Fulton County Divorce Records

Fulton County divorce records are official documents on marriage dissolution cases adjudicated by the Superior Court of Fulton County. These records document each stage of the divorce process and serve various purposes. For instance, they are used for legal name changes, remarriage, visa or immigration applications, child support filings, and genealogical research.

Divorce records are publicly accessible in Fulton County and other parts of Georgia. However, there are certain limitations to protect the privacy of record owners. For instance, sealed divorce records and sensitive information are not disclosable.

The steps to finding divorce records in Fulton County depend on the documents' contents and the requester's identity. Under Georgia laws, access to certified copies of divorce records is restricted to the parties in the case, their legal representatives, immediate family members, and authorized government agencies. Nonetheless, the public can access non-sensitive information.

Georgia Divorce Rate: According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia's divorce rate in 2023 was 2.2 per 1,000 persons, a 0.1 increase over the previous year's 2.1 per 1,000 persons. Notwithstanding, Georgia has one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States.

Are Divorce Records Public in Fulton County?

Yes, most divorce records in Fulton County are open to the public, but some details are kept private to protect those involved. Sealed records and sensitive information are not available to everyone. Georgia's Open Records Act grants public access to basic divorce information, such as:

• Party names
• Filing date
• Case number
• Case type
• Final judgment date
• Case docket information.

However, certified copies of the full divorce decree or settlement agreements (including those of Fulton County) are restricted to the parties to the divorce, their attorneys, or those with a court order. Individuals cannot access sensitive Personal Information such as:

• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Financial account information (bank accounts, credit cards, tax returns)
• Employment and income data
• Custody and juvenile records
• Medical and abuse records
• Sealed divorce cases.

How to Find Divorce Records in Fulton County

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office provides both online and offline options for individuals to obtain divorce records. Access is available through the Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search Portal or by requesting copies by mail or in person at the Superior Court's Clerk's Office..

Online access to Fulton County divorce records

For a first-time online Fulton County court divorce search:

• Log in to the Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search Portal
• Expand the Register/Sign In menu and click "Register"
• Fill out the online form and click "Next" to access the search portal
• Select a search criterion and provide the necessary information
• Submit the query
• Review the search results.

Mail-in Request

• Prepare a letter that includes:
• Full names of both parties at the time of divorce
• Case number (if known)
• Approximate year of divorce (if the case number is unknown)
• Type of divorce document. For instance, a divorce decree or a final judgment
• The requester's name, mailing address, and other contact details
• Statement of whether the request is for a plain copy or a certified copy
• Include a cashier's check or money order payable to the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court to cover applicable costs
• Mail the request to:

Walk-in Access

Visit the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office with valid government-issued photo identification and applicable payment at:

Requesters should note the following costs for copies of divorce records through the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court Office:

Certified Copies:

• First page - $2.50
• Each additional page - $0.50

Uncertified Copies:

• Per page (with no assistance) - $0.50
• Per page (with assistance) - $1.00

Electronic Copies:

• First page - $2.50
• Each additional page - $1.00.

Overview of the Fulton County Court System

The Fulton County court system comprises the:

• Superior Court
• State Court
• Juvenile Court
• Probate Court
• Magistrate Court
• Municipal Courts.

Under Georgia's unified trial system, Superior Courts are the apex county-level judicial institutions. They handle cases above the jurisdiction of other county-level courts.

In Fulton County, the Family Division of the Fulton County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction beyond divorce cases. Additionally, the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of Fulton County divorce records.

Individuals seeking access to Fulton County family court divorce filings or Fulton County Superior Court records should log in to the Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search Portal or contact the Clerk's Office of the Fulton County Superior Court at:

Online Access to Fulton County Divorce Records

In Fulton County, the Superior Court Clerk's Office provides online access to divorce records through its official search portal. The Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search Portal is a county-specific search tool for accessing the County's Superior Court records. Users can also filter search results by case type, date range, or filing date. The Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search Portal offers Fulton County a free online divorce lookup.

Information seekers can also find Fulton County divorce records online using third-party resources. These platforms gather documents and information from various sources and make them available to persons who want them. However, users should be cautious of errors and incomplete documents when using these platforms to access records.

What is Typically Included in a Fulton County Divorce Record

The information on a Fulton County divorce record depends on the document type. Per Georgia State laws, the public can access uncertified copies of Fulton County's divorce records containing basic information, such as:

• Party names
• Case number
• Case type
• Filing date
• Case docket information
• Final judgment date.

A certified copy of Fulton County divorce records contains all documents and information relating to the specific divorce, including but not limited to sensitive information such as:

• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Financial account information, including bank accounts, credit cards, and tax returns
• Employment and income data
• Custody and juvenile records
• Medical and abuse
• Judgment Details
• Final orders/provisions
• Judge's certification.

How to Get Certified Copies of Fulton County Divorce Records

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office provides online, mail, and in-person access to certified divorce records. Individuals can request certified copies of their Fulton County divorce records online through the Fulton County Magistrate/State & Superior Judicial Records Search (eServices Portal), or by mail or in-person requests to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office.

Online request for certified copies of Fulton County divorce records

To get an official divorce record copy through the Fulton County Superior Records Search Portal:

• Create an account and log in to the records search portal
• Enter the names of the individuals involved in the divorce into the name field or use the case number option if the case number is known, and streamline the search results using any of the other available criteria
• Locate the specific case and find the Final Decree of Divorce or a similarly named document
• Order certified copies of the document using the "Request eCertified Copy" or "Acquire Copy" link on the platform
• Specify the reason for the request and follow the prompts to make a payment

Mail-in Request

For mail-in access to Fulton County divorce records:

• Write a signed request letter to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office. The request should include the following;
• Full names of both parties as they appear in the case
• Case number (if known)
• The year of filing for the divorce
• Type of document requested (for instance, Final Judgment or Decree of Divorce)
• Number of certified copies requested
• Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, payment (money order/cashier's check), and a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Mail the request to:

In-Person Request

Individuals who seek to get an official divorce record copy in Fulton County should visit the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office with a valid government-issued photo ID and payment and request access to certified copies of divorce records.

Certified copies of divorce records are legally accepted for:

• Remarriage
• Name change
• Immigration matters
• Legal proceedings relating to child custody disputes, alimony enforcement, or appeals.

In contrast to certified divorce records, information or verification copies of Fulton County divorce records are official; they are reference documents for research and general information.

Requesters should note that only the divorced spouses, their legal representatives, and the courts can access certified copies of Fulton County divorce records.

Why People Request Fulton County Divorce Records

There are several reasons to request divorce records in Fulton County, and these may vary. People may request Fulton County divorce records for:

• Name change or updating identity
• Remarriage
• Legal or financial matters
• Genealogy or family research
• Immigration purpose.

Employers and background check companies may request Fulton County divorce histories to confirm the identities of employees and individuals.

Fulton County Divorce Records Summary

The table outlines the available options for accessing Fulton County divorce records.