Find Family Court Records in Burke County

Burke County family court records are maintained at the Superior Court Clerk office in Waynesboro, Georgia. The county belongs to the Augusta Judicial Circuit and processes divorce, custody, child support, and protective order filings for all Burke County residents.

Burke County Superior Court Clerk

The Burke County Superior Court Clerk office is at 200 E. 6th Street in Waynesboro. Call (706) 554-2279 for information about family court records, filing fees, or office hours. The clerk handles all family law cases filed in Burke County. That covers divorce, custody disputes, support orders, and protective order petitions.

Burke County is one of the largest counties in Georgia by land area. Despite the size, the population is relatively small. The court handles a moderate number of family cases each year. The clerk staff knows the system well and can help you track down records quickly. If you have a case number, the search goes even faster. Walk-ins are fine during regular hours.

Burke County shares the Augusta Judicial Circuit with Richmond County and Columbia County. The circuit court judges rotate between counties to hear cases. Family court records, though, stay at the Burke County clerk office in Waynesboro regardless of which judge handled the case.

Family Court Cases in Burke County

Divorce cases are the most frequent family court filing in Burke County. The petition, response, financial statements, and final decree all go into the court file. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on terms move through the system faster. Contested cases may take months as the court works through property division, custody, and support issues.

Custody is often tied to divorce, but it can be filed on its own too. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, Burke County judges follow the best interest standard when deciding custody. They look at both parents' situations, the child's needs, and any safety concerns. Burke County family court records for custody cases contain parenting plans, temporary orders, guardian ad litem reports, and the final order.

Legitimation and paternity cases also come through the Burke County family court. These establish a father's legal rights to a child and are a required step before a father can seek custody or visitation in Georgia.

How to Search Burke County Records

The GSCCCA search portal is the primary online resource for Burke County family court records. You can search by name and select Burke County from the list. The database covers deeds, liens, and court records from across the state.

Below is the GSCCCA search portal used to look up Burke County family court records and other court filings.

Start your search for Burke County family court records here before visiting the courthouse in Waynesboro.

The CourtTrax portal provides another way to search Burke County court data by name. The Odyssey eFileGA system covers electronic filings for Georgia courts. Both are worth checking if you can't find what you need through GSCCCA alone.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk office at 200 E. 6th Street in Waynesboro. Bring a valid ID and whatever details you have about the case. The staff will run a search and provide copies for a fee. Call (706) 554-2279 ahead of time to confirm the office is open.

Child Support Cases in Burke County

Child support orders are a regular part of Burke County family court records. Georgia uses income shares guidelines under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents report income. The court factors in insurance, daycare, and other costs. The resulting order is filed at the Burke County clerk office and becomes part of the family court file.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services assists Burke County residents with enforcement and modifications. When payments fall behind, DCSS steps in with wage garnishment, tax intercepts, and license suspensions. They can also help when someone needs to adjust the payment amount due to job loss or income changes.

Here is the DCSS homepage for Burke County residents seeking child support help.

Apply for DCSS services online or find the nearest office through the state website.

Burke County Protective Orders

Protective orders for family violence are filed at the Burke County Superior Court at no cost. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, anyone facing abuse from a family or household member can petition the court. Burke County judges can grant a temporary order the same day when the threat is urgent.

The Georgia protective order page has all the forms. After the court grants the order, it enters the statewide registry. Law enforcement anywhere in Georgia can enforce it. Burke County family court records for these cases include the petition, temporary order, hearing testimony, and the final ruling. Some information may be restricted to protect the person who filed.

Burke County residents dealing with domestic situations can also reach out to local victim advocacy groups for help with the filing process and safety planning.

Augusta Judicial Circuit

Burke County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit along with Columbia County and Richmond County. The circuit shares judges who rotate between the three counties. This means a Burke County family court case might be heard by a judge who also sits in Augusta. The records, however, always stay at the Burke County clerk office in Waynesboro.

Being in the same circuit as Richmond County (Augusta) gives Burke County residents access to some of the resources in the larger city nearby. Legal aid organizations and family law attorneys that serve the Augusta area often handle Burke County cases too.

Cities in Burke County

Burke County includes Waynesboro, Midville, Sardis, and Girard. All family court cases for residents in these communities are filed at the Burke County Superior Court in Waynesboro. None of these cities have populations above the qualifying threshold for their own pages.

Nearby Counties

Burke County borders several counties in the Augusta area. Make sure you know which county your case is filed in before requesting records.