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Georgia Court Records

Georgia court records refer to any record of cases maintained by the clerk of court. Records include but are not limited to, traffic, civil, or criminal cases. Per the Georgia Open Records Act, the public can access any court records except for those deemed confidential by the court. For instance, juvenile records are sealed from the public and are only available to authorized persons. 

Which Georgia Courts Maintain Publicly Accessible Records?

The Council of Superior Court Clerks act as the custodians of Georgia court records, including civil court records, property records, criminal files, and other similar records available at the court. On the other hand, different courts in Georgia process and maintain different court records like the following:

  • The Court of Appeals handles civil and criminal cases. 
  • The Superior Court handles jury trials involving traffic and ordinance violations, domestic-related cases, probate and wills, civil cases, real property cases, misdemeanors, and felonies. 
  • The Magistrate Court handles ordinance violations and misdemeanors with small claims cases of up to $15,000. 
  • The Municipal or Civil Court handles preliminary hearings for traffic violations and misdemeanors. Depending on the county, they are also responsible for hearing small claims cases from $15,000 up to $45,000. 
  • The Probate Court exclusively handles all probate cases, estate disputes, mental health issues, and also preliminary hearings for traffic, ordinance violations, and misdemeanors.
  • The State Court handles jury trials involving preliminary hearings for traffic violations and misdemeanors and also issues relating to civil cases, contract disputes, and tort. 
  • The Juvenile Court handles cases that involve juvenile issues, custody disputes, and juvenile-related traffic infractions.

 

What are the Common Public Court Records in Georgia?

Some of the most common Georgia court records available to the public are the following:

Appeals

Appeals are the lower court’s review to see if a certain ruling is eligible for an appeal. A mistake during court proceedings is also a ground for an appeal. 

In Georgia, the three different types of appeals are direct appeals, interlocutory applications for appeals, and discretionary appeals.

Direct appeals, or an appeal of rights, is filed when parts of trial court records are needed to be included or omitted. Aside from filing within seven days or 30 days of the rendered order, appellants are also responsible for paying additional fees to the trial courts before transmitting the appeals. Note that appeals only applies to hearing and rulings involving the following:

  • Criminal cases with capital offenses like the death penalty
  • Applications for discharge in contempt
  • Bail trover cases
  • Attachments against fraudulent debtors
  • Directing an accounting

An interlocutory application appeals apply when the court denies a pretrial motion and the appellant wants the appellate court to reconsider the legal issue. Unlike direct appeals, discretionary appeals are considered post-judgment appeals for orders like the revocation of probation or denied release from the sex offender registry. 

 

Civil Court Records

Civil court records involve disputes of less than $15,000, like bad checks, ordinance violations, and landlord and tenant cases. In some counties like Macon-Bibb, civil cases involve disputes of less than $25,000. Included under civil court records are eviction proceedings, warrants, and suits.

 

Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Georgia include marriage licenses, involuntary hospitalization, issuance of pistol licenses, administration of estates, and appointment of guardians. 

 

Small Claims Court Records

The magistrate court in Georgia serves as a small claims court for a number of civil and criminal cases. 

 

Does Georgia Have a Case Search?

Georgia has a case search for court records online. The state also has a separate tool to search for real estate index, PT-61, lien, plat, notary, and carbon registry. Requesters may also use third-party sites to look for court records online.

Counties in Georgia

Courts in Georgia

Roswell Municipal Court38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA
Mountain Park Municipal Court118 Lakeshore Drive, Mountain Park, GA
College Park Municipal Court3667 Main St., College Park, GA
Fairburn Municipal Court26 W Campbellton Street, Fairburn, GA
Union City Municipal Court5060 Union Street, Union City, GA
East Point Municipal Court2727 E Point Street, East Point, GA
Alpharetta Municipal Court13690 Highway 9, Milton, GA
Johns Creek Municipal Court11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek, GA
Supreme Court of Georgia330 Capitol Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA
Court of Appeals Georgia330 Capitol Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA

List of Content

  1. Which Georgia Courts Maintain Publicly Accessible Records?
    1. What are the Common Public Court Records in Georgia?
      1. Appeals
      2. Civil Court Records
      3. Probate Court Records
      4. Small Claims Court Records