Find Family Court Records in Walton County

Walton County family court records are kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Monroe, Georgia. The Piedmont Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters for this county.

Walton County Clerk of Superior Court

Clerk Elizabeth A. Poythress heads the Superior Court Clerk office in Walton County. This office is the official record keeper for all family court cases in the county. Divorce filings, child custody disputes, child support orders, and protective orders all go through this office. It sits on South Hammond Drive in Monroe. You can visit during business hours to search records or get copies.

All Walton County family court records are stored at the clerk office. There is no branch location. The office handles new filings and gives out copies of older records. Certified copies from the Walton County clerk have the court seal and the clerk's signature. They cost more than plain copies, but most agencies and lawyers need the seal. If you want copies fast, walk in with your ID and any case details you have.

Family Court Case Types in Walton County

Walton County Superior Court processes a range of family law cases. Divorce is the most common type. Georgia law says one spouse must have lived in the state at least six months before filing. The case is filed in the county where the other spouse lives, or the filing spouse's county if both agree. Walton County family court records for divorce include the petition, settlement terms, and the final decree.

Child custody is another major area of Walton County family court records. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court makes custody decisions based on the child's best interest. Children 14 and older get to choose which parent to live with. The court usually goes along with that. For children 11 to 13, the judge takes their input but keeps the final decision. Walton County custody records show the complete arrangement, visitation schedule, and any conditions.

Protective orders are also filed in Walton County. O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 allows a temporary order lasting up to 30 days. There is no fee. After a hearing, the judge may issue a final order for one to three years. These are part of the public family court records in Walton County.

Searching Walton County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides a statewide search tool that includes Walton County. You can search court records, real estate documents, and liens. Monthly access is $14.95, plus $0.50 per page. This is useful for searching Walton County family court records from home.

The GSCCCA search portal gives access to Walton County records and all other Georgia counties. Here is the portal.

Search results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full copies, you may need to pay a fee or visit the Walton County clerk office in Monroe. The tool is most useful when you have at least one party name.

Child Support Records in Walton County

Child support cases in Walton County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court retains jurisdiction over support orders. Modifications go through the same court. The Walton County clerk stores all child support family court records. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement and payment tracking statewide.

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

Walton County Adoption and Paternity Records

Adoption records in Walton County are sealed. Georgia law blocks public access. A court order is the only way to view them. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole authority over adoptions. All files are stored at the clerk office in Monroe but are not open to the public.

Paternity records are different. Walton County family court records for paternity are generally public. A paternity filing names the legal father. This affects child support, custody, and inheritance. The Georgia Putative Father Registry is a state resource for men asserting their parental rights.

Attorneys can submit filings through Odyssey eFileGA. The system accepts documents around the clock and sends email updates when the Walton County clerk processes them.

Getting Copies of Walton County Court Orders

Visit the clerk office at 303 S. Hammond Drive in Monroe to get copies. Bring a case number or party names. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies are cheaper but may not work for all legal uses.

Mail requests also work. Send case details, your address, and a check for fees to the Walton County clerk. Call (770) 267-1300 first to check rates. Mail processing takes longer. If family court records have sensitive info, the clerk may review what can be released.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Walton County. Family court records need to be filed in the correct county.