Access Thomas County Family Court Records

Thomas County family court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Thomasville, Georgia. The Southern Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters filed here.

Thomas County Clerk of Superior Court

Clerk Patricia A. Grady runs the Superior Court Clerk office in Thomas County. This office maintains all family court records, including divorce cases, child custody orders, child support filings, and protective order requests. The office is on North Madison Street in Thomasville. You can visit in person to search records or call ahead with questions.

Family court records in Thomas County are filed and stored at this one location. The clerk handles new filings and also gives out copies of older records. If you need a certified copy of a family court order from Thomas County, bring your ID and the case number. Certified copies have the court seal and cost more than plain copies. A lot of agencies will only accept a certified copy. Walk-in service is the quickest way to get records.

Family Court Case Types in Thomas County

Thomas County Superior Court handles a range of family law cases. Divorce is the most common type filed. Georgia law requires one spouse to have lived in the state for at least six months. The case goes to the county where the respondent lives, or the petitioner's county if both sides agree. Thomas County family court records for a divorce case include the petition, any settlement, and the judge's final decree.

Child custody is another common filing in Thomas County. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the judge looks at the best interest of the child when deciding custody. Children age 14 and over can state which parent they want to live with. The court typically follows that wish. For children age 11 to 13, the judge considers their input but makes the final decision. Thomas County family court records for custody cases include the full terms, visitation, and any special conditions the judge ordered.

Protective orders show up often in Thomas County family court records too. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, someone can file for a temporary protective order. It lasts up to 30 days. There is no cost to file. A final order after a hearing can last one to three years.

Searching Thomas County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides a statewide search tool that includes Thomas County records. You can look up court filings, deeds, and liens. A monthly account costs $14.95, and printed pages run $0.50 each. This tool lets you search by name or case number.

The GSCCCA search portal covers Thomas County family court records and all other Georgia counties. Here is a look at the portal.

Search results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. Full copies may require a per-page fee or a visit to the Thomas County clerk office in Thomasville. The online tool is best for quick lookups when you know a party name.

Child Support Records in Thomas County

Child support cases in Thomas County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court keeps jurisdiction over support orders, which means changes must go through the same court. The Thomas County clerk office has all child support records on file. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services also helps enforce payments statewide.

DCSS can open new cases, locate parents, establish paternity, and modify existing orders. Their toll-free number is 1-877-423-4746. Lobbies are open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Mondays and Fridays require an appointment. Thomas County residents can use DCSS for enforcement while the court keeps official family court records.

Thomas County Adoption and Paternity Records

Adoption records in Thomas County are sealed. Georgia law blocks public access. You need a court order to view them. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole power over adoptions. All adoption files for Thomas County are at the clerk office in Thomasville, but they are not available to the public without a judge's approval.

Paternity cases are a different story. Thomas County family court records for paternity are generally public. A paternity case names the legal father of a child. This affects support, custody, and inheritance rights. The Georgia Putative Father Registry lets men register to protect their parental rights.

Attorneys can file documents through Odyssey eFileGA. The system is open 24 hours and sends email updates when the Thomas County clerk processes filings.

Getting Copies of Thomas County Court Orders

Copies of family court records from Thomas County can be obtained a few ways. Go to the office at 325 N. Madison Street in Thomasville. Bring the case number or party names. Staff will pull the file and copy what you need. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper but may not work for legal purposes.

You can mail a request too. Send a letter with case details, your address, and a check for fees. Call (229) 225-4108 first to confirm current rates. Mail takes longer, usually a week or more. If the Thomas County family court records contain sensitive information, the clerk may review what can be released before making copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Thomas County. Make sure you file family court records in the right county based on where the parties live.