Find Polk County Family Court Records

Polk County family court records are managed by Clerk of Superior Court Jennifer A. Cary in Cedartown, Georgia. The Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit covers all family law filings here.

Polk County Superior Court Clerk

Jennifer A. Cary serves as Clerk of Superior Court for Polk County. Her office at 144 W. Ave. in Cedartown handles all family court filings. Staff process new cases, maintain records, and provide copies to the public. Polk County is in northwest Georgia near the Alabama border. The courthouse in Cedartown is the sole location for family court filings in the county.

Call (770) 749-2114 to get information on fees, hours, or record requests. The clerk staff can answer questions about the filing process and let you know what documents you need to bring.

Polk County is part of the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit along with Haralson and Paulding counties. Judges rotate between these courthouses. Family court sessions in Cedartown follow the circuit calendar. The clerk can tell you when the next hearing dates are scheduled.

Below is the GSCCCA search portal that covers Polk County records.

Types of Family Court Cases in Polk County

Divorce filings make up the bulk of family court cases in Polk County. O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 requires six months of Georgia residency before filing. The case goes to the county where the defendant spouse lives. Polk County handles contested and uncontested divorces. Uncontested cases wrap up in about 45 days. Contested ones can take much longer when there are property or custody disputes to resolve.

Custody cases here follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court uses the best interest of the child standard. The judge looks at home stability, each parent's bond with the child, work schedules, and any red flags like abuse or substance use. A 14-year-old can choose their custodial parent. The court puts real weight on that choice. Between 11 and 13, the child's preference is taken into account but does not bind the court.

Protective orders cost nothing to file. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, there is no fee for family violence petitions. A temporary order can be issued the day you file. A full hearing within 30 days determines whether a longer order is appropriate.

Online Search Options for Polk County

The GSCCCA covers Polk County court records in its statewide database. A subscription is $14.95 per month. Pages cost $0.50. Search by name and filter to Polk County for the best results.

Attorneys can file electronically through eFileGA or PeachCourt. Both systems are available all day, every day. Self-represented parties file paper documents at the courthouse in Cedartown. CourtTrax is another option for name-based searches of Georgia court records.

Polk County does not have its own online case search tool. For the most thorough results, call the clerk office at (770) 749-2114 or visit in person. Staff can locate records that the online tools may not show.

Child Support in Polk County

Child support in Polk County is governed by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents provide income data. The court calculates the payment using the income shares model, factoring in health insurance and child care costs. The order gets filed at the clerk office in Cedartown.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement for Polk County. DCSS can garnish wages, take tax refunds, and pull licenses for non-payment. Call 1-877-423-4746. Custodial parents use DCSS at no cost.

DCSS manages enforcement and case tracking for all Georgia counties.

Additional Family Court Records

Adoption records are sealed in Polk County. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 says only a judge can authorize release. The clerk holds the files but cannot give them out without a court order. This is the rule in every Georgia county.

Paternity records are public. A paternity case determines legal fatherhood and affects custody, support, and inheritance. Request copies from the Polk County clerk with a case number or party names.

For copies of any family court record, visit 144 W. Ave. in Cedartown. Mail requests are accepted. Include case details, your address, and payment. Certified copies have the court seal and cost more. Call (770) 749-2114 for current prices.

Cities in Polk County

Polk County includes Cedartown, Rockmart, and Aragon. All family court filings go through the Superior Court in Cedartown. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a separate page.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Polk County in northwest Georgia. Check jurisdiction before requesting records from another county.