Harris County Family Court Records Search
Harris County family court records are managed by the Superior Court Clerk in Hamilton, Georgia. The Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit handles family law cases for Harris County.
Harris County Quick Facts
Harris County Clerk of Superior Court
The Superior Court Clerk in Harris County manages all family court records filed in the county. The office sits at 102 S. College Street in Hamilton. This is where you file a new divorce case, a custody petition, or a request for a protective order. Every family court record for Harris County is kept here. Staff can search by name or case number when you come in.
Call (706) 628-4944 with questions. The clerk office can tell you about fees, hours, and what documents you need to bring. Harris County is part of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, which also includes Muscogee County and other nearby counties. The circuit judge handles family court cases on a schedule. All Harris County records stay at the Hamilton courthouse no matter where the judge sits that day.
Harris County sits just east of Columbus. Many residents work in the Columbus metro area but file family court cases in Hamilton because that is the county seat. This is a common point of confusion. If you live in Harris County, your case goes through Hamilton, not Columbus.
| Address | 102 S. College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 628-4944 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Circuit | Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit |
Divorce Filings in Harris County
Divorce records are common in the Harris County family court files. Georgia law says one spouse must have lived in the state for six months. The case is filed where the other spouse resides. If both agree, they can file in either county. The complaint goes to the Harris County clerk office in Hamilton. Then the other spouse must be served.
A 30-day waiting period applies. No divorce gets finalized before that time runs. Uncontested cases in Harris County can be done quickly after the wait. The final decree covers property, debts, custody, and support. It is a permanent public record at the clerk office. Anyone can request a copy of a Harris County divorce decree.
Contested divorces take more time. Motions, hearings, and discovery all add documents to the file. These records stay in Hamilton. For divorce verification certificates from 1952 to 1996, check the Georgia Office of Vital Records as well.
Harris County Custody and Support Cases
Custody cases in Harris County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The judge puts the child's best interest first. Each parent's home, the child's school ties, and the bond between parent and child all matter. A child 14 or older chooses which parent to live with. The court respects that choice in almost every case. Kids 11 to 13 can say what they prefer, but the judge makes the final call.
Custody records in Harris County include the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final custody decree. If things change, a parent can file a modification. The court needs to see a real shift in circumstances before it will change the arrangement. All modification papers go into the Harris County file at the clerk office.
Child support follows O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Georgia uses the income shares model. Both parents' incomes feed into a worksheet. The court sets the amount based on that. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement when payments fall behind. DCSS can garnish wages and take tax refunds. Call 1-877-423-4746 to reach them.
Searching Harris County Records Online
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Harris County in its statewide search. A subscription is $14.95 per month. Each printed page costs $0.50 extra. You can search by name or case type to find Harris County family court records online.
The GSCCCA portal saves you a trip to Hamilton. Results show case numbers, dates, and document types. For full copies, contact the Harris County clerk office. Some older records may not be in the system yet. Attorneys can use the Odyssey eFileGA system for electronic filing in Harris County.
Protective Orders in Harris County
Family violence protective orders are filed in Harris County under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. There is no filing fee. A temporary order can be issued the same day. The court schedules a hearing within 30 days to decide on a longer order. If granted, the order lasts up to 12 months and is enforceable across Georgia.
Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms and instructions. The domestic violence hotline is 1-800-334-2836. Protective order records are kept at the Harris County clerk office in Hamilton.
Getting Copies of Harris County Records
The clerk office at 102 S. College Street in Hamilton provides copies of Harris County family court records. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal matters. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names when you visit. Mail requests are accepted too. Call (706) 628-4944 to check fees first. The PeachCourt portal may also have some Harris County case data online.
Cities in Harris County
Harris County is near the Columbus metro area. Residents of all Harris County cities file family court cases at the courthouse in Hamilton.
Columbus is in neighboring Muscogee County. If you live in Harris County but work in Columbus, your family court records still go through the Harris County clerk office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Harris County. Make sure you file in the right county based on where the parties live.