Dade County Family Court Records

Dade County family court records are held at the Superior Court Clerk office in Trenton, Georgia. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters for Dade County, which sits in the far northwest corner of the state. If you need to search for a divorce case, custody order, or child support filing, the clerk office in Trenton is where those records live. Dade County family court files go back decades and most are open to the public. The clerk staff can help you track down the right case file when you visit or call.

Dade County Clerk of Superior Court

The clerk office in Dade County is the single location for all family court records. Divorce filings, custody orders, child support modifications, and protective orders are all kept here. The office is on West Crabtree Street in Trenton. You can walk in during business hours to request records or file new cases. Phone calls work for basic questions about case status or fees. The clerk staff handles both new filings and copies of old records from the Dade County court system.

When you need a certified copy of a Dade County family court order, bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more than plain copies. Many agencies and schools will only accept certified versions. If you do not know the case number, the clerk can search by name. Walk-in service is usually the fastest way to get what you need from the Dade County office.

Family Court Case Types in Dade County

Most family court records in Dade County fall into a few main types. Divorce is the most common. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 sets the rules for where you file. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. The case is then filed in the county where the defendant lives, or in the plaintiff's county if both sides agree. Dade County sees both contested and uncontested divorce filings each year.

Child custody cases also make up a big part of the Dade County family court docket. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court decides custody based on the best interest of the child. A child who is 14 or older can choose which parent to live with, and the court will usually follow that choice. For children between 11 and 13, the judge still hears their input but makes the final call. Custody records in Dade County show the terms of each plan, visitation schedules, and any conditions the judge put in place.

Protective orders are filed here too. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, a person can ask for a temporary protective order that lasts up to 30 days. There is no filing fee for these cases under the Family Violence Act. After a hearing, the judge may issue a final order for up to one year.

Searching Dade County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs a statewide search tool that covers Dade County records. You can look up court cases, real estate filings, and liens all from one site. A monthly account costs $14.95, and each page you print is $0.50. This tool lets you search by name or case number without making the trip to Trenton.

You can view the GSCCCA search portal to start looking up Dade County family court records right from your computer.

Results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full images of court documents, you may need to pay per page or visit the clerk office in person. The GSCCCA portal is the best online option for Dade County family court record searches.

Note: Some older Dade County records may not be digitized and will need an in-person visit to view.

Dade County Child Support Filings

Child support cases in Dade County are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court that makes a support order keeps jurisdiction over it, so any changes to a Dade County support order go back to the same court. If you need to find a child support record, the clerk office in Trenton has the files. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services also helps track and enforce payments across the state.

DCSS can help you open a new case, locate a parent who is not paying, establish paternity, or modify an existing order. Their toll-free line is 1-877-423-4746. Office lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM, and Monday and Friday visits need an appointment. For Dade County residents, DCSS handles enforcement while the Superior Court keeps the official case records.

Adoption and Paternity Records in Dade County

Adoption records in Dade County are sealed. You cannot walk in and ask for them the way you can with divorce or custody files. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole authority over adoption cases. To access sealed adoption records, you need a court order from a judge.

Paternity cases are different. These Dade County family court records are generally public. A paternity filing establishes who the legal father is, which matters for child support, custody rights, and inheritance. The Georgia Putative Father Registry is a separate state resource for men who want to protect their parental rights when a child might be placed for adoption. You can learn more about filing court documents through Odyssey eFileGA, though most Dade County attorneys handle e-filings on behalf of their clients.

Getting Copies of Dade County Court Orders

You can get copies of family court records from the Dade County clerk in a few ways. The simplest is to visit the office at 255 W. Crabtree Street in Trenton. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties involved. The staff will pull the file and make copies for you. Certified copies have the court seal and the clerk's signature. Plain copies cost less but might not be accepted for legal purposes.

Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter with the case details, your return address, and a check for the fees. Call (706) 657-4778 first to confirm what copies cost right now. Processing by mail takes longer, sometimes a week or more. For Dade County family court records that contain sensitive details, the clerk may review the file before releasing copies.

You can also get information on protective orders through the state website if you need to understand how those records work in Georgia.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dade County. Family court cases must be filed in the right county, so check the address where the parties live before filing.