Find Family Court Records in Lowndes County

Lowndes County family court records are managed by the Superior Court Clerk in Valdosta, Georgia. The Southern Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Lowndes County.

Lowndes County Superior Court Clerk

Sarah B. G. Giddens serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Lowndes County. The clerk office is at 327 N. Ashley Street in Valdosta. Lowndes County is the largest county in south Georgia by population, and the office processes a high volume of family court records each year. Divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective orders all go through here. Staff can search records by name or case number.

Call (229) 671-2400 for help with a case or to check fees. Lowndes County is part of the Southern Judicial Circuit, which also covers several other counties in the region. Judges in the circuit handle family court cases on a schedule. Because Valdosta is the main city in the area, the Lowndes County court docket is usually busier than the smaller counties in the circuit.

The courthouse is in downtown Valdosta. It is easy to find on Ashley Street. If you live in Valdosta, Hahira, Lake Park, or other parts of Lowndes County, all your family court records go through this one clerk office. The volume of cases here means that wait times can be longer, especially on busy days. Calling ahead saves time.

Divorce Records in Lowndes County

Divorce filings make up a large share of the family court records in Lowndes County. One spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months to file. 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 Lowndes County clerk office, and the other spouse gets served.

A 30-day waiting period starts from the filing date. No divorce can be finalized before that time runs. Uncontested cases move quickly in Lowndes County once the wait ends. The final decree lists property division, debts, custody terms, and support. It is a permanent public record at the clerk office in Valdosta. Anyone can request a copy.

Contested divorces take more time. Motions, discovery, and hearings add to the case file. Lowndes County sees more contested cases than smaller neighboring counties because of its larger population. Everything stays at the courthouse on Ashley Street. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, check the Georgia Office of Vital Records.

Lowndes County Custody Cases

Custody disputes are common in Lowndes County family court records. These cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court puts the child's best interest first. The judge looks at each parent's home, the bond with the child, school ties, and each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other. Health of all parties matters too.

A child 14 or older picks which parent to live with. The court follows that choice in most situations. Children 11 to 13 can state a preference. The judge considers it but keeps the final say. Lowndes County custody records include the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports if ordered, and the final decree.

Modifications get filed when a parent can show a change in circumstances. The court looks at each request fresh. All modification papers go into the Lowndes County file. The clerk office in Valdosta stores everything from the original petition through the latest order.

Searching Lowndes County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Lowndes County in its statewide database. A subscription costs $14.95 per month. Each printed page is $0.50. You can search by name or case type. Results show case numbers and filing dates for Lowndes County family court records.

The GSCCCA search is the best online option for Lowndes County records. It covers all 159 Georgia counties. For full document copies, contact the clerk office in Valdosta. Some older records may not be online yet. The PeachCourt portal is another resource. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Child Support in Lowndes County

Child support orders in Lowndes County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. The income shares model sets the base. The court adjusts for health insurance, daycare, and other costs. All support orders are on file at the Lowndes County clerk office.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement for Lowndes County residents. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746 to reach DCSS. There is a DCSS office in Valdosta that serves Lowndes County and the surrounding area. To change a support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office.

Protective Orders in Lowndes County

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed in Lowndes County at no cost. The court can grant a temporary order the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides on a 12-month order. Lowndes County sees a fair number of protective order cases each year because of its population.

Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms and steps. The domestic violence hotline is 1-800-334-2836. The Haven in Valdosta is a local domestic violence shelter that can help Lowndes County residents with safety planning and legal referrals. All protective order records stay at the clerk office on Ashley Street.

Getting Copies of Lowndes County Records

Visit the clerk at 327 N. Ashley Street in Valdosta for copies. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (229) 671-2400 to confirm fees before mailing. In-person visits are the fastest option for Lowndes County family court documents.

Cities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County includes Valdosta, the county seat and largest city in the area. All family court cases for Lowndes County residents are filed at the courthouse on Ashley Street in Valdosta.

Other Lowndes County communities like Hahira, Lake Park, and Remerton also file family court cases at the same courthouse in Valdosta.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lowndes County. Confirm which county has jurisdiction before filing a family court case.