Atlanta Family Court Records

Atlanta family court records are filed at the Fulton County Superior Court Family Division in downtown Atlanta. As the state capital and the largest city in Georgia, Atlanta generates more family court cases than any other city in the state. Parts of east Atlanta fall in DeKalb County, so your filing location depends on your address.

Which County Handles Atlanta Family Court Cases

Most Atlanta residents file family court cases in Fulton County. The city sits mostly in Fulton County, and the Superior Court there runs a dedicated Family Division for divorce, custody, support, and protective order cases. A small portion of Atlanta extends into DeKalb County on the east side. If you live in that part of the city, your family court records go through the DeKalb County Superior Court instead.

Check your address to be sure. The county line runs through parts of east Atlanta, and filing in the wrong county can slow your case down. Under Georgia law, family cases must be filed where the defendant lives. That means the county of residence matters.

Fulton County Family Division

The Fulton County Family Division is where most Atlanta family court records are handled. This is a dedicated court unit for family law cases. It sits on the 8th Floor of Building J2 at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta. The main phone number is (404) 613-0505. You can also email them at familydivision@fultoncountyga.gov. The Family Division has separate phone lines for different case types, which helps you get to the right person fast.

For divorce questions, call (404) 612-2789. Child custody goes to (404) 612-5344. Adoption matters are handled at (404) 612-7783. If you need a temporary protective order, call (404) 612-0505. The general Family Division line is (404) 612-4534. This level of specialization is unique to Fulton County. Most Georgia counties do not split family court into separate phone lines like this.

The Atlanta Municipal Court at 150 Garnett Street SW handles city ordinance violations and some civil matters, but it does not process family court cases. Call (404) 658-6940 for the Municipal Court. All family law filings go through the Superior Court.

Types of Atlanta Family Court Records

Family court records in Atlanta cover several case types. Divorce is the most common. A divorce case starts when one spouse files a complaint at the Fulton County clerk office. The file grows as both sides submit answers, temporary orders, discovery, and settlement papers. The final decree wraps it all up. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing.

Child custody cases make up another large share. These come up during divorce or as standalone actions between unmarried parents. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, courts decide custody based on the child's best interest. Judges look at each parent's home, the child's ties to school and community, and the child's own wishes if old enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, and final orders.

Protective orders are also common in Atlanta. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 lets victims of family violence ask the court for a temporary protective order. There is no fee to file. The court can grant a TPO the same day. A full hearing follows within 30 days. These records stay in the family court file at the Fulton County clerk office.

Adoption records exist too, but they are sealed under Georgia law. You need a court order to access them. The adoptions line at (404) 612-7783 can tell you more about the process.

Online Access to Atlanta Family Court Records

The GSCCCA runs a statewide search portal that covers Fulton County and all 159 Georgia counties. You can look up court records by name, case number, or property details. The portal charges a monthly subscription fee for full access. Basic searches let you see if a record exists. For the actual documents, you may need to visit the clerk office or request copies by mail.

Fulton County also runs its own online records portal where you can search family court cases by party name or case number. This is often the fastest way to check case status from home. The Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic filing for attorneys in family cases. Pro se filers still need to submit papers on paper at the courthouse.

The Justice Resource Center at 185 Central Ave, Suite 704, Atlanta, GA 30303, helps people who need guidance on family law matters. Call (404) 612-2789 for help with forms or procedures.

Child Support Services in Atlanta

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement and collection for child support orders. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help. DCSS can set up new support orders, modify old ones, and enforce payment when someone falls behind. They use wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension to collect past-due support.

Child support in Georgia follows the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet that calculates the support amount. If you need to change an existing order, file a modification petition at the Fulton County clerk office. You can also work through DCSS to request a review. DCSS offices serve Atlanta residents and can help with paternity cases too.

Legal Resources for Atlanta Residents

Atlanta has more legal aid options than most cities in Georgia. The Georgia Legal Services Program offers free help to low-income residents with family court matters. Atlanta Legal Aid Society is another option. Both organizations handle divorce, custody, and protective order cases for people who cannot afford a lawyer.

The PeachCourt portal provides guided interviews that help you fill out family law forms. This works well if you plan to file on your own. The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that covers Atlanta and all of Fulton County. For self-help resources, the Fulton County Justice Resource Center at 185 Central Ave can walk you through the process step by step.

Private attorneys in Atlanta handle all types of family court cases. Fees vary a lot. Some offer free initial consultations. A contested divorce in Atlanta can cost several thousand dollars, while an uncontested case is usually much less.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Atlanta. Several share Fulton County as their filing location for family court records. Others fall in neighboring counties. Click a city to find its specific court and filing details.