Access Barrow County Family Court Records

Barrow County family court records are managed by Clerk of Superior Court Tammie B. Terrell in Winder, Georgia. The Piedmont Judicial Circuit in the 10th District oversees all family law matters for this growing county northeast of Atlanta. Barrow County handles a steady volume of divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases each year. You can search for records at the courthouse on Broad Street or use statewide tools to look up Barrow County family court filings from home.

Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court

Tammie B. Terrell serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Barrow County. Her office handles all family court filings, record storage, and copy requests. The courthouse is at 30 N. Broad Street in Winder. You can visit during business hours to search records or file new documents. The clerk staff can pull case files, look up old orders, and issue certified copies on the spot.

Barrow County has seen a lot of growth in recent years. More residents means more family court filings. The clerk office processes a higher volume of divorce and custody cases than many similarly sized counties in Georgia. Despite the workload, you can still get same-day service for most record requests if you go in person. Phone inquiries are handled at (770) 307-3100, though the staff may ask you to visit for anything that involves reviewing full case files.

Divorce and Separation Records in Barrow County

Divorce cases filed in Barrow County follow Georgia's six-month residency rule under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91. The filing spouse or the other party must have lived in Georgia for that period. The case is filed at the Barrow County courthouse, and the other spouse is served with papers. After a mandatory 30-day wait, the court can move forward. Uncontested cases where both parties agree often wrap up quickly. Contested divorces go through mediation or trial.

The Barrow County family court file for a divorce includes the complaint, answer, temporary orders, financial declarations, and the final decree. If children are involved, custody and support terms are part of the decree as well. All of these documents are public records. You can request copies from the clerk office in Winder.

The Georgia Office of Vital Records keeps divorce verification certificates for the years 1952 through 1996. For anything outside that range, or for the full decree, the Barrow County clerk is your only option.

Barrow County Custody Case Records

Child custody matters create some of the most detailed family court records in Barrow County. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 guides how judges make custody decisions. The child's best interest is the standard. The court looks at factors like the stability of each parent's home, their work schedule, the bond with the child, and whether there is any history of violence or substance abuse. Georgia law lets children who are 14 or older choose which parent they live with, and the court gives that choice a lot of weight.

Temporary custody orders may be issued while a case is pending in Barrow County. These set the arrangement until the judge makes a final ruling. Both temporary and final orders are part of the case file at the clerk office. Modifications can be filed later if circumstances change. Each modification adds more documents to the family court record in Barrow County.

Searching Barrow County Court Records Online

The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up Barrow County family court records without visiting Winder. You need a subscription account. Regular accounts are $14.95 per month, and printed pages cost $0.50 each. Search by name to see case numbers and filing dates for Barrow County cases.

You can view the GSCCCA search interface at the link above. The portal covers court records, real estate filings, and liens across all Georgia counties. For Barrow County family court records specifically, search results will show you the type of case, the filing date, and the case number. Document images may cost extra.

The GSCCCA also runs a Filing Activity Notification System called FANS. This free tool sends you alerts when new filings are added to a case. It can be useful for keeping tabs on an open family court matter in Barrow County without calling the clerk office every few days.

For e-filing, attorneys in Barrow County use the Odyssey eFileGA portal. Self-represented parties cannot e-file and must bring paper documents to the clerk office in Winder.

Child Support in Barrow County

Child support orders in Barrow County are set by the Superior Court and enforced by the state. O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26 gives the issuing court continuing jurisdiction. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles the enforcement side. They can set up wage withholding, intercept tax refunds, and take other steps when a parent falls behind on payments.

To reach DCSS, call 1-877-423-4746. Their lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only. DCSS can help you open a new case, establish paternity, or review an existing order. For Barrow County residents, the court records are at the Winder courthouse, but DCSS tracks the payment history and enforcement actions.

Barrow County Protection Order Records

Protective orders cost nothing to file in Barrow County. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 removes the filing fee for family violence petitions. A temporary order can be granted the same day you file. It lasts up to 30 days. After a hearing, a final order may be issued for up to one year, or three years in serious situations. The Georgia protective order page explains the steps and what you need to bring.

If you need immediate help, call Georgia's domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.

Note: All protective order records in Barrow County are filed at the Superior Court Clerk office in Winder.

Nearby Counties

Barrow County is just northeast of metro Atlanta. These surrounding counties each handle their own family court cases through the Superior Court system.