Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Johnson County
Dissolution of marriage records for Johnson County, Georgia are filed with and held by the Superior Court Clerk in Wrightsville. These are public records that any person may request. This page explains how to find and request records from the clerk's office, what statewide tools are available to supplement your search, how the dissolution process works under Georgia law, and where Johnson County residents can find legal help.
Johnson County Quick Facts
Johnson County Superior Court Clerk
The Superior Court Clerk in Wrightsville is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files in Johnson County. The office is in the Johnson County Courthouse on East Elm Street. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. Mail requests are also processed. Use the PO Box address when mailing any written requests or documents to the office.
| Office | Johnson County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 255 East Elm Street, Wrightsville, GA 31096 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 369, Wrightsville, GA 31096 |
| Phone | (478) 864-3484 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Directory | Find My Clerk |
Have both parties' full legal names and the approximate filing year ready when you contact the office. This detail helps staff locate records faster, particularly for older cases stored in paper files. Johnson County does not have a public-facing website for the clerk's office, so the phone line is the main way to reach the staff before a visit.
How to Search Johnson County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Johnson County does not have a standalone public online case search tool for dissolution records. Direct contact with the clerk in Wrightsville is required for most searches. Several statewide platforms are worth checking first, as they may help you locate records or reduce the time you spend at the courthouse.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) maintains a statewide index of civil court filings. Some Johnson County dissolution records may appear there. You can also request certified copies of indexed documents through the GSCCCA's eCertification portal at ecert.gsccca.org. Reach the GSCCCA at (404) 327-9058.
Georgia's vital records request page through georgia.gov explains how to request official records online. The screenshot below shows that portal, which outlines the range of records available through state channels and how to start a request.
Keep in mind that the state vital records portal covers DPH verification records from 1952 to 1996 only. For actual court documents or cases outside that window, the Superior Court Clerk in Wrightsville is the correct source.
PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide eFiling system and may have case information for recent Johnson County filings. The Georgia Courts portal provides general procedural information for all Georgia Superior Courts. The re:SearchGA system covers participating counties and may include Johnson County; confirm current participation before relying on it for your search.
For visits to the Wrightsville courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the filing year, your contact information, and payment for the expected fee. Call (478) 864-3484 first to confirm current fees before mailing a check.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process in Johnson County
Georgia law applies uniformly to dissolution of marriage cases across all counties, including Johnson County. The basic requirements are the same whether you file in Wrightsville or any other Georgia courthouse. Knowing what the law requires before you begin can prevent delays and avoid the risk of dismissal.
Residency is mandatory. 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 that requirement is not met, the Johnson County Superior Court lacks jurisdiction and will not be able to hear the case.
Georgia law lists 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Most Johnson County cases use the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This does not require any showing of wrongdoing by either party and is the simplest ground to use. The remaining 12 grounds are fault-based and are rarely pursued.
After the petition is filed and the other party is properly served, a mandatory 30-day waiting period applies before the court can hold the final hearing. Even if both parties agree on every issue, the wait cannot be waived. Contested cases take longer because property, debt, alimony, or custody disputes must be worked out before the court can finalize the decree. The clerk's office in Wrightsville can advise on what forms are accepted locally and how to properly complete the required paperwork.
The GSCCCA portal below shows the statewide records system that indexes court filings from Johnson County and other Georgia counties, which can be useful for locating recently filed dissolution cases or recorded instruments related to a case.
The GSCCCA portal is most useful for indexing and for certified copy requests through the eCertification service. It does not replace a full case file search at the Johnson County clerk's office.
What Johnson County Dissolution Records Include
The Superior Court Clerk in Wrightsville holds the complete case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in Johnson County. What a file contains depends on the nature of the case. A simple, agreed-upon dissolution involves fewer documents. A contested matter involving property or children can produce a much larger record over the life of the case.
Common documents found in a Johnson County dissolution case file include:
- The original petition for dissolution of marriage
- Proof of service on the respondent
- Any answer, response, or counterclaim filed
- Temporary orders entered during the case
- Settlement agreements and property division orders
- The final decree of dissolution of marriage
- Any modification orders entered after the decree
The final decree is the document most people need. Banks, courts, insurance companies, and government agencies accept certified copies from the Johnson County clerk as legal proof of dissolution. If you need a certified copy for a name change, estate matter, or any other purpose, call (478) 864-3484 to ask about current fees before you submit the request.
All dissolution of marriage records in Johnson County are public under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Any member of the public may request access. Documents sealed by court order are the exception and require a separate court order to access.
State Divorce Verification Through Georgia DPH
The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office is a separate resource from the Superior Court Clerk. It holds divorce verification records for a specific time window and cannot provide actual court documents. Knowing what DPH offers will help you decide which office to contact for what you need.
DPH Vital Records can verify whether a divorce occurred in Georgia for cases filed between 1952 and 1996. The service produces a verification letter, not a copy of a court file. For Johnson County cases outside that date range, or when you need court documents, the Superior Court Clerk in Wrightsville is the correct source.
DPH Vital Records is 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. The search fee is $10, and copies are $5 each. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for the form and full instructions.
The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds a statewide divorce index covering 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999 on microfiche. This can help locate older Johnson County dissolution records when limited information is available. 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 Johnson County
Johnson County residents have access to statewide legal aid programs and an attorney referral service for dissolution of marriage matters. Several options exist depending on your income, the complexity of your case, and whether you need full legal representation or just guidance.
Legal Services Georgia offers free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Family law cases, including dissolution of marriage, are within their scope. Johnson County falls within their service region. Contact their offices to find out if you qualify and to get the process started.
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org provides free self-help guides covering the full dissolution process in Georgia. The guides are written in plain language and are especially helpful for uncontested cases where you and your spouse agree on all issues and an attorney may not be required for every step.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-334-6865. The service can connect you with a licensed Georgia attorney who handles family law cases in Johnson County or the surrounding area. An attorney who knows the Johnson County Superior Court will be familiar with local filing requirements and expectations.
Cities in Johnson County
Wrightsville is the county seat and the main population center in Johnson County. No cities in the county currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. All Johnson County residents file dissolution cases at the clerk's office at 255 East Elm Street in Wrightsville.
Nearby Counties
Johnson County is bordered by several counties in central Georgia. Each county handles its own dissolution of marriage records through its Superior Court Clerk.