Union County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Union County in 2026
UnionGARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Union County, Georgia. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, party names, and related court documents through this resource. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the case, filing date, and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Union County may be searched through official resources including the Clerk of Superior Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Georgia Courts e-access portal, and third-party online tools. The following sections provide detailed, actionable steps for locating these records through each available method.
Multiple Search Methods:
Online Searches:
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official index of all civil and family law filings in Union County. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge. Obtaining copies of documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Georgia Courts e-access system allows members of the public to search court records across multiple jurisdictions statewide. Users must create an account with the designated provider to conduct searches through this consolidated database.
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 Verification Letter service for divorces granted in Georgia. This letter confirms that a divorce occurred but does not substitute for a certified copy of the final decree obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court.
In-Person Searches:
Clerk of Court Family Division:
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
114 Courthouse Street, Suite 4
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6022
Clerk of Superior Court
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- 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 and orders
- Staff assistance with locating records
Records Department:
The Clerk of Superior Court also maintains archived and historical divorce case files. Older records that have not been digitized may require additional retrieval time. Requests for archived cases should be directed to the Clerk's office directly.
By Mail:
Written Request:
- Mail to: Union County Clerk of Superior Court, 114 Courthouse Street, Suite 4, Blairsville, GA 30512
- Include the following with each written request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Written requests are processed within 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability.
By Phone:
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Court: (706) 439-6022
- Staff may confirm the following by phone:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number
- Current case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide the following by phone:
- Detailed document contents
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys:
An attorney licensed in Georgia may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed or restricted documents through proper court procedures, and assist with complex searches involving multiple counties or older records. Members of the public seeking legal representation may use the State Bar of Georgia's lawyer referral service to locate qualified family law counsel.
Information Needed for Search:
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Georgia
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County:
Divorce proceedings in Georgia are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. 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 ceremony occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under current Georgia law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Georgia for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce. The action 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 indexed and available.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a specific written request.
What If You Can't Find a Record:
- Common issues:
- Searching in the wrong county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records stored in physical archives
- Case sealed or subject to confidentiality order
- Next steps:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (706) 439-6022
- Try alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Submit an Open Records Request through the appropriate Union County office
- Consult a licensed Georgia family law attorney
What Are Union County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Union County are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Union County Superior Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court as part of the permanent civil court file and constitute public records subject to applicable state law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree:
The final decree is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes the following:
- Date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal support provisions, if any
- Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Superior Court upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents:
- Marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
- Financial disclosure documents
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details and modifications
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation
- Property transfer and title recording
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms and obligations
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of all divorce records in Union County. The office maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by party name. As stated on the Union County, GA official website, the Clerk of Superior Court "is responsible for all the civil and criminal affairs and filings made in the Union County Superior Court" and "also serves as the official recorder" of such proceedings.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Georgia are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage. 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 Union County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Union County Superior Court are public court records under Georgia law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. Certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction or redaction to protect sensitive personal and financial data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and scheduled events
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
- Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal or with restricted access)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools minor children attend
- Medical and psychological information about children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed by court order)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Sexual abuse allegations
Sealed Records:
A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public without a court order.
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.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
- Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of divorce records. Access to sealed records requires a court order. First Amendment protections apply to news reporting on matters of public concern.
Restrictions on Use:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use such records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any activity that violates a protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification of marital status.
Obtaining Confidential Records:
A party seeking access to sealed or restricted divorce records must file a motion with the Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Union County?
The Clerk of Superior Court charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees applicable to Union County divorce records are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $2.50 per document + $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified/authenticated copy | Additional certification fee applies |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public divorce records at the Clerk's office at no charge during regular business hours.
- Electronic copies: Fees for electronic format copies, where available, are set by the Clerk's office and may differ from paper copy fees.
- Accepted payment methods: The Clerk of Superior Court accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the office prior to submitting requests.
- Fee waivers: Georgia law does not provide a general fee waiver for public records copy costs. Parties who are indigent and involved in active proceedings may petition the court for waiver of certain fees in connection with their own case.
