Find Grady County Family Court Records

Grady County family court records are housed at the Superior Court Clerk office in Cairo, Georgia. This southwest Georgia county is part of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, and the clerk office handles all family law filings for the area. If you are trying to track down a divorce record, custody order, or child support filing in Grady County, the courthouse in Cairo is where those records live. The staff can help you search for specific cases and get copies of the documents you need. Most family court records in Grady County are open to the public.

Grady County Clerk of Court

The Superior Court Clerk office in Grady County manages every family court record in the county. The office is at 250 N. Broad Street in Cairo. Call (229) 377-4621 for questions about a case, fees, or office hours. Staff handle divorce filings, custody petitions, child support orders, protective order petitions, and adoption cases.

Grady County belongs to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges rotate through the counties in this circuit, but the Grady County clerk keeps all local records. The Cairo courthouse is a smaller operation compared to metro area courts, which often means shorter wait times and more personal service. When you need certified copies of a family court order, bring your ID and case details. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper and fine for personal use. The staff can search by name when you do not have a case number.

Searching Grady County Court Records

You can start looking for Grady County family court records online through the GSCCCA search portal. This statewide database covers all 159 Georgia counties. Search by name and filter to Grady County to see what comes up. The portal includes deed records, liens, and some court filings. A regular account costs $14.95 per month, and each printed page is $0.50.

Not every family court record in Grady County appears in the online system. Sealed cases and files involving minors have limits on what shows up. For the full picture, visit the clerk office in Cairo. Bring whatever details you have, and the staff will search their system. You can also send a mail request with a check for the copy fees. Call first to confirm current pricing.

The screenshot below shows the Odyssey eFileGA portal, which attorneys in Georgia use for electronic filings in family court cases.

Odyssey eFileGA lets attorneys file documents electronically for Grady County and other participating Georgia courts.

Grady County Custody Filings

Custody cases take up a large share of the Grady County family court docket. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 requires judges to put the child's best interest first. They look at each parent's home, the stability of the environment, and the relationship between parent and child. Children 14 and older can select a custodial parent, and the court gives that choice strong weight. For children aged 11 to 13, the judge considers what the child wants but decides on their own.

Grady County custody records include the petition, temporary orders, mediation outcomes, and the final custody plan. The clerk office in Cairo keeps these files. Most are public records that anyone can request. Some details about the children may be limited in what the clerk can share.

Note: Grady County custody orders can be changed if a parent can show a real change in circumstances since the last order.

Child Support in Grady County

Child support orders in Grady County are calculated using the income shares model in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents provide income data. The court factors in the number of kids, health costs, and child care. The final amount goes into a court order that becomes part of the Grady County family court records.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services enforces orders when payments stop. DCSS can garnish wages, take tax refunds, and pull licenses. Grady County residents can call 1-877-423-4746 for help. Lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Friday require appointments. Enforcement actions also become part of the Grady County court file.

Grady County Protective Order Filings

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, anyone in Grady County who faces family violence can petition for a protective order. There is no cost to file. The court can grant a temporary order the same day when the threat is urgent. A hearing follows, and the judge may issue a final order for up to one year. These orders can be extended to three years if needed.

The Georgia state portal on protective orders provides forms and instructions. Once granted, a Grady County protective order goes into the statewide registry. Any law enforcement officer in Georgia can see it. The clerk office keeps the records, but some details stay restricted to protect the safety of the person who filed.

Divorce and Adoption Records in Grady County

Divorce filings in Grady County follow the same process as the rest of Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91, one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for at least six months. The case is filed at the clerk office in Cairo. Both contested and uncontested divorces go through the Superior Court. Divorce records are public and available for anyone to request. For a formal divorce certificate, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, which handles vital records separately from the court.

Adoption records in Grady County are sealed by Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2. Only parties to the case can seek access, and a judge must approve the release. The GSCCCA homepage connects you to broader search tools that also cover Grady County records.

Nearby Counties

Grady County sits near the Florida border. These are the neighboring Georgia counties. Check where the parties lived before choosing which county to file in or search for records.