Fulton County Public Records /Fulton County Divorce Records

Fulton County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Fulton County in 2026

FultonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Fulton County. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the case, filing date, and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Fulton County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Superior Court's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online case management tools maintained by the Georgia court system.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk maintains an online case search portal through which members of the public may search divorce and family law cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.

Search the Fulton County Superior Court case search portal
Most common and accessible method for initial searches
Free basic case information including filing date, case number, and docket entries
Document copies require payment of applicable fees

2. Georgia Court System Portal

The Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide portal that allows searches across multiple jurisdictions.

Access the Georgia Courts statewide portal
Search across multiple Georgia counties
Useful when the county of filing is uncertain

3. Georgia Vital Records

Georgia does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a divorce record verification service that provides limited verification of divorce events recorded since 1952, though complete case documents are obtained through the Superior Court Clerk.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Superior Court — Family Division:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and other documents
Staff assistance for locating archived or older records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303

Written requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, though archived or older records may require additional time.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Court: (404) 613-5313
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, confirm case status, and provide the filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of documents, or confidential information by telephone

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Georgia may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate court motions, and assist with complex searches involving multiple counties or older archived records. The State Bar of Georgia provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or date of filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Fulton County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Georgia law, a divorce action is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant spouse resides, or, if the defendant is not a Georgia resident, in the county where the petitioner resides. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce cannot be located by searching the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Georgia for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce. The action is filed in the Superior Court of the county of the defendant's residence.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Contacting the Clerk's office directly may confirm whether a recent case has been indexed

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Not all older records have been digitized; in-person or mail requests are recommended

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county — the divorce may have been filed in a different county
Name variations, including use of maiden name versus married name
Spelling differences in party names
The case may still be pending and not yet finalized
Very old records may be in off-site storage
The case may be sealed or subject to confidentiality restrictions

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (404) 613-5313
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Georgia Department of Public Health divorce verification service
Retain a licensed Georgia attorney for complex searches

What Are Fulton County Divorce Records?

Fulton County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Fulton County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the public court file maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and document the legal dissolution of a marriage under Georgia law.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a divorce proceeding in Fulton County may include:

Petition for divorce (complaint for dissolution of marriage)
Respondent's answer or counterclaim
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child support worksheets
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders issued during the proceeding
Transcripts of court hearings, if ordered
Final judgment and decree of divorce

Final Decree

The final judgment and decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was dissolved
Division of marital property and allocation of debts
Alimony or spousal support provisions, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Superior Court upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents

Additional documents that may be part of the case file include:

Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements and supporting documentation
Property appraisals and business valuations
Parenting plan modifications entered after the final judgment
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) dividing retirement accounts

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Documentation for legal name change
Property transfer and title recording
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
Social Security benefit claims

Personal Purposes

Genealogical and family history research
Personal recordkeeping
Verification of divorce terms for compliance purposes

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Clerk of the Fulton County Superior Court is the primary custodian of all divorce records filed in Fulton County. The Clerk maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by the names of the parties. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a separate, limited divorce verification service for events recorded statewide since 1952.

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in Georgia are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the authority of the Superior Court to dissolve marriages and adjudicate related matters. Public access to court records is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., which establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings.

Are Fulton County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in the Fulton County Superior Court are public court records subject to the Georgia Open Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted, redacted, or sealed pursuant to court rules and state law.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and scheduled events
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information

Social Security numbers are redacted from public filings pursuant to court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may have limited public access
Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be sealed or subject to restricted access

Children's Information

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted or restricted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological information about children is restricted
Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order

Sensitive Personal Information

Domestic violence allegations and related evidence may be sealed to protect victim safety
Mental health and substance abuse records are restricted
Personal addresses of parties in domestic violence cases may be withheld

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public court record.

Privacy Protections:

Georgia law provides specific protections for sensitive information in family law proceedings. Federal law, including HIPAA, protects medical information submitted as part of a court record. Domestic violence victim protections under both state and federal law may restrict access to identifying information.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor	Level of Access
General public	Public portions of case file; docket entries; final decree
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file, including confidential documents
Attorneys of record	Access to case files; may petition for sealed records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted records

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Fulton County Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties and their children.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Fulton County?

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, which governs fees charged by Superior Court Clerks throughout Georgia.

Standard Copy Fees:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$2.50 per document plus $0.25 per page
Exemplified/authenticated copy	Additional certification fee applies
Online document access (if applicable)	Varies by document

Additional Fees:

Search fees may apply when staff must conduct an extended search for older or archived records
Fees for retrieval of off-site archived records may apply
Postage and handling fees apply to mail requests

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person payments)
Money order (mail requests)
Credit and debit cards (accepted at the Clerk's office)
Checks payable to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Fee Waivers:

Parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waive certain fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must file the appropriate motion with the court and demonstrate financial hardship.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries through the online case search portal
Confirming the existence of a case and its general status by telephone or online
Reviewing documents at public access terminals in the Clerk's office (viewing only; copies require payment)

What's Included in Divorce Records in Fulton County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court throughout the proceeding. The scope of the file depends on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested, and whether children or significant assets were involved.

