McDuffie County Family Court Records Search

McDuffie County family court records are managed at the Superior Court Clerk office in Thomson, Georgia. Part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, McDuffie County processes divorce, custody, child support, and protective order filings at the courthouse on Railroad Street. The clerk office serves as the central point for all family court record requests in the county.

McDuffie County Superior Court Clerk

The McDuffie County clerk office is at 210 Railroad Street in Thomson. All family court records for the county are filed and maintained here. The office handles new filings, record searches, and copy requests. Call (706) 595-2100 for information about a specific case or to ask about current fees.

McDuffie County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, which also includes Burke, Columbia, and Richmond counties. This is one of the larger circuits in Georgia, and the judges serve across all four counties. For McDuffie County residents, though, all filings happen right at the Thomson courthouse. The staff processes family law matters including divorces, custody disputes, support orders, and protective order petitions.

Being in the same circuit as Richmond County (Augusta) means the same judges handle cases in McDuffie County. The court follows the same procedures and applies the same Georgia family law statutes. You file at the McDuffie County clerk office, and the case is heard at the Thomson courthouse.

The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA search portal, which is the main online tool for finding McDuffie County family court records.

Use this portal to run name searches across McDuffie County records from your computer.

Family Court Case Types in McDuffie County

Divorce is filed more than any other family court case type in McDuffie County. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 requires six months of state residency. The petition goes to the county where the defendant lives, or the petitioner's county if both sides agree. McDuffie County courts handle contested divorces that go to trial and simple uncontested ones that settle fast.

Child custody is the next most common type. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 directs the court to focus on the child's best interest. Judges weigh each parent's home, their history with the child, mental and physical health, and any violence or drug issues. A child who is 14 or older can choose which parent to live with. Kids between 11 and 13 get to express a preference, but the judge makes the call. McDuffie County custody files contain the parenting plan, visitation details, and any special conditions.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are also filed in McDuffie County. There is no cost to file. The court can issue a temporary order on the day of filing. A hearing within 30 days determines if a longer-term order should be granted. These records are part of the family court file at the clerk office.

Searching McDuffie County Records Online

The GSCCCA is the go-to online resource for McDuffie County family court records. A monthly subscription costs $14.95. Each page you download costs $0.50. You can search by name and narrow the results to McDuffie County. The database covers court filings, deeds, and liens from all 159 Georgia counties.

The Odyssey eFileGA system processes electronic court filings statewide. Cases filed through this system in McDuffie County may have some records available online. The CourtTrax portal is another search tool that pulls from Georgia court records.

McDuffie County does not run its own online case lookup. The statewide tools are your best bet for remote searches. For older records or complete file reviews, contact the clerk office in Thomson or plan a visit.

The DCSS website shown here is a resource for McDuffie County residents dealing with child support matters.

DCSS handles enforcement and modifications for child support cases across Georgia, including McDuffie County.

Child Support Records in McDuffie County

Child support orders in McDuffie County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Georgia calculates support using the income shares model. Both parents provide income details, and the court factors in health insurance, daycare, and other costs. The final order becomes part of the family court record at the McDuffie County clerk office.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps McDuffie County residents enforce support orders. DCSS has the power to garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. They also open new cases and process modifications. The toll-free number is 1-877-423-4746. Services are free for custodial parents who need help collecting what they are owed.

Adoption, Paternity, and Getting Copies

Adoption records in McDuffie County are sealed. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 places adoption cases under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court. A judge must sign an order before any adoption records can be released. The clerk holds the files but cannot open them without that order.

Paternity records are public. These cases establish legal fatherhood and have direct effects on custody, support, and inheritance. You can request copies of paternity filings from the McDuffie County clerk office just like any other family court record.

To get copies of any McDuffie County family court records, visit 210 Railroad Street in Thomson. Bring the case number or party names. Certified copies include the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper but do not carry official certification. You can also submit a mail request with your information and payment. Call (706) 595-2100 to confirm the current fee schedule before sending anything.

Cities in McDuffie County

McDuffie County includes Thomson, Dearing, and Wrens. All family court filings for residents of these communities go through the McDuffie County Superior Court in Thomson. None of these cities have their own page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border McDuffie County in east-central Georgia. Confirm jurisdiction before filing or requesting family court records.