Search Dawson County Family Court Records

Dawson County family court records are maintained by Clerk Glenda S. Ferguson at the Superior Court office in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Northeastern Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters here, from divorce filings to custody disputes and child support cases. If you want to search for a family court record in Dawson County, the clerk office on Justice Way is the primary source. Most records are public and you can request copies in person, by mail, or through online search tools. Dawson County court staff can point you in the right direction for any family case file.

Dawson County Superior Court Clerk

Clerk Glenda S. Ferguson oversees all family court records in Dawson County. The office on Justice Way in Dawsonville stores divorce decrees, custody arrangements, child support orders, and protective order filings. You can visit during regular business hours to search records or file new family law cases. Staff members are available to help you locate specific files when you have a name or case number ready.

For certified copies of Dawson County family court orders, bring your ID to the clerk window. Certified copies come with the official court seal and cost more than standard copies. You will need these for legal proceedings, school enrollment changes, or insurance updates. The Dawson County clerk office is the only local place to get these documents. If you are not sure what you need, call the office first and the staff can walk you through it.

The Dawson County Superior Court website has information about office hours, filing procedures, and contact details for the clerk staff.

This page gives an overview of what the Dawson County clerk office handles and how to reach them for family court record requests.

Family Law Cases in Dawson County

Divorce cases are the most common type of family court record in Dawson County. O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 sets the rules on where to file. One spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months. After that, the case goes to the county where the other spouse resides, or in the filing spouse's county if both agree. Dawson County handles both contested and uncontested divorces.

Custody disputes make up another large chunk of the Dawson County family court docket. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 says the court must put the child's best interest first. Children 14 and older can pick which parent they want to live with. The court gives that choice a lot of weight. For kids aged 11 to 13, the judge will still listen to what they want but has more room to decide differently. Dawson County custody records include the full parenting plan, visitation terms, and any special conditions from the judge. These records stay on file at the clerk office and are public unless the judge seals part of the case.

Protective orders also come through the Dawson County family court. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 lets a person ask for a temporary order lasting up to 30 days with no filing fee.

Dawson County Records Online Search

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides a statewide tool for searching Dawson County family court records. You can look up cases by name or number. A monthly subscription runs $14.95 and each page costs $0.50 to view. This is the main online option for Dawson County records if you cannot make it to Dawsonville in person.

The GSCCCA search portal covers all 159 Georgia counties including Dawson. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and the types of documents on file. For the full text of a court order, you might need to pay for page images or request copies from the clerk office directly.

Note: The GSCCCA portal may not include the most recent Dawson County filings until they are indexed by the clerk office.

Child Support Records in Dawson County

Child support cases in Dawson County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court that enters a support order keeps jurisdiction, so any changes go back to the same Dawson County court. You can find child support records at the clerk office in Dawsonville. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services also plays a role in tracking payments and enforcing orders across the state.

DCSS can open new cases, locate a parent, set up paternity, or modify existing orders. Their toll-free number is 1-877-423-4746. Lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays need appointments. Dawson County residents use DCSS for enforcement, but the official court records stay at the Superior Court clerk office in Dawsonville.

Dawson County Adoption and Paternity Files

Adoption records in Dawson County are sealed under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole power over adoption cases. You cannot access these records without a court order from a judge. The clerk office stores them but will not release them to the public.

Paternity records are a different matter. These Dawson County family court records are generally open to the public. A paternity case establishes legal fatherhood, which affects child support, custody rights, and inheritance. You can request paternity records from the Dawson County clerk office the same way you would request a divorce or custody file. Attorneys in Dawson County can file paternity and other family law documents through the Odyssey eFileGA system around the clock.

How to Get Dawson County Court Copies

Visit the clerk office at 25 Justice Way in Dawsonville to get copies of family court records. Bring the case number or party names. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted for legal use. Plain copies cost less. You can also request copies by mail. Send a written request with case details, your return address, and a check for the fees. Call (706) 344-3510 to confirm current copy costs before you send anything.

Processing by mail takes about a week. For urgent needs, an in-person visit to the Dawson County clerk office is your best bet. The staff can pull records and make copies while you wait in most cases. If a family court record contains sealed or restricted information, the clerk will review it before releasing any copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Dawson County. Make sure you file family court cases in the correct county based on where the parties live.