Find Decatur County Family Court Records

Decatur County family court records are stored at the Superior Court Clerk office in Bainbridge, Georgia. Clerk Elizabeth H. Jones manages all family law filings for the county, which falls under the Southwestern Judicial Circuit. Whether you need a divorce decree, custody order, or child support filing, the Bainbridge courthouse is the place to go. Decatur County keeps family court records for years and most are available to the public. You can search in person, by phone, or use online tools to find the records you need from Decatur County courts.

Decatur County Superior Court Clerk

Clerk Elizabeth H. Jones and her staff handle all family court records in Decatur County. The office sits on Water Street in downtown Bainbridge. Divorce filings, custody cases, child support orders, and protective orders all go through this office. You can walk in to search the records or file a new family law case. The staff can help you find what you need if you have a name or case number.

Certified copies of Decatur County family court records require a photo ID. These copies carry the court seal and the clerk's official signature. They cost more than plain copies but are the only version many agencies will accept. If you need records for a legal matter or a government application, get the certified version from the Decatur County clerk. The office also handles record requests by mail, though processing takes longer that way.

Family Law Cases in Decatur County

Divorce filings are the most common family court records in Decatur County. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 controls where a divorce case must be filed. At least one spouse needs six months of Georgia residency before filing. The case is then brought in the county where the other spouse lives. Decatur County processes both uncontested and contested divorce cases through the Superior Court in Bainbridge.

Custody battles show up often in Decatur County family court records as well. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 says the court must decide custody based on the child's best interest. Children 14 and older get to pick which parent they live with. The judge typically goes along with that pick. Younger children between 11 and 13 can also state a preference, but the judge has more room to decide. Decatur County custody files include the full parenting plan with visitation schedules and any terms the judge sets. These records are stored at the clerk office and stay open to the public unless a judge orders them sealed.

Protective orders are another type of family court record you can find in Decatur County. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, temporary orders last up to 30 days. There is no fee to file one under the Family Violence Act.

Decatur County Online Record Search

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers a statewide database that includes Decatur County records. You can search by party name or case number from any computer. A subscription costs $14.95 per month, and page views are $0.50 each. This is the main online tool for people who cannot visit the Bainbridge courthouse.

The GSCCCA search portal pulls records from all Georgia counties, so you can check Decatur County and other counties in one session. Below is a look at the search interface.

The portal shows case numbers, filing dates, and document types in the results. Full document images may need a per-page payment. For some Decatur County records, you might still need to contact the clerk office directly to get complete case files.

Child Support in Decatur County

Child support cases filed in Decatur County are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Once the court enters a support order, it keeps jurisdiction over that order going forward. Any changes to the amount or terms must go back to the Decatur County court. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps with enforcement and payment tracking statewide.

DCSS services include opening new cases, finding parents, setting up paternity, and modifying orders. Call them at 1-877-423-4746. Their lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays are appointment only. Decatur County residents can use DCSS for enforcement help while the Superior Court clerk in Bainbridge keeps the official court files.

Note: DCSS handles the money side of child support; the Decatur County court handles the legal orders.

Adoption Records in Decatur County

Adoption records are sealed in Decatur County. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 makes the Superior Court the only court with authority over adoptions. You need a judge's order to see these files. The clerk office in Bainbridge stores them but cannot release them without court approval.

Paternity cases are public records in Decatur County. These filings establish legal fatherhood and affect child support, custody, and inheritance. You can request copies of paternity records from the clerk office the same way you would request any other family court file. For e-filing, attorneys in Decatur County can use Odyssey eFileGA to submit family law documents at any time of day.

Requesting Decatur County Family Court Copies

The easiest way to get copies is to visit the clerk office at 112 W. Water Street in Bainbridge. Bring the case number or the names of the parties. Staff will search the records and make copies. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies work for personal reference but may not be accepted by other agencies or courts.

You can also mail in a request. Include the case details, your address, and payment for the copy fees. Call (229) 248-3025 ahead of time to find out what the current fees are. Mail requests can take a week or more to process. For family court records with restricted information, the Decatur County clerk reviews the file before making copies available. You can also check Georgia's protective order page if you need information about those types of filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Decatur County. Double check which county you need before filing a family court case.