Access Dunwoody Family Court Records

Dunwoody family court records are managed by the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. Divorce, custody, support, and protective order filings for Dunwoody all go through the DeKalb County clerk office.

Which County Handles Dunwoody Family Court Cases

Dunwoody is in DeKalb County. All Dunwoody family court records are filed at the DeKalb County Superior Court. The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit covers DeKalb County. Dunwoody incorporated in 2008, but the city does not have its own court for family law cases. Every divorce, custody, and support matter for a Dunwoody address goes to the courthouse in Decatur.

This is the same courthouse that serves Brookhaven, Stonecrest, Tucker, Chamblee, and other DeKalb County cities. Family court records for all these cities are stored in the same clerk office. If you live in Dunwoody, that is where your case file will be kept.

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk

The DeKalb County Superior Court clerk office is at 556 N. McDonough Street in Decatur. Call (404) 371-2261 for help. The staff handles record searches, copy requests, and new case filings for all Dunwoody family court records. Bring your ID when you visit. A case number helps, but name searches work too.

Certified copies cost more than plain copies. You need the certified version for legal use. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday. Call ahead for hours and current fees. To get copies by mail, write to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Include the case number or party names and a check for the fee.

Dunwoody has a Municipal Court at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. It handles traffic tickets and city code violations. Family court cases do not go through the Municipal Court. All family law filings must be made at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur.

Types of Dunwoody Family Court Records

Divorce is the most searched type of family court record for Dunwoody residents. A case starts when one spouse files a complaint at the DeKalb County clerk office. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Georgia for six months. The file builds up as both sides submit answers, financial disclosures, and motions. The final decree wraps everything up.

Georgia's 30-day waiting period means no final decree can be signed until a month after filing. Dunwoody couples who agree on all terms can file an uncontested divorce. That type moves faster. Contested cases go longer because the court must sort out disputes over property, custody, or support.

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, child custody is based on the best interest of the child. Judges look at where each parent lives, the child's ties to school and friends, and the child's own preferences if the child is mature enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, evaluations, and court orders. Modifications can be filed later when things change.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 cost nothing to file. A Dunwoody resident who faces family violence can ask for a temporary order the same day at the DeKalb County courthouse. A hearing within 30 days decides the next steps. These records are kept in the family court file at the clerk office.

Adoption records also go through the DeKalb County Superior Court. They are sealed under Georgia law. A court order is needed to access them.

Online Access to Dunwoody Family Court Records

The GSCCCA portal is the best way to search for Dunwoody family court records online. It covers DeKalb County and all Georgia counties. Search by party name or case number. A subscription gives full access. You can find filing dates, case status, and basic details through the portal.

Attorneys file family court papers through the Odyssey eFileGA system. It runs around the clock. Pro se filers must still submit papers in person at the courthouse. The PeachCourt portal can help you fill out the right forms before your visit.

The DeKalb County clerk office also has public access terminals where you can search case records. Staff can assist if needed. This is a good option if you are already at the courthouse and want to look something up on the spot.

Child Support Services for Dunwoody

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Dunwoody residents with support orders and enforcement. Call 1-877-423-4746 for the help line. DCSS sets up new orders, enforces existing ones, and processes changes. They can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses when payments fall behind.

Support amounts follow the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. Child care and health insurance costs are included. To change an order, file a modification at the DeKalb County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the case. DCSS also handles paternity matters.

Legal Resources for Dunwoody Residents

Dunwoody residents can get free legal help through the Georgia Legal Services Program for family court matters. Atlanta Legal Aid Society also serves DeKalb County. Both groups help with divorce, custody, and protective orders for people who qualify based on income.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers DeKalb County. PeachCourt has guided form interviews for family law cases. Some Dunwoody attorneys offer free first consultations. The clerk office at the DeKalb County courthouse can direct you to self-help resources and walk you through filing steps.

Private family law firms in the Dunwoody area handle all case types. Fees depend on how complex the case is. An uncontested divorce costs less than a contested one. Call a few firms to compare prices and find a good fit.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Dunwoody. Several share DeKalb County for family court filings. Others file in neighboring counties. Click a city for court details.