Marietta Family Court Records

Marietta family court records are filed at the Cobb County Superior Court right in the city. As the county seat of Cobb County, Marietta houses the courthouse where all family law cases are filed. Divorce, custody, child support, and protective order records for Marietta residents are all kept at this location.

Which County Handles Marietta Family Court Cases

Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. All family court records for Marietta residents go through the Cobb County Superior Court. The Cobb Judicial Circuit serves the county. Since the courthouse is in Marietta, residents have the shortest trip of any city in the county when they need to file papers or show up for a hearing.

Marietta has a municipal court at 240 Lemon Street for traffic and local code cases. Call (770) 794-6990 for the municipal court. But that court does not handle family law. All divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases go to the Cobb County Superior Court on Haynes Street.

Cobb County Superior Court Clerk

The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk is Rebecca Keaton. Her office handles all family court records for Marietta and the rest of Cobb County. The courthouse is at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. Call (770) 528-1300 to reach the clerk office. The office is open Monday through Friday.

Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. A case number helps the staff find your records quickly. They can also search by party name if you don't have the case number. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more than plain copies. Certified copies are needed for official legal use. Plain copies work for personal reference. Call ahead to check fees.

Cobb County has a Family Law Information Center that serves all county residents, including those in Marietta. The center helps people find the right forms and understand filing steps. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can guide you through the basics. This is especially helpful for people who plan to file without a lawyer.

Types of Marietta Family Court Records

Divorce is the most common type of family court case in Marietta. The process starts when one spouse files a complaint at the Cobb County clerk office. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The case file includes the complaint, answer, temporary orders, financial disclosures, and the final decree. Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period after the defendant is served.

Uncontested divorces move through the Cobb County court system faster. When both sides agree on property division, custody, and support, the case can wrap up shortly after the waiting period. Contested cases require more time and may go through mediation or trial. Cobb County judges often order mediation before setting a trial date.

Child custody cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The best interest of the child is the standard. Judges review each parent's home, work schedule, the child's school ties, and the child's preferences if the child is old enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, and final orders. These cases come up during divorce or as standalone actions.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 have no filing fee. Family violence victims can ask for a temporary protective order at the courthouse. The court can grant a TPO the same day. A hearing within 30 days follows. The records become part of the public family court file.

Online Access to Marietta Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Cobb County along with every other Georgia county. You can search by name, case number, or property details. Full access requires a subscription. Basic searches show if a record exists. For actual copies, you may need to visit the clerk office or request them by mail.

Attorneys can file electronically through Odyssey eFileGA in Cobb County. Pro se filers still submit papers in person. PeachCourt provides guided form preparation for self-represented litigants.

Mail requests go to the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. Include the case number or both party names and a check for the copy fee. Call (770) 528-1300 first to confirm the current fee amount.

Child Support in Marietta

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Marietta residents with support orders. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help. DCSS handles new orders, enforcement, and modifications. They can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses when parents do not pay.

Child support in Georgia follows the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a worksheet that sets the monthly amount. Health care and child care costs are factored in. If circumstances change, file a modification at the Cobb County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the order.

Legal Resources for Marietta Residents

Marietta residents have several legal aid options for family court cases. The Georgia Legal Services Program serves Cobb County. They help low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective order cases at no cost. The Cobb County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program that connects residents with local family law attorneys.

The Cobb County Family Law Information Center at the courthouse helps with forms and basic filing guidance. It is a good first stop for people filing on their own. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service also covers Cobb County. Some Marietta attorneys offer free first consultations for family court matters.

PeachCourt provides online form tools. Cobb County also has mediation services that judges often require in contested family cases. Mediation can help both sides reach an agreement without a full trial, which saves time and money.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Marietta. Some share Cobb County for family court records filings. Click a city for specific court and filing details.