Clarke County Family Court Lookup

Clarke County family court records are handled by Clerk Beverly Logan at the Superior Court office in Athens, Georgia. Clarke County is a consolidated city-county government merged with Athens, making it Athens-Clarke County. The Western Judicial Circuit serves this area. Family court records here cover a broad range of cases tied to divorce, child custody, support, and domestic violence. Searching for these records in Clarke County means working through the clerk office on E. Washington Street. Athens is home to the University of Georgia, which adds a diverse and transient population that keeps the family court docket active year round.

Clarke County Superior Court Clerk

Beverly Logan serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Clarke County. Her office is at 325 E. Washington Street, Suite 450, in Athens. The phone number is (706) 613-3190. This office handles all family court filings and record requests for Clarke County, including the unified Athens-Clarke County government area.

Clarke County processes a high volume of family law cases. The combination of university students, young families, and long-time residents means the court sees a mix of case types. Divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective order petitions all flow through the clerk office. Staff are experienced with the volume and can help you find what you need. Whether you call ahead or walk in, the Clarke County clerk office is the primary place to search for family court records.

How to Find Clarke County Family Records

Searching for family court records in Clarke County starts with the clerk office. Call (706) 613-3190 and give them a name or case number. Staff can check the system and tell you what is on file. For in-person visits, head to the courthouse on E. Washington Street in Athens. Bring your ID.

The GSCCCA search portal covers Clarke County records as part of the statewide database. You can search by name and county for deeds, liens, and some court filings. Family court records may not all be in the online system, but the portal can help you confirm a case exists before visiting the clerk. The Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic filings for many Georgia courts and may have some Clarke County documents available.

For broader research, the CourtTrax system can help identify case numbers and basic information for Clarke County family court records.

Custody Cases in Clarke County

Child custody is one of the most common family court matters in Clarke County. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, Georgia judges decide custody based on the best interest of the child. The court looks at the relationship each parent has with the child, the safety and stability of each home, and the ability of each parent to provide care. Clarke County judges follow these standards.

The family court records for custody in Clarke County include the petition, response, temporary orders, mediation reports, guardian ad litem recommendations, and the final order. Parenting plans are filed as part of the case. Most records are public. The Clarke County clerk office provides copies to anyone who asks, though some details about children may be restricted.

Clarke County also handles modification cases when circumstances change. If a parent moves, changes jobs, or there are new safety concerns, either side can ask the court to change the custody order. That filing becomes a new entry in the existing family court record.

Clarke County Child Support

Child support orders in Clarke County are based on Georgia's income shares guidelines in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents share income information. The court calculates the support amount using a worksheet that accounts for gross income, the number of children, health insurance, and child care costs. The order goes into the Clarke County family court records.

Enforcement of support orders is available through the Georgia Division of Child Support Services. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and take other action when a parent falls behind. Clarke County residents can contact DCSS to open an enforcement case or request a modification. All enforcement records become part of the court file.

Note: Clarke County support cases involving students at the University of Georgia may have unique income considerations that the court will address.

Protective Orders in Clarke County

Family violence protective orders are filed at the Clarke County Superior Court. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, anyone facing abuse from a family or household member can petition for protection. Filing is free. Emergency orders can be issued the same day.

The Georgia protective order page has the forms and instructions Clarke County residents need. Once granted, the order enters the statewide registry. The clerk office in Athens keeps these records. Some access may be restricted for safety purposes.

State Resources for Clarke County Records

The GSCCCA runs the statewide court records system that includes Clarke County. For vital records, the Georgia Department of Public Health issues marriage and divorce certificates. These are separate documents from court files but often connect to family court cases in Clarke County.

Below is the Odyssey eFileGA system, which some Georgia courts use for electronic filing of family court documents.

Check with the Clarke County clerk to see if electronic filings for your case type are available through this platform.

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County is consolidated with Athens into a single government. All family court cases for Athens-Clarke County residents are filed at the Superior Court. The city below has its own page with more local information.

Nearby Counties

Several counties surround Clarke County in northeast Georgia. Check which county has jurisdiction over your case based on the address of the parties.