Lumpkin County Family Court Records Search

Lumpkin County family court records are held at the Superior Court Clerk office in Dahlonega, Georgia. The Northeastern Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters for Lumpkin County.

Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court

The Superior Court Clerk in Lumpkin County keeps all family court records for the county. The office is at 99 Courthouse Hill in Dahlonega. This is where you file new cases and search for existing records. Divorce petitions, custody filings, child support orders, and protective order requests all go through this office. The staff can look up records by party name or case number.

Call (706) 864-3736 to ask about a case or check fees before visiting. Lumpkin County is part of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, which also includes Dawson and Hall counties. The circuit judges handle family court cases on a rotation. Dahlonega is a mountain town in north Georgia, and the courthouse sits right in the center of town on the historic square.

Lumpkin County has grown over the years as more people have moved to the north Georgia mountains. The University of North Georgia campus in Dahlonega brings in students and staff who may also need access to family court records. Whether you live in Dahlonega or one of the smaller communities in the county, all family court cases go through the clerk office on Courthouse Hill.

Divorce Records in Lumpkin County

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

A 30-day wait follows the filing. No divorce gets granted before that time is up. Uncontested cases in Lumpkin County can wrap up fast after the wait. The final decree covers property, debts, custody, and support. It is a permanent public record. You can get a copy at the clerk office on Courthouse Hill.

Contested divorces take more time. They may involve motions, hearings, and discovery. All documents stay at the Lumpkin County courthouse. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, the Georgia Office of Vital Records is another source.

Lumpkin County Custody Cases

Custody disputes in Lumpkin County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court puts the child's best interest first. The judge weighs each parent's home, the child's bonds, school ties, and which parent is most likely to support the child's relationship with the other parent.

Children 14 and older get to 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 has the final word. Lumpkin County custody records include the petition, temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final order. Modifications are filed when circumstances change.

All custody records stay at the clerk office in Dahlonega. Both parents can get copies. The public can view non-sealed parts of the file at the courthouse.

Searching Lumpkin County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority includes Lumpkin County in its statewide search. A subscription is $14.95 per month. Printed pages are $0.50 each. Search by party name or document type. Results show case numbers and filing dates for Lumpkin County family court records.

The GSCCCA portal is the best way to search Lumpkin County records from home. For full copies of documents, contact the clerk in Dahlonega. Some older records may not be online. The PeachCourt portal may have additional case data. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Child Support in Lumpkin County

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

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

Protective Orders in Lumpkin County

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed in Lumpkin County at no cost. A temporary order can be granted the same day. A hearing within 30 days decides on a longer order. If granted, the order lasts up to 12 months and is enforceable across Georgia. These records stay at the clerk office in Dahlonega.

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

Getting Copies of Lumpkin County Records

Visit the clerk at 99 Courthouse Hill in Dahlonega for copies. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (706) 864-3736 to check fees first. Processing by mail takes about a week. In-person visits are the fastest way to get Lumpkin County family court records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lumpkin County. Verify jurisdiction before filing a family court case.