What are Hall County Public Records?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, Hall County public records are any information generated, stored, and amended by any public office in the State of Georgia. The term “public records” covers paper documents, audiotapes, statistical tables and graphs, photographs, and documents in electronic formats, such as SMS and emails. According to state law, public records do not cover legally-exempt documents, such as the following:
- Medical records, the disclosure of which is regarded as an invasion of personal privacy.
- Prosecution and law enforcement documents and files containing the identity of confidential sources.
- Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Reports.
- Data on court juries, such as the juries’ social security number, names, date of birth, age, address, race, sex, and other identifying information.
- Agricultural data and information considered by the Department of Agriculture as part of critical infrastructure.
- Personal identifying information on participants of a public safety notification program or a neighborhood watch.
Hall County Crime Statistics
Hall county law enforcement agencies generate and supply the Georgia Crime Information Center monitors with the county’s crime statistics and data. According to the Crime Summary Report for 2021, Hall County recorded a net total of 3,683 index crimes, including 579 violent crimes and 3,198 property crimes.
The listed violent crimes are - five murders, 75 rapes, 65 robberies, and 289 aggravated assaults. Property crimes reported include 526 burglaries, 2,319 larcenies-thefts, 323 motor vehicle thefts, and 30 arsons. There were 4,102 index crimes reported in 2015. Compared with the 2015 Crime Summary Report, index crime rates in Hall County fell slightly by 10 percent. Violent crimes declined by 57 percent, while property crimes reduced by 14 percent.
The percentage difference in the index crime rate between 2015 and 2018 is as follows: rape (72%), robbery (-5%), aggravated assaults (16.5), burglaries (-27.8%), larcenies-thefts (-14.6%), motor vehicle thefts (17.8%), and arson (57.8%).
Are Hall County Criminal Records Public?
Per Georgia State Laws, not all Hall County criminal records are classified as public records. However, confidential criminal records, such as juvenile records, are exempt from public disclosure. Other Hall County criminal records are open and accessible to applicants, employment agencies, and immigration agencies and departments.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office functions as the custodian of criminal records at the county level. Interested applicants can request criminal records based on the following reasons: firearm permit, immigration, employment background checks, and guardianship purposes. Similarly, the Georgia Department of Community Health also issues copies of Hall County criminal records to interested individual applicants and agencies. The GDCH maintains an online searchable platform where requesters can obtain criminal records. To use the online platform, requesters must create a user name and password.
How to Obtain Hall County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Copies of Hall County police reports and arrest records are available to the public via the Records Division of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Interested parties may opt to obtain arrest records and police reports by visiting the Sheriff’s Office in-person. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is located at:
Hall County Sheriff's Office
2859 Browns Bridge Road
Gainesville, GA 30504
To get the records in-person, applicants must provide information regarding the report, including the incident concerned and the date and place of occurrence. Requests may also require a payment of $1.95 and the Georgia ID of the requesting party (if the report is to be notarized). Alternatively, applicants may use the Sheriff’s online records database to obtain copies of arrest records and police reports. Visit the online records database, and fill in the following information: the record subject’s full name, street address, city, state, email address, and details of the requested record. In addition to this, applicants may choose to notarize the requested document and select the preferred delivery manner.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Hall County
The Half County Sheriff's office provides various resources with which county residents can keep track of sex offenders residing within the county. Requesters nay track sex offenders using the Hall County Sexual Offender Locator Map, Hall County Sexual Offender Public List. Interested persons may utilize these resources by searching sex offenders' names, Hall county addresses, or zooming in on an area of interest on the map.
Per O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12, The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) is the central repository of all sex offender information in state counties and cities. The GBI, via an online sex offender database, enables requesters to obtain sex offender information in Hall County. Search for sex offender information using the offender’s full name, type of offense, county, race, gender, incarceration status, street address, and distance from the requester’s IP address. The GBI also issues a downloadable bi-monthly sex offender report.
How to Find Hall County Inmate Information
Hall County Sheriff’s Office provides online access to inmate information and records. The online inmate search platform comprises inmate information, such as the inmates’ full name, age, gender, weight, race, booking agency, docket number, and holding. Requesters can search for inmates currently held in Hall County Detention Center using the inmate’s name. Other information unavailable on the list may be obtained by contacting the Detention Center staff at (770) 531-6904.
Similarly, the Georgia Department of Corrections maintains an online database of all current and previously incarcerated inmates in any of the state’s jail facilities. Requesters can utilize the online database to search for inmates. Users can search by name or description or use the inmate’s ID and case number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Hall County Jail?
Hall County Detention Center allows pre-approved visitors to communicate with inmates through video visitation terminals. Intending visitors should visit inmates in the Hall County Detention Center at:
1700 Barber Road
Gainesville, GA 30507
Phone: (770) 531-6904
To communicate with inmates via the onsite video visitation terminal, schedule a visit 24 hours in advance. Also, requesters must arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visit. This rule will allow them to check in with the visitation officer. Only three visitors are allowed at a time to use the onsite video terminal. Onsite visitation lasts for 30 minutes. However, the 30-minute duration does not apply to clergy members and attorneys. Onsite visits are only allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Court Records
Part of the Georgia Ninth Judicial District, Hall County court system consists of one State Court, One Probate Court, one Juvenile Court, one Superior Court, one Magistrate Court, and three Municipal Courts. These courts handle court cases such as criminal, civil, traffic, small claims, and probate cases. Furthermore, Clerks of these county courts are responsible for generating court records during judicial proceedings.
