Franklin County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Franklin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in Franklin County, Georgia, may access publicly available information through FranklinGERecords.org and official government channels. Divorce records in Franklin County are maintained as part of the Superior Court's family law case files and may include final decrees, case dockets, settlement agreements, and related court documents. Access to specific records may vary depending on the nature of the case and any applicable court orders.
Records that may be available through official sources include:
- Final judgments of dissolution of marriage
- Case docket entries and filing dates
- Petitions and responses filed with the court
- Property division orders
- Child custody and support orders
- Post-judgment modification orders
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court maintains case records that members of the public may search online. The Franklin County Court Dockets portal provides access to case information filed with the court. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.
2. State Court System Portal
The Georgia Courts e-Access portal allows members of the public to search court records across Georgia jurisdictions. An account is required to conduct searches through this statewide system. This portal consolidates case information from multiple courts and provides a centralized search tool for locating divorce proceedings filed anywhere in the state.
3. State 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 Index for divorces granted from 1952 through 1996, which may be used to verify that a divorce occurred. For certified copies of divorce decrees, members of the public must contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Georgia Department of Public Health – Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30319
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Georgia Vital Records
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court – Franklin County Superior Court:
Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court
141 Athens Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2514
Franklin County, GA Official Website
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
Historical and archived divorce case files are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Clerk's office directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court, 141 Athens Street, Carnesville, GA 30521
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date the divorce was finalized
- Case number, if known
- Requester's full name and contact information
- Specific documents requested
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within 1–2 weeks, subject to staff availability and record retrieval requirements
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Court: (706) 384-2514
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- The date the petition was filed
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents over the phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Information from sealed or confidential records
Through Attorneys
Members of the public involved in complex divorce matters, or those seeking access to sealed or restricted records, may retain legal counsel. An attorney licensed in Georgia may access case files, request documents on behalf of a client, and file motions seeking access to records that are otherwise restricted. The State Bar of Georgia maintains 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 filing year
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Last known addresses of both parties
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
- Names of minor children, if applicable
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Georgia are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Georgia for six months prior to filing for divorce. The petition is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the respondent resides, or, if the respondent is not a Georgia resident, in the county where the petitioner resides.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately
- Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for records to be processed and indexed
- Contacting the Clerk's office directly is the most reliable method for confirming availability of recent records
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing systems may be archived in paper format
- Digitization of older records varies; not all historical files are available online
- Additional retrieval time should be anticipated for archived cases
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case has not yet been finalized and remains pending
- Very old records may be stored off-site or in a separate archive
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (706) 384-2514 to request a manual search
- Attempt alternate name spellings or maiden names
- Search both spouses' names independently
- Check the Georgia Department of Public Health Divorce Index for cases between 1952 and 1996
- Consult the Georgia Courts e-Access portal for statewide case searches
What Are Franklin County Divorce Records?
Franklin County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Franklin County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the court's permanent family law case files and are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court pursuant to Georgia law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file for a divorce proceeding contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court throughout the litigation. These include:
- Petition for divorce (dissolution of marriage)
- Respondent's answer or counterpetition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and child custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders issued during the case
- Transcripts of court hearings, if prepared
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree
The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof that a divorce was granted and establishes the terms under which the marriage was dissolved. The final decree addresses:
- The date the marriage is legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and allocation of debts
- Alimony or spousal support, if awarded
- Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Superior Court upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents filed as part of a divorce case may include financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders. These documents form the evidentiary basis for the court's final orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes following dissolution
- Supporting immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
- Facilitating property transfers ordered by the court
- Providing documentation for Social Security benefit claims
- Supporting estate planning and beneficiary designations
Personal Purposes
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal verification of divorce terms
- Confirming compliance with court-ordered obligations
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Superior Court for Franklin County is the primary custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The Clerk indexes records by the names of the parties and maintains both electronic and paper files depending on the date of filing. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a limited Divorce Index for historical verification purposes, though complete case files are held exclusively by the Clerk of Superior Court.
