Jefferson County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Jefferson County, Georgia are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Louisville, the county seat. All case files are public records under Georgia law, and any person may request them by visiting the courthouse, mailing a written request, or calling the clerk's office directly. This page explains where records are held, how to search them, what the filing process requires under state law, and what help is available to Jefferson County residents navigating a dissolution of marriage case.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk
The Superior Court Clerk in Louisville is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in Jefferson County. The office is located at the Jefferson County Courthouse on East Broad Street. Walk-in visits are accepted during regular business hours. Mail requests are processed as well; use the PO Box address when mailing any documents or written requests to the office.
| Office | Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 202 East Broad Street, Louisville, GA 30434 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 151, Louisville, GA 30434 |
| Phone | (478) 625-7922 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Directory | Find My Clerk |
Before you call or visit, gather both parties' full legal names and the approximate year the case was filed. That information helps the clerk locate records quickly, especially for older files that may be stored in paper format rather than a digital index. Jefferson County does not currently maintain a public-facing website for the clerk's office, so the courthouse phone line is the main contact point.
How to Search Jefferson County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Jefferson County does not have a standalone public online case search portal for dissolution records. Most searches require direct contact with the Superior Court Clerk in Louisville. Several statewide digital tools can supplement your search, and it is worth checking them before making the trip to the courthouse.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) maintains a statewide index of civil court filings and recorded documents. Some Jefferson County dissolution of marriage records may be indexed there. The GSCCCA can be reached at (404) 327-9058. Their eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org handles online requests for certified copies of certain indexed court documents.
The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia directory at gaclerks.org is the best source for current contact details for the Jefferson County clerk. The screenshot below shows that directory, which is maintained by the clerks' association and lists information for all 159 Georgia counties.
The directory is useful for confirming current phone numbers and addresses before you reach out, since clerks and office details can change over time.
PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide eFiling platform. Cases filed electronically in Jefferson County may be accessible through PeachCourt for status checks and basic case information. The Georgia Courts portal provides procedural guidance and links to court-specific resources for all Georgia Superior Courts. For cases in participating counties, re:SearchGA offers online access to court documents; check whether Jefferson County is currently included in that system.
For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID. For mail requests, include both parties' names, the approximate filing year, your contact information, and payment for the expected fee amount. Call (478) 625-7922 to confirm current copy fees before mailing any payment.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Jefferson County
Georgia law sets the rules for every dissolution of marriage case filed in Jefferson County. Knowing these rules before you file can save time and prevent a case from being dismissed on procedural grounds.
Residency is the first requirement. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months or more before the petition is filed. If neither spouse meets that threshold, the Jefferson County Superior Court does not have jurisdiction and cannot hear the case.
Georgia law recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The most common is the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This ground does not require proof that either party did something wrong. It is by far the most frequently used ground in Jefferson County cases and across Georgia. The remaining 12 grounds are fault-based and are used far less often in practice.
After the petition is filed and the other party has been properly served with process, a mandatory 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot schedule or hold the final hearing until those 30 days have passed. This requirement applies in all cases, even when both parties fully agree on every issue. Contested cases typically take much longer because property division, alimony, or custody disputes must be resolved before the court can enter a final decree.
The Georgia Courts portal at georgiacourts.gov is shown below with statewide guidance on court procedures. The screenshot includes information on how Superior Courts across Georgia operate, which applies directly to Jefferson County filings.
The Georgia Courts portal is a reliable resource for procedural rules and court contacts. Bookmark it if you are managing a case in Jefferson County or any other Georgia county.
What Jefferson County Dissolution Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Jefferson County is held in full by the Superior Court Clerk. The size and content of the file depend on how the case was handled. A simple uncontested case with no property disputes and no children involved will have fewer documents. A contested case can generate a much larger file over time.
Common documents found in a dissolution of marriage case file include:
- The original petition for dissolution of marriage
- Proof of service showing the other party was notified
- Any answer, counterclaim, or response filed by the respondent
- Temporary orders entered while the case was active
- Settlement agreements or property division orders
- The final decree of dissolution of marriage
- Post-decree modification orders, if any were entered later
The final decree is the document most people need when they contact the clerk's office. It is required for name changes, estate updates, insurance changes, remarriage, and many other legal and administrative purposes. Certified copies of the decree from the Jefferson County clerk are accepted by banks, courts, and government agencies as official proof of dissolution. Call the clerk at (478) 625-7922 for current certification fees before submitting a request.
Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), dissolution of marriage case files are public records. Any person may request access regardless of whether they were a party to the case. Documents placed under seal by a court order are not publicly available without a separate order lifting the seal.
State Divorce Verification Through Georgia DPH
The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Atlanta holds divorce verification records for a specific time window. This is a separate resource from the Superior Court Clerk and serves a different purpose. Understanding the difference will help you contact the right office for what you need.
DPH Vital Records can confirm whether a divorce occurred in Georgia for cases filed between 1952 and 1996. They do not hold actual court files or provide certified copies of decrees. Their service produces a verification letter confirming the event, not a copy of the original court document. For Jefferson County cases outside that date range, or when you need actual case documents, you must contact the Superior Court Clerk in Louisville.
DPH Vital Records is located at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 657-2700. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Form 3917 is required for divorce verification requests. The search fee is $10, and copies are $5 each. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for forms and full request details.
The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds a statewide divorce index on microfiche covering 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999. This can help locate older Jefferson County cases when only limited information is known. The Archives are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Phone: (678) 364-3710.
Legal Help in Jefferson County
Jefferson County residents have access to statewide legal aid organizations and a lawyer referral service. These resources can assist with dissolution of marriage cases, especially for those who may not be able to afford private legal counsel.
Legal Services Georgia provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents. Family law cases, including dissolution of marriage, are within their scope. Jefferson County is served by their regional offices. Contact them to check eligibility and request help.
Georgia Legal Aid offers free self-help guides at georgialegalaid.org that cover every step of the dissolution process in plain language. The guides are useful for uncontested cases where both parties agree and where retaining an attorney may not be needed for basic procedural steps.
The State Bar of Georgia operates a lawyer referral line at 1-800-334-6865. This service can match you with a licensed attorney who handles family law in Jefferson County or a nearby area. An attorney familiar with Jefferson County Superior Court will know local filing expectations and can help you avoid procedural delays.
Cities in Jefferson County
Louisville is the county seat of Jefferson County. No cities in Jefferson County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. Residents throughout the county file dissolution cases at the Superior Court Clerk's office at 202 East Broad Street in Louisville.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County borders several counties in east-central Georgia. Each maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its local Superior Court Clerk.