Access Warner Robins Family Court Records

Warner Robins family court records are filed at the Houston County Superior Court in Perry. Warner Robins is the largest city in Houston County and generates most of the county's family law caseload. Divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases all go through the Houston County courthouse.

Which County Handles Warner Robins Family Court Cases

Warner Robins sits in Houston County. All family court records for Warner Robins residents go through the Houston County Superior Court in Perry, the county seat. The Houston Judicial Circuit serves the county. Warner Robins does not have its own family court. The city's municipal court handles traffic tickets and local ordinance cases, but all family law matters go to the county courthouse.

Perry is about 15 miles south of Warner Robins. The drive usually takes 20 minutes. That makes it one of the shorter commutes in Georgia for residents who need to file family court records in their county seat. Under Georgia law, family cases must be filed where the defendant lives.

Houston County Superior Court Clerk

The Houston County Superior Court Clerk is Carolyn S. Horne. Her office maintains all family court records for Warner Robins and the rest of Houston County. The courthouse is at 201 North Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. Call (478) 218-4750 to reach the clerk office. Office hours are Monday through Friday.

When you go in person, bring a valid ID. If you have a case number, that speeds things up. The clerk can search by party name if you don't have the case number. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Certified copies have the court seal and are needed for legal purposes. Plain copies are fine for personal use. Call the clerk to check on current fees before your visit.

The Houston County courthouse also has a self-help area where you can pick up family law forms. Staff can tell you which forms you need for your type of case. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you get started with the right paperwork.

Types of Warner Robins Family Court Records

Divorce records make up the largest share of family court cases in Warner Robins. A divorce starts when one spouse files a complaint at the Houston County clerk office. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. The case file grows as both sides submit answers, temporary orders, financial papers, and other filings. The final decree wraps up the case and becomes a public record.

Georgia requires a 30-day wait after the defendant is served. The court cannot grant a final divorce before that time is up. Uncontested divorces where both sides agree tend to move through the Houston County system faster than contested ones. The military community around Robins Air Force Base adds some complexity since service members have extra legal protections under federal law.

Child custody cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court decides custody based on the best interest of the child. Judges look at each parent's home, work schedule, the child's school, and the child's own wishes if the child is old enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, and final orders. Both married and unmarried parents can file custody actions.

Protective orders are filed under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 at no cost. Family violence victims can request a temporary protective order at the Houston County courthouse. The court can grant the TPO the same day. A full hearing takes place within 30 days. These records stay in the family court file at the clerk office.

Online Access to Warner Robins Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Houston County and all 159 Georgia counties. Search by name, case number, or other details. A subscription gives you full access. Basic searches show whether a record exists. For actual document copies, you may need to visit the clerk office or request them by mail.

Attorneys in Houston County can file family court papers through the Odyssey eFileGA system. Pro se filers still need to submit papers in person at the courthouse in Perry. The PeachCourt portal helps with guided form preparation if you plan to handle your case without a lawyer.

Mail requests go to the Houston County Superior Court Clerk at 201 N. Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. Include the case number or full party names and a check for the copy fee. Call (478) 218-4750 first to confirm the current fees.

Child Support in Warner Robins

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Warner Robins residents with support matters. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS can set up new support orders, enforce existing ones, and process modifications. They use wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension to collect from parents who fall behind.

Georgia's income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26 sets child support amounts. Both parents' incomes go into a worksheet. Health care and child care costs are part of the formula. To change an order, file a modification petition at the Houston County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the case. Military families in Warner Robins should note that military pay counts as income for support calculations.

Legal Resources for Warner Robins Residents

Warner Robins residents can get legal help through the Georgia Legal Services Program. This group assists low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective order cases. The Middle Georgia office serves Houston County and the surrounding area.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that covers Houston County. Some local family law attorneys offer free first consultations. Robins Air Force Base has a legal assistance office that provides free legal help to active-duty military, retirees, and dependents. This is a valuable resource for the large military community in Warner Robins. The base legal office can help with divorce, custody, and support matters.

PeachCourt provides online form tools for self-represented filers. The Houston County courthouse has a self-help area with forms and basic filing guidance for people who do not have a lawyer.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Warner Robins. Click a city to find its specific family court records information and filing details.