What are Gilmer County Public Records?
Gilmer County public records are documents generated by officials or personnel working in government agencies. According to Section 50-18-70 of the Open Records Act, these records refer to all forms of written or oral documentation, including papers, letters, maps, books, audios, photographs, computer-generated information, audio visuals, data fields, and other materials.
In Gilmer County, public records are open to the residents and may be inspected or copied during an agency's working hours. However, the law exempts access to some records. Some exceptions to the Georgia Open Records Act include:
- Military discharge records (for instance, DD 214 records) submitted to the county commissioners or the county clerk in compliance with Section 15-6-72 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A)
- Juvenile records (O.C.G.A. § 15-11-708)
- Hospital peer review records (O.C.G.A. § 31-7-15(d); O.C.G.A. § 31-7-133(a))
- Pardons and parole board records (O.C.G.A. § 42-9-53b)
- Records received from an insurance company investigating a fire loss of real or personal property (O.C.G.A. § 25-2-33d)
- Personal identifying information on driver's licenses
- Records gathered for law enforcement or prosecution purposes that may endanger the life of a confidential source or threaten the safety of the individuals involved
- Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Reports (unless the requester tenders a written statement of need to the county clerk)
- Investigative reports marked as classified by the Department of Corrections and intelligence reports from Internal Affairs (O.C.G.A. § 42-5-36(b))
- Crime scene photos portraying death and dismemberment of bodies; images from autopsies and coroner's reports (O.C.G.A. § 45-16-27(d),(e)(2))
- Records that reveal an individual's social security number, mother's birth name, credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, utility account numbers, and other sensitive details
- Other records deemed confidential by federal statute or state regulation
In addition to government agencies, some public 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.
Gilmer County Crime Statistics
The Georgia Crime Information Center, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) division, publishes Gilmer County crime statistics. Periodically, the GCIC collates reports from the state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Gilmer County sheriff's office, police departments, campus police, and other agencies performing law enforcement functions in the county.
According to the 2020 report, Gilmer County recorded 384 criminal offenses. The leading offense was larceny (196), followed by aggravated assault (74) and burglary (59). The county also recorded 28 motor vehicle thefts and 22 rape incidents. The preceding report showed a 25.9% reduction in the number of crimes recorded in 2019 (518 criminal offenses) and a 41.8% reduction from the 660 offenses recorded in 2018. Gilmer County's crime rate currently stands at about 12.44 per 1000 people; this means that approximately 12 in 1,000 people become victims of crime in the county each year.
Are Gilmer County Criminal Records Public?
Yes. Per the Georgia Open Records Act, Gilmer County criminal records are public records, excluding juvenile criminal records (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) and other sealed or restricted criminal records. However, restricted records can be obtained by criminal justice agencies for employment purposes (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60).
Criminal records provide details about a person's arrests and convictions. Interested persons can contact a local law enforcement agency to obtain Gilmer County criminal records. When requesting criminal records for employment purposes, the record seeker will need to fill out an open request form and obtain the consent of the record owner. Requesters may also have to pay a fee for the records. These records are often receivable via email, mailbox, or in person.
It is worth mentioning that interested persons need not obtain the owner's consent to request a felony record. Instead, a requester may purchase the record via the Georgia Technology Authority's Felon Search website.
How to Obtain Gilmer County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Requesting parties can obtain Gilmer County arrest records and police reports from the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office. The office retains such records and provides them upon request.
However, a requester will need to fill out a form and provide information on the record's subject, the incident date, and other known details to help the staff identify the desired record. When physical copies are required, record seekers will need to pay a fee to the office. Below is the sheriff's address and phone number:
1 Broad Street
Suite 103
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4162
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gilmer County
Per O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the central repository for sex offender records, including those from Gilmer County. The agency receives sex offender information from local law enforcement agencies across the state, lists that information in a publicly accessible sex offender registry, and ensures that the information is accurate and regularly updated.
