Search Henry County Family Court Records

Henry County family court records are managed by the Superior Court Clerk at the Henry County Justice Center in McDonough, Georgia. The Flint Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Henry County.

Henry County Superior Court Clerk

R. Jean V. Houston serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Henry County. The clerk office is at 11 Judicial Center Drive in McDonough. This is one of the faster-growing counties in the Atlanta metro area, so the volume of family court records here is significant. Divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective orders all flow through this office. Staff can look up records by party name or case number.

Call (770) 288-8022 for questions about cases or fees. The Henry County Justice Center is a modern facility that handles a high volume of family law filings each year. Because of the county's growth, the court system has expanded to keep up with demand. The Flint Judicial Circuit covers Henry County along with several other nearby counties. But every Henry County family court record stays at the Justice Center in McDonough.

Henry County residents who live in McDonough, Stockbridge, Hampton, Locust Grove, and other communities all file family court cases at this same clerk office. The county seat of McDonough is the only filing location. People sometimes think Stockbridge has its own courthouse for family law, but it does not. All family court records go through McDonough.

Divorce Records in Henry County

Divorce filings make up a large part of the family court records in Henry County. Georgia law requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse resides. If both agree, they can file in either county. The complaint is filed at the Henry County clerk office, and the other spouse gets served.

A 30-day waiting period starts from the filing date. No divorce can be granted before that time runs out. If the case is uncontested, it can move quickly in Henry County once the waiting period ends. The final decree covers property division, debts, custody terms, and support amounts. This decree is a permanent public record at the clerk office.

Contested divorces take longer. These cases may include motions, discovery, and trials in the Henry County Superior Court. Every document filed goes into the case record. Most Henry County divorces use no-fault grounds, meaning one spouse says the marriage is irretrievably broken. For divorce verification certificates from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Office of Vital Records is another resource.

Henry County Custody and Support Cases

Child custody cases make up a big portion of the Henry County family court docket. These arise during divorce or as standalone cases between unmarried parents. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 sets the standard. The child's best interest drives every decision. The judge weighs each parent's home, the child's bonds, school stability, and each parent's ability to support the relationship with the other parent.

Children 14 and older get to pick their custodial parent. The court follows that choice unless there is a strong reason not to. Kids between 11 and 13 can state a preference. The judge considers it but has the final word. Henry County custody records include the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, and the final order. Modifications are common in Henry County because of the transient nature of the metro area population.

Child support orders in Henry County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. The result is the base support amount. The court adjusts for insurance, daycare, and other costs. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services enforces orders when payments fall behind. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help.

Searching Henry County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Henry County in its statewide search. A subscription costs $14.95 per month. Printed pages are $0.50 each. Search by name or document type to find Henry County family court records from home.

The GSCCCA search tool is the fastest way to check for Henry County records without going to McDonough. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full copies of documents, contact the clerk office. Some older Henry County family court records may not be indexed online. The PeachCourt portal may also have Henry County case data. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Protective Orders in Henry County

Protective orders for family violence are filed in Henry County under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. No fee is required. The court can grant a temporary order on the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides whether a 12-month order should be put in place. Henry County handles a fair number of protective order cases because of its population.

For forms and steps, visit the Georgia protective order page. The domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 provides around-the-clock support. All protective order records stay at the Henry County Justice Center in McDonough.

Getting Copies of Henry County Records

Visit the clerk office at 11 Judicial Center Drive in McDonough for copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal use. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or full party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (770) 288-8022 to check current fees before sending your request. In-person visits are the fastest option.

Cities in Henry County

Henry County has several cities, and all family court cases are filed at the Justice Center in McDonough. The county has grown fast as part of the Atlanta metro area. Below are the major cities with pages on this site.

Other Henry County communities like Hampton, Locust Grove, and parts of Lovejoy also file family court cases at the same courthouse in McDonough.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henry County. Make sure you file in the right county based on where the parties live.