Divorce records in Chatham County, Georgia can be accessed through several channels. ChathamCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the decree, the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court, or the Georgia Department of Public Health's vital records office. Whether you need a certified copy for legal proceedings or simply want to verify a divorce, these resources cover the main access points.
Chatham Divorce Records Search
In Georgia, divorce cases are heard in the Superior Court. The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all divorce-related court filings, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and associated motions. Documents recorded and filed in the Clerk's office are scanned and can be accessed electronically through the court's re:Search portal, available via the Chatham County Court System website.
The Georgia Department of Public Health also keeps divorce certificates — shorter verification documents that confirm a divorce took place — for divorces granted statewide since June 9, 1952. The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary office for obtaining complete court files.
Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chatham
Understanding which office holds what you need saves time. Here is how divorce records are filed and distributed in Chatham County:
- Chatham County Superior Court — All divorce petitions, responses, motions, settlement agreements, custody orders, and final divorce decrees are filed here. This is the court of original jurisdiction for divorce in Georgia.
- Clerk of Superior Court — After the judge signs the final decree, it is filed and recorded by the Clerk's office. The Clerk is the custodian of the complete divorce case file. All documents are scanned and many are available through the court's electronic records system.
- Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records — The state vital records office maintains divorce certificates (not full decrees) for divorces finalized in Georgia since June 9, 1952. These are verification-type records rather than complete court files.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or court file | Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court |
| Settlement agreement or custody order | Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court |
| Divorce verification certificate | Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records |
| Online case search | Chatham County Court System — re:Search |
Georgia Department of Public Health — Vital Records
You can also search for Georgia court cases statewide through the Georgia Courts E-Access portal.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chatham
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Georgia Vital Records) | $25.00 | 5–10 business days by mail |
| Additional copies of divorce certificate (same order) | $5.00 each | Same as above |
| Court record copies (Clerk of Superior Court, non-certified) | $0.25–$0.50 per page | While you wait (in person) |
| Certified copies (Clerk of Superior Court) | $2.50 for first page, $0.50 each additional page | While you wait (in person); 5–10 business days by mail |
| Online case search (re:Search portal) | Free to search; fees may apply for document downloads | Immediate |