How to Access Public Records in Georgia (Property, Court, Criminal, Vital & Business Records)

Georgia has broad public records access under one of the more requester-friendly open records laws in the Southeast. Whether you need property deeds, court case files, criminal history reports, vital certificates, or business registrations, knowing which agency maintains the record is the key to a successful Georgia public records search. Records are distributed across 159 counties — the most of any state except Texas — making Georgia one of the more complex states to navigate for county-level record searches.

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Georgia Public Records Quick Facts


Open Records Law	Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.)
Response Deadline	3 business days
Counties	159
Statewide Property/Land Index	Yes — GSCCCA (superior court land records)
Statewide Court Search	Partial — county portals + Georgia Judicial Gateway
Birth Certificates Restricted For	Varies — eligible requesters only
Death Records	Public with restrictions
Criminal Records Public	Restricted — GCIC consent-based access
Business Records Portal	Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division
Residency Required	No

What Are Public Records in Georgia?

Public records in Georgia are writings, documents, maps, photographs, computer-based data, and other materials prepared, maintained, or received by a government agency or a private entity performing a government function. The Georgia Open Records Act defines “public record” broadly and requires a narrow interpretation of exemptions. Even records transferred to private contractors for storage or processing remain public records subject to disclosure.

How to Access Public Records in Georgia

Identify the type of record you need and the agency or office that maintains it.
Choose the record type — property, court, vital, criminal, or business.
For property and land records, start with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) statewide index at gsccca.org, then follow up with the county Superior Court Clerk for documents.
For court records, visit the Georgia Judicial Gateway or the individual Superior Court Clerk’s website for the county where the case was filed.
For vital records, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health online portal or an approved vendor.
Submit requests in writing whenever possible — by email, web form, fax, mail, or in person. Agencies commonly process open records requests submitted in writing under the ORA.
Agencies must respond within three business days — either producing records, denying with a stated exemption, or providing a timetable for release.
For a directory of official Georgia county record portals organized by county and record type, visit PublicRecordHub.

Georgia’s Open Records Law

Public records in Georgia are governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (ORA), codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. The law establishes a broad presumption of public access and requires agencies to respond within three business days.

In simple terms: if a Georgia government agency creates, maintains, or receives a record in connection with public business, you generally have the right to inspect or copy it unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Private contractors performing government functions are also subject to the ORA.

Key provisions:

Agencies must respond within three business days — either producing records, denying with a specific legal basis, or providing a reasonable timetable for release when records are voluminous.
Access is granted to any person — Georgia explicitly recognizes non-residents as entitled to access, supported by Attorney General opinions.
Fees are permitted, typically around $0.10 per page for copies; agencies may charge for staff time on extensive requests.
Exemptions include law enforcement investigatory records, juvenile files, certain medical records, and personnel records — but exemptions are interpreted narrowly.
Private contractors performing services for public agencies can be directed to produce records under the ORA. The Georgia Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling in Milliron v. Antonakakis clarified that agencies cannot automatically shield records held by contractors performing government functions — though whether specific contractor records are subject to ORA depends on the nature of the services performed.

Who Can Request Public Records in Georgia?

Any person may request Georgia public records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-73(a) — there is no residency requirement. Non-residents are explicitly recognized as entitled to access, supported by Attorney General opinions. Individuals, businesses, nonprofits, journalists, and researchers all have equal rights to request records.

Requesters have the right to inspect records in person, obtain copies, and pursue enforcement through Superior Court if an agency refuses disclosure. Certain record categories carry access restrictions regardless of who is requesting — including juvenile court records, sealed cases, active law enforcement investigatory files, and restricted vital records.

Common Reasons Records Are Denied in Georgia

Even valid requests can be denied under a recognized exemption. Common reasons include:

Active law enforcement investigatory records exempt during investigations
Juvenile court records and family violence reports protected by statute
Grand jury minutes and related materials
Personnel records and certain medical files
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records of private contractors not performing government functions
Vague or insufficiently specific requests — agencies may request clarification before processing

If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption. You may seek enforcement through Superior Court; prevailing requesters may recover attorney’s fees and litigation costs.

