Search Augusta Family Court Records

Augusta family court records are filed at the Richmond County Superior Court. Augusta and Richmond County consolidated into a single government, so the city and county share one court system. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Augusta residents go through this courthouse on James Brown Boulevard.

Which County Handles Augusta Family Court Cases

Augusta family court records go through Richmond County. The city and county merged in 1996, forming the Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government. There is no separate city court for family matters. Everything runs through the Richmond County Superior Court. The Augusta Judicial Circuit covers both Richmond and Burke counties.

If you live in Augusta, your divorce filings, custody petitions, and support cases all go to the same courthouse. The consolidation makes things simpler than in some Georgia cities where county lines split the population.

Richmond County Superior Court Clerk

The Richmond County Superior Court is at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1500, Augusta, GA 30901. Call (706) 821-2460 for the clerk office. The fax number is (706) 821-2448. Staff can help you search for family court records, request copies, or file new papers. The clerk office keeps all case files for divorce, custody, child support, adoptions, and protective orders in Augusta.

Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Bring a valid ID and a case number if you have one. If you only have a name, the clerk can still search for records, but having the case number speeds things up. Certified copies carry the court seal and are valid for legal use. Plain copies cost less but do not have the seal.

Types of Family Court Records in Augusta

Divorce records are the most common family court files in Augusta. When one spouse files a complaint, the case opens at the Richmond County clerk office. Georgia requires at least one spouse to be a state resident for six months before filing under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The case must be filed where the defendant lives. Since Augusta and Richmond County are consolidated, most local cases go to the same court.

The divorce file holds every document from the case. That means the complaint, the answer, temporary orders, financial disclosures, settlement papers, and the final decree. The final decree is what most people look for. It shows property division, custody terms, support amounts, and everything else the court decided or the parties agreed on.

Custody cases are also common. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court must decide custody based on the best interest of the child. Augusta judges look at things like each parent's home, work schedule, and the child's ties to school and friends. Modification petitions come up often too. When circumstances change, a parent can ask the court to adjust the custody order. All those papers go into the Richmond County court file.

Protective orders fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. There is no fee to file one in Augusta. The court can issue a temporary order the same day you file. A hearing within 30 days decides whether a longer order is needed. These records stay in the court file and are open to the public.

Online Access to Augusta Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Richmond County along with all other Georgia counties. You can search by name or case number. A subscription is needed for full access, but basic searches are possible. This is the main statewide tool for looking up court records from home.

The Odyssey eFileGA system lets attorneys file family court papers electronically in Richmond County. If you have a lawyer, they can submit documents online at any time. Pro se filers still need to file in person at the courthouse. For forms and guided interviews, try the PeachCourt portal.

The Augusta court does not run its own separate online records portal the way some larger counties do. For most online searches, the GSCCCA remains your best option. You can also call the clerk at (706) 821-2460 and ask them to check for a specific case.

Child Support in Augusta

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles support enforcement for Augusta residents. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help. DCSS can set up new orders, modify existing ones, and enforce payment. Tools include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for parents who fall behind.

Georgia uses the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes are plugged into a worksheet. The result sets the support amount. Health insurance and child care costs factor in too. If your situation changes, you can ask DCSS or the court to review and modify the order. File a modification petition at the Richmond County clerk office to start that process.

Legal Resources in Augusta

Augusta residents who need help with family court cases can turn to a few organizations. The Georgia Legal Services Program has an office in the Augusta area that helps low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective orders. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers Richmond County if you need a private attorney.

Self-represented litigants can use the PeachCourt portal for forms and step-by-step guidance. The Richmond County clerk office can also point you to local resources. Some private attorneys offer free initial consultations, which can help you figure out your options before committing to representation. Family law cases in Augusta range from simple uncontested divorces to complex custody battles, so the cost varies widely.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Augusta. Each one files family court cases in its own county. Click a city for specific court and filing details.