Laurens County Family Court Records Search

Laurens County family court records are kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Dublin, Georgia. The Dublin Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Laurens County.

Laurens County Superior Court Clerk

Frank H. Macey serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Laurens County. The clerk office is at 101 N. Jefferson Street in Dublin. This is where all family court records for the county are filed and stored. Divorce petitions, custody cases, child support orders, and protective order requests come through this office. Staff can search for records by name or case number.

Call (478) 277-2900 to ask about a case or check fees before you visit. Laurens County is in the Dublin Judicial Circuit, which covers Laurens County and a few neighboring counties. The circuit judges hold family court sessions on a set schedule in Dublin. Between court dates, the clerk office handles all filings and record requests.

Dublin is the largest city in Laurens County. The courthouse is downtown. All family court records for the county are in this one location. Whether you live in Dublin, East Dublin, or one of the smaller communities in the county, your family court case goes through the clerk office on Jefferson Street.

Divorce Records in Laurens County

Divorce filings are the most common type of family court record in Laurens County. Georgia law says one spouse must have lived in the state for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives. Both parties can agree to file in either county. The complaint gets filed at the Laurens County clerk office, and the other spouse is served.

A 30-day waiting period follows. No divorce is granted before that time ends. Uncontested cases move fast in Laurens County once the wait is done. The final decree covers property, debts, custody, and support. It is a permanent public record. Anyone can get a copy at the clerk office in Dublin.

Contested divorces take more time. Motions, discovery, and hearings add documents to the file. Everything stays at the Laurens County courthouse. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, check the Georgia Office of Vital Records.

Laurens County Custody Cases

Custody disputes in Laurens 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 ties, and which parent will best support the child's relationship with the other parent. Health of all parties is a factor too.

Children 14 and older choose which parent to live with. The court follows that choice in most cases. Kids 11 to 13 can state a preference. The judge considers it but decides. Laurens County custody records hold the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final order. Modifications happen when things change enough to justify a new arrangement.

All custody records are at the Laurens County clerk office in Dublin. Both parents get copies of orders when they are entered. Third parties can view public portions of the case file by visiting the clerk office.

Searching Laurens County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Laurens County in its statewide search tool. A subscription is $14.95 per month. Each printed page is $0.50. Search by name or document type. Results give case numbers and dates for Laurens County family court records.

The online search is the easiest way to check for Laurens County records from home. It saves a trip to Dublin. For full document copies, you may still need to contact the clerk. Some older Laurens County records may not be in the system. The PeachCourt portal is another resource. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Child Support in Laurens County

Child support orders in Laurens County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. The result sets the base support amount. The court can adjust for health insurance, daycare, and other costs. All support orders are in the family court file at the Laurens County clerk office.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement for Laurens County. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746 to reach them. To change a Laurens County support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office in Dublin.

Protective Orders in Laurens County

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed in Laurens County at no cost. The court can issue a temporary order the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides on a longer order. If granted, the order can last up to 12 months. These records stay at the clerk office in Dublin.

Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms and steps. The domestic violence hotline is 1-800-334-2836. Laurens County protective order records are part of the family court files at the courthouse.

Getting Copies of Laurens County Records

The clerk office at 101 N. Jefferson Street in Dublin provides copies. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names when you visit. Mail requests are accepted too. Call (478) 277-2900 to check fees first. Processing by mail takes about a week. In-person visits are faster.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Laurens County. Confirm jurisdiction before filing a family court case.