Search Evans County Family Court Records

Evans County family court records are filed at the Superior Court Clerk office in Claxton, Georgia. The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Evans County.

Evans County Clerk of Superior Court

The Superior Court Clerk in Evans County handles every family court record filed in the county. The office is at 3 W. Main Street in Claxton. You go here to file new cases, pull old records, or get copies of court orders. Staff can search by name or case number. Call (912) 739-3868 if you have questions about a case or want to know the fees before you come in.

Evans County is part of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. The circuit judge rotates through the counties on a schedule. Family court hearings in Evans County happen on set dates. Between those dates, the clerk office in Claxton is the place to handle filings and pick up documents. The volume of family court records here is modest, so the staff can usually help you the same day you walk in.

Divorce Filings in Evans County

Divorce records make up a large share of the family court filings in Evans County. To file, one spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months. The case is filed where the other spouse lives. If both parties agree, they can file in either county. The complaint goes to the Evans County clerk office on Main Street, and the other spouse gets served.

Georgia law sets a 30-day waiting period. No divorce can be granted before that time runs out. Uncontested cases move fast in Evans County once the wait ends. The final decree lists all the terms of the split. Property, debts, custody, and support are all spelled out. That decree becomes a permanent part of the Evans County family court records. Anyone can ask for a copy.

Contested divorces take longer. They can go to trial in Evans County, and the file gets thick with motions, responses, and hearing transcripts. Every document stays at the clerk office in Claxton. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Office of Vital Records is another option.

Evans County Child Custody Records

Custody cases come up in Evans County both during divorce and as standalone filings between unmarried parents. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 sets the standard. The child's best interest drives the decision. The judge looks at each parent's home, the child's bonds, school stability, and the willingness of each parent to support the child's ties with the other parent.

A child 14 or older picks the custodial parent. The court follows that choice unless there is a clear reason not to. Children 11 to 13 can state a preference. The judge weighs it but keeps the final call. Evans County custody records hold the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports if any, and the final order. Modifications happen when a parent shows things have changed enough to justify a new arrangement.

Searching Evans County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority includes Evans County in its statewide search system. A subscription costs $14.95 per month, plus $0.50 per page. Search by name or document type to find Evans County family court records from home.

This online tool can save you a trip to Claxton. Results show case numbers and filing dates. For full document copies, you may still need to reach out to the Evans County clerk directly. Older records might not be indexed online yet. The PeachCourt portal is another resource for Georgia court data.

Child Support in Evans County

Child support in Evans County follows the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes get plugged into a state worksheet. The result is the base amount. Adjustments can be made for insurance, daycare, and special needs. The Evans County court enters the order, and the clerk office in Claxton keeps the official record.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746. To change an Evans County support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office. You need to show that circumstances have changed since the last order.

Protective Orders in Evans County

Protective orders for family violence are filed in Evans County under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. No fee is charged. The court can grant a temporary order on the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides if a longer order should be put in place. If granted, the order can last up to 12 months and is enforceable across the state.

Forms and steps are on the Georgia protective order page. The domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 is available around the clock. Evans County protective order records are kept at the clerk office in Claxton.

Getting Copies of Evans County Records

Visit the clerk office at 3 W. Main Street in Claxton for copies. Certified copies have the court seal and are needed for legal matters. Plain copies are cheaper. Bring the case number or full party names. You can also mail a request with case details and payment. Call (912) 739-3868 first to confirm fees. Attorneys can file documents through the Odyssey eFileGA system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Evans County. Check which county has jurisdiction before you start a family court case.