Where to File Your Paperwork in Chatham County?
To start your divorce in Chatham County, you must file your legal documents with the Clerk of Superior Court. In fact, though we’ll keep saying while your hearings may take place before a Superior Court Judge at the Chatham County Courthouse, the process always begins at the Clerk’s office for the rest-and, in some ways.
Address: 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178, Savannah, GA 31401
Southside Location (e-filing access): 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite A, Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: (912) 652-7200
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where to File: Submit your petition and related documents to the Civil Division. Chatham County strongly encourages e-filing via platforms like PeachCourt or Odyssey eFileGA, which can be done from home or at public terminals in the Clerk’s office.
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Divorce Requirements: Do You Qualify?
To file for divorce in Chatham County, you or your spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months before filing.
Under Georgia law, you generally file in the county where the “Defendant” (the spouse not filing) lives. However, if your spouse lives outside of Georgia, you can file in Chatham County as long as you have been a resident here for the last six months. Our online divorce papers preparation service is fully customized to these specific Georgia residency and venue rules.
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Filing for an Uncontested Divorce (When Both Spouses Agree)
An uncontested divorce is the most efficient way to end a marriage in Georgia. This process is often used when both parties agree on all terms, including property division and child custody.
The process follows these key steps:
- File the Petition: You begin by filing a “Petition for Divorce” along with a “Domestic Relations Case Filing Information Form.”
- Service or Acknowledgment: You must officially notify your spouse. In an uncontested case, your spouse can sign an Acknowledgment of Service, which waives the need for a Sheriff or process server to deliver the papers.
- The 31-Day Waiting Period: Georgia law requires a mandatory waiting period. The court cannot grant a divorce until at least 31 days have passed since the filing and service/acknowledgment.
- The Settlement Agreement: During this time, you finalize a written agreement covering assets, debts, and (if applicable) a Parenting Plan.
- Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings: In many uncontested cases in Chatham County, you can file a motion asking the judge to grant the divorce based on your written paperwork without requiring a formal court hearing.
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Common Chatham County Divorce Forms You Will Need
Chatham County requires specific forms to process your case. If you have minor children, the requirements are more extensive to ensure the children’s best interests are met.
The basic forms include:
- Petition for Divorce: The primary document stating the grounds for divorce (usually “irretrievably broken“).
- Verification: A notarized statement swearing the facts in the petition are true.
- Acknowledgment of Service: Signed by the defendant to confirm they received the papers.
- Settlement Agreement: The contract outlining how property and debts are split.
- Final Judgment and Decree: The document the judge signs to end the marriage.
If you have minor children, you will also need:
- Parenting Plan: A detailed schedule of where the children will live and how decisions are made.
- Child Support Worksheet: A mandatory state form used to calculate support based on Georgia’s guidelines.
- Parenting Seminar Certificate: Both parents in Chatham County are generally required to complete a court-approved “Divorcing Parents” seminar.
Note: You can often find official forms through the Family Law Resource Center in Savannah, but using a professional online service ensures all data is synchronized across every form to prevent clerical rejections.
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Divorce Filing Fees and Costs
As of 2026, the standard fee to file a civil action (like a divorce) in Chatham County is approximately $215.00.
- E-filing fees: Small additional processing fees typically apply when filing online.
- Service fees: If you cannot get an Acknowledgment of Service and must use the Sheriff, expect an additional fee of roughly $50.00.
- Fee Waivers: If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may file a Pauper’s Affidavit (In Forma Pauperis). If the judge approves it, your filing fees may be waived.
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