Pierce County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Pierce County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Blackshear, Georgia. These records are public documents under Georgia's Open Records Act, meaning any person can request access to petitions, final decrees, and supporting case materials held in the clerk's files. The clerk's office at 5120 East Main Street handles every dissolution case filed in the county, from straightforward uncontested matters to complex proceedings involving property or custody. This guide covers how to reach the clerk, which statewide tools can help you search before you visit, what Georgia law requires for filing, and where to find legal assistance in Pierce County.

Superior Court Clerk - Where Records Are Filed

All dissolution of marriage cases in Pierce County go through the Superior Court Clerk in Blackshear. The physical address is 5120 East Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516. The main phone number is (912) 449-2020. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you need to send documents or a written request by mail, use the mailing address: PO Box 267, Blackshear, GA 31516.

When you contact the clerk's office, have the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. That basic information lets staff locate the record quickly in their index. Once they find it, they can tell you what documents are in the file and quote the current fee for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but are required for uses like applying for a marriage license, changing a name on a government ID, or providing proof of single status to another court. Plain copies work fine for personal research or background checks.

Pierce County does not maintain a dedicated public online case search portal. For most people, that means an in-person visit to the courthouse in Blackshear or a written mail request are the practical ways to get dissolution records. Before making the drive to Blackshear, it makes sense to check the statewide tools described below. They may let you confirm that a case exists in Pierce County and give you a case number to speed up the process at the clerk's window.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association website, where you can confirm contact details for the Pierce County clerk and access a statewide directory of all county clerk offices.

Source: gaclerks.org

The GSCCCA directory is the most reliable way to confirm the current phone number and address for the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk before you call or visit.

Online Access Through State Portals

Georgia provides several statewide tools that can help you search for court records and request documents without going directly to a county courthouse. None of these tools replace the Pierce County clerk's office, but they can save time and help you prepare.

The Georgia Courts website offers information about the state court system and links to court resources. The screenshot below shows the Georgia Courts portal, which provides statewide court system information and links relevant to dissolution cases in Pierce County and across Georgia.

Source: georgiacourts.gov

The Georgia Courts site connects you to resources for each level of the court system, including Superior Courts where all dissolution of marriage cases in Pierce County are filed.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) runs a records portal for document types filed statewide. The eCertification portal lets you request certified copies of some court documents online. It is worth checking whether Pierce County dissolution records are available through this system before you commit to a mail request or courthouse visit.

PeachCourt is Georgia's e-filing platform and may allow case lookup depending on the county. re:SearchGA is another case search tool that covers participating counties. The Georgia Archives holds a statewide dissolution index covering 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999, which can be useful for older records. The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a dissolution verification service for records reported between 1952 and 1996 at dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. That service confirms that a record exists in the state system for that period but does not provide the full court file.

Georgia Residency and Filing Requirements

To file a dissolution of marriage case in Pierce County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months or more before the petition is filed. If you recently moved to the state, you may need to wait before you qualify. Georgia law also sets the general rule that the case should be filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant has left Georgia, you can file in the county where you live, which may be Pierce County.

Georgia law provides 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. The most common ground used today is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," which is a no-fault standard that does not require proof of fault by either party. When both spouses agree on all key issues, an uncontested dissolution based on this ground is typically the fastest path. Other grounds listed in the statute include adultery, desertion, habitual intoxication, cruel treatment, and mental incapacity. You can read the full list at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

After the defendant receives the petition, a 30-day waiting period is required before the judge can enter a final decree. In uncontested matters where both parties have signed a settlement agreement, the decree can be issued shortly after those 30 days pass. Contested cases that involve disputes over property, debt, children, or support need hearings and take longer to work through.

What Dissolution Records Contain

The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk keeps a case file for each dissolution matter. What ends up in the file depends on whether the case was contested and how many issues the parties had to resolve. At a minimum, most files contain the original petition for dissolution, proof that the defendant was served, any answer or waiver filed by the defendant, and the final decree signed by the judge. Many files also include a marital settlement agreement, parenting plans if children are involved, and orders on support or property.

Simple uncontested cases tend to have thin files with just a few documents. More complicated cases can include financial affidavits, discovery materials, motions, hearing transcripts, and multiple court orders. When you call the clerk's office, staff can describe the contents of a file before you pay for copies. That way you know whether you need certified copies, plain copies, or both.

State Vital Records Verification (1952-1996)

The Georgia Department of Public Health offers a dissolution verification service for records reported to the state between 1952 and 1996. This confirms that a record exists in the state system but does not provide the court file itself. The DPH office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their website is dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. The request form is Form 3917, and the fee is $10. For records outside the 1952 to 1996 range, contact the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk directly at (912) 449-2020.

Legal Help and Resources in Pierce County

Pierce County residents who need help with a dissolution case can turn to several resources. Georgia Legal Services Program provides civil legal assistance to lower-income Georgians across the state at glsp.org. Georgia Legal Aid has self-help tools, guides, and form instructions for dissolution cases at georgialegalaid.org. Both sites can help you understand the filing process, your rights, and what to expect at each stage.

If you want a private attorney, the Georgia Bar referral service at gabar.org can connect you with a family law attorney. The toll-free number is 1-800-334-6865. Many family law attorneys in the area offer an initial consultation at low cost or no cost, which can help you decide whether you need full representation or can handle the case on your own with some guidance.

Pierce County is in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, which covers several southeast Georgia counties. Cases filed in Pierce County are heard by circuit judges assigned to that district. Knowing the circuit is useful when you look for attorneys, as those who practice in the Brunswick Circuit will know the local rules and procedures well.

Cities in Pierce County

The county seat of Pierce County is Blackshear, with a population of roughly 3,400. Other communities in the county include Patterson and Offerman. None of the cities in Pierce County reach the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All dissolution filings from any community in the county are processed through the Superior Court Clerk at 5120 East Main Street in Blackshear.

Nearby Counties

If a dissolution case may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, the counties below border or are close to Pierce County.