Georgia Divorce Records: Getting a Copy of Your Divorce Decree
Georgia family law · Last reviewed October 9, 2026
In Georgia, the official record of a divorce is the final judgment and decree, kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The state doesn't issue certified copies of divorce records. As georgia.gov explains: "Although the department can confirm divorces, copies of the records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted."
Getting a certified copy
You can request a copy from the clerk's office in person or by mail, or order it online:
- From the county clerk. Have the case number if you can, or both spouses' names and the year. Fees vary by county but typically run $2.50 for the first page plus $0.50 or $1 for each additional page, with a certification charge. Cobb County lists a certified decree at $10, or $24 with the settlement agreement.
- Online through GSCCCA. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs an eCertification portal where certified copies of court records can be ordered online from participating counties.
- Court records search. Some counties' case records can be searched through Georgia Courts' eAccess system, which requires an account.
What's public
Georgia court records, including divorce files, are generally open to the public unless a court limits access. Uniform Superior Court Rule 21 sets the procedure for asking a court to seal records; amendments to that rule take effect November 5, 2026, changing when a hearing is required.
Some personal information is protected regardless: on the domestic relations financial affidavit, Social Security and financial account numbers are limited to their last four digits, birth dates to the year, and the court can seal the affidavit for good cause (Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.2).
Restoring a former name
You can ask for your former name back in the divorce itself: under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-16, the final decree can restore the name you request. Since May 1, 2024, a former spouse who didn't do that can later file a motion in the divorce case, at any time, to restore the surname on his or her birth certificate, without publishing notice (2024 Ga. Laws Act 397).
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in Georgia?
From the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted, in person, by mail, or online through the GSCCCA eCertification portal where your county participates.
Does Georgia issue divorce certificates?
No. The state can confirm that a divorce occurred, but certified copies of the decree come only from the county Clerk of Superior Court.
Are divorce records public in Georgia?
Generally yes, unless a court seals them. Financial affidavits limit personal identifiers and can be sealed for good cause.
How do I change my name back after a divorce in Georgia?
Ask for it in the divorce decree, or, since May 1, 2024, file a motion in the divorce case later to restore your birth-certificate surname, without publishing notice.