Search Lincoln County Family Court Records

Lincoln County family court records are kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Lincolnton, Georgia. The Toombs Judicial Circuit covers all family law matters for Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court

The Superior Court Clerk in Lincoln County manages all family court records for the county. The office is at 210 S. Washington Street in Lincolnton. This is where you file a new family court case or search for old records. Divorce petitions, custody filings, child support orders, and protective order requests all come through this office. Staff can search by name or case number.

Call (706) 359-5505 to ask about a case or check fees before you make the trip. Lincoln County is in the Toombs Judicial Circuit. The circuit judge rotates through several counties on a schedule. Family court hearings in Lincoln County happen on set dates. Between those dates, the clerk office handles filings and record requests during normal business hours.

Lincoln County is a small, rural county in eastern Georgia. The courthouse in Lincolnton is the only local source for family court records. The county is near Clarks Hill Lake and the South Carolina border. If you cannot visit in person, online search tools cover Lincoln County as well.

Divorce Filings in Lincoln County

Divorce records make up the bulk of family court filings in Lincoln County. One spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives. If both sides agree, they can file in either county. The complaint is filed at the Lincoln County clerk office in Lincolnton, and the other spouse must be served.

Georgia law sets a 30-day waiting period. The court cannot grant a divorce before that time runs out. Uncontested cases can wrap up fast in Lincoln County after the wait. The final decree spells out property division, debts, custody, and support. It becomes a permanent public record. Anyone can get a copy from the clerk.

Contested divorces take longer. Motions, discovery, and hearings add to the file. All documents stay at the clerk office in Lincolnton. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Office of Vital Records is another option.

Lincoln County Custody Cases

Custody disputes in Lincoln 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 ties with the other parent.

Children 14 and older choose their custodial parent. The court follows that choice in nearly every case. Kids 11 to 13 can state a preference, but the judge decides. Lincoln County custody records include the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final order. Modification petitions come in when circumstances change.

All custody records are at the Lincoln County clerk office. Both parents can get copies of orders. The public can view non-sealed parts of the file at the courthouse in Lincolnton.

Searching Lincoln County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority includes Lincoln County in its statewide search system. A subscription costs $14.95 per month with $0.50 per printed page. Search by party name or case type. Results show case numbers and filing dates for Lincoln County family court records.

The online search saves a drive to Lincolnton. For full copies of documents, contact the clerk. Some older Lincoln County records may not be indexed online yet. The PeachCourt portal may have additional data. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Child Support in Lincoln County

Child support in Lincoln County follows O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The income shares model applies. Both parents' incomes are used in the state worksheet. The court can adjust for insurance, daycare, and other costs. All support orders are on file at the Lincoln County clerk office in Lincolnton.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. DCSS can garnish wages, take tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746 for help. To modify a Lincoln County support order, file a petition at the clerk office. You must show that circumstances have changed.

Protective Orders in Lincoln County

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed in Lincoln 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.

Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms and guidance. Call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 any time. Lincoln County protective order records are part of the family court files at the courthouse.

Getting Copies of Lincoln County Records

The clerk office at 210 S. Washington Street in Lincolnton provides copies. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper. Bring the case number or party names when you visit. Mail requests are accepted. Call (706) 359-5505 to check fees first. Processing by mail takes about a week.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lincoln County. Verify which county has jurisdiction before filing a family court case.