Find Family Court Records in Houston County

Houston County family court records are filed at the Superior Court Clerk office in Perry, Georgia. The Houston Judicial Circuit covers all family law cases for the county.

Houston County Superior Court Clerk

Carolyn S. Horne is the Clerk of Superior Court for Houston County. The clerk office is at 201 N. Perry Parkway in Perry. Houston County is one of the larger counties in middle Georgia, and the office handles a steady volume of family court records. Divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective orders all come through here. Staff can look up records by party name or case number.

Call (478) 218-4750 for information about cases or fees. The Houston Judicial Circuit is unique in that it covers only Houston County. That means the judges are based right in Perry and the court schedule is more predictable than in multi-county circuits. Family court hearings happen regularly. The clerk office is open during normal business hours for filings and record searches.

Houston County is home to Robins Air Force Base. Warner Robins, the largest city in the county, has a large population tied to the base. This means a significant number of family court cases involve military families. Military divorce and custody cases have extra rules, but they still get filed at the Houston County clerk office in Perry. If one spouse is active duty, federal law may affect timelines and service requirements.

Divorce Records in Houston County

Divorce is the most common family court filing in Houston County. One spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months to file. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives. If both agree, they can pick either county. The complaint is filed at the Houston County clerk office in Perry. The other spouse must be served with papers.

Georgia law sets a 30-day waiting period. The court will not grant a divorce before that time runs. Uncontested cases can wrap up quickly in Houston County after the wait. The final decree lists all the terms: property split, debts, custody, and support. That decree is a permanent public record at the clerk office. Anyone can get a copy.

For military families in Houston County, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may delay proceedings if the service member is deployed. The court must follow these federal rules. Contested divorces take longer and fill the file with motions, discovery, and hearing transcripts. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Office of Vital Records is another option.

Houston County Custody Cases

Custody disputes are common in Houston County family court records. These cases 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 child's school ties, the bond between parent and child, and which parent is more likely to support the child's relationship with the other parent.

A child 14 or older picks which parent to live with. The court follows that choice in most cases. Children 11 to 13 can state a preference, but the judge decides. Military transfers can complicate custody in Houston County since many families are tied to Robins Air Force Base. A parent may need to seek a modification if they get orders to move.

Custody records at the Houston County clerk office include petitions, temporary orders, parenting plans, and final orders. Modifications are filed when circumstances change. The court needs to see a real shift before it will adjust the arrangement. All modification papers go into the Houston County file.

Searching Houston County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Houston County in its statewide database. A subscription is $14.95 per month. Each printed page costs $0.50. Search by name or case type to find Houston County family court records without going to Perry.

Results include case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full copies, contact the clerk office. Some older Houston County records may not be online yet. The PeachCourt portal is another tool for Georgia court records. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Child Support in Houston County

Child support in Houston County follows O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The income shares model applies. Both parents' incomes feed into a state worksheet. The base amount is set. The court adjusts for health insurance, daycare, and special costs. Military pay and benefits count as income for Houston County support calculations.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. DCSS can garnish wages, take tax refunds, and suspend licenses. For military members, DCSS can work with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to collect. Call 1-877-423-4746 to reach DCSS. To change a Houston County support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office.

Protective Orders in Houston County

Protective orders are filed in Houston County under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. There is no filing fee. The court can grant a temporary order on the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides on a 12-month order. These records stay at the clerk office in Perry.

Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms and guidance. Call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 at any time. Houston County military families can also contact the Robins AFB Family Advocacy Program for help with domestic situations.

Getting Copies of Houston County Records

The clerk office at 201 N. Perry Parkway provides copies. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper. Bring the case number or party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (478) 218-4750 to check fees first. Processing by mail takes about a week.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Warner Robins, the largest city, along with Perry and Centerville. All family court cases are filed at the clerk office in Perry.

Perry and Centerville residents also file family court cases at the same courthouse. Warner Robins is the most populous city in Houston County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houston County. Verify which county has jurisdiction before you file a family court case.