Paulding County Family Court Records

Paulding County family court records are managed by Clerk of Superior Court Tami L. Smith in Dallas, Georgia. The Paulding Judicial Circuit in the 7th District handles all family law cases for this fast-growing county northwest of Atlanta, covering divorce filings, custody disputes, child support orders, and protective order petitions.

Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court

Tami L. Smith is the Clerk of Superior Court for Paulding County. Her office processes all family court filings and maintains the records. The courthouse is on Buchanan Street in Dallas. You can go in during business hours to search case files, request copies, or file new documents. The clerk staff handles a high volume of family court work given how quickly Paulding County has grown.

Paulding County has its own judicial circuit. That is fairly uncommon for Georgia counties. It means the judges assigned to Paulding County do not rotate to other counties, so scheduling tends to be more predictable. Family court cases in Paulding County often move through the system at a good pace because of this. The clerk office processes more filings each year as the population continues to rise.

Divorce Records in Paulding County

Divorce cases are the most frequent family court filings in Paulding County. O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 requires six months of Georgia residency before a spouse can file. The petition is filed at the Superior Court in Dallas. The other spouse gets served. Then there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can finalize anything.

Uncontested cases wrap up quickly. Both sides agree on terms, sign a settlement, and the judge approves it. Contested divorces are a different matter. They go through discovery, mandatory mediation, and possibly a full trial. Paulding County sees its share of both types. The complete case file is public record at the clerk office.

The divorce file in Paulding County includes the complaint, answer, financial affidavits, any temporary orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree. When children are part of the case, custody and support terms are woven into the decree. All of these documents are available for review or copying at the clerk office in Dallas.

The Georgia Office of Vital Records has divorce verification records from 1952 to 1996. For the full decree, the Paulding County clerk is the place to go.

Paulding County Custody Case Records

Custody cases in Paulding County generate thick family court files. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 guides all custody decisions in Georgia. The child's best interest is the standard. Judges look at the stability of each parent's home, their relationship with the child, work schedules, and whether there is any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. Children 14 and older can choose which parent to live with, and the court gives that choice considerable weight.

Temporary custody orders are common in Paulding County while a case is pending. These set the arrangement until a final ruling. Both temporary and final orders become part of the case record. Modifications can be filed later when circumstances change. Each new filing adds to the family court record at the Paulding County clerk office.

You can view custody records at the courthouse in Dallas or search for case details through the GSCCCA portal online.

Searching Paulding County Records Online

The GSCCCA search portal gives you access to Paulding County family court records from home. Monthly subscriptions cost $14.95. Printed pages run $0.50 each. Search by name to find case numbers, filing dates, and document types.

The GSCCCA portal covers all Georgia counties. For Paulding County family court records, results include the case type, date filed, and case number. Some document images have extra fees. The search interface is straightforward once you set up an account.

The GSCCCA also offers FANS, a free filing alert system. It sends notifications when new documents are filed on a case. This is a good way to stay on top of an active family court case in Paulding County.

For electronic filing, Paulding County attorneys use the Odyssey eFileGA portal. This system is not available to self-represented parties. If you are filing on your own, bring your documents to the courthouse in Dallas.

The clerk office staff in Paulding County can walk you through how to use these online tools if you call or stop by.

Child Support in Paulding County

Child support orders in Paulding County come from the Superior Court. O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26 gives the issuing court continuing jurisdiction over the order. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services enforces support orders statewide. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and pursue other collection methods when a parent falls behind.

Call DCSS at 1-877-423-4746. Lobby hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Friday visits are by appointment. DCSS can help open new cases, establish paternity, and review existing support orders. Court records for Paulding County child support cases are at the clerk office in Dallas. DCSS keeps its own records on payments and enforcement actions.

Protective Orders in Paulding County

Filing a protective order in Paulding County costs nothing. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 waives the fee for family violence petitions. You file at the courthouse in Dallas. A temporary order can be issued the same day. It lasts up to 30 days. After a full hearing, the judge may grant a final order for up to one year, or three years if the situation is serious enough.

The Georgia protective order page has step-by-step instructions. For immediate help with a dangerous situation, call the Georgia domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836. The line runs 24 hours a day.

All protective order filings in Paulding County are kept at the clerk office. These are public records, though the court may restrict certain identifying details for the safety of the petitioner.

Adoption and Paternity in Paulding County

Adoption records in Paulding County are confidential. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 seals these files once the adoption is complete. The clerk office can confirm a sealed record exists, but you need a court order to see the contents. Only the parties directly involved can access the file.

Paternity cases are public family court records. A paternity action identifies the legal father and usually leads to child support. DCSS can assist with paternity cases when the parents are not married. Records for paternity actions in Paulding County are at the clerk office in Dallas.

To request copies of Paulding County family court records, visit the clerk office with the case number or names of the parties involved. Certified copies cost more than regular ones. Call (770) 443-5560 first to check current copy fees.

Nearby Counties

Paulding County is northwest of Atlanta. These surrounding counties each handle their own family court matters through the Superior Court system.