Search Whitfield County Family Court Records

Whitfield County family court records are kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Dalton, Georgia. The Conasauga Judicial Circuit processes all family law cases here.

Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court

Clerk Dianne C. Gribble runs the Superior Court Clerk office in Whitfield County. This office is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Divorce cases, child custody filings, child support orders, and protective orders are all processed here. The office is on North Selvidge Street in Dalton. You can visit in person to search for records, file new cases, or request copies of court documents.

Whitfield County family court records are stored at the clerk office. There is no branch. The clerk handles new filings and provides copies of past records. Certified copies from the Whitfield County clerk carry the court seal and the clerk's signature. They cost more than plain copies. Many agencies and law firms will only accept certified documents. Walking into the office is the fastest route to get what you need. Phone calls work for basic case questions.

Family Court Case Types in Whitfield County

Whitfield County Superior Court handles a wide range of family law cases. Divorce is the most common type. Georgia law says one spouse must have lived in the state for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives, or the filing spouse's county if both agree. Whitfield County family court records for divorce include the petition, financial disclosures, and the final decree.

Child custody makes up a large share of the Whitfield County family court records. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court decides custody based on the child's best interest. Children 14 and older can choose which parent to live with, and the court typically follows that choice. For ages 11 to 13, the judge hears what the child wants but keeps the final say. Whitfield County records lay out the full custody arrangement, including visitation schedules and conditions.

Protective orders are another common filing in Whitfield County. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3, a person can file for a temporary order lasting up to 30 days. There is no filing fee. After a hearing, the judge can issue a final order for one to three years. These family court records are public unless a judge seals them.

Searching Whitfield County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers a statewide search tool covering Whitfield County. You can search court records, real estate documents, and liens online. A monthly account is $14.95, plus $0.50 per page. This tool lets you search Whitfield County family court records without going to Dalton.

The GSCCCA search portal provides access to Whitfield County records and records from every other Georgia county. Take a look at the portal below.

Search results show case numbers, filing dates, and document types. For full copies, you may need to pay a per-page fee or go to the Whitfield County clerk office in person. The online tool works well for quick lookups when you have a party name.

Child Support Records in Whitfield County

Child support cases in Whitfield County fall under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The court retains jurisdiction over all support orders. Modifications go through the same court. The Whitfield County clerk office has all child support family court records. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services also enforces payments and tracks collections 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, 9 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Friday visits require an appointment. Whitfield County residents can use DCSS for enforcement while the Superior Court keeps the official family court records.

Whitfield County Adoption and Paternity Records

Adoption records in Whitfield County are sealed by Georgia law. No public access is allowed without a court order. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-2 gives the Superior Court sole authority over adoption proceedings. All adoption files sit at the clerk office in Dalton, but they cannot be viewed like other family court records in Whitfield County.

Paternity cases are public. Whitfield County family court records for paternity name the legal father. This is important for child support, custody, and inheritance. The Georgia Putative Father Registry is a state resource for men who want to protect their parental rights.

Attorneys can submit filings through Odyssey eFileGA. The system works 24 hours a day and sends email updates when the Whitfield County clerk processes the documents.

Getting Copies of Whitfield County Court Orders

Visit the clerk office at 205 N. Selvidge Street in Dalton. Bring a case number or the names of the parties. Staff will find the file and make copies. Certified copies have the court seal. Plain copies cost less but may not be accepted for legal purposes.

Mail requests are also an option. Send case details, your address, and a check for fees. Call (706) 275-7450 to check rates. Mail takes longer to process. If Whitfield County family court records have sensitive content, the clerk may review what can be released before making copies.

Cities in Whitfield County

Dalton is the county seat and main city in Whitfield County. Family court records for Dalton residents are filed at the Whitfield County Superior Court Clerk office. All family law cases from the city go through this office on North Selvidge Street.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Whitfield County. Family court records must be filed in the correct county based on where the parties live.