all terms. Other grounds include adultery, desertion, habitual intoxication, and cruel treatment. The full list of grounds is at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

After the defendant is served, a 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can enter a final decree. Uncontested cases with a signed settlement agreement can be resolved soon after the waiting period ends. Contested cases, where the parties disagree on property, support, or custody, take longer and require hearings before a Superior Court judge.

Harris County borders Muscogee County, which is the home of Columbus and has a much larger court system. Some residents in the rural parts of Harris County may have cases that involve courts in both counties, particularly in matters where property straddles county lines or where one party lives in Columbus. Call (706) 628-4944 to confirm filing fees and requirements before you submit your petition.

What Dissolution Records Contain

A dissolution case file in Harris County can hold various documents depending on whether the case was contested and what issues were at stake. Core documents in most files include the following items.

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

Simple uncontested cases often have just a few core documents. The clerk can tell you what is in a specific file before you order copies, which helps you decide exactly what to request.

State Vital Records Verification (1952-1996)

The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a verification service for dissolution of marriage records reported to the state between 1952 and 1996. This is not a certified copy of the court decree but confirms that the state received a report of the dissolution during that window. 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 per search. For records outside the 1952 to 1996 date range, contact the Harris County Superior Court Clerk directly at (706) 628-4944.

Legal Help and Resources in Harris County

Harris County residents who need help with a dissolution case can use several resources. Georgia Legal Services Program serves lower-income Georgians across the state at glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid offers self-help guides and tools at georgialegalaid.org, covering forms, procedures, and your rights under Georgia law. Both organizations are especially useful if you are not sure how to start the filing process or what to do if the other party is unresponsive.

For private legal representation, the Georgia Bar referral service is available at gabar.org, toll-free at 1-800-334-6865. A referral can connect you with a family law attorney familiar with the Harris County area. Because Harris County is a smaller rural county, many family law practitioners who serve it also handle cases in neighboring Muscogee County and the Columbus area. That familiarity with both jurisdictions can be valuable if your case has connections to both courts.

Harris County is in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, which covers Harris and Talbot counties. The circuit judge handles all family law matters filed here. If your case involves significant property, a custody dispute, or other complex issues, working with an attorney who knows the circuit is a smart approach.

Cities in Harris County

Harris County's county seat is Hamilton, with a population of roughly 750 residents. Pine Mountain, another community in the county, has about 1,100 residents. No cities in Harris County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All dissolution filings from Hamilton, Pine Mountain, and other communities in the county are processed through the Superior Court Clerk at 102 South College Street in Hamilton.

Nearby Counties

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