Butts County Public Records /Butts County Divorce Records

Butts County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Butts County in 2026

ButtsRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Butts County, Georgia. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and spousal support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Butts County Superior Court Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Georgia Courts statewide portal, and authorized online case search systems.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Butts County Superior Court Clerk maintains case records that may be accessible through the court's public access system. Basic case information is available at no charge, while copies of documents are subject to standard per-page fees. Members of the public may search by party name or case number.

2. State Court System Portal

The Georgia Courts E-Access portal provides electronic access to court records across participating jurisdictions. Users must establish an account with the designated provider before conducting searches. This consolidated database allows searches across multiple Georgia counties and court divisions.

3. State Vital Records

Georgia does not currently register divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death records. The primary repository for divorce records remains the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed. The Georgia Department of Public Health's ROVER system handles certified vital event records such as birth and death certificates but does not issue divorce certificates.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Butts County Superior Court:

Butts County Superior Court Clerk
25 Third Street, Suite 103
Jackson, GA 30233
Phone: (770) 775-8214
Butts 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 and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Butts County Superior Court Clerk, 25 Third Street, Suite 103, Jackson, GA 30233
Include the following with each 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
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Clerk of Court: (770) 775-8214
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

Members of the public involved in complex matters may retain legal counsel to access divorce records on their behalf. Attorneys may request sealed or restricted documents by demonstrating a legitimate legal basis to the court. The State Bar of Georgia maintains a lawyer referral service for individuals seeking professional legal assistance.

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 year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Butts County
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Georgia law, a divorce action is filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant spouse resides. If the defendant resides outside Georgia, the action may be filed in the county where the petitioner resides. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, one party must have been a bona fide resident of Georgia for six months preceding the filing of the divorce action.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may require several business days to appear in the electronic system following the final hearing.
Members of the public should allow processing time before conducting a search.

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format.
Archived records may require additional retrieval time.
Staff assistance is available for locating historical case files.

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 remains pending and has not 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 (770) 775-8214 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings in the search system
Search under both spouses' names
Verify the county of residence at the time of filing
Consult an attorney for sealed or restricted records

What Are Butts County Divorce Records?

Butts County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings in the Butts County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Clerk of Court and are subject to Georgia's public records framework.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file includes all documents filed by the parties and the court throughout the proceeding:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody arrangements
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 date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents

Original or certified marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements and supporting documentation
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan details and modifications
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Legal Purposes

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes for government identification
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Facilitating property transfers and title changes
Providing documentation for Social Security benefit claims
Supporting estate planning and beneficiary designations

Personal Purposes

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping and verification of divorce terms
Confirming the legal status of a prior marriage

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Butts County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce records filed in the county. The Clerk indexes records by the names of both parties and maintains the complete case file. Georgia does not maintain a separate statewide divorce registry through the vital records office; accordingly, the Superior Court Clerk remains the authoritative source for certified copies and case information.

The legal framework governing divorce proceedings in Georgia is established under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 et seq., which sets forth the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage actions in the state. Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., governs public access to court records, including family law case files.

Are Butts County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Butts 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 without demonstrating a specific need. However, 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 both parties to the proceeding
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 tax returns may be subject to limited access
Certain financial statements may be filed under seal upon court order

Children's Information

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in some filings
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted 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 are restricted
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld from public access

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may support sealing include documented domestic violence, abuse allegations, high-profile cases where public disclosure would cause substantial harm, and confidential mediation agreements. Mediation communications are confidential under Georgia law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor Category	Level of Access
General public	Public documents and docket entries
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Attorneys of record	Full access; may petition for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records

Restrictions on Use:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use the information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order. News reporting and academic research are recognized as permissible uses consistent with First Amendment protections.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Butts County Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for disclosure. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test that weighs the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Butts County?

