Richmond County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Richmond County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Augusta, Georgia, which serves as both the county seat and the consolidated city-county government for this jurisdiction. Whether you need to search for an existing dissolution of marriage case, request a certified copy of a final decree, or find out what documents are required to start the filing process, this page covers the key resources and procedures for accessing those records in Richmond County.
Richmond County Quick Facts
Superior Court Clerk of Richmond County
The Superior Court Clerk is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records in Richmond County. Filings, decrees, and case documents are kept in the clerk's office at 735 James Brown Blvd, Augusta, GA 30901. You can reach the office by phone at (706) 821-2460 during regular business hours. Because Augusta and Richmond County merged into a consolidated government, the clerk's office handles records for the entire county under one jurisdiction, which simplifies the search process compared to counties that have separate city and county governments.
When you visit in person, staff can help you locate a case by party name, case number, or filing date. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to pay any applicable copy fees at the time of your request. Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees carry a separate fee from plain copies, so clarify which type you need before submitting your request.
The clerk's office is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Richmond County only, which means cases filed here stay within the Richmond County court system from start to finish.
How to Search Dissolution of Marriage Records Online
Richmond County is connected to the GSCCCA Portal, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. Through this statewide system, you can search Superior Court filings by party name and retrieve basic case information without making a trip to the courthouse. The portal is one of the most direct ways to find dissolution of marriage cases that were filed in Richmond County.
The GSCCCA portal at gsccca.org hosts index data for civil filings across Georgia. You can search by plaintiff or defendant name, review case numbers, and see filing dates. Full document images may require an account or additional fees depending on the county. For Richmond County specifically, check what document types are available through the portal before assuming full text access.
The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA portal records search interface, which includes Richmond County civil filings such as dissolution of marriage cases.
If you cannot find the case through the GSCCCA portal, try the Find My Clerk directory to confirm the right office and ask directly about online search options for Richmond County.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Richmond County
To file a dissolution of marriage petition in Richmond County, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The case is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff resides if the defendant lives outside Georgia. For most Richmond County residents, filing happens at the Augusta courthouse on James Brown Blvd.
Georgia law allows both contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage cases. In an uncontested case, both parties agree on all terms including property division, child custody, and support. These cases tend to move faster once filed. Contested cases, where parties disagree on one or more issues, require additional hearings and take longer to resolve. The 30-day waiting period applies after the other party is served, regardless of whether the case is contested.
Forms for dissolution of marriage in Georgia can be submitted through PeachCourt, the state's eFiling platform. PeachCourt accepts electronic submissions for Superior Court filings, which can save time compared to filing paper documents in person. Not all case types qualify for eFiling, so confirm eligibility before submitting.
Note: The Augusta consolidated government does not change the filing requirements for dissolution of marriage, which are governed by state law and the Superior Court system.
Certified Copies and Verification
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Richmond County Superior Court Clerk. These copies carry an official seal and signature, making them valid for legal purposes such as name changes, remarriage, or updating financial accounts. Request certified copies in person at 735 James Brown Blvd or by mail with a written request and payment.
For older dissolution of marriage records, Georgia DPH maintains a divorce verification index covering the years 1952 to 1996. These verifications are not certified court copies, but they confirm that a dissolution occurred. You can request a verification using Form 3917 for a $10 fee through the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office. For cases outside that date range, go directly to the Superior Court Clerk.
The image below shows the Georgia DPH Vital Records page where divorce verification requests can be submitted for records from 1952 to 1996.
For records that need to be certified for court use or legal proceedings, only the Superior Court Clerk can issue a certified copy with the official court seal.
Note: The GSCCCA eCertification service at ecert.gsccca.org also allows online requests for certified documents in participating counties.
Legal Resources for Richmond County
Dissolution of marriage in Georgia is governed by Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The grounds for dissolution, residency requirements, and waiting periods are all set at the state level, meaning they apply uniformly in Richmond County just as they do elsewhere in Georgia. You can review the relevant statutes through Georgia Title 19 Chapter 5 or check the specific grounds under O.C.G.A. Section 19-5-3, which lists 13 recognized grounds for dissolution of marriage in Georgia.
The Georgia Courts website provides general procedural information and links to court resources across the state. The Superior Court Clerks of Georgia organization also maintains resources and contact details for every county clerk's office in the state.
If you need help navigating the process, Augusta has several legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents of Richmond County. These groups can assist with dissolution of marriage paperwork, explain court procedures, and in some cases provide direct legal representation. The Augusta Bar Association can also provide referrals to family law attorneys in the area.
Cities in Richmond County
Richmond County is anchored by Augusta, a consolidated city-county government and the largest city in the county. Martinez and Evans are communities in the greater Augusta area that qualify as cities for this site. All dissolution of marriage filings for residents of these communities are handled through the Richmond County Superior Court in Augusta.