To find the sex offender information in Gilmer County, a requester can enter an offender's name, gender, or address into the Georgia Sex Offender Registry site. The registry will show results matching the information provided. Each search result shows the full name, alias(es), photograph, address, status, offense details, physical description, and registration details of a sex offender.
Sometimes, a requester may not find the record they seek on the Georgia Sex Offender Registry. This may happen if the offender moves to another state. In such cases, the interested person can search the relevant state's sex offender registry or contact the county sheriff's office.
How to Find Gilmer County Inmate Records
The Gilmer County Sheriff's Department maintains inmate records. The agency's Adult Detention Center provides an online index of adult inmates incarcerated in the jail. The index includes an inmate's name, gender, arrest date and time, offense type, offense description and corresponding statute, the arresting officer, and warrant number.
Then again, interested persons may contact the Adult Detention Center at (706) 635-4625 for inmate records.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Gilmer County Jail?
The Adult Detention Center, a unit within the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department, manages inmate visitation in the Gilmer County jail. Physical visits are not currently permitted. However, loved ones and other persons may visit an inmate online. Usually, impending visitors must schedule a visit.
Visitation instructions and procedures are available on the Adult Detention Center's website. Before visiting an inmate, visitors should call the center at (706) 635-4625 to check if the visit has been canceled.
Gilmer County Court Records
Gilmer County has four trial-level courts: the superior, probate, juvenile, and magistrate courts. The Gilmer County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases in Gilmer County. The court presides over all felony trials and has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce cases.
The Gilmer County Probate Court handles the administration of estates, adoptions, change of names, guardianships, conservatorships, and the probate of wills. The court has general and original jurisdiction in the probate of wills. The court also issues marriage and firearm-carry licenses.
The Gilmer County Juvenile Court is saddled with the responsibility of protecting children from abuse and neglect by providing treatment and supervision to juveniles who need rehabilitation or other services. Thus, protecting the community from delinquent behavior. The juvenile court hears all cases involving persons under 18 alleged to be delinquent, abused, neglected, or without a parent or guardian.
Finally, the Gilmer County Magistrate Court presides over cases of county ordinance violations, landlord/tenant suits, bad checks, minor criminal offenses, and civil claims of $15,000 or less. The court does not hold jury trials. It is the first court of resort for many civil disputes.
Gilmer County also has municipal courts that preside over traffic infraction cases, select misdemeanors, and minor civil cases.
Locations of Gilmer County Courts
Gilmer County Superior Court
1 Broad Street
Suite 102
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4462
Fax: (706) 635-1462
Probate Court of Gilmer County
1 Broad Street
Suite 204
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4763
Fax: (706) 635-4761
Gilmer County Juvenile Court
400 West Main Street
Suite 302
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 635-4462
Fax: (706) 635-1462
Gilmer County Magistrate Court
1 Broad Street
Suite 203
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-2515
Fax: (706) 635-7756
Municipal Court of East Ellijay
P.O. Box 1060
East Ellijay, GA 30539
Phone: (706) 276-3111
Municipal Court of Ellijay
197 North Main Street
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4711
Are Gilmer County Court Records Public?
Yes. Most Gilmer County court records are public records. However, some records are restricted by law or court order because they contain sensitive or confidential information. Usually, such records cannot be accessed without court authorization. An example is a juvenile court record, which is generally inaccessible to the public unless a person's record request pertains to trial proceedings in child support cases or case records of juveniles charged with felonies.
To obtain Gilmer County court records, one can contact the Clerk of the Superior Court at (706) 635-4462 or visit the clerk's office during business hours.
How to Obtain Gilmer County Civil Court Case Records
Although the Gilmer County Magistrate Court handles civil matters in the county, the Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all civil court case records in Gilmer County. Hence, individuals must query the Clerk of the Superior Court to obtain Gilmer County civil court case records. There are three ways to obtain these records: via mail, in-person, and online.