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 court's authority to issue orders regarding property, support, and custody. 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 Franklin County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Franklin County Superior Court are public court records subject to the Georgia Open Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction or redaction under state and federal law.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled court hearing dates
- 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 all publicly accessible documents pursuant to court rules
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access upon court order
Children's Information
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are restricted from general public access
- Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed
Sensitive Personal Information
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed to protect victim safety
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records incorporated into case files 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. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required for in-person access.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case files, including documents that may be restricted from general public access.
- Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may file motions seeking access to sealed materials upon a showing of legitimate need.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order and a showing consistent with First Amendment or academic research interests.
Restrictions on Use:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order issued by the court. Use of records for fraudulent purposes is prohibited under Georgia law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Franklin County?
The Clerk of Superior Court for Franklin County charges fees for copies of divorce records in accordance with Georgia law. Current fees are established pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, which governs fees charged by clerks of superior court throughout the state.
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of final decree | $2.50 per page + $2.50 certification fee |
| Uncertified copy of document | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Search fee (if applicable) | Varies; contact Clerk's office |
| Electronic copy (if available) | Varies by document type |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours at the Clerk's office.
- Certified copies: A certification fee applies in addition to the per-page copy fee. Certified copies bear the official seal of the court and are required for legal purposes such as remarriage or name change proceedings.
- Payment methods: The Clerk of Superior Court accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public should contact the Clerk's office to confirm currently accepted payment methods prior to submitting a request.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should file an affidavit of indigency with the Clerk's office.
- Free access: Basic case information, including case numbers, filing dates, party names, and docket entries, is available at no charge through the online case search portal and at public access terminals in the Clerk's office.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Franklin County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court from the date of initial filing through the resolution of all post-judgment matters. The scope of documents within any individual case file varies depending on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested, whether children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.
Basic Case Information
Case Caption:
- Assigned case number
- Name of the court and division
- Full legal names of the petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and bar numbers of attorneys of record
Filing Information:
- Date the petition was filed
- Filing fees paid and receipt information
- Case type designation (divorce/dissolution)
- Basis for the court's jurisdiction
Initial Pleadings
Petition for Divorce:
- Identifying information for both parties
- Date and location of the marriage
- Date of separation, if applicable
- Grounds for divorce as stated by the petitioner
- Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
- Claims regarding marital property and debt
- Requests for spousal support, child custody, and child support
- Specific relief requested from the court
Response and Counterpetition:
- Respondent's admissions or denials of the petition's allegations
- Any counterpetition filed by the respondent
- Respondent's independent requests for relief
Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents
Discovery materials filed with the court may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents and the documents produced in response, deposition transcripts, and subpoenas. Financial disclosure documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account statements may be attached as exhibits to financial affidavits or produced during discovery.
Property-Related Documents
Marital Asset Inventory:
- Descriptions and estimated values of all real property
- Vehicle identification and values
- Bank and investment account balances
- Retirement account valuations
- Business interests and valuations
- Personal property inventories
- Jewelry, art, and collectibles
Debt Inventory:
- Mortgage balances and lender information
- Vehicle loan balances
- Credit card debt
- Personal and business loans
- Tax obligations
Appraisals and Valuations:
- Real property appraisal reports
- Business valuation reports prepared by experts
- Personal property appraisals
- Expert witness reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents
Parenting Plan: Where minor children are involved, the case file contains a parenting plan addressing legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody and primary residence, a detailed timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and summer schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions governing communication between the parents and with the children. The parenting plan also addresses decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities, as well as any restrictions on relocation.
Child Support: The case file contains child support calculation worksheets prepared in accordance with Georgia's child support guidelines, income information for both parties, the number of overnights each parent exercises, health insurance and childcare costs, the support amount ordered, and the payment schedule and method.
Custody Evaluations: Where the court orders a custody evaluation, the evaluator's report, recommendations, home study findings, and parenting assessments are filed with the court. Reports containing interviews with minor children may be sealed.
Guardian ad Litem Reports: Where a guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the interests of minor children, the guardian's report and recommendations are filed with the court and are subject to restricted access.
