Murray County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Murray County are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Chatsworth and are open to the public under Georgia law. This page covers how to search for a case, how to get a certified copy of a decree, what the case file typically includes, and where to find legal help if you need it. Murray County is a small rural county in northwest Georgia, and the clerk's office handles requests directly by phone, mail, or in-person visit.

Murray County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk in Chatsworth is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage records filed in Murray County. The office is located at the Murray County Courthouse on North 4th Avenue. All requests for copies, searches, and case lookups go through this office. There is no public online case search system for Murray County, so you will need to contact the clerk directly. Have the names of both parties and the approximate year of filing ready when you call or write.

The clerk does not have a dedicated website. For the most current contact details, use the statewide clerk directory at gaclerks.org. The directory is run by the Superior Court Clerks' Association of Georgia and lists contact info for all 159 counties. If hours or contact details have changed since this page was last updated, the directory will reflect the most recent information.

For in-person visits, bring a photo ID. Mail requests should include both parties' full names, the approximate year of filing, your mailing address, and payment for copies. Call the office at (706) 695-2412 before mailing to confirm the current per-page rate for certified copies.

How to Search Murray County Dissolution Records

Murray County does not provide an online portal for searching dissolution of marriage records. All searches are handled through the clerk's office in Chatsworth. That said, several statewide tools can help you start your search before contacting the clerk or can supplement what the local office provides.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) maintains a statewide index of civil filings and recorded instruments. Some Murray County dissolution records may appear in that index. GSCCCA can be reached at (404) 327-9058. Their eCertification portal allows you to order certified copies online for documents that have been indexed and are available through the system. Not all cases are indexed, especially older ones, so you may still need to contact the local clerk for full access.

The screenshot below shows the statewide clerk directory at gaclerks.org. It is maintained by the Superior Court Clerks' Association of Georgia and is the best place to confirm current contact details for the Murray County clerk's office before making a trip or sending mail.

The directory lists every Georgia county and links to contact information. Use it to verify hours and addresses for any county clerk, including Murray County.

PeachCourt is a statewide electronic filing system used by some Georgia courts. It may have records for cases filed electronically in Murray County. Check the site to see what is available for this jurisdiction. re:SearchGA is another platform that aggregates court records from participating Georgia courts. Both are worth checking when doing a thorough search.

Georgia Courts and the Murray County Circuit

Murray County is part of Georgia's Superior Court system, which handles all dissolution of marriage cases in the state. Superior Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over family law matters, including dissolution, legal separation, child custody, and alimony. The Georgia Courts website at georgiacourts.gov provides an overview of the court system, links to court resources, and general filing information.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia Courts website. This is a useful reference if you need to understand how the Superior Court system works or find statewide resources related to your case.

The site includes information about filing procedures, how courts handle contested matters, and what to expect during a dissolution proceeding in Georgia. It is a good starting point if you are new to the process and want a broad overview before diving into county-specific details.

Murray County is a relatively small jurisdiction. The Superior Court for the county hears dissolution cases on a set docket schedule. Contested cases may require multiple hearings. The clerk's office can tell you how the local docket works and what the current wait times look like for scheduling a final hearing.

Dissolution of Marriage Law in Georgia

Georgia law sets the rules for all dissolution of marriage cases, including those filed in Murray County. The key statutes are found in Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Understanding the basic requirements will help you know what to expect before you file or request records.

Residency is required before the Murray County Superior Court can hear your case. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six continuous months before the petition is filed. If you have just moved to the state or your spouse has just moved out, check whether you meet this requirement before filing. The clerk's office cannot waive it.

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. No proof of fault is needed. Both parties can agree to this ground, which makes it the most practical choice for most cases. The remaining 12 grounds are fault-based and are rarely used in practice today.

Once the petition is filed and the other party has been served, a mandatory 30-day waiting period must pass before the court can hold the final hearing and issue a decree. This applies to every case in Georgia, even those where both parties fully agree on all terms. After the 30 days, the court schedules the hearing. Uncontested cases often move faster from that point. Contested cases can take much longer.

The FindLaw version of O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 provides a readable version of the grounds statute if you want to review the full text. For the full Title 19 framework, the Georgia General Assembly's official code site is the authoritative source.

What Dissolution Records in Murray County Contain

Dissolution of marriage case files in Murray County are held by the Superior Court Clerk. The contents of any given file depend on how the case proceeded. A simple uncontested case with no property disputes or children will have fewer documents than a contested case involving significant assets, custody, or support issues.

Most case files in Murray County include these documents:

• The original petition for dissolution of marriage
• Proof of service showing the other party was properly notified
• Any response or counterclaim filed by the respondent
• Temporary orders entered while the case was pending
• A settlement agreement or separation agreement if applicable
• The final decree of dissolution of marriage
• Any post-decree modification orders entered after the final decree

The final decree is the document most people need when they request records. It is required for name changes with government agencies, updating financial accounts, estate planning adjustments, and a range of other legal and administrative purposes. Certified copies issued by the Murray County clerk carry an official seal and are accepted by courts, agencies, and institutions as valid proof. Call the clerk at (706) 695-2412 to ask about current copy fees before making a request.

These records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Any person may request them. Records sealed by court order are the exception and are not available without a court order lifting the seal. If a case file has been sealed, the clerk can tell you that the seal exists, but cannot provide the sealed documents.

State Divorce Verification Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Vital Records office in Atlanta holds divorce verification records for a specific time window. It is worth knowing what they offer versus what the Murray County Superior Court Clerk holds, since the two offices serve different purposes.

DPH Vital Records can confirm whether a divorce occurred in Georgia for cases filed between 1952 and 1996. They issue a verification letter only. They do not hold actual court documents, and they cannot provide certified copies of final decrees. For any Murray County case, or for the full case file, you must go to the Superior Court Clerk in Chatsworth. For cases filed before 1952 or after 1996, DPH cannot help and the clerk is your only option.

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. Visit dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords for forms and additional details. The Georgia Archives in Morrow also holds a statewide divorce index on microfiche for 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999, which can be useful for confirming whether a case was filed during those years.

Legal Help for Murray County Residents

Murray County residents facing dissolution of marriage have access to statewide legal resources. The county is small and does not have a large local bar, but several organizations serve northwest Georgia and can connect you with help.

Legal Services Georgia offers free civil legal assistance to people who qualify based on income. Family law, including dissolution of marriage, custody, and support, is one of their main areas. Murray County falls within their service area. Contact them to check eligibility and start the intake process.

Georgia Legal Aid at georgialegalaid.org has free self-help guides for dissolution cases. The guides are written in plain language and walk through each step of the process in Georgia. They are useful for cases where both parties agree on all terms and an attorney may not be strictly necessary.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-334-6865. The service can connect you with an attorney who handles family law in Murray County or the surrounding northwest Georgia region. An attorney familiar with the local court will know the clerk's procedures and the typical docket schedule for the county.

Cities in Murray County

Chatsworth is the county seat of Murray County, with a population of around 4,500. No cities in Murray County meet the population threshold for a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. Residents of Chatsworth and all other communities in Murray County file at the Superior Court Clerk at 121 North 4th Avenue in Chatsworth.

Nearby Counties

Murray County shares borders with several northwest Georgia counties. Each county maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its Superior Court Clerk.