Why Georgia Records Can Be Easier to Search Than Some States

Despite having 159 counties, several features make Georgia record searches more manageable than states with similar decentralization:

Strong statewide land index (GSCCCA) — the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority provides a single searchable index of land records across all 159 counties, something many large states lack entirely.
Fast statutory response deadline — Georgia’s three business day ORA deadline is among the fastest statutory deadlines nationally, giving requesters quick leverage if agencies delay.
Unified Superior Court Clerk system — because Superior Court Clerks handle both court filings and recorded land instruments, researchers often only need to contact one office per county for both record types.
No residency restriction — any person, anywhere, may request Georgia public records without identifying themselves or stating a purpose.
Broad non-resident access confirmed by Attorney General — Georgia’s Attorney General has issued opinions explicitly affirming non-resident access rights, providing additional legal certainty.

Unique Challenges When Searching Georgia Records

Georgia’s size and structure create specific record-search challenges:

159 counties — Georgia has more counties than any U.S. state except Texas. Records are highly decentralized — there is no single portal covering all county-level property, court, or vital records.
Superior Court Clerk is the central hub — in Georgia, the Superior Court Clerk handles both court filings and recorded land instruments (deeds, liens, mortgages). One office, two major record types — unlike states where these functions are split.
GSCCCA provides a statewide land index — the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (gsccca.org) provides a centralized index of superior court land records and UCC filings statewide. This is one of Georgia’s most useful research tools, but it indexes records — the actual documents may require follow-up with the county clerk.
No fully unified statewide court search — Georgia provides partial online court access through county-level portals and the Georgia Judicial Gateway. Coverage varies by county and court level; there is no single statewide case search comparable to other states’ unified systems.
Vital records held by DPH, not county clerks — unlike many states where county clerks issue vital records, Georgia vital records are centralized at the Georgia Department of Public Health. Marriage and divorce records, however, are held at the county level.
Private contractor ORA obligations — following Milliron v. Antonakakis (2024), agencies cannot automatically shield records held by contractors performing government functions. Whether specific contractor records are subject to ORA depends on the nature of the services performed — but the ruling strengthened access rights compared to the prior standard.

Common Mistakes When Searching Georgia Public Records

Starting a property search without GSCCCA — the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority provides a statewide searchable index of land records (search free; images may require a subscription or fee). Skipping it and going directly to county sites misses the most efficient starting point.
Confusing the Superior Court Clerk with the Tax Assessor — the Superior Court Clerk records deeds and legal instruments; the County Tax Assessor maintains valuation and ownership data. Both are needed for a complete property picture.
Expecting a statewide court case search — county court portals provide partial online coverage, but there is no single unified statewide case search. Many county-level cases require searching the individual Superior Court Clerk’s website.
Vague request descriptions — Georgia agencies may request clarification before processing. Always include specific names, date ranges, document types, and case numbers where available.
Requesting vital records without checking eligibility — birth and death certificates require documentation of the requester’s relationship to the person named. Requests without proper eligibility documentation will be denied.
Missing the three-business-day rule — Georgia’s ORA response deadline is three business days — among the fastest statutory deadlines nationally. If an agency does not respond or provide a timetable, this can be grounds for enforcement action.

Tips for Faster Georgia Records Requests

Use GSCCCA first for property and land records — the statewide searchable index at gsccca.org covers land records and UCC filings across all 159 counties. Search is free; document image access may require a subscription or per-image fee.
Submit requests in writing with full identifiers — include names, date ranges, case numbers, parcel IDs, and document types. Complete requests prevent the clarification delay that agencies are permitted to invoke.
Cite O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 — referencing the Open Records Act statute signals awareness of your rights and establishes a formal paper trail.
Request electronic delivery — Georgia agencies can provide records electronically; this is typically faster and cheaper than paper copies.
Use the Georgia Judicial Gateway — for court records, the Judicial Gateway (georgiacourts.gov) provides a starting point for locating the correct court and clerk website.

Property Records in Georgia

Property records in Georgia are maintained at the county level, with two primary offices handling different aspects:

The Superior Court Clerk records legal instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, and easements.
The County Board of Tax Assessors maintains valuation and ownership data.
The County Tax Commissioner holds tax payment and lien records.

Georgia also benefits from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) at gsccca.org — a statewide online index covering land records and UCC filings from all 159 Superior Court Clerks. GSCCCA is the most efficient starting point for deed and lien searches in Georgia. Searching is free; document image access may require a subscription or per-image fee.

