Are Fulton County Divorce Records Public in Georgia?

Yes, divorce records in Fulton County, Georgia, are generally public records. They are governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), which provides access to most court records, including five email records. However, certain portions of these records may be restricted or sealed to protect privacy or sensitive information.

Divorce records in Fulton County contain the following:

• Divorce Decrees: These are official judgments issued by the court finalizing a divorce. They include the terms of the divorce, such as property division, Child custody, and spousal support arrangements.
• Divorce case files: These comprehensive files contain all legal documents filed during the divorce process, including petitions, motions, and affidavits.
• Divorce certificates: issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health, these certificates are brief documents summarising the divorce, including the names of the parties, date, and place of the divorce.

Who Can Access Fulton County Public Records?

Access to divorce records in Fulton County varies, depending on the type of record and its content.

• Public portions of divorce records are available for anyone to review, particularly non-sensitive case information such as filing dates and general judgements.
• The divorcing parties have unrestricted access to all records, including sealed or confidential portions.
• Attorneys involved in a case can access all relevant records to represent their clients.
• Family members may access certain documents if they provide proof of their relationship to the parties involved.
• Government agencies like law enforcement, child protective services and the internal Revenue service (IRS) can access records for official purposes.
• Public sections of records can be accessed for research or reporting. However, any confidential information will be unavailable unless legally approved.

For accessing sealed or confidential portions of records, individuals must provide:

• A valid ID
• Proof of relationship or direct involvement.
• A court order granting access, if applicable

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Divorce Records in Fulton County?

In general, there is no requirement to state your purpose for accessing public divorce records. However, if you are requesting secured or confidential records, you need to:

• Provide a valid reason for your request, which might be a legal dispute or verification purposes.
• Submit additional documentation supporting your request, which may be a court order.

Examples of legitimate purposes for a Fulton Divorce record request include:

• Legal Proceedings such as supporting ongoing child custody disputes or spousal support cases.
• Personal Records: verification of marital status for immigration or remarriage purposes.
• Genealogical Research, such as exploring family history.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Fulton County?

Step 1: Determine the specific type of divorce records you need.

• For divorce decree or case files, contact the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's Office.
• For divorce certificates, contact the Georgia Department of Health.

Step 2: Provide as many details as possible to expedite the search, including:

• Full name of both parties, including maiden names, if applicable.
• Date or approximate date of divorce.
• Case number, if available.
• The location of the court where the divorce was finalized.

Step 3: Choose a Request method.

• For online requests, use the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court Website to access online records.
• For in-person requests, visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office at:
  136 Pryor Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
• For mail requests, submit a written request to the Fulton County Clerk's office or the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Step 4: Pay Fees

Payment methods and fee structure vary, depending on the method of request.

Step 5: Records retrieval

• Online requests usually provide instant access to public records.
• Mail or in-person requests typically take longer time, depending on the processing workload.

What Information is Included in a Fulton County Divorce Record?

• Personal Details
  • Names of both parties l
  • Date of birth.
  • Addresses at the time of the filing.
• Case Information
  • Case number.
  • Date of filing and finalization.
  • Name of the presiding judge.
• Divorce Terms
  • Property and debt division.
  • Child custody
  • Spousal support terms (if applicable).
• Legal agreements
  • Restraining orders, prenuptial agreements, or settlement details.

Sealed or Confidential information

• Financial records.
• Medical and mental health details.
• Information involving minors, abuse allegations, or sensitive legal disputes.

Fees for Accessing Fulton County Divorce Records

Standard fees

• Certified Divorce Decree: $25-$30 per copy
• Non-Certified Copies: $5-$10 per copy.
• Search fee: An additional $5-$15 if case information is incomplete.

Payment methods.

• Cash (for in-person requests)
• Check or money order (mail requests)
• Credit or debit card (online or in-person requests)

Low-income earners or veterans sometimes qualify for fee waivers with appropriate documentation.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain Divorce Records in Fulton County?

Standard Timelines

• Online Requests: Immediate access to publicly available records.
• In-person Requests: Processing is usually completed on the same day.
• Mail Requests: Processing can take 7-14 business days, depending on workload and delivery times.

You may access expedited services, but that attracts an additional fee.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Fulton County?

Yes you can request divorce records online through the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's website. Public records are accessible electronically, and certified copies can also be ordered. Third party Websites like Georgiacourtrecords.us also provide access to divorce records, but the accuracy and completeness of these records cannot be guaranteed. Official government records are recommended for certified copies.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Fulton County Divorce Records?

There are some exceptions to accessing Fulton County Divorce Records. These exceptions include:

• Sealed Records
  • Cases involving minors, domestic violence, or sensitive disputes are usually sealed.
  • High-profile cases are also restricted to protect information
• Redacted Information.
  • Financial, Medical, and Social security details are often redacted.

To access sealed or restricted records:

• File a motion with the Superior Court.
• Provide a legitimate reason for accessing the records.
• Obtain court approval.