The Butts County Superior Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Georgia law. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Standard Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$2.50 per document plus $0.25 per page
Certification seal	Included in certification fee
Search fee	No separate search fee currently assessed
Electronic copy (if available)	Varies; contact Clerk's office

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours.
Copies requested by mail require prepayment; the Clerk's office accepts checks or money orders made payable to the Butts County Superior Court Clerk.
In-person payments may be made by cash, check, or money order; credit card acceptance should be confirmed directly with the Clerk's office.
No fee waiver program is currently administered by the Butts County Superior Court Clerk for record copy requests; however, parties who are indigent and represented by counsel may seek fee waivers through the court in the context of active litigation.
Fees for certified copies are governed by O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to Superior Court Clerks across Georgia.
Basic case information, including case number, filing date, and case status, may be confirmed by phone at no charge.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Butts County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Butts County Superior Court Clerk contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through post-judgment actions. The scope of the file depends on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and assigned judge
Names of petitioner and respondent
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce, information regarding any minor children, and the relief requested. In Georgia, the most common ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, as recognized under Georgia's no-fault divorce framework. The respondent's answer or counterpetition sets forth that party's position and any affirmative 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 and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities. These affidavits form the evidentiary basis for property division and support determinations.

Discovery Documents:

In contested cases, the file may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition notices, and responses to requests for admission. Supporting financial documentation such as tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and business records may be attached as exhibits.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory listing all property subject to equitable division
Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card obligations, and other liabilities
Real property appraisals and business valuations prepared by qualified experts
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing the division of retirement plan benefits

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting each party's income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Court-ordered custody evaluations and psychological assessments, which may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports, subject to restricted access

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support orders specifying the type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income deduction orders for support enforcement

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, support, and child-related matters
Mediation agreements, which are confidential and not part of the public record

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, which is the definitive court order ending the marriage and resolving all issues
Post-judgment modification orders and contempt orders, if applicable

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence allegations and related evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiation correspondence not filed with the court

How the File Is Organized:

Documents are filed in chronological order and indexed by document type and filing date. Each document is assigned a filing date and appears in the case docket. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the court's case management system; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned images.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Butts County?

Proof of divorce in Butts County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Butts County Superior Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the Clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and administrative purposes including remarriage, name change applications, and immigration proceedings.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case by confirming the case number and filing county. Members of the public may search the Georgia Courts E-Access portal or contact the Butts County Superior Court Clerk directly at (770) 775-8214.
Submit a request in person at the Clerk's office located at 25 Third Street, Suite 103, Jackson, GA 30233, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
Alternatively, submit a written request by mail to the same address, including the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, and prepayment of applicable fees.
Pay the applicable certification fee as established under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77.
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Members of the public who are uncertain whether a divorce was finalized in Butts County may also contact the Georgia Courts administrative office for guidance on locating the correct jurisdiction.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Butts County?

A divorce proceeding in Butts County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances. While the presumption under Georgia law favors public access to court records, the Superior Court retains authority to seal records upon a demonstrated showing of good cause.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:

Domestic violence cases: Courts may seal identifying information, residential addresses, and evidence related to domestic violence to protect the safety of victims and minor children.
Abuse allegations: Cases involving allegations of child abuse or sexual abuse may have sensitive portions sealed to protect the parties involved.
Mental health and medical records: Psychological evaluations, mental health treatment records, and medical information submitted as exhibits are subject to restricted access.
Substance abuse records: Treatment records for substance abuse disorders are protected under both state and federal law.
Mediation communications: Under Georgia law, all communications made during mediation are confidential and are not filed as part of the public court record.
Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file by filing a motion and demonstrating that the privacy interest at stake outweighs the public interest in access.
Minor children's information: Information that could identify the location or school of minor children is subject to redaction in publicly accessible documents.

The legal basis for confidentiality in Georgia family law proceedings is found in the Georgia Open Records Act and applicable court rules governing family law cases.

How Long Does Butts County Keep Divorce Records?

Butts 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 and applicable court rules.

Retention Periods by Record Type:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record. These documents are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete case files: Superior Court case files, including all pleadings, orders, and exhibits, are retained for a minimum of 15 years following the close of the case under Georgia's records retention schedule for court records.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be archived after a set number of years.
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule.
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.
Archived records: Cases older than the active retention period may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilm. Members of the public requesting archived records should allow additional retrieval time and contact the Clerk's office in advance.

Georgia's records retention requirements for court records are administered through the Georgia Secretary of State's office, which publishes retention schedules applicable to Superior Court Clerks across the state.