What Georgia property records contain:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and security deeds
Mortgages, deeds of trust, and lien releases
Lis pendens and judgment liens
Plats and legal descriptions
Property tax assessments and ownership history (County Tax Assessor)
Historic land records dating to Georgia’s colonial period in some counties

How to search property records in Georgia:

Start at GSCCCA (gsccca.org) to search the statewide land records index by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or document type.
Use the county Superior Court Clerk’s website for document images — note that GSCCCA image access may require a subscription or fee.
Visit the County Board of Tax Assessors portal for ownership history and assessed values — counties like Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb provide robust online search tools.
Visit the County Tax Commissioner portal for tax payment status and liens.
For historical or undigitized records, contact the Superior Court Clerk directly or visit the Georgia Archives.

Use PublicRecordHub’s Georgia county directory to locate the correct Superior Court Clerk, Tax Assessor, and Tax Commissioner portals for any of Georgia’s 159 counties.

Court Records in Georgia

Court records in Georgia are maintained by the clerk of the relevant court in each county. Georgia has a multi-tiered court system with several distinct court levels.

Georgia’s court structure:

Supreme Court — appellate; opinions and briefs published online
Court of Appeals — intermediate appellate court; opinions published online
Superior Courts — general jurisdiction; civil, criminal, family, and felony cases; primary court of record in each county
State Courts — misdemeanors and civil cases
Probate Courts — estates, wills, guardianships, and some traffic matters
Magistrate Courts — small claims, county ordinance violations, and arrest warrants
Juvenile Courts — juvenile and family matters (records generally restricted)

Statewide resources:

Georgia Judicial Gateway (georgiacourts.gov) — centralized starting point for court information and clerk contacts
County court and clerk portals — many counties provide online docket access, but coverage and search depth vary by county and court level

How to access court records in Georgia:

Identify which court and county handled the case.
Visit the Georgia Judicial Gateway to locate the correct court clerk’s contact and website.
Search by party name, case number, or filing date through the county clerk’s online portal — coverage and search depth vary by county.
For a statewide starting point, use the Georgia Judicial Gateway to locate the correct county clerk portal; there is no single unified statewide case search.
For Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions, use the Georgia Courts website directly.
Contact the clerk’s office directly for documents not available online; certified copies require a fee.

Restrictions:

Juvenile court records are confidential and not accessible through public portals.
Sealed and expunged records are not available through ordinary public-access channels.
Grand jury minutes are restricted by statute.
Some probation records are restricted.

Vital Records in Georgia (Birth & Death Certificates)

Vital records in Georgia are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), which holds records dating back to 1919 for births and deaths.

State-maintained records:

Birth certificates (from 1919; some earlier records exist)
Death certificates (from 1919)
Fetal death records

Important: Marriage and divorce records in Georgia are held at the county level — not by the state Department of Public Health.

Marriage licenses and marriage records are commonly obtained through the Probate Court in the county where the license was issued. The Georgia Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records also provides certified copies of eligible Georgia marriage applications, certificates, and verifications.
Divorce decrees are maintained by the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

How to obtain Georgia vital records:

Visit the Georgia Department of Public Health vital records page.
Submit requests online through an approved vendor, by mail, or in person at a county health department.
Complete the application form and provide a government-issued photo ID and proof of eligibility.
Pay the applicable fee — typically around $25 plus processing costs.
Processing typically takes 8–10 weeks for standard requests; expedited options are available for additional fees.

Access restrictions:

Certified copies are restricted to the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal interest.
Standard identity verification and proof of relationship are required.

Criminal Records in Georgia

Criminal history information in Georgia is maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), a division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). GCIC serves as the statewide repository for arrest, charge, disposition, and confinement data.

Georgia has restricted criminal history access for the general public. Full certified criminal history reports require consent from the subject or a specific legal authorization — unlike states with open name-based searches.

What Georgia criminal records include:

Arrest records, charges, and booking information
Court dispositions and convictions
Incarceration and confinement data
Fingerprint records and identifying information

How to request criminal records in Georgia:

Consent-based criminal history check:

The subject of the record submits a request to GCIC with their own identifying information and consent.
Employers and licensing agencies may access records through authorized channels with appropriate legal basis.

Court-based case records (public): 3. Search public criminal case information through the appropriate county court or clerk portal.

