Search Fulton County Family Court Records

Fulton County family court records are managed by the Superior Court Clerk and the dedicated Family Division in Atlanta. As the most populous county in Georgia, Fulton County processes a massive volume of family law cases each year. Divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, adoptions, and protective orders all come through the court system here. The Atlanta Judicial Circuit handles these matters, and the county has set up a separate Family Division to deal with the caseload. If you live in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, South Fulton, East Point, or Union City, your family court records are filed in Fulton County.

Fulton County Court Clerk and Family Division

Che Alexander serves as the Superior Court Clerk for Fulton County. The main clerk office is at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta. Call (404) 613-5313 for general questions. But for family court matters, you will likely deal with the Fulton County Family Division, which operates on the 8th Floor of Building J2 at the same Pryor Street address. The Family Division has its own phone line at (404) 613-0505 and can be reached by email at familydivision@fultoncountyga.gov.

The Fulton County Superior Court website has information about court services, calendars, and filing procedures. The Family Division handles specific case types with dedicated phone lines. For divorce matters, call (404) 612-2789. Custody questions go to (404) 612-5344. Adoption inquiries go to (404) 612-7783. Temporary protective orders have their own line at (404) 612-0505. This level of specialization reflects the sheer volume of family court records that Fulton County processes.

The Fulton County Justice Resource Center at 185 Central Ave, Suite 704, Atlanta, GA 30303, offers help to people who need guidance on family law cases. You can reach them at (404) 612-2789. They can assist with forms, explain procedures, and point you in the right direction.

Searching Fulton County Family Records

Fulton County offers an online public records portal where you can search court records by name or case number. This is the most direct way to look up family court records from home. The portal covers civil, criminal, and family cases filed in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. You can find basic case data like filing dates, parties, and case status. For the actual documents, you may still need to visit the courthouse or request copies from the clerk.

Statewide search tools also cover Fulton County. The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up deed records, liens, and some court data across all Georgia counties. The CourtTrax system pulls case information from courts throughout the state, including Fulton County. Both are worth trying if the county portal does not have what you need.

For in-person searches, go to the Family Division on the 8th Floor at 136 Pryor Street SW. Staff can pull case files and help you find specific documents. Bring your ID and the case number or full party names. Given the volume of cases in Fulton County, having the case number speeds things up a lot.

Note: The Fulton County clerk processes thousands of family cases per year, so online searches may be the fastest way to get initial case details.

Divorce Records in Fulton County

Divorce is the most common type of family court record in Fulton County. The county processes more divorce filings than any other in Georgia because of its population. A divorce starts when one spouse files a complaint at the clerk office. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months. The case is filed where the defendant lives. Since Fulton County spans from downtown Atlanta up through Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Alpharetta, many cases land here.

The divorce file at the Fulton County clerk office includes every document generated during the case. The complaint, the other spouse's answer, temporary orders, discovery materials, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final decree are all there. The final decree is what most people want when they search for divorce records. It shows the full terms of the split: property division, debt allocation, custody arrangements, and support obligations. Most Fulton County divorces use no-fault grounds, meaning the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault-based filings happen but are less frequent.

After the final decree is signed, it becomes a permanent public record. Anyone can request a copy from the Fulton County clerk. Georgia law requires a 30-day waiting period between filing the complaint and entry of the final decree, which gives both parties time to respond.

Fulton County Custody and Support Cases

Child custody disputes make up a big part of the Fulton County family court docket. Cases come up during divorce proceedings or as standalone actions between unmarried parents. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 sets out the factors Georgia courts must weigh. The child's best interest is the standard. Fulton County judges evaluate each parent's home situation, the child's relationships with each parent, school stability, and the child's own wishes if mature enough.

Custody records in Fulton County include petitions, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, hearing transcripts, and final orders. Modifications happen often. A parent files a petition showing a material change in circumstances, and the court decides whether to adjust the arrangement. All modification paperwork goes into the Fulton County file too. For custody questions, the Family Division line is (404) 612-5344.

Child support in Fulton County follows the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes are plugged into a state worksheet. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement when payments fall behind. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. If you need to change a Fulton County support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office or through the Family Division.

Protective Orders in Fulton County

Fulton County handles a high number of protective order filings. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, anyone who is a victim of family violence can petition the Superior Court for a temporary protective order. The court can grant a temporary order on the same day, and the TPO line at (404) 612-0505 can walk you through what to expect. A full hearing takes place within 30 days to determine whether a 12-month order should be put in place.

There is no fee to file for a protective order in Fulton County. The Family Division on the 8th Floor has the forms and can help you get started. You can also get background information from the Georgia protective order page. Once granted, the order is enforceable by police anywhere in Georgia. It stays in the Fulton County court file as part of the family court record.

Fulton County Adoption Records

Adoption cases in Fulton County go through the Superior Court, with the dedicated adoptions line at (404) 612-7783. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 seals adoption records. You cannot access them without a court order, and the judge must find good cause to unseal any part of the file. This covers the petition, consent documents, home study reports, and the final decree.

Georgia runs a voluntary adoption reunion registry for adult adoptees and birth parents. Both parties must register for a match to take place. The O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 provisions on sealed records apply here as well. The Fulton County clerk or Family Division staff can direct you to the correct state office if you need information about the registry or the process for requesting a court order to open records.

Getting Copies of Fulton County Records

Copies of family court records from Fulton County can be obtained in person or by mail. Visit the clerk office at 136 Pryor Street SW or the Family Division on the 8th Floor. Staff can print documents while you wait. Certified copies carry the official court seal and are needed for legal purposes. Regular copies are cheaper. Fees depend on the document and page count.

For mail requests, write to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Include the case number or full party names, the specific document you need, and payment. Call (404) 613-5313 to confirm the fee before you send your request. Fulton County also offers access through its online records portal, though that platform focuses on case summaries rather than full document copies.

Legal Resources in Fulton County

Fulton County has more legal aid options than most Georgia counties. The Justice Resource Center at 185 Central Ave, Suite 704, Atlanta, GA 30303, helps people navigate the family court process. Call (404) 612-2789. The Georgia Legal Services Program provides free help to low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective order cases. Atlanta Legal Aid Society is another option for Fulton County residents who cannot afford an attorney.

The PeachCourt portal offers guided interviews for family law forms. This tool works well for people who plan to represent themselves. The Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic filing if you want to submit documents online. For finding a private attorney, the State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that covers all of Fulton County.

Cities in Fulton County

Fulton County stretches from the northern suburbs down through Atlanta and into South Fulton. All family court cases from these cities are filed at the Fulton County Superior Court. The Family Division on Pryor Street handles the bulk of these matters. Below are the major cities in Fulton County that have their own pages on this site.

Other Fulton County communities like College Park, Hapeville, and Fairburn also file family court cases at the same courthouse in Atlanta.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fulton County. Confirm the correct filing location based on where the parties reside before you start a case. The court must have jurisdiction over both parties.