Access Dodge County Family Court Records

Dodge County family court records are filed and kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Eastman, Georgia. The Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit oversees all family law matters in this county. Divorce filings, child custody cases, support orders, and protective order petitions all go through the Dodge County courthouse. If you want to look up a family court record or need copies of a court order, the clerk office in Eastman can help. Most Dodge County family court records are open to the public and available for search during regular business hours.

Dodge County Superior Court Clerk

The Superior Court Clerk office in Dodge County handles all family court records. The office is on Anson Avenue in Eastman. Staff members process new family law filings and maintain records that go back many years. You can walk in to search for a specific case, request copies, or file new documents. Phone calls are fine for basic questions about case status or fees, but detailed record searches are best done in person at the Dodge County courthouse.

When you need certified copies of a Dodge County family court order, bring your photo ID. Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's signature. They cost more than plain copies, but many agencies only accept the certified version. If you do not have the case number, the staff can look up records by the names of the parties. The Dodge County clerk office is the single source for all family law records filed in this county.

Family Law Cases in Dodge County

Divorce is the most common family court record type in Dodge County. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing. The case is filed in the county where the other spouse lives. Dodge County handles both contested divorces that require a trial and uncontested cases where both sides agree on all terms. The clerk office stores every divorce filing and final decree.

Custody disputes are also a large part of the Dodge County family court docket. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 says the court must put the child's best interest first when deciding custody. Children 14 and older can choose which parent to live with. The court gives that choice significant weight. Kids between 11 and 13 can state a preference too, but the judge has more room to go a different way. Dodge County custody records show the full parenting plan, visitation terms, and any conditions the judge ordered.

Protective orders round out the main family court filings in Dodge County. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 allows a person facing family violence to get a temporary order for up to 30 days with no filing fee. After a hearing, the court can issue a final order lasting up to a year.

Dodge County Online Record Search

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs a statewide search tool that includes Dodge County records. A subscription costs $14.95 per month. Each page view is $0.50 extra. You can search by name or case number to find family court records without driving to Eastman.

The GSCCCA search portal covers all 159 Georgia counties. You can check the portal to find Dodge County family court records from your computer.

Search results will show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. Full document images may cost extra. For some older Dodge County records, you might need to visit the clerk office in person to view the original files.

Child Support Filings in Dodge County

Child support cases in Dodge County are governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court retains jurisdiction over support orders, so any modifications must go back to the same Dodge County court. The clerk office in Eastman keeps all official child support records. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services assists with enforcement and payment tracking.

DCSS can help open new cases, find parents, establish paternity, or modify existing orders. Their toll-free number is 1-877-423-4746. Lobby hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Friday visits require an appointment. Dodge County residents use DCSS for the enforcement side while the court handles the legal orders.

Note: DCSS tracks payments and can garnish wages, but only the Dodge County court can change the terms of a support order.

Adoption and Paternity in Dodge County

Adoption records in Dodge County are sealed under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court exclusive power over adoptions. These files are stored at the clerk office in Eastman but cannot be released without a judge's order. You cannot access adoption records the same way you can divorce or custody files.

Paternity cases are public records in Dodge County. A paternity filing establishes legal fatherhood, which affects support, custody, and inheritance rights. You can request copies from the clerk office. Attorneys handling Dodge County family law cases can file documents electronically through Odyssey eFileGA at any time.

How to Get Dodge County Court Copies

Visit the clerk office at 5401 Anson Avenue in Eastman to get copies of family court records. Bring the case number or the party names. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less but may not work for legal purposes. You can also mail in a request with case details, your return address, and a check for the fees.

Call (478) 374-2871 to check current copy costs before visiting or mailing a request. Processing by mail can take a week or more depending on how busy the office is. For urgent needs, an in-person trip to the Dodge County clerk office is the fastest route. If a record contains sealed or restricted content, the clerk will review it before releasing copies. You can also check Georgia's protective order information page if that is the type of record you are looking for.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Dodge County. Verify which county has jurisdiction before filing a family court case.