Inmate information: 4. Use the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search for current and released inmate information.

Sex offender registry: 5. Search the Georgia Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation — searchable by name, county, or zip code at gbi.georgia.gov.

Restrictions:

Full GCIC criminal history reports are not available to the general public without subject consent or legal authorization.
Juvenile records are confidential and not accessible through ordinary public-access channels.
Sealed and restricted records are withheld from public access.
Active law enforcement investigatory records are exempt during ongoing investigations.

Business Records in Georgia

Business entity records in Georgia are managed by the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, accessible through the online search portal at ecorp.sos.ga.gov.

Georgia Secretary of State maintains:

Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities
Fictitious name (DBA) registrations
Formation documents, annual registrations, and entity status
Registered agent information
Amendments, dissolutions, and merger filings
Trademark filings

How to search business records in Georgia:

Go to the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division portal at ecorp.sos.ga.gov.
Search by business name, control number, registered agent, or officer/director name.
View entity status, formation date, registered agent, and filing history.
Download available formation documents and annual registrations.
For professional licenses, use the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards portal.
For UCC filings, search through the GSCCCA UCC index at gsccca.org.

Additional Georgia Public Records

Certain specialized records are maintained by other state agencies:

Professional Licenses — healthcare providers, contractors, and other regulated professions are searchable through the Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards portal.
Voter Registration Records — maintained by the Georgia Secretary of State, Elections Division; available to authorized requesters.
Environmental Permits — air, water, and hazardous waste permits are maintained by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Inmate Records — current and released inmate information is available through the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search.
Sex Offender Registry — maintained by the GBI and searchable at gbi.georgia.gov.
State Finance and Contracts — Open.Georgia.gov provides datasets on state expenditures, contracts, and salaries under the state’s transparency initiative.
Georgia Archives — the Georgia Archives (Virtual Vault) holds manuscripts, maps, photographs, and government records from colonial times to the present, with downloadable images available online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Georgia public records free?

Inspection of records is generally free. Copies are subject to fees — typically around $0.10 per page. Agencies may charge for staff time on large or complex requests. GSCCCA land record searches are free; document image downloads may require a subscription or per-image fee. Court certified copies carry set fees per document.

Can non-residents request Georgia public records?

Yes. Georgia’s Open Records Act explicitly recognizes non-residents as entitled to access, supported by Attorney General opinions. There is no residency requirement to submit a public records request.

How far back do Georgia records go?

The Georgia Department of Public Health holds vital records from 1919 for births and deaths, with some earlier records. GSCCCA land records index covers superior court land records statewide — many counties have records going back to the 1800s. The Georgia Archives holds records from Georgia’s colonial period. Business records through the Secretary of State date to the entity’s formation date.

Are criminal records public in Georgia?

Full certified criminal history reports from GCIC are not available to the general public without subject consent or legal authorization. Court case records — including many criminal dockets and dispositions — are generally accessible through the appropriate county court or clerk portal. Sealed and juvenile records are not available through ordinary public-access channels.

How quickly must Georgia agencies respond?

Georgia’s Open Records Act requires agencies to respond within three business days — one of the faster state deadlines. Agencies must either produce the records, deny with a specific legal exemption, or provide a reasonable timetable for release. Failure to respond can be grounds for enforcement through Superior Court.

What is Georgia’s open records law called?

The Georgia Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. It covers state and local government agencies and also applies to private contractors performing government functions — a broader scope than most state open records laws.

Do all Georgia counties provide online record access?

Online access varies significantly across Georgia’s 159 counties. Larger counties such as Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb have robust online portals for property, court, and tax records. Smaller counties may have limited digital availability and require in-person or mail requests. The GSCCCA provides statewide land record indexing regardless of individual county portal quality.

Find Georgia County Record Portals

Georgia’s 159 counties each maintain their own Superior Court Clerk, Board of Tax Assessors, Tax Commissioner, and Probate Court. Finding the right portal for property records, court filings, or vital records requires navigating each county’s separate systems — though GSCCCA significantly simplifies the land records piece.

PublicRecordHub’s Georgia County Records Directory lets you instantly find the correct Superior Court Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Commissioner, and Probate Court for any Georgia county — saving hours of manual searching across 159 separate county systems. All portals link directly to official government sources, available free through PublicRecordHub.