Spalding County Family Court Records

Spalding County family court records are held at the Superior Court Clerk office in Griffin, Georgia. The Griffin Judicial Circuit covers all family law filings in this county, from divorce cases to custody fights and protective order petitions. If you need to find a family court record or get a copy of a court order, the clerk office in Griffin is where to go. Most family court records in Spalding County are public under Georgia law, and staff can help you pull the files you need.

Spalding County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Spalding County keeps all family court records on file. Rita S. Cavan serves as clerk. This office handles new case filings, stores old records, and gives out copies of court orders. You can walk in to search for records or call ahead for basic case info. The staff deals with family law cases every day and can point you in the right direction if you are not sure what you need from the Spalding County records.

Family court records in Spalding County cover a wide range of case types. The clerk files and stores divorce papers, child custody orders, support cases, adoption files, and protective orders. All of these sit in one office. If you want a certified copy of any family court order, bring your ID and the case number. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less but may not work for legal use. The Spalding County clerk can make copies while you wait in most cases.

Family Court Case Types in Spalding County

Divorce is the most common family court case in Spalding County. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91 sets the rules for where a divorce must be filed. One spouse needs to have lived in Georgia for at least six months. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives. If both agree, it can be filed where either one resides. Spalding County sees a steady flow of divorce filings each year.

Child custody cases are a big part of Spalding County family court records too. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court looks at the best interest of the child when it makes a custody call. Kids who are 14 or older can pick which parent to live with, and the court will usually go with that choice. For children between 11 and 13, the judge still hears what they want but has more room to decide. Custody orders in Spalding County spell out the living plan, visit times, and any rules the judge sets.

Protective orders are filed in Spalding County too. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, a person can ask for a temporary order right away. There is no fee to file. The court can grant a temp order that lasts up to 30 days. After a full hearing, the judge may issue a final order for up to one year. In some cases it can last three years. These records stay on file at the Spalding County clerk office.

Searching Spalding County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs a statewide search tool that covers Spalding County. You can look up court records from home using this site. A regular account costs $14.95 per month, and each printed page is $0.50 extra. You can search by name or case number.

The GSCCCA search portal gives you access to family court records from Spalding County and all other Georgia counties. You can view the search interface below.

Search results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full copies, you may need to pay extra or go to the clerk office in Spalding County. The online portal is a fast way to find basic case info without making the trip to Griffin.

Attorneys who file family court cases in Spalding County can use the Odyssey eFileGA system. This lets them send documents to the court at any time. Pro se filers cannot use eFileGA and must file paper forms at the clerk office in Spalding County.

Child Support Records in Spalding County

Child support cases in Spalding County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court keeps ongoing power over support orders. That means the same court that made the order can change it later if things shift. The clerk office has all support records on file.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps with enforcement across the state. DCSS can open a new case, track down a parent who is not paying, set up paternity, or change an existing order. Call them at 1-877-423-4746. Office lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only. For Spalding County residents, DCSS handles enforcement while the Superior Court keeps the official records.

The DCSS also has a mobile app that lets you make payments, check your history, and see upcoming dates. This works for anyone with a child support case in Spalding County or anywhere else in Georgia.

Adoption and Paternity Files in Spalding County

Adoption records in Spalding County are sealed. Georgia law treats these as private. You need a court order to see them. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole power over adoption cases. All adoption files for Spalding County sit at the clerk office in Griffin, but you cannot walk in and ask for them like you can with divorce or custody files.

Paternity cases are different. These family court records are public in Spalding County. A paternity case sets who the legal father is. This matters for support, custody, and rights. The Georgia Putative Father Registry is a state tool for men who want to protect their rights when a child may be placed for adoption. You can reach the registry at (404) 679-4741.

The CourtTRAX system has info on fines and fees for courts across Georgia, including Spalding County. It has a calculator, forms, and reports that can help you plan for the costs of a family court case.

Getting Copies of Spalding County Court Orders

You can get copies of family court records from the Spalding County clerk a few ways. The quickest is to go in person to 132 E. Solomon Street in Griffin. Bring the case number or full names of the parties. Staff will look up the file and make copies. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter with case details, your return address, and a check for copy fees. Call (770) 467-4340 first to check the rates. Mail takes longer, sometimes a week or more. For family court records with sensitive info, the Spalding County clerk may need to review what can be released before making copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Spalding County. Family court cases must be filed in the right county, so check the address where the parties live before you file.