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Divorce in Douglas County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Douglas County are filed with the Douglas County Superior Court. The filing fee is $218, and sheriff service is $50 per service.
Douglas County is its own judicial circuit, the Douglas Judicial Circuit.[1] Under the court's standing order, custody stays with the parent who had the children 10 days before filing until the court orders otherwise.[2]
Where to file
Douglas County Clerk of Superior Court
Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134
Phone: 770-920-7252[3]
Filing fee
$218 to file. Sheriff service: $50 per service.[4]
Parenting class
The clerk's divorce checklists for cases with children list proof that both parents attended the mandatory parenting seminar. The contested-divorce checklist says this is needed before the court finalizes the divorce.[5]
Mediation
Contested divorce and other domestic cases can be sent to mediation through the Seventh District ADR Program. Unless the court orders otherwise, the first session must be held within 60 days after the answer is filed. The spouses agree on a mediator from the program's approved list and pay that mediator's fee; if they can't agree, the court or the mediation coordinator appoints one and may set the fee. Every domestic case is screened for domestic violence. A case involving domestic violence isn't sent to mediation without the consent of the spouse at risk, and a case with an active temporary protective order isn't sent unless the judge orders it.[6]
Court forms
The clerk posts self-help divorce forms you can download, with instructions, checklists and sample forms. Some pages are older, so check with the clerk that you're using current versions. Go to the forms.[7]
Standing order
A domestic relations standing order signed July 14, 2026 applies to every divorce and other domestic relations case from the moment it's filed, and a copy is attached to the complaint served on the other spouse. It bars taking the children out of the court's jurisdiction, harassing or threatening the other party or the children, and selling or hiding property except in the ordinary course of business. Unless the court orders otherwise, custody stays with the parent who had physical custody of the children 10 days before the case was filed.[2]
Also good to know
The fee sheet lists no charge to file a contempt case that's only about child support or alimony, though serving it costs $50. A request filed 30 or more days after a judgment or dismissal is charged as a new case.[4]
Free and low-cost help in Douglas County
- SHARE House. A state-certified family violence program serving Douglas and Paulding counties. The number below is its 24-hour crisis line; its office is 770-949-0626.
Phone: 770-489-7513[8] - Georgia Legal Services Program. Free civil legal help, including family law, for people with low incomes in 154 of Georgia's 159 counties. Apply online or call the intake line.
Phone: 833-457-7529[9]
If you need an interpreter
If you or a witness needs an interpreter, including sign language, tell the court in writing before the hearing, at least 5 days ahead where you can. The court then works to provide a licensed interpreter at its own expense.[10]
Douglas County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Douglas Judicial Circuit, standing order for domestic relations cases (PDF): key points and standing order (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Douglas County Clerk of Superior and State Courts (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Douglas County Clerk of Superior and State Court fee sheet, August 22, 2024: filing fees and other court rules (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Douglas County Clerk, pro se divorce checklists (PDF) (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Mediation rules of the Douglas, Lookout Mountain, Paulding, Rome and Tallapoosa circuits (PDF) (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Douglas County Clerk of Superior Court, documents (douglascountyga.gov)
- ^ Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, state-certified family violence agencies (PDF) (cjcc.georgia.gov)
- ^ Georgia Legal Services Program, what we do (glsp.org)
- ^ Uniform Superior Court Rule 7.3, interpreters (rulesofcivilprocedure.com)
Court fees and rules change. Check with the clerk before you file. If something here looks out of date, email help@divorce.city.