Catoosa County Family Court Records

Catoosa County family court records are on file at the Superior Court Clerk office in Ringgold, Georgia. Clerk Patricia A. Jackson manages the office and oversees all filings for the county. Catoosa County is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which covers the northwest corner of the state near the Tennessee border. If you need family court records for a divorce, custody dispute, support case, or protective order filed in Catoosa County, the clerk at 875 Lafayette Street in Ringgold is the place to go. Records are available to the public for most case types.

Catoosa County Clerk Office Information

Patricia A. Jackson serves as Clerk of Superior Court for Catoosa County. The office sits at 875 Lafayette Street in Ringgold. You can reach the clerk at (706) 935-4231. This is the office that files, stores, and gives out copies of all family court records in Catoosa County. From new divorce petitions to old custody orders, it all runs through this one location.

Catoosa County sits right on the Tennessee line. Many residents work in Chattanooga but file their family court cases here. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit covers Catoosa County along with several other northwest Georgia counties. Because of its location, the clerk office deals with cross-state issues from time to time, especially in custody cases where one parent lives in Tennessee. All records stay at the Catoosa County courthouse regardless of where the parties end up living later.

Searching Catoosa County Family Records

You can look up family court records in Catoosa County a few different ways. Calling the clerk is the fastest. Give them a name or case number and they will check the system. For copies of documents, an in-person visit to the Ringgold courthouse works best. Bring your ID and be ready to pay a small copy fee.

Online, the GSCCCA search portal covers Catoosa County records. You can search by name and county to find deed records, liens, and some court filings. Family court records may not all appear in the online system, but it is a good place to start. The Odyssey eFileGA platform is also used by some Georgia courts for electronic filing. If your Catoosa County case was filed electronically, some documents may be available through that system.

Catoosa County Custody Case Records

Custody disputes are common in Catoosa County family court. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, Georgia judges must focus on the best interest of the child. That means looking at the bond between the child and each parent. It also means checking each home for safety and stability. Catoosa County judges follow these state rules closely.

The family court records for custody cases in Catoosa County typically include the petition, response, any temporary orders, mediation reports, and the final custody order. Parenting plans are part of the file too. If the case went to trial, hearing transcripts may be available. These records are stored at the Catoosa County clerk office. Most are public, though records involving children may have limited access in some parts.

Modification of custody orders also creates new records. If circumstances change, either parent can file a motion to modify with the Catoosa County court. That new filing becomes part of the existing case file.

Support Orders in Catoosa County

Child support orders filed in Catoosa County follow Georgia's income shares model. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26, both parents share financial info with the court. A worksheet calculates the support amount based on combined income, the number of children, and added costs like health coverage. The final order goes into the Catoosa County family court records.

When payments fall behind, the Georgia Division of Child Support Services can help Catoosa County residents. DCSS has enforcement powers including wage garnishment, license suspension, and tax intercepts. They can also help parents file for modifications when income changes. All enforcement actions become part of the court record in Catoosa County.

Note: Catoosa County support cases that involve a parent in Tennessee may require coordination between state agencies.

Protective Orders in Catoosa County

The Catoosa County Superior Court handles protective orders for family violence cases. Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 lets anyone who faces abuse from a family member file for protection. No filing fee is charged. The court can issue an emergency order on the same day if the risk is immediate.

Forms and instructions are available at the Georgia protective order page. Once granted in Catoosa County, the order goes into the state registry. All Georgia law enforcement can access it. Records at the clerk office may have limited public access to protect the person who filed.

State Tools for Catoosa County

Several state resources help with Catoosa County family court records. The GSCCCA runs the main statewide court records database. The Georgia Department of Public Health handles vital records like marriage and divorce certificates. These certificates are different from the full court files but are often needed alongside family court records.

The screenshot below shows the Odyssey eFileGA system used by Georgia courts, which may include electronic filings from Catoosa County.

Check with the Catoosa County clerk to confirm which online tools apply to their specific family court records.

Nearby Counties

Catoosa County borders several other counties in northwest Georgia. Family court cases must be filed where the parties reside. Check the county lines if you are unsure where to look for records.