Lumpkin County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Lumpkin County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at the Lumpkin County Courthouse in Dahlonega, Georgia. All petitions, orders, and final decrees filed in Lumpkin County become public records once entered into the court system. Lumpkin County sits in the North Georgia mountains and is served by the Enotah Judicial Circuit, which covers several mountain counties in that region. This page explains how to access and request records from this office, what the filing process involves, and where to find legal help if you need it.

Superior Court Clerk - Office Location and Contact

All dissolution of marriage cases in Lumpkin County are filed with and kept by the Superior Court Clerk. The office is at 325 Riley Road in Dahlonega. The mailing address for requests is PO Box 7, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Call the clerk at (706) 864-3736 to ask about records, copy fees, or how to find a specific case. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk does not operate a public case search website, so the phone and an in-person visit are the main ways to access records.

When you visit, bring a photo ID. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. They can tell you what is in a file and give you a fee quote for copies. Certified copies are needed for most legal purposes. Plain copies are cheaper if you only need to read a document. Older cases may take more time to locate, so call ahead if your records request involves files from many years ago.

For mailed requests, write to the PO Box above. Include both parties' names, the approximate filing year, and a check or money order payable to the Lumpkin County Superior Court Clerk. Include your return address and a contact number. The office will reach out if they need more information to find your case.

Statewide Online Resources

Because Lumpkin County does not offer a public-facing case search portal, your best starting point for an online search is one of the statewide Georgia tools. The Georgia.gov vital records request page covers state-level record ordering, including dissolution verification through the Department of Public Health. The image below shows that portal.

Source: georgia.gov/request-vital-records

This portal links to DPH verification services covering 1952 through 1996. For anything outside that range, you need to contact the Lumpkin County clerk.

The re:SearchGA platform, run by Tyler Technologies for Georgia courts, provides additional case search options. The image below shows this statewide search tool.

Source: researchga.tylerhost.net

Check re:SearchGA for Lumpkin County case data. If the county participates, you may be able to confirm whether a specific dissolution case is on file before contacting the clerk in Dahlonega.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, or GSCCCA, also indexes records from Georgia counties and is worth checking for Lumpkin County dissolution data. The Find My Clerk tool at gaclerks.org can confirm current clerk contact details.

Filing a Dissolution Case in Lumpkin County

Georgia law requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for six months before a petition for dissolution is filed. This applies everywhere in Georgia, including Lumpkin County. The case is filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is out of state, you can file in the county where you live, which can be Lumpkin County if that is your home address.

The most common ground for dissolution in Georgia is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This no-fault ground means neither party has to prove the other did something wrong. Other grounds listed in Georgia law include adultery, willful desertion for at least one year, and cruel treatment. The complete list is available at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

After you file your petition and the other party is served, a 30-day waiting period begins. No final decree can be entered until those 30 days have passed. If both spouses agree on all issues, the case can close shortly after the waiting period ends. If there are disputes over property, children, or support, the case may need mediation or a hearing. Lumpkin County is part of the Enotah Judicial Circuit, which also serves Towns, Union, White, and Gilmer counties. Court sessions in Lumpkin County are held at the courthouse in Dahlonega.

Georgia court forms are available at georgiacourts.gov. Bring completed forms and your payment to the clerk when you file. Staff can confirm the current filing fee and which forms you need for your situation.

What Is in a Dissolution File

A dissolution of marriage case file in Lumpkin County contains every document the court received from the time the case opened until it closed. The petition starts the file and states the grounds for dissolution along with what relief the petitioner seeks. The other party may file an answer, and that document goes in the file as well. Temporary orders covering support, custody, or use of shared property appear in the file if any were entered during the case.

The final decree is the most sought-after document. It is the judge's written order ending the marriage and establishing all terms. Property division, debt allocation, custody and visitation schedules for children if any, child support, and alimony are all addressed in the decree. Certified copies are available from the clerk for a fee. Plain copies cost less if certification is not needed.

Dissolution records in Lumpkin County are public records. Any person may request access. The clerk may restrict certain details regarding minor children or sealed financial matters, but most of the file is open to anyone who asks. Bring your ID when you visit in person.

Historical Records and Georgia Archives

For older dissolution records from Lumpkin County, the Georgia Archives holds a statewide index covering 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999. This index can confirm a dissolution occurred and point you to the right county. Full case files are not in the index, but it tells you where to look. Visit georgiaarchives.org to search the index.

The DPH vital records service covers 1952 through 1996 and provides a short verification, not a full court copy. For records outside those windows, go directly to the Lumpkin County Superior Court Clerk. For very old cases, call the clerk to find out how far back records are held and in what format they exist.

Legal Help for Lumpkin County Residents

Georgia Legal Services Program offers free or low-cost legal help to qualifying residents of Lumpkin County. Their site is glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has self-help guides that cover dissolution cases, forms, and procedures in plain language. Both are good starting points if you plan to handle your own case.

For private attorneys, the Georgia Bar's referral service at gabar.org and 1-800-334-6865 can connect you with a family law attorney in the North Georgia region who handles Lumpkin County cases. The Gainesville and Cumming areas are close and have attorneys who regularly appear in Enotah Circuit courts.

Cities in Lumpkin County

Dahlonega is the county seat and largest community in Lumpkin County, with a population of roughly 7,000. No city in Lumpkin County meets the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All dissolution of marriage cases from every community in Lumpkin County are handled by the Superior Court Clerk in Dahlonega.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near or border Lumpkin County. If a case may have been filed elsewhere, each of these counties has its own Superior Court Clerk.