Georgia Public Records
The Georgia State Records mission is to provide every person the right to detect, obtain, preview and examine public records, thus providing Georgia residents with access to public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act, which cites that all government records are presumed to be available to the public for investigation.
The main goal of this website is to equip the general public with a way to search for and find Georgia state public records easily, efficiently and concisely without necessitating a reason for needing said record. The law states all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except when the record is made confidential by a court order or by law.
Georgia State Records maintains information about criminal records, court records, and vital records. The information provided by this website contains over 95 million transparent public records.
Are Georgia Records Public?
Yes. Georgia’s Open Records Act (OPA) establishes access to many public records. Residents can see, inspect or obtain copies of different Georgia public records by sending a request to the custodian in charge of the records.
Although Georgia’s Open Record Act provides broad access to government-generated records, it also restricts access to records that contain protected or exempted information, such as personnel records or vital records. Government agencies may deny a request to inspect or obtain copies of any of the following:
- Records containing the personal details of government employees such as the telephone number, home address, medical information, or social security number.
- Records containing private medical information, social security number, insurance information, or other private data
- Records that contain information on real estate appraisals made by an agency in relation to a future acquisition
- Records that contain information the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of privacy
- Records that contain information deemed confidential or classified by the govt
- Records that provide information about ongoing investigations being managed by law enforcement agencies
- Records that may reveal confidential sources tied to an investigation
- Records containing accident information from the Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Reports
- Records containing the personal home addresses, names, security code, or phone numbers connected to fire alarm systems or other security systems
What is Considered Public Information in Georgia?
Georgia public records available under the OPA include:
- Georgia public sex offender information
- Georgia divorce records
- Georgia public death records
- Georgia public inmate records
- Georgia bankruptcy records
- Georgia public arrest records
- Georgia property records
- Georgia court records
- Georgia vital records
Although public records are accessible in Georgia under the state's public records act, not all records are available to the public. A public data search is, therefore, necessary to check the availability of records. This search often entails accessing official public record databases of government agencies or looking up the various means agencies provide to submit public records act requests in Georgia. In most cases, an individual will find a template or form they can use to send their requests. A free public data search may also be carried out by visiting the agencies maintaining the public records, such as a county sheriff's office, clerk of court's office, and so on.
How Do I Find Public Records in Georgia?
Georgia’s Open Record Act mandates that government agencies provide quick access to non-confidential records upon request. Requesters can obtain copies of a record by submitting a request in person or by mail. Although record custodians have different rules, the steps for obtaining public records in Georgia are largely similar:
Identify the Right Record
Record seekers can expedite their search by correctly identifying the type of record required. Georgia public records fall into different categories, ranging from criminal records to court records to vital records. Requesters are also expected to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as the name of the registrant or a case number if known.
Note: Government agencies may defer the search and retrieval of any record if the request appears too broad, overly vague, or burdensome. This is especially true for requests that cost more than $25. The OPA permits agencies to insist on a prepayment for “any instance in which the estimated costs for production of the records exceeds $500.00”.
Identify the Record Custodian
Government agencies manage different records. For instance, the superior courts and state courts maintain public civil and criminal court records, while criminal history information can be obtained by contacting the Georgia Bureau of Information. Similarly, vital records are held by the county clerks or the vital records department of the county where the record holder is resident and divorce records are held by the circuit court clerk. Residents may be able to access a record by submitting a request to the state department that deals with public coordination and communication. Some agencies also have lobbies where visitors can view or inspect open records during working hours.
Create a Written Request
Most agencies and government departments recommend that record seekers submit their requests in writing. This is done to ease the process as well as create a paper trail. Depending on the type of record, requesters may be expected to include key information such as:
- The method of delivery (addresses and contact details)
- A clear description of the record
- The contact details and the full name of the requester
- A specified date range for the request
- Any other information that may assist the search
- The type of record
In selected cases, additional information may be required to process a public records request. For instance, if certified copies of a vital record is required, the requester may need to present a written and notarized consent form. Additionally, if expedited processing is required, or if the inquirer is seeking a record specifically exempted from public disclosure, they will be required to provide additional documentation - like a subpoena issued by a Georgia court.
Review and Submit Request
The final step to obtaining a record is submitting the request. Residents may opt to either submit their request in person or send it via mail. Some agencies provide an online records request page for added convenience. Custodians typically charge a small fee for photocopying or printing copies of a record for seekers. An additional fee may be charged for searches that require data extraction.
Using Third-Party Sites to Find Public Records in Georgia
City Records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Public Records
Public records can also be accessed from third-party websites. These third-party public records aggregate websites offer search services that are non-geographically limited, making the search result expansive and typically straightforward. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record as long as the subject is not a juvenile
- The last known or location of the record subject
Third-party public records search websites are not government-sponsored services. Therefore, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
How Do I Look for Public Records in Georgia Free?
Most of the agencies and departments in Georgia allow requesters to conduct a free public records search. For example, the Georgia Department of Corrections provides free online access to inmate information. Also, county clerk or recorder offices can be visited for public records relevant to a locality. Residents can search for offenders by adult name, race, gender, and age. Likewise, information on convicted sex offenders is publicly available and free of charge via the state’s sex offender registry. That said, residents who wish to obtain copies of a record will likely need to pay a small fee.
Georgia public records were generated by the state from as far back as the year 1805, and these records typically include information from all 159 counties. Digitization of records is becoming the standard for the past 30 years, and both government and third-party organizations and websites are offering ever increased access. This helps to ensure Georgia abides by the commitment of the United States of America to remain a fair and just society for all.
