Search Stephens County Family Court Records

Stephens County family court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Toccoa, Georgia. The Mountain Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases filed here. Whether you need a divorce decree, a custody order, or info about a protective order filing, the clerk office in Toccoa can help. Stephens County family court records date back many years and are open to the public under state law.

Stephens County Clerk of Superior Court

Phyllis H. Martin serves as the Clerk of Superior Court in Stephens County. The office keeps all family court records, including divorce cases, child custody orders, child support filings, and protective order petitions. You can visit in person to look up records or ask staff to pull a specific case. Phone calls work for basic info too.

The clerk office sits on North Alexander Street in downtown Toccoa. There is no branch location. All family court records in Stephens County are filed and stored here. If you need a certified copy of any court order, bring your ID and the case number. Certified copies have the court seal and the clerk's sign. You can also get plain copies for less money, but they may not work for legal matters. Walk-in service is the fastest way to get what you need from the Stephens County clerk.

Family Court Case Types in Stephens County

Several types of family law cases get filed in Stephens County each year. Divorce is the most common. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-91, one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives, or where the filing spouse resides if both sides agree. Stephens County handles contested and uncontested divorce cases alike.

Custody disputes make up a big share of Stephens County family court records. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 tells the court to put the child's best interest first. A child who is 14 or older can choose which parent to live with, and the judge will follow that pick in most cases. For kids 11 to 13, the judge hears what they want but still has final say. Custody orders from the Stephens County court lay out who the child lives with, the visit plan, and any rules.

Protective orders are also filed at the Stephens County courthouse. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 lets anyone ask for a temp order with no filing fee. The court can issue one the same day. A full hearing happens within 30 days, and the judge can then grant a final order that lasts up to one year or three years in bad cases.

Online Access to Stephens County Records

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority has a statewide search tool that covers Stephens County. You can look up court records by name or case number from home. A regular account costs $14.95 per month with a $0.50 charge for each printed page.

You can view the GSCCCA search portal below. This tool lets you search Stephens County family court records along with records from all 159 Georgia counties.

The GSCCCA site shows case numbers, dates, and document types. For the full file, you may need to pay a per-page fee or visit the clerk office in Stephens County. Attorneys can also use Odyssey eFileGA to file court papers online. Pro se parties cannot use this system and must file paper forms at the Stephens County clerk office.

Child Support in Stephens County

Child support cases in Stephens County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court that made the support order keeps power over it. That means changes go through the same Stephens County court. The clerk office has all support records.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps with enforcement statewide. They can open a case, find a parent, set up paternity, and enforce orders. The toll-free line is 1-877-423-4746. Lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays need an appointment.

The CourtTRAX system can help you figure out court costs in Stephens County. It has a calculator, forms, and fee info for Georgia courts. DCSS also has a mobile app for payments and case tracking.

Getting Copies of Stephens County Records

You can get copies from the Stephens County clerk in person or by mail. To visit, go to 70 N. Alexander Street in Toccoa. Bring the case number or names of the parties. Staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait. For mail requests, send a letter with the case details and a check for the copy fee. Call (706) 886-9496 first to ask about current rates.

Adoption records in Stephens County are sealed. You need a court order to see them under O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2. Paternity files are public and can be pulled like any other family court record. The Putative Father Registry is a state resource for men who want to protect their parental rights.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Stephens County. You must file family court cases in the right county for the court to have power over your case.