Access Hart County Family Court Records
Hart County family court records are held at the Superior Court Clerk office in Hartwell, Georgia. The Northern Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters for Hart County.
Hart County Quick Facts
Hart County Clerk of Superior Court
The Superior Court Clerk in Hart County keeps all family court records for the county. The office is at 185 W. Franklin Street in Hartwell. You go here to file a new case, search for old records, or get copies of court orders. Divorce cases, custody filings, support orders, and protective orders are all in this office. The staff can pull records by name or case number.
Hart County is in the Northern Judicial Circuit. The circuit judge serves Hart County and several nearby counties on a set rotation. Family court hearings happen on scheduled dates in Hartwell. Between those dates, the clerk office is open for filings and record requests. Call (706) 376-7189 to ask about a case or check current fees.
The Hart County courthouse is in downtown Hartwell. Parking is on the street around the square. Plan to arrive during regular business hours. The office closes for lunch in some smaller Georgia counties, so calling ahead is smart.
| Address | 185 W. Franklin Street, Hartwell, GA 30643 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 376-7189 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Circuit | Northern Judicial Circuit |
Divorce Records in Hart County
Divorce is the top family court filing type in Hart County. Georgia law says one spouse must have lived in the state for six months. The case gets filed where the other spouse resides. Both sides can agree to file in the county where the filing spouse lives instead. The complaint goes to the Hart County clerk in Hartwell, and the other spouse is served.
A 30-day wait starts from the filing date. No divorce gets granted before that time ends. Uncontested cases wrap up fast in Hart County after the wait. The final decree lists property division, debt splits, custody terms, and support amounts. This decree is a public record. You can get a copy from the clerk office on Franklin Street.
If the divorce is contested, the process takes longer. Motions, depositions, and hearings add bulk to the file. All documents stay at the Hart County clerk office. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, try the Georgia Office of Vital Records.
Hart County Custody Cases
Custody disputes in Hart County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The child's best interest is the standard. The judge looks at each parent's home, the bond with the child, school stability, and each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent. Mental and physical health of all parties matters too.
Children 14 and older pick which parent they want to live with. The judge follows that choice unless there is a strong reason not to. Kids 11 to 13 can say what they prefer. The judge considers it but keeps the final word. Hart County custody records include petitions, temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final order.
Modifications get filed when circumstances change. A parent must show a real difference from when the last order was entered. The court looks at the case fresh each time. All modification documents go into the Hart County file at the clerk office in Hartwell.
Searching Hart County Records Online
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority includes Hart County in its statewide search. A subscription runs $14.95 per month. Printed pages cost $0.50 each. Search by name or case type. Results show case numbers and filing dates for Hart County family court records.
This portal is the best way to check Hart County records from home. It covers all 159 Georgia counties. For full document copies, you may still need to contact the clerk in Hartwell. The PeachCourt portal may have additional Hart County case data. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.
Child Support in Hart County
Child support in Hart County follows O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The income shares model is used. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. The court can adjust for insurance, daycare, and other costs. Support orders are in the Hart County file at the clerk office in Hartwell.
The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746. To change a Hart County support order, file a modification petition. You must show a change in circumstances since the last order.
Protective Orders in Hart County
Family violence protective orders are filed in Hart County under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. No fee is required. The court can grant a temporary order on the spot. A full hearing within 30 days decides if a 12-month order should be issued. These records are kept at the Hart County clerk office.
Forms and steps are at the Georgia protective order page. Call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 for help at any time. Hart County protective order filings are part of the family court records in Hartwell.
Getting Copies of Hart County Records
Visit the clerk at 185 W. Franklin Street in Hartwell for copies. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (706) 376-7189 to check fees. Processing by mail takes about a week. In-person visits are the fastest way to get Hart County family court documents.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hart County. Check jurisdiction before filing a family court case.