Copy fees for court records in Georgia are governed by O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may obtain basic case status information at no charge through the Georgia Courts e-access system.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Union County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Union County Clerk of Superior Court contains the following categories of documents:
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption: Case number, court name, names of petitioner and respondent, assigned judge, and attorneys of record
- Filing information: Date filed, filing fees paid, case type, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage: Identifies both parties, states the date and location of marriage, date of separation if applicable, grounds for divorce, information about minor children, property claims, and relief requested
- Response/answer: Respondent's admissions, denials, counterpetition if any, and requests for relief
- Financial affidavits: Both parties' income, monthly expenses, assets, and liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Financial disclosure documents including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and loan documents
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory covering real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property
- Debt inventory covering mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, and other liabilities
- Appraisals and expert valuations of real property, businesses, and personal property
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan: Legal and physical custody designations, timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
- Child support: Calculation worksheets, income information, number of overnights, health insurance and childcare costs, support amount ordered, and payment schedule
- Custody evaluations: Psychologist or evaluator reports and recommendations, if ordered by the court
- Guardian ad litem reports: Findings and recommendations of any court-appointed attorney for the children
Support Documents:
- Alimony/spousal support: Type, amount, duration, payment schedule, modification provisions, and termination conditions
- Calculation worksheets: Income analysis, standard of living during marriage, and need and ability to pay
Settlement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement: Comprehensive agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax provisions, and attorney fees
- Mediation agreement: Terms agreed upon in mediation, if applicable, which may be incorporated into the marital settlement agreement
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders: Temporary custody, support, use of property, and restraining orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Final judgment of dissolution: The court's final order ending the marriage, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing, child support, name restoration if requested, and the judge's signature and seal
- Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO): Separate order directing retirement plan administrators to divide benefits, if applicable
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support and resulting court orders
- Contempt motions and orders addressing non-compliance
- Income deduction orders and enforcement actions
What's Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Bank and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details (may be sealed by court order)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Union County?
Proof of divorce in Union County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage issued by the Clerk of Superior Court. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the signature of the Clerk, confirming it as a true and accurate reproduction of the original court record.
Steps to obtain proof of divorce:
- Identify the correct county: Confirm that the divorce was filed in Union County Superior Court. If uncertain, the Georgia Courts e-access system may be used to search for the case statewide.
- Locate the case number: Search the Clerk's index by the full legal names of both parties to obtain the case number.
- Submit a request: Requests for certified copies may be submitted in person, by mail, or as directed by the Clerk of Superior Court.
- Pay applicable fees: Provide payment for the certified copy fee as established under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77.
- Receive the certified copy: In-person requests are processed at the time of the visit, subject to staff availability. Mail requests are processed within 1–2 weeks.
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
114 Courthouse Street, Suite 4
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6022
Clerk of Superior Court
Members of the public who require proof of divorce for immigration, Social Security, or federal agency purposes should request an exemplified or authenticated copy, which carries an additional level of certification beyond a standard certified copy.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Union County?
Divorce proceedings in Union County are presumptively public under Georgia law; however, specific records or entire case files may be made confidential under certain circumstances.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may petition the Superior Court to seal specific documents or the entire case file. The court grants such requests upon a showing of good cause, applying a balancing test between the public interest in open court proceedings and the privacy interests of the parties.
- Domestic violence cases: Cases involving allegations of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault may have certain identifying information, including the victim's address and contact information, withheld from public access to protect the safety of the parties involved.
- Children's information: Information identifying minor children, including their residential addresses, schools, and medical records, is subject to heightened protection and may be redacted from publicly accessible filings.
- Financial account information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all public court filings pursuant to court rules applicable to Georgia Superior Courts.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse are restricted from public access.
The legal basis for confidentiality in Georgia family law proceedings is found in the Georgia Open Records Act and applicable Uniform Superior Court Rules governing the protection of sensitive personal information in court filings.
How Long Does Union County Keep Divorce Records?
Union County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in accordance with Georgia's records retention schedules established by the Georgia Secretary of State's office and applicable state law.
- Permanent retention: Final judgments of dissolution of marriage, final decrees, and the official case file index are retained permanently. These records do not expire and remain accessible indefinitely.
- Complete case files: The full divorce case file, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, is retained for a minimum period established under Georgia's court records retention schedule. Superior Court civil case files are retained for a minimum of seven years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of final orders.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through Georgia's eCourt system are maintained in digital format and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
- Archived records: Older paper records that predate electronic filing systems are maintained in physical archives. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time.
- Post-judgment modifications: Modification orders and post-judgment proceedings are added to the original case file and are retained as part of the permanent record.
- Destruction of records: No divorce case file may be destroyed without authorization under the applicable Georgia records retention schedule. Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly destroyed may submit an Open Records Request to the appropriate Union County office to inquire about record availability.
The Georgia Secretary of State's records management program establishes retention schedules for all county government records, including Superior Court case files, ensuring long-term preservation of divorce records for legal, historical, and genealogical purposes.