Search Douglas County Family Court Records

Douglas County family court records are kept by Clerk Lisa M. Robinson at the Superior Court office in Douglasville, Georgia. The Douglas Judicial Circuit serves this growing west metro Atlanta county. Douglas County handles a steady volume of family law cases including divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective order petitions. If you want to search for a family court record or need copies of a court order, the clerk office on Hospital Drive is the place to start. Most records are public and available during regular hours.

Douglas County Superior Court Clerk

Clerk Lisa M. Robinson manages all family court records in Douglas County. The office on Hospital Drive in Douglasville processes new filings and maintains records going back years. Staff members handle divorce cases, custody modifications, child support filings, and protective order petitions. Douglas County has its own judicial circuit, so the judges here focus solely on cases from this county. That can be an advantage when it comes to processing times and court schedules.

You can visit the clerk office during business hours to file new documents, search for existing records, or request copies. Phone inquiries are fine for basic case information. For more involved searches, going to the Douglasville courthouse in person works best. Certified copies of Douglas County family court records require a photo ID. They carry the court seal and are the only copies accepted for most legal purposes. Plain copies are available too and cost less.

Family Law Cases in Douglas County

Divorce is the most common type of family court record in Douglas County. O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 controls where the case gets filed. One spouse needs six months of Georgia residency. Douglas County has grown fast in recent years, and the number of family court filings has gone up along with the population. Both contested and uncontested divorces come through the Douglasville courthouse.

Child custody disputes are another big piece of the Douglas County family court docket. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court looks at the best interest of the child. Kids who are 14 or older can pick which parent they want to live with. The judge gives that choice real weight. For children 11 to 13, the judge still listens to what they want but has more say in the final outcome. Douglas County custody records include the parenting plan, visitation schedule, and any special terms the court puts in place. These records stay at the clerk office and are open to the public unless a judge orders them sealed.

Protective orders also go through the Douglas County family court. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 lets a person file for a temporary order lasting up to 30 days at no cost under the Family Violence Act.

Searching Douglas County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers an online database that includes Douglas County records. A monthly subscription is $14.95 and each page costs $0.50. You can search by name or case number from any computer. This is the main online option for Douglas County family court record searches.

The GSCCCA search portal covers all Georgia counties in one place. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. Below is a look at the GSCCCA interface.

For full document images, you might need to pay a per-page fee through the portal. Some older Douglas County records may require an in-person visit to view the original files at the courthouse in Douglasville.

Douglas County Child Support Records

Child support cases in Douglas County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court that enters the order retains jurisdiction. Any changes to a Douglas County support order go back to the same court. The clerk office in Douglasville stores all official records. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps with enforcement and tracking payments.

DCSS can open new cases, locate parents, set up paternity, and modify existing orders. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help. Lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Friday visits require appointments. Douglas County residents use DCSS for enforcement while the court maintains the legal records.

Note: Only the Douglas County Superior Court can change the terms of a child support order; DCSS handles enforcement and collections.

Adoption Records in Douglas County

Adoption records are sealed in Douglas County. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court exclusive authority over adoptions. A court order is required to access these files. The clerk office holds the records but cannot release them without a judge's approval.

Paternity filings are different. These Douglas County family court records are generally public. A paternity case determines legal fatherhood, affecting support obligations, custody, and inheritance. You can get paternity records from the clerk office the same way you request any other family court file. Attorneys can file family law documents through Odyssey eFileGA around the clock for Douglas County cases.

Getting Douglas County Court Copies

Go to the clerk office at 8700 Hospital Drive in Douglasville to get copies. Bring the case number or party names. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal matters. Plain copies work for personal use and cost less. The staff can usually make copies while you wait.

You can also mail in a request. Include the case details, your return address, and a check for the fees. Call (770) 920-7252 first to check the current rates. Mail processing takes about a week depending on the office workload. For time-sensitive needs, visit in person. Douglas County family court records with restricted content will be reviewed by the clerk before copies are made. Check Georgia's protective order page if you need information about those specific records.

Douglas County Cities

Douglasville is the county seat and the main city in Douglas County. Family court cases for Douglasville residents are filed at the Douglas County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Douglas County. Check which county has jurisdiction before filing your family court case.