Support Documents
Alimony and Spousal Support: The case file reflects any alimony award, including the type of alimony ordered, the amount and duration, the payment schedule, provisions for modification or termination, and the conditions under which the obligation ends.
Settlement Documents
Marital Settlement Agreement: In uncontested or negotiated divorces, the parties execute a marital settlement agreement that comprehensively resolves all issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters. The agreement is incorporated into the final judgment and becomes an enforceable court order.
Mediation Agreement: Where the parties participated in mediation, any agreement reached in mediation may be reduced to writing and incorporated into the marital settlement agreement. Mediation communications themselves are confidential and are not part of the public record.
Court Orders and Judgments
Temporary Orders: Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, temporary use of the marital residence, and any restraining orders or injunctions.
Final Judgment of Dissolution: The final judgment is the court's definitive order dissolving the marriage. It contains the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all orders regarding property division, spousal support, child custody and timesharing, child support, and name restoration. The judgment bears the judge's signature and the court's official seal.
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders: Where retirement accounts are divided as part of the property settlement, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is prepared as a separate court order directing the retirement plan administrator to divide the benefit.
Post-Judgment Documents
Post-judgment filings include petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support; court orders on modification requests; contempt motions alleging non-compliance with court orders; income deduction orders for support enforcement; and any liens filed to enforce property division orders.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Addresses and schools of minor children
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health evaluations and treatment records
- Substance abuse records
- Child custody evaluation reports containing minor children's statements
- Guardian ad litem reports
- Trade secrets incorporated into business valuations
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not reduced to a filed agreement
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Franklin County
Proof of divorce in Franklin County is obtained through the Clerk of Superior Court, which is the official custodian of all divorce case files. A certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the standard document accepted as legal proof of divorce for purposes of remarriage, name change, immigration proceedings, and other legal matters.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy of the Final Decree:
- Identify the case number by searching the Franklin County Court Dockets portal or by contacting the Clerk's office at (706) 384-2514.
- Determine the number of certified copies needed and calculate the applicable fee.
- Submit a request in person, by mail, or as directed by the Clerk's office:
Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court
141 Athens Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2514
Franklin County, GA Official Website
- Provide the full legal names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known.
- Submit payment for the certified copy fee as established under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77.
- Receive the certified copy bearing the court's official seal, which constitutes legally recognized proof of divorce.
For divorces that occurred between 1952 and 1996, the Georgia Department of Public Health Divorce Index may be used to verify that a divorce was granted, though the Index does not provide a certified copy of the decree. Members of the public requiring a certified copy of a decree from that period must still contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Franklin County?
Divorce proceedings in Franklin County are presumptively public under the Georgia Open Records Act; however, a court may order that all or part of a case file be sealed upon a showing of good cause. Confidentiality in divorce cases is the exception rather than the rule, and a court order is required to restrict public access to records that would otherwise be available.
Circumstances under which a divorce record or portions thereof may be treated as confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Where disclosure of a party's address or other identifying information could endanger a victim of domestic violence, the court may order that information sealed or withheld from public access.
- Cases involving minor children: Certain documents relating to minor children, including custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and records containing children's addresses and school information, may be restricted from public access.
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and records containing Social Security numbers or financial account numbers are subject to redaction or restricted access.
- Court-ordered sealing: Any party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not part of the public record.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Divorce Records?
Franklin 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. Divorce records are among the categories of court records subject to permanent or long-term retention requirements given their ongoing legal significance.
Retention periods for divorce-related records include:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final judgments of dissolution of marriage are considered permanent court records and are not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files: Superior Court civil case files, including divorce proceedings, are retained for a minimum of seven years following the close of the case under standard retention schedules, though many counties retain these records for significantly longer periods or permanently.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period applicable to the underlying case.
- Archived paper records: Older paper case files may be transferred to off-site storage or a county archive. Members of the public seeking archived records should contact the Clerk's office to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived should contact the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court directly to confirm the current location and availability of the records.