Madison County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Madison County in 2026
MadisonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Madison County, Georgia. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Record availability depends on the case type, filing date, and applicable confidentiality provisions. Categories of information that may be accessible include:
- Divorce decrees and final judgments
- Case docket entries and hearing dates
- Financial disclosure documents (subject to redaction)
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Post-judgment modification records
Divorce records in Madison County are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk and may be searched through official court resources, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Madison County Superior Court Clerk maintains case records that members of the public may search online. Basic case information, including party names, case numbers, and filing dates, is available at no charge. Copies of documents may require a fee.
2. State Court System Portal
The Georgia Courts e-Access portal provides a statewide search tool for court records across jurisdictions. Users must create an account to access case documents 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 record verification service for divorces granted in Georgia, which provides limited information compared to full court case files.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Superior Court — Family Division
Madison County Superior Court Clerk's Office
91 Albany Avenue
Danielsville, GA 30633
Phone: (706) 795-6310
Madison County Superior Court Clerk
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 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 archived records
By Mail
Written requests for divorce records may be submitted by mail to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Requestors should include:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Mail requests to:
Madison County Superior Court Clerk
P.O. Box 247
Danielsville, GA 30633
Processing time for mail requests is one to two weeks, depending on record volume and whether the file requires retrieval from archives.
By Phone
Limited Information Available by Phone
- Clerk of Court: (706) 795-6310
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, and verify case status or filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of records, or confidential information by phone
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Georgia may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting sealed documents through appropriate court motions. The State Bar of Georgia provides a lawyer referral service for individuals who require professional legal assistance in locating or interpreting divorce records.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses, including maiden names where applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Madison County
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, a petition for divorce in Georgia must be filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant resides, or in the county where the plaintiff resides if the defendant is a nonresident. Members of the public who are uncertain where a divorce was filed may need to search multiple counties. A divorce cannot be located by searching the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must have been a resident of Georgia for six months prior to filing, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered.
Older Divorces: Records predating electronic filing systems may be archived in paper format and require additional retrieval time. Not all historical records have been digitized.
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
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (706) 795-6310
- Try alternate name spellings and both spouses' names
- Search the Georgia Courts e-Access portal for statewide results
- Consult the Georgia Department of Public Health's vital records verification service
What Are Madison County Divorce Records?
Madison County divorce records are official court documents generated during divorce proceedings filed in the Superior Court of Madison County, Georgia. These records constitute part of the public court file and are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk as the primary custodian.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the full range of documents filed during the proceeding:
- Petition for divorce
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits from both parties
- Parenting plans and child support worksheets
- Settlement agreements
- Motions, orders, and hearing transcripts
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree: The final judgment of divorce is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, alimony provisions if applicable, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Superior Court Clerk.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation
- Property transfer and estate planning
- Immigration proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
- Genealogical and family history research
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Georgia are governed by O.C.G.A. Title 19, Chapter 5, which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the court's authority to divide marital property and award support. The Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., governs public access to court and government records, including divorce case files.
The Georgia Department of Public Health also maintains a divorce record index for divorces granted in Georgia, though this index provides limited information compared to the full court file.
Are Madison County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Madison County Superior Court are public court records under Georgia law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, members of the public are entitled to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies, including court files. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are subject to restriction or redaction.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties and attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to court rules)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted or sealed)
- Child custody evaluations ordered by the court
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a divorce 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.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents; redacted copies |
| Parties to the case | Full access to own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
Prohibited Uses: Members of the public may not use divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Madison County?
The Madison County Superior Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Georgia law. Current fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $2.50 per document plus $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified/authenticated copy | Additional certification fee applies |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to Madison County Superior Court Clerk
- Credit and debit cards (availability subject to clerk's office policy)
Electronic Records: Documents accessed through the Georgia Courts e-Access portal may be subject to separate fees established by the portal provider.
Free Access: Members of the public may inspect divorce case files at the courthouse at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Viewing documents on public access terminals in the clerk's office does not require payment.
Fee Waivers: Parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waive certain copy fees. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted to the court with appropriate documentation of financial hardship.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Madison County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Madison County Superior Court Clerk contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding.
Initial Pleadings:
The Petition for Divorce identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, sets forth the grounds for divorce (in Georgia, the most common ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, per O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3), and requests specific relief including property division, support, and custody arrangements where applicable. The Response or Answer sets forth the respondent's position and any counterclaims.
Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to submit sworn financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and personal property), and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset and debt inventories
- Real property appraisals and business valuations
- Expert reports on asset values
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Children-Related Documents (where applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
- Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports (subject to confidentiality restrictions)
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement addressing all contested issues
- Mediation agreements (mediation communications are confidential, but agreements incorporated into the record are public)
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
- Final Judgment of Divorce establishing the date of dissolution, property division, support obligations, custody arrangements, and any name restoration
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Income deduction orders for support enforcement
- Contempt motions and court orders on enforcement actions
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Madison County?
Proof of divorce in Madison County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Madison County Superior Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and constitutes legally recognized proof that a divorce was granted.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case by searching the clerk's records using the names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce.
- Note the case number from the docket.
- Submit a written request to the Superior Court Clerk in person, by mail, or through the Georgia Courts e-Access portal.
- Pay the applicable certification fee ($2.50 per document plus $0.25 per page under current fee schedules).
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail.
Madison County Superior Court Clerk's Office
91 Albany Avenue
Danielsville, GA 30633
Phone: (706) 795-6310
Madison County Superior Court Clerk
For individuals who need to verify a divorce without obtaining a full certified copy, the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a divorce verification service for divorces granted in Georgia since 1952. This service provides a letter confirming that a divorce was granted but does not include the full terms of the decree.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Madison County?
Divorce proceedings in Madison County are presumptively public, but Georgia law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be sealed or restricted under defined circumstances.
Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and evidence related to domestic violence to protect the safety of victims.
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records of minor children are subject to redaction or restricted access under Georgia court rules.
- Sealed case files: A party may petition the Superior Court to seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public's interest in access against the privacy interests of the parties.
- 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 protected under state and federal law, including HIPAA, are not disclosed as part of the public file.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to Georgia court rules.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The Georgia Courts website provides procedural guidance on court filings.
How Long Does Madison County Keep Divorce Records?
Madison County Superior Court divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Georgia's records retention schedules established by the Georgia Secretary of State's office.
Retention Periods:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record.
- Complete case files: Retained for a minimum of 15 years following the close of the case under Georgia's court records retention schedule.
- Financial affidavits and supporting documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period.
- Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file or as a separate case file, subject to the same retention schedule.
- Archived paper records: Older case files that predate electronic filing may be stored in off-site archives and require additional retrieval time.
Georgia's records retention requirements for court records are established under the authority of the Georgia Secretary of State's Records Management Program. Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than 15 years ago should contact the Madison County Superior Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority also maintains indexes and electronic records for certain case types that may assist in locating older divorce records.
Lookup Divorce Records in Madison County
- E-Access to Court Records - Georgia Courts — Search Georgia court records online; an account is required to access case documents through the statewide portal.