Fulton County Court Records
Superior, State, Probate, Magistrate, and Juvenile Courts in Fulton County, Georgia, produce and receive files and documents during court proceedings that make up the county's court records.
Fulton County courts serve more than a million residents and businesses, including those in the Atlanta area, making Fulton one of the busiest judicial districts in Georgia.
Court records provide a detailed account of a court case's actions, decisions, and events. They play a significant role in improving public access to courts, judicial administration, and the justice system's integrity. Fulton County court records also allow county residents to learn about the laws that affect their lives, help attorneys and case parties research legal precedents and adequately prepare for legal cases, and facilitate fair court judgments and decisions by providing judges with historical references.
Georgia laws, like OCGA § 15-6-61, authorize clerks of courts to maintain and distribute court records per state and federal statutes.
Individuals and attorneys seeking a court record in Fulton County must determine whether the record is deemed part of Fulton County Public Records before contacting the appropriate office for retrieval.
Are Court Records Public in Fulton County?
Yes. Fulton County Court records are generally treated as public records with some exceptions. OCGA § 50-18-71 establishes that records created and maintained by government agencies (including courts) are open for public viewing and copying. However, it also stipulates that records legally exempt from disclosure and made confidential by court order are not publicly available.
The Superior Court in Fulton County follows the processes established in the Georgia Uniform Rules of the Superior Court to release and restrict records. Uniform rules for other county-level courts also contain similar legally binding instructions for regulating access to court records.
The following factors affect access to court documents in Fulton County:
- Motions and orders: The court and parties to civil or criminal actions can file motions to restrict access to case files. The court has the authority to grant such restrictions after hearing arguments on the matter. The resulting court order will specify the scope, duration, and reason for the limitation.
- The finding of harm: The court weighs an individual's right to privacy against the importance of public access before deciding whether to limit access to court records.
- Ex parte orders: The court can restrict access to court records for a maximum of 30 days in emergencies upon receiving a compelling motion and supporting affidavit from only one party in a case (ex parte process).
- State and federal statutes: Records considered confidential by federal and state regulations and court rules are not open to the public in Fulton County. For example, OCGA § 50-18-72 lists when public disclosure is not required, and OCGA § 15-11-701 establishes when and how to seal juvenile records.
What Do Fulton County Court Records Contain?
Court records constitute documents, files, and other materials used as a court case progresses from pre-trial hearings to trial and judgment. Records typically produced during these proceedings include:
- Deposition and trial transcripts
- Motions and orders
- Stenographic records
- Judgment and decisions
- Witness lists and statements
- Pleadings and settlements
- Case information, including court location, names of parties involved in the case, attorney, and judge
- Court dockets
Where to Conduct a Fulton County Case Lookup
People interested in viewing or obtaining court documents in Fulton County can utilize the following methods:
- Visit a Fulton County courthouse or clerk's office.
- Order copies online through the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts website.
- Download and fill out a form to request copies of court documents by mail.
- View or order court case records through the Fulton County website.
How to Conduct a Fulton County Case Records Search
Fulton County residents and other individuals who want to know how to find court records in person can follow the processes outlined here.
Search for Records Online
Individuals can head to the Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search website to find records of cases filed in any of the county's courts. Users must set up an account if they do not already have one. However, while this resource provides essential case details, researchers must pay the required fees to obtain court documents.
Visit the EServices Page of the Fulton County Clerk of the Superior and Magistrate Courts to Order Copies
The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk provides access to an eCertification services portal online. This platform, managed by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, allows users to order certified copies of court records online and receive them electronically as PDF documents via email. The eCertification web portal is available around the clock and every day of the week.
Users can download purchased eCertified copies of court documents and use them multiple times in the future.
Like the Fulton County court records search service, intending users must have an eCertification account.
After logging in, requesters can follow this process to order copies:
- At the top-right corner of the page, select "Submit New Request".
- Choose Fulton County.
- Open the document type menu and choose the type of document to be requested.
- Select "Continue" and fill out the required fields.
- Click "Submit Request".
- After submitting a request, the order status will change to "Awaiting Payment Final Authorization" once the clerk's office processes it.
- At this stage, requesters must click "Awaiting Payment Final Authorization" and follow the instructions to complete their order.
- Once the clerk's office verifies payment, the requester will receive an email containing a link to download their purchased copies.
Request by Mail
Members of the public can request civil and criminal case records by downloading and filling out a File Request Form and sending it to 136 Pryor Street, Suite C-130, Atlanta, GA 30303. They can also call (404) 612-8482 for assistance.
To fill out the form, one must provide specific details, such as a civil action or case number, the requested civil or criminal document, and the request's purpose (certified copies, plain copies, or file review).
Note that plain and certified copies have different fees (more details below).
On-Site Requests
Interested individuals can visit a Fulton County courthouse or the clerk's office to order court records copies. The benefit of in-person orders is that requesters can obtain almost any record on the same day.
Copy Fees
Individuals must pay the following fees to obtain copies of court documents in Fulton County, Georgia:
- Certified/Exemplified Copies: $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for subsequent pages.
- Uncertified Copies: $0.50 per page for copies requested without clerk or staff assistance and $1 per page for copies ordered with assistance. Plats or drawings larger than paper size 8.5" x 14" cost $2 per page.
- Electronic or Faxed Copies: $2.50 for the first page and $1 for subsequent pages
More information is available on the Fulton County Clerk's Fee Schedule page.
Fulton County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court case records in Fulton County are produced or filed in the county's Superior, State, Magistrate, and Probate courts. The cases involve civil litigations between two parties (individuals, businesses, and civil/government organizations).
Records generated in these courts are maintained by clerks of courts and can be obtained through the Fulton County records search website, in person at various courthouses, and by mail.
Fulton County Criminal Court Case Records
Fulton County Criminal court records contain details of legal proceedings involving offenders prosecuted by the Fulton County District Attorney's office. Criminal cases are held in the county's Magistrate, State, Superior, and Juvenile Courts.
Members of the public can find records of criminal cases on the websites of the Fulton County government and Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts. They can also visit the courthouse where the case was heard to request copies of criminal records.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
As mentioned, a person must have an account to access free case information on the Fulton County Magistrate, State, and Superior Court Record Search site. Obtaining copies of court documents, whether from the site or via other court-approved means, is not free.
Additionally, several third-party sites permit members of the public to access certain case information for free, but in many cases, one must pay a fee to access a comprehensive report.
Courts in Fulton County, Georgia
Below are the addresses and contact details of the courts in Fulton County's justice system:
Fulton County Superior Court
136 Pryor Street, South West
Suite C-640
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 613-5040
Fulton County State Court
185 Central Avenue, South West
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 613-5040
Fulton County Juvenile Court
395 Pryor Street, South West
Atlanta, GA 30312
The Fulton County Courts and Justice Agencies website has the addresses and contact information of the Magistrate and Probate courts in the county.
