Search Gwinnett County Family Court Records

Gwinnett County family court records are managed by Clerk Tiana Garner at the Superior Court office in Lawrenceville, Georgia. As one of the most populated counties in the state, Gwinnett County processes a high volume of family court cases each year. The county has its own judicial circuit and a dedicated courthouse on Langley Drive. Searching for divorce records, custody orders, support filings, or protective orders in Gwinnett County starts at the clerk office or through the county's online case search system. The court keeps records going back many years, and most are open to the public.

Gwinnett County Superior Court Clerk

Tiana Garner serves as the Clerk of Superior Court in Gwinnett County. The office is at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Call (770) 822-8100 for case inquiries, fee information, or filing questions. The clerk office handles divorce filings, custody petitions, child support orders, protective order cases, and adoption proceedings. With the size of Gwinnett County, this office sees far more filings than most Georgia counties.

Gwinnett County has its own judicial circuit, separate from any other county. This means the judges who hear family court cases in Gwinnett County are assigned specifically to this county. The courthouse in Lawrenceville is a large facility with multiple courtrooms. Walk-in visits work for getting copies, but because of the volume of cases, you may want to call ahead and have your case number ready. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal or official use. Plain copies cost less and are good for personal reference. The staff can search by name if you do not have a case number, though the search may return many results given how many cases Gwinnett County handles.

Online Search for Gwinnett County Records

Gwinnett County offers its own online case search through the Odyssey Portal. This local tool lets you look up family court cases by name, case number, or date. It is free to search and shows basic filing information, case status, and some document details. For a county as large as Gwinnett, having a dedicated portal makes it much easier to track down the case you need without visiting the courthouse.

The statewide GSCCCA search portal also covers Gwinnett County. This tool works well for deed records, liens, and some court filings. A regular GSCCCA account costs $14.95 per month plus $0.50 per printed page. Between the Gwinnett County Odyssey Portal and the GSCCCA system, most people can find the basic case information they need online. For full copies of documents, you may still need to contact the clerk office.

The CourtTrax website provides additional tools for fines, fees, and court forms that apply to Gwinnett County family court cases. The Odyssey eFileGA system is used by attorneys for electronic filings in Gwinnett County and other Georgia courts.

Gwinnett County Custody Cases

Custody disputes are among the most common family court cases in Gwinnett County. The sheer number of families in the county means the court handles hundreds of custody matters each year. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, Georgia judges make custody decisions based on what serves the child's best interest. They consider the living situation, the parent-child relationship, school stability, and each parent's ability to provide a good home. A child aged 14 or older can choose which parent to live with, and that choice carries strong weight in Gwinnett County courts.

Custody records in Gwinnett County contain the original petition, any temporary orders, mediation reports, and the final custody plan. These records are kept at the clerk office in Lawrenceville and most are public. The Odyssey Portal also shows basic custody case information online.

Note: Gwinnett County requires mediation in many custody cases before the judge will schedule a final hearing.

Child Support Orders in Gwinnett County

Child support in Gwinnett County follows the state guidelines in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents share income information with the court. The judge sets a support amount that accounts for the number of children, health insurance, child care, and other expenses. The order goes into the Gwinnett County family court records once signed.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps enforce orders across the state. For Gwinnett County residents, DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses when a parent falls behind. The toll-free number is 1-877-423-4746. DCSS lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. All enforcement actions become part of the Gwinnett County court file.

The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA search portal, which covers Gwinnett County court records along with all other Georgia counties.

The GSCCCA portal lets you search Gwinnett County records by name and filter by document type.

Protective Orders in Gwinnett County

Anyone in Gwinnett County who faces family violence can petition the Superior Court for a protective order. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, there is no filing fee. The court can issue a temporary order the same day in urgent situations. After a hearing, the judge may grant a final order lasting up to one year, with the possibility of extending it to three years.

Gwinnett County protective order records are maintained at the clerk office. Once issued, the order goes into a statewide registry that law enforcement anywhere in Georgia can see. The Georgia state portal has forms and detailed instructions for the filing process. Some protective order details in Gwinnett County are restricted to protect the safety of the person who filed.

Gwinnett County Divorce and Adoption

Divorce cases in Gwinnett County follow state rules under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91. At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months. The case is filed at the clerk office in Lawrenceville. Gwinnett County handles both contested and uncontested divorce filings, and given the county's size, there are many each year. Divorce records are public. For a divorce certificate separate from the court file, the Georgia Department of Public Health issues those.

Adoption records in Gwinnett County are sealed by default under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2. Access requires a court order. The clerk can confirm a case exists but will not share details without judicial approval. The PeachCourt system offers electronic filing and document access for some Georgia courts, and Gwinnett County residents should check with the clerk about which online tools are available.

Cities in Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County has several cities with large populations. All family court cases for residents of these cities go through the Gwinnett County Superior Court in Lawrenceville.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to Gwinnett County. Verify the address of the parties before filing to make sure the case goes to the right court.