Search Savannah Family Court Records

Savannah family court records are filed at the Chatham County Superior Court on Montgomery Street. Chatham County handles all family law cases for Savannah residents, including divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders. The city also has a Family Justice Center that provides extra support for domestic violence cases.

Which County Handles Savannah Family Court Cases

Savannah residents file family court cases in Chatham County. The Eastern Judicial Circuit serves Chatham County. Unlike some Georgia cities that straddle county lines, all of Savannah falls within Chatham County. That keeps the filing process simple. Every divorce, custody, and support case for a Savannah address goes to the same courthouse.

The clerk of the Chatham County Superior Court is Tammie D. Mosley. Her office maintains all family court records for the county and can assist with record searches and copy requests.

Chatham County Superior Court Clerk

The Chatham County Superior Court is at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401. Call (912) 652-7200 to reach the clerk office. Clerk Tammie D. Mosley oversees family court record keeping, copy requests, and new case filings. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

For in-person visits, bring a valid ID. If you have a case number, bring that too. The clerk can search by party name, but a case number makes the process quicker. Certified copies have the court seal and are needed for legal use. Plain copies cost less. Call ahead to ask about current fees before you visit.

Savannah also has a Family Justice Center that serves victims of domestic violence. Call (912) 659-5282 or email chathamfjc@gmail.com. The center provides safety planning, legal advocacy, and help with protective order filings. This resource is separate from the clerk office but works alongside the court system.

Types of Family Court Records in Savannah

Divorce records are the most common family court files in Savannah. A case begins when one spouse files a complaint at the Chatham County clerk office. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. The file includes the complaint, answer, temporary orders, financial papers, and the final decree. Most people who search for Savannah family court records are looking for that final decree.

Georgia has a 30-day waiting period after filing before the court can enter a final decree. This gives both parties time to respond. Savannah handles contested and uncontested divorces. Uncontested cases where both sides agree wrap up faster.

Child custody cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The best interest of the child is the standard. Savannah judges look at each parent's living situation, the child's connections, and the child's wishes if mature enough. Custody records include petitions, proposed parenting plans, evaluations, and final orders. Parents can petition to modify custody when situations change.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed at no cost. Savannah's Family Justice Center at (912) 659-5282 can help with the paperwork. The court may issue a temporary order on the same day. A hearing within 30 days determines whether a 12-month order should be entered. These records become part of the public family court file at the Chatham County clerk office.

Online Access to Savannah Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Chatham County along with every other county in Georgia. Search by name, case number, or property details. A subscription gives full access. This is the primary tool for finding Savannah family court records from home without visiting the courthouse.

The Odyssey eFileGA system lets attorneys file family court documents in Chatham County electronically. Pro se filers still need to submit papers in person at the clerk office. The PeachCourt portal offers another route for electronic court access in Georgia.

For mail requests, send your letter to the Chatham County Superior Court Clerk at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401. Include the case number or full party names and a check for the copy fee. Call (912) 652-7200 first to confirm the amount.

Child Support in Savannah

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Savannah residents with support enforcement. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS sets up new orders, enforces existing ones, and processes modifications. They can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses for parents who do not pay.

Georgia uses the income shares model from O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a worksheet. The result sets the monthly payment. Health care and child care costs are part of the formula. If circumstances change, you can file a modification petition at the Chatham County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the order.

Legal Resources in Savannah

Savannah residents have several options for legal help with family court cases. Georgia Legal Services Program assists low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective orders. Savannah's Family Justice Center offers support for domestic violence victims, including help with protective order filings and safety planning.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers Chatham County. PeachCourt has guided form preparation for self-represented litigants. Some Savannah family law attorneys offer free initial consultations. The clerk office at the Chatham County courthouse can also point you toward local resources and explain the filing process.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities are near Savannah. Click a city for its specific family court records information and filing details.