Mail requests: Record seekers may mail a written request to the clerk's office. The letter should specify information about the sought-after court case record to expedite the clerk's search process. For example, a plaintiff's name, case number, filing date, or an attorney's name.
In-person: Interested persons may stop by the county courthouse and go to the clerk's office to look up or copy civil court case records
Online: Currently, the clerk does not have an online civil court case records repository. Nevertheless, individuals may use the statewide E-Access portal to search for Gilmer County civil court case records online. To use this system, the requester should click "Gilmer Superior," register/sign in, and follow the prompts to access the record.
How to Obtain Gilmer County Criminal Court Records
The Gilmer County Clerk of the Superior Court is the custodian of all criminal court case records in Gilmer County. Individuals can retrieve these records from the clerk's office by sending a written request via mail. They can also visit the clerk's office during work hours to submit a request. Below is the clerk's office address:
1 Broad Street
Suite 102
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4462
Furthermore, the public can access criminal court records using the E-Access portal maintained by the Georgia judiciary.
What are Gilmer County Vital Records
Gilmer County vital records bear information about the important events in a resident's life. These records include Gilmer County birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. In Gilmer County, vital records are generally categorized as public records unless otherwise stated by law or court order. The Gilmer County Vital Records Office (Probate Court) manages and disseminates vital records to interested persons. Divorce records can also be obtained from the county's superior court.
Where and How to Get Gilmer County Divorce Records
A divorce record is a document that affirms that a married couple legally put an end to their marriage. Based on Georgia's Open Records Act, divorce records are classified as public records and remain accessible to any interested individual. Nevertheless, not all parts of a divorce record are publicly accessible. For example, a divorcee's financial details are confidential.
To obtain a Gilmer County divorce record, interested persons should submit a request with sufficient details to identify the record (e.g., a former spouse's name or case number) to the probate court or the clerk of the superior court.
Where and How to Get Public Gilmer County Marriage Records
A marriage record is an official record that verifies the solemnization of a marriage. Gilmer County marriage records are accessible at the probate court for $10 (each additional copy costs $5.00). Interested persons can request via mail or in-person at the address below:
1 Broad Street
Suite 204
Ellijay, GA 30540
Phone: (706) 635-4763
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Gilmer County
For the most part, marriage records in Gilmer County are publicly accessible under the Georgia Open Records Act. As a result, the public can request the records from their custodial agency: the probate court.
However, it should be noted that Gilmer County has two types of marriage records: marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Whereas marriage licenses are accessible to the public, certificates are only available to the spouses.
Where and How to Get Gilmer County Birth Records
Birth records are official documents that provide information about an individual's birth. This includes the individual's full name, gender, parents' names, date of birth, and place of birth. A birth record helps establish one's identity in society when enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, obtaining health insurance policies, and more.
In Gilmer County, birth records as far back as January 1919 are maintained by the county's health department and vital records office. However, the records are not accessible to any random person. Only the following persons can obtain a Gilmer County birth record:
- The individual named on the record
- Parents and siblings listed on the birth record
- An authorized legal guardian or agent
- Grandparents of the record owner
- The spouse of the record owner
Every eligible requester must provide a valid means of identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, or work-based ID, along with a signed request form. A fee of $25 ($5 for additional copies) is required. Individuals may send their request to the Gilmer County Vital Records Office (County Probate Court) via mail or in person.
Where and How to Get Gilmer County Death Records
A death record is an official document that states the cause, date, and place of death of a person, signed by a physician. Every county in Georgia keeps records of persons who die in the county. In Gilmer County, the probate court is the custodian of death records. The court issues death records (death certificates) to relatives of the deceased, attorneys, and government representatives. Per O.C.G.A. § 31-10-31, the court charges a $25.00 fee for the first copy of a death record and $5.00 for each additional copy.
To access a Gilmer County death record, a requester must complete, sign, and submit a request form to the probate court. The fee and valid photo identification that verifies the requester's relationship with the deceased must accompany this form.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained 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. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
