Family Court Records in Floyd County

Floyd County family court records are filed and stored at the Superior Court Clerk office in Rome, Georgia. Whether you are searching for a divorce decree, custody order, or child support filing, this office is the central point for all family law cases in the county. Floyd County is part of the Rome Judicial Circuit, and the Superior Court handles the full range of family matters for residents throughout this northwest Georgia area. Rome is the county seat and the only city in Floyd County large enough for its own dedicated page here, so most search activity centers on the courthouse downtown.

Floyd County Superior Court Clerk

Barbara A. Penson serves as the Superior Court Clerk for Floyd County. The clerk office is at 3 Government Plaza in Rome. You can call them at (706) 291-5190 for questions about records, filings, or fees. This is the one place in the county where all family court records are kept. From divorce complaints and custody petitions to final orders and modifications, every family law document goes through this office.

The clerk staff at the Floyd County courthouse can help you search for a case, review a file, or get copies of specific documents. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours. If you need certified copies, ask at the front desk. They carry the official court seal and work for legal purposes like name changes or property matters. Regular copies cost less. Bring a valid ID when you visit. Staff can search by name or case number, so have that information ready.

Searching Floyd County Family Records

You have a few options for searching family court records in Floyd County. The quickest way to get basic case details is through online search tools that cover the Georgia court system. The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up records by name across all 159 counties in Georgia. It covers deeds, liens, and some court filings. For more in-depth family law case data, the CourtTrax portal can pull up case information from Floyd County and other Georgia courts.

Online tools have limits, though. Not every family court record from Floyd County shows up in these databases. Older cases, sealed files, and some documents may only be available in person at the courthouse. If you can't find what you need online, a trip to 3 Government Plaza in Rome is the next step. The clerk staff can look up records in their local system that may not be in the state databases.

Georgia's Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic court filings. If a Floyd County case was filed electronically, some documents may be viewable through this platform. E-filing is growing across the state, but not every attorney or self-represented party uses it for every case.

Note: Family court records involving minors may have restricted access under Georgia privacy rules.

Floyd County Divorce Filings

Divorce cases are the most frequent type of family court record in Floyd County. The process starts when one spouse files a complaint at the clerk office. Georgia law requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for six months before filing, per O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. The case gets filed in the county where the defendant lives. If both spouses are in Floyd County, the case stays right here in Rome.

Every divorce case builds a file of documents. The complaint, answer, temporary motions, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final decree all end up in that file at the Floyd County clerk office. The final decree is the most requested document. It spells out property division, custody terms, visitation schedules, and support obligations. Georgia allows both fault-based and no-fault divorce, but most filings in Floyd County use the no-fault ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

After the court issues the final decree, it becomes a permanent part of the public record in Floyd County. Anyone can request a copy. There is a 30-day waiting period after filing before the court can enter a final decree, which gives both sides time to respond and negotiate.

Custody and Support in Floyd County

Child custody and support cases produce a large volume of family court records in Floyd County. Custody can be decided as part of a divorce or as a standalone case. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 lists the factors Georgia judges use to determine custody. The child's best interest is the standard. Judges in Floyd County consider each parent's home, the child's relationship with each parent, school ties, and the child's preferences when old enough.

Child support follows the income shares model set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' gross incomes feed into a calculation that produces the support amount. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services enforces orders when a parent falls behind. They can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and take other steps to collect. If you need to change a support order from Floyd County, you file a modification petition with the clerk in Rome. The court will look at whether a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the last order.

Protective Orders Filed in Floyd County

Victims of family violence in Floyd County can file for a protective order at the Superior Court. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 allows the court to grant a temporary protective order on the same day it is requested. No advance notice to the other party is needed for the temporary order. A full hearing follows within 30 days, where the judge decides whether to issue a 12-month protective order.

Filing a protective order in Floyd County costs nothing. The clerk at 3 Government Plaza has the forms, and staff can help you understand the process. The Georgia protective order information page explains what to expect at each step. These orders become part of the Floyd County family court record and are enforceable by law enforcement across the state.

Getting Copies of Floyd County Records

You can get copies of family court records from Floyd County at the clerk office or by mail. In person, the clerk can print documents while you wait. Certified copies need the court seal and cost more than plain copies. The fee depends on the type of document and number of pages. Call (706) 291-5190 to ask about current rates before you make the trip.

For mail requests, write to the Floyd County Superior Court Clerk at 3 Government Plaza, Rome, GA 30161. Include the case number or full names of the parties, what document you need, and payment by check or money order. The clerk will send copies back to you. Allow a couple of weeks for processing. If you are not sure about the fee amount, call first so you send the right payment.

The GSCCCA website also provides some Floyd County records online, though the depth of family law case documents varies. For the most complete file, an in-person visit or direct request to the clerk is best.

Floyd County Legal Resources

Several options exist for people who need legal help with family court matters in Floyd County. The Georgia Legal Services Program offers free assistance to those who qualify based on income. They handle divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases across northwest Georgia, including Floyd County.

The PeachCourt portal is another good tool. It walks you through family law forms with guided interviews so you can fill them out on your own. This is useful for people filing without a lawyer. The Rome Judicial Circuit court staff can also provide blank forms, though they cannot give legal advice. If you need an attorney, the State Bar of Georgia maintains a referral service that can connect you with family law lawyers who practice in Floyd County.

Cities in Floyd County

Floyd County is home to Rome, Cave Spring, and several smaller communities. All family court cases from these areas go to the Floyd County Superior Court at 3 Government Plaza. Rome is the largest city and has its own page on this site.

Residents of Cave Spring and other smaller Floyd County towns file all family law matters through the same clerk office in Rome.

Nearby Counties

The following counties border Floyd County. You must file family law cases in the county where the other party lives, so confirm the correct location before filing.