Basic Case Information

Case Caption:

Case number assigned by the Clerk
Court name and division (Superior Court of Fulton County, Family Division)
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid
Case type designation (divorce/dissolution of marriage)
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings

Petition for Divorce:

Identifying information for both parties
Date and location of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce (in Georgia, the most common ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, as provided under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3)
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding property, debts, and support
Relief requested by the petitioner

Response/Answer:

Respondent's admissions or denials
Counterclaim for divorce, if filed
Respondent's requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property), and liabilities (mortgages, loans, and credit card debt)

Property-Related Documents

Marital asset inventory listing all property subject to equitable division
Debt inventory identifying all marital liabilities
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports regarding the value of assets

Children-Related Documents

When minor children are involved, the case file includes:

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules (including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions), transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting each party's income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Child support order specifying the amount, payment schedule, and method
Custody evaluations, if ordered by the court (these may be sealed)
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed for the children

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement:

Comprehensive written agreement resolving all issues between the parties, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax treatment of assets and support, and attorney fee allocation
Signed and notarized by both parties
Incorporated into the final judgment by the court

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary Orders:

Temporary custody and timesharing arrangements
Temporary support obligations
Temporary use and possession of marital property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued

Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce:

The court's definitive order dissolving the marriage
Date of dissolution
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Complete property division, including awards of specific assets and allocation of debts
Spousal support orders, if any
Child custody, timesharing, and child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs):

Separate orders directing retirement plan administrators to divide retirement benefits between the parties, entered when retirement accounts are part of the property division

Post-Judgment Documents

After the final judgment is entered, the case file may be supplemented with:

Petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and orders for non-compliance with the decree
Income deduction orders for support enforcement
Liens filed against property for unpaid support obligations

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Addresses and schools of minor children
Domestic violence details and related evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Trade secrets contained in business valuations
Mediation communications (confidential by law and not part of the court record)
Settlement negotiations conducted outside of court

How Information Is Organized

Documents in a Fulton County divorce case file are maintained in chronological order of filing. The docket reflects the filing sequence and assigns a document number or filing date to each entry. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the court's case management system; older cases may exist in paper form or as scanned images. Each case file includes an index of documents for reference.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Fulton County?

Proof of divorce in Fulton County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment and decree of divorce issued by the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the official seal of the court and the signature of the Clerk, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and personal purposes such as remarriage, name change, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit claims.

Step 1 — Identify the Case

Locate the case number and filing date using the Fulton County Superior Court case search portal or by contacting the Clerk's office at (404) 613-5313.

Step 2 — Submit a Request

Certified copies may be requested:

In person at the Clerk's office, 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
By mail to the same address, with a written request including the case number, names of both parties, approximate date of divorce, requestor's contact information, and payment for applicable fees
Online, if the court's electronic filing system permits remote certified copy requests

Step 3 — Pay Applicable Fees

Current fees for certified copies are established under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77. Payment may be made by cash, money order, or credit/debit card.

Step 4 — Receive the Certified Copy

In-person requests are typically fulfilled on the same business day. Mail requests are processed within one to two weeks. Older archived records may require additional retrieval time.

Georgia Vital Records Verification:

For limited verification purposes, the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a divorce record verification service for events recorded since 1952. This service does not provide a certified copy of the court decree but may be used to confirm that a divorce was recorded in Georgia.

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Fulton County?

A divorce proceeding in Fulton County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances. While the Georgia Open Records Act establishes a presumption of public access to court records, the Superior Court retains authority to seal records or restrict access when the privacy interests of the parties or their children outweigh the public interest in transparency.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases: Identifying information, including addresses and contact details of victims, may be withheld or sealed to protect victim safety pursuant to Georgia's Address Confidentiality Program
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information relating to minor children may be redacted or sealed
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state and federal law and are not disclosed as part of the public court file
Sealed by court order: Either party may petition the court to seal all or part of the case file upon a showing of good cause; the court applies a balancing test and issues a written order
Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public
Confidential settlement terms: Certain settlement provisions may be designated confidential by agreement of the parties and approved by the court

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Fulton County Superior Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access. The Georgia Open Records Act governs the framework for balancing public access against privacy protections in court records.

How Long Does Fulton County Keep Divorce Records?

The Fulton County Superior Court retains divorce records in accordance with the Georgia Superior Court records retention schedule established by the Georgia Secretary of State's office and applicable state law. Retention periods vary depending on the type of record and the nature of the case.

Retention periods for divorce records in Fulton County include:

Final judgments and decrees of divorce: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents are never destroyed
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 15 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final judgment
Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case
Financial affidavits and supporting financial documents: Retained for the duration of the case file retention period; some financial documents may be purged earlier pursuant to court rules
Temporary orders: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records
Archived records: Cases that have exceeded the active retention period may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilm; retrieval requires advance notice and may take additional time

Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived should contact the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's office directly at (404) 613-5313 to confirm availability and arrange retrieval. The Georgia Secretary of State's records management program provides guidance on statewide retention schedules applicable to Superior Court records.