Pulaski County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Pulaski County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Hawkinsville, Georgia. All dissolution cases filed in the county are public records under Georgia's Open Records Act, giving any person the right to request access to petitions, final decrees, and related case materials. The clerk's office at 112 Pine Avenue South is the single point of contact for all dissolution filings in Pulaski County. This guide explains how to reach that office, what statewide search tools are available, what Georgia requires for filing, and where to find legal help in the Hawkinsville area.

Superior Court Clerk - Where Records Are Filed

The Superior Court Clerk in Hawkinsville handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Pulaski County. The courthouse is at 112 Pine Avenue South, Hawkinsville, GA 31036. The main phone number is (478) 783-1911. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mail requests should go to PO Box 28, Hawkinsville, GA 31036.

When you contact the clerk's office, have the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. That basic information makes it much easier for staff to locate the record. Once they find the file, they can tell you what it contains and quote the current copy fees. Certified copies carry the official court seal and are required when you need legal proof of a dissolution, such as when applying to remarry or changing a name on a government-issued ID. Plain copies are less expensive and fine for personal use or general research.

Pulaski County does not have a public online case search at this time. That means contacting the clerk by phone or mail, or visiting the courthouse in Hawkinsville, are the practical ways to access these records. The statewide tools described below can help you confirm that a case was filed in Pulaski County before you make the trip or spend the time writing a request letter.

The screenshot below shows the Find My Clerk directory from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association, which lets you look up the contact information for the Pulaski County clerk and every other county clerk in Georgia.

Source: gaclerks.org/Clerks/FindMyClerk.aspx

Use the Find My Clerk tool to verify the current phone, address, and hours for the Pulaski County Superior Court Clerk before you call or visit. Contact details can change, and this directory reflects the most current information.

Online Access Through State Portals

Georgia maintains several statewide platforms that can help you research dissolution records before you contact the Pulaski County clerk directly. None of these systems replace the clerk, but they can give you a head start.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) operates a records portal for statewide document searches. The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA records portal, which provides access to certain court documents across Georgia, including from counties like Pulaski.

Source: gsccca.org

The GSCCCA portal covers certain document types statewide. Check what is available for Pulaski County dissolution records before committing to an in-person visit or mail request to the Hawkinsville courthouse.

The GSCCCA also runs an eCertification portal where you can request certified copies of some court records online. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Association website and its Find My Clerk directory confirm current clerk contact details. PeachCourt is Georgia's e-filing platform. re:SearchGA supports case lookup for participating counties. The Georgia Archives holds a dissolution index for 1965 to 1971 and 1973 to 1999. The Georgia Department of Public Health provides dissolution verification for records from 1952 to 1996 at $10 per request.

Georgia Residency and Filing Requirements

To file for dissolution of marriage in Pulaski County, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months or more before submitting the petition. If you just moved to the state, you may need to wait until you meet the residency requirement. Georgia law generally requires filing in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant has left Georgia entirely, you may file in your own county of residence, which could be Pulaski County.

Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for dissolution of marriage. The most widely used is the no-fault ground that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No proof of fault is needed. When both parties agree the marriage is over and can settle all issues, this ground makes the process straightforward. Other grounds in Georgia law include adultery, desertion, habitual intoxication, mental incapacity, and cruel treatment. The full list is at Georgia Code Section 19-5-3.

After the defendant is served, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the judge can sign the final decree. For uncontested cases where both parties have agreed on everything in writing, the decree can follow soon after those 30 days end. Disputed matters involving property, debt, children, or support need hearings and tend to take considerably longer.

What Dissolution Records Contain

The case file the Pulaski County clerk holds for a dissolution matter typically includes the original petition, proof that the defendant was served, the defendant's response or waiver if filed, any marital settlement agreement the parties signed, and the final decree issued by the judge. Files involving children also contain a parenting plan and may include temporary custody orders. More contested cases can include financial disclosures, motions, subpoenas, and records of hearings.

Before you order copies, ask the clerk what is in the specific file you need. You may only need the final decree for most purposes. Certified copies are required for legal transactions, while plain copies are fine for background research. Knowing what you need before you visit saves time and money.

State Vital Records Verification (1952-1996)

Georgia's Department of Public Health runs a dissolution verification service for cases reported to the state between 1952 and 1996. This confirms that a dissolution was reported to the state during that period but is not a copy of the court file. The DPH office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, phone (404) 657-2700. Their website is dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords. Requests use Form 3917 at a cost of $10. For records outside that range, or for the actual court documents, contact the Pulaski County Superior Court Clerk at (478) 783-1911.

Legal Help and Resources in Pulaski County

Residents of Pulaski County who need legal help with a dissolution case can contact Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org. This organization offers civil legal assistance to Georgians who qualify based on income. Georgia Legal Aid provides free self-help guides and form instructions at georgialegalaid.org. Both resources walk you through what to file, what to expect, and what your rights are under Georgia law.

For a private attorney, the Georgia Bar referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in or near Pulaski County. Visit gabar.org or call 1-800-334-6865 toll-free. A first consultation often costs little or nothing and helps you understand whether full representation is needed or whether you can proceed on your own.

Pulaski County is in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Attorneys who practice regularly in this circuit know the local judges, court staff, and procedures. That familiarity can be a real advantage in cases involving contested property or parenting disputes.

Cities in Pulaski County

Hawkinsville is the county seat of Pulaski County, with a population of around 4,400. It is the largest community in the county. No city in Pulaski County reaches the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All dissolution of marriage filings from any part of the county go through the Superior Court Clerk at 112 Pine Avenue South in Hawkinsville.

Nearby Counties

If a case may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, the counties below are near Pulaski County.