Lanier County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Lanier County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Lakeland and are open to the public under Georgia's open records laws. This page explains where the records are held, how to search them, what Georgia law requires when filing a dissolution case, and where Lanier County residents can turn for legal help with a dissolution of marriage matter.
Lanier County Quick Facts
Lanier County Superior Court Clerk
The Superior Court Clerk in Lakeland is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in Lanier County. The office is at the Lanier County Courthouse, Suite 8, on Main Street. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular business hours. Mail requests are also accepted; use the PO Box address when mailing any documents or written requests to the office.
| Office | Lanier County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Main Street, Suite 8, Lakeland, GA 31635 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 5, Lakeland, GA 31635 |
| Phone | (229) 482-9550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Directory | Find My Clerk |
When contacting the office, have both parties' full legal names and the approximate year of filing ready. This helps the staff locate records efficiently. Lanier County is one of Georgia's smaller counties, and many older records may be in paper rather than digital form. The clerk's office does not maintain a public-facing website, so calling (229) 482-9550 or visiting in person are the main ways to reach the office.
How to Search Lanier County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Lanier County does not offer a standalone public online case search for dissolution records. Most searches require direct contact with the Superior Court Clerk in Lakeland. Before reaching out, a few statewide tools may help you locate records or confirm case details online.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) maintains a statewide index of civil court filings and recorded documents. Some Lanier County dissolution of marriage records may be searchable there. The GSCCCA eCertification portal at ecert.gsccca.org allows online requests for certified copies of certain indexed documents. GSCCCA phone: (404) 327-9058.
PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide eFiling platform. Cases filed electronically in Lanier County in recent years may have status and case information available there. The Georgia Courts portal provides procedural guidance for all Georgia Superior Courts. The re:SearchGA system covers select participating counties; check whether Lanier County is included before using that system.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records main page, which is a useful reference for understanding the state's divorce verification system before you decide which office to contact for Lanier County dissolution records.
As the DPH page explains, the department handles verification of divorces for the 1952 to 1996 period only. For actual court documents or cases outside that window, the Lanier County Superior Court Clerk is the correct source.
For in-person visits to the Lakeland courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. Mail requests should include both parties' names, the approximate filing year, your return address, and payment for the fee. Call (229) 482-9550 first to confirm current copy and certification fees before sending any payment.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process in Lanier County
Georgia law governs all dissolution of marriage cases in Lanier County. The same rules that apply statewide apply here. Knowing the key legal requirements before you file will help you avoid procedural problems that could delay your case or result in dismissal.
Residency is a threshold 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 that standard is not met, the Lanier County Superior Court does not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
Georgia law lists 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. The no-fault ground, which states the marriage is "irretrievably broken," is used in the vast majority of cases throughout the state, including in Lanier County. No proof of fault is needed. The remaining 12 grounds are fault-based and are rarely pursued by petitioners in practice.
Once the petition is filed and the respondent is properly served with process, a mandatory 30-day waiting period begins. The court cannot hold the final hearing until those 30 days have passed. The wait applies in all cases, whether contested or not. Uncontested cases, where both parties agree on all issues, can often be finalized shortly after the 30-day period ends. Contested cases where there are disagreements over property, debt, custody, or support take considerably longer to resolve.
The clerk's office in Lakeland can advise on the specific forms used for Lanier County filings and what local procedural requirements apply. Calling ahead before your first visit can save time and help you come prepared with the right paperwork.
What Lanier County Dissolution Records Include
The Superior Court Clerk in Lakeland holds the full case file for every dissolution of marriage filed in Lanier County. File size and content vary based on the complexity of each case. Simple agreed-upon matters may include only a handful of documents. Contested cases with property, debt, or child-related disputes can generate extensive records over time.
Standard documents in a Lanier County dissolution case file typically 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
The final decree is the document most people need. It is the official court order ending the marriage and is required for name changes, estate matters, insurance changes, and remarriage. Certified copies of the final decree from the Lanier County clerk are accepted by all courts, agencies, banks, and other institutions as legal proof of dissolution. Call (229) 482-9550 to check current certification fees before requesting a copy.
All Lanier County dissolution records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Any person may request access. Records sealed by court order are not publicly available without a further order from the court 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 defined time period. This is a separate resource from the Superior Court Clerk and serves a different function. Knowing what each office provides will help you contact the right one.
DPH Vital Records can verify whether a divorce occurred in Georgia for cases filed between 1952 and 1996. They do not hold actual court files and cannot provide certified copies of decrees. Their service produces a verification letter confirming the event. For Lanier County cases filed before 1952 or after 1996, or when you need actual case documents, the Superior Court Clerk in Lakeland is the right office.
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 full instructions and to download the form.
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 Lanier County dissolution cases. Address: 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. Phone: (678) 364-3710. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
The re:SearchGA portal, shown below, provides online case access for participating Georgia counties and is worth checking for any Lanier County cases that were filed electronically in recent years.
Check the re:SearchGA site to confirm whether Lanier County is currently part of the program. Participation can change as more counties join the system.
Legal Help in Lanier County
Lanier County residents can access statewide legal aid organizations and an attorney referral service for help with dissolution of marriage cases. Options exist for those who qualify for free legal assistance as well as those looking for private legal counsel.
Legal Services Georgia provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible clients across the state. Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, are within their scope. Lanier County is within their service area. Contact Legal Services Georgia directly to check your eligibility and get the intake process started.
Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org offers free self-help guides written in plain language. The guides walk through every stage of the dissolution process in Georgia and are especially useful for uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms and where some steps may be manageable without full legal representation.
The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-334-6865. This service can connect you with a licensed attorney who handles family law in Lanier County or a neighboring area. An attorney who works in Lowndes or a nearby circuit will be familiar with the filing expectations and local practices in Lanier County Superior Court.
Cities in Lanier County
Lakeland is the county seat and the primary community in Lanier County. No cities in the county currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. All Lanier County residents file dissolution cases at the Superior Court Clerk's office at 100 Main Street, Suite 8, in Lakeland.
Nearby Counties
Lanier County borders several south Georgia counties. Each maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its Superior Court Clerk.