Smyrna Family Court Records

Smyrna family court records are filed at the Cobb County Superior Court in Marietta. Cobb County handles all divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases for Smyrna residents.

Which County Handles Smyrna Family Court Cases

Smyrna is in Cobb County. All Smyrna family court records go through the Cobb County Superior Court in Marietta. The Cobb Judicial Circuit covers just Cobb County. Smyrna shares the courthouse with Marietta, Kennesaw, and other Cobb County cities. Every divorce, custody, and support case for a Smyrna address is filed at the same location.

Smyrna does not run its own family court. The city has a Municipal Court for traffic and ordinance cases, but family law matters fall under the Superior Court. That means Smyrna residents must go to the Cobb County courthouse in Marietta for family court filings.

Cobb County Superior Court Clerk

The Cobb County Superior Court is at 70 Haynes Street in Marietta. Call (770) 528-1300 for the clerk office. The staff can help you search for Smyrna family court records, get copies, or file new cases. Bring your ID when you visit. A case number speeds things up, but the clerk can search by name too.

Certified copies of family court records carry the court seal. You need these for legal purposes. Plain copies cost less. The clerk office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday. For mail requests, write to the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. Include the case number or full names and a check for copy fees.

Cobb County also has a Family Law Information Center that helps people with family court questions. The center can guide you through forms, explain procedures, and connect you with local resources. This is a good first stop if you are handling a Smyrna family court case on your own.

Types of Family Court Records in Smyrna

Divorce cases are the most common family court records filed by Smyrna residents. One spouse starts the process by filing a complaint at the Cobb County clerk office. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The case file includes the complaint, answer, temporary orders, financial papers, and the final decree. Most people who search Smyrna family court records want the final divorce decree.

There is a 30-day waiting period in Georgia. No judge can sign the final decree until 30 days after the case is filed. Uncontested divorces in Smyrna move fast once that period ends. Contested cases take more time.

Child custody matters follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. Courts look at the best interest of the child. That means each parent's home, the child's school ties, and the child's wishes if mature enough all factor in. Custody records hold petitions, parenting plans, and final orders. Smyrna parents can ask for modifications later when circumstances change.

Protective orders are free to file under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. A Smyrna resident facing family violence can ask the court for a temporary order on the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides whether a longer order should be put in place. These records sit in the family court file at the Cobb County clerk office.

Online Access to Smyrna Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal is the main tool for looking up Smyrna family court records online. It covers Cobb County and every other Georgia county. Search by name or case number. A paid subscription gets you full access. Basic searches show whether a record exists.

The Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic filing for attorneys in Cobb County family cases. If you are not a lawyer, you must file papers in person at the courthouse. The PeachCourt portal helps with guided form preparation. That can save time before you visit the clerk office.

Cobb County has its own records search tools on the county website as well. You can look up some case information there. For the most complete results, use GSCCCA or visit the clerk office in Marietta.

Child Support Services for Smyrna

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services assists Smyrna residents with support orders. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS sets up new orders, enforces existing ones, and handles modifications. Tools include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for parents who fall behind.

Support amounts in Georgia 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 care costs are part of the formula. To modify an existing order, file at the Cobb County clerk office or request a DCSS review. DCSS can also help with paternity cases when parentage needs to be established before support begins.

Legal Resources for Smyrna Residents

Smyrna residents who need legal help with family court cases can start with the Georgia Legal Services Program. They serve low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective order matters. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers Cobb County too.

PeachCourt provides guided interviews that walk you through family law forms step by step. The Cobb County Family Law Information Center is another free resource. It sits at the courthouse in Marietta and can answer basic questions about the process. Some Smyrna attorneys offer free consultations for family court cases. It pays to call a few firms and compare.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, self-help resources are available at the courthouse. The clerk office can explain the filing steps. Between PeachCourt, the Family Law Information Center, and Georgia Legal Services, most Smyrna residents can find the help they need to work through their family court case.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Smyrna. Several share Cobb County as the filing location for family court records. Click any city for its specific court details.