Hall County Superior Court
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30503
Phone: (770) 531-7025
Fax: (770) 531-7070
Hall County State Court
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30503
Phone: (770) 531-7025
Fax: (770) 531-7070
Phone: (770) 531-7066 (Traffic Violations Bureau)
Hall County Juvenile Court
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 531-6927
Fax: (770) 531-6930
Probate Court of Hall County
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
Suite 1000
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 531-6921
Fax: (770) 531-4946
Hall County Magistrate Court
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Box 1435
Gainesville, GA 30503
Phone: (770) 531-6912
Fax: (770) 531-6917
Municipal Court of Flowery Branch
5517 Main Street
P.O. Box 757
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Phone: (770) 967-6336
Fax: (770) 967-0797
Municipal Court of Gainesville
701 Queen City Parkway Southwest
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 531-2668
Municipal Court of Oakwood
4035 Walnut Circle,
P.O. Box 99
Oakwood, GA 30566
Phone: (770) 534-2364
Fax: (770) 532-9885
Are Hall County Court Records Public?
Under Georgia state law, most Hall County court records are open to any interested member of the public. Generally, this means any individual can access decisions and orders of the court, trial transcripts, docket information, any form of court-related documents. However, not all court records are accessible by the public. Some court records, such as juvenile case proceedings and child support hearings, are confidential and closed to the public.
The Hall County Clerk of Superior and State Court is responsible for maintaining and issuing court records to interested persons at the county level. The Records Management Division of the Clerk’s Office processes public requests for copies of court records within Hall County.
Interested persons may obtain copies of court records by sending an email request to the clerk of superior state open records custodian at clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org. Email requests must state the requestor’s name, such as the defendant, plaintiff, victim's name, and the case file number. Requests can also be made by calling Records management at (770) 531-7025. Alternatively, in-person requests can be made to the office of the Supervisor of Records Management at:
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Box Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30501
How to Obtain Hall County Civil Court Case Records
The Hall County Clerk of Superior and State Court, via the Records Management Division, is responsible for issuing copies of civil court case records to interested persons. Requesters can obtain Hall County civil court case records by sending an email request or using the online database for court records.
To receive civil court records via email requests, send an email to the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts at clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org. In the email requests, applicants must state the record request’, the record subjects’ names, and the court case number. Applicants may also choose to obtain civil court case records in-person by visiting the Clerk of the Superior and State Court at:
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Box Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30501
Alternatively, the Halls County Clerk of Courts maintains an online docket search portal where requesters can obtain civil court case records. To use the online platform, search for civil court cases by inputting the court case number, the plaintiff’s or defendant’s name, or the attorney’s name.
How to Obtain Hall County Criminal Court Case Records
Hall County criminal court case records are under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of the Superior and Supreme Court. Interested members of the public can gain access to these records through email requests and in-person visits. To obtain civil court case records in-person, visit the Clerk of the Superior and State Court at:
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Box Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30501
Applicants may also send an email request to the Cleerior and State Court’s Clerk at clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org. In the request, applicants must include the plaintiff’s and defendant’s names, the request’s purpose, and the court case number. Similarly, the Halls County Clerk of Courts provides access to criminal court records via an online searchable portal. To obtain Hall county criminal court case records on the platform, search using the plaintiffs or defendant’s name or the attorney’s name.
What are Hall County Vital Records
Hall County vital records are official records about recorded life events within the county. Vital records include, but are not limited to, marriage records, divorce records, birth records, and death records. Government agencies, at the local and state levels, serve as custodians of vital records. To obtain vital records from these custodian agencies, requesters must follow the set requirements.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is the custodian of all vital records in the state. In contrast, the Hall County Department of Health maintains records of birth and death events at the county level. The Probate Court and the Clerk of Superior and State Court provide access to marriage and divorce records.
Where and How to Obtain Divorce Records
Hall County Divorce records are managed by the Office of the Clerk of Superior and State Courts. Interested persons may obtain records by sending an email request to the Clerk of Superior and State Courts at clerkofcourt@hallcounty.org or calling the Records Management Unit at (770) 531-7025.
Requestors would be required to provide the names of the divorcees and the date of the divorce. In-person requests may also be made to the office of the Supervisor of Records Management at:
Hall County Courthouse
225 Green Street Southeast
P.O. Box Drawer 1275
Gainesville, GA 30501
Alternatively, the Georgia Department of Public Health, via State Vital Records’ Office, confirms divorce event occurrence. To get divorce verification records, visit the State Office of Vital Records or the Hall County Clerk’s Office at:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Hall County Clerk
P.O. Box 1435
Gainesville, GA 30503
(770) 535-6921
Requesters can also obtain divorce verification by sending a completed request form to the State Office of Vital Records at:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Where and How to Get Public Hall County Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records are the responsibility of the Hall County Probate Court. Interested public members may request copies of marriage records licensed in the county by filling out and submitting a Marriage Certificate Request Form to the court. Send the completed application and the specified fee in a self-addressed envelope to the:
Hall County Probate Court
225 Green Street
Suite 1000
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: (770) 531-6921
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Hall County Marriage Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains and issues copies of marriage records to only eligible requesters. According to the State Office of Vital Records, the following requesters are eligible to obtain marriage records - the record bearers, immediate family members (parents, grandparents, siblings, and children), legal representatives of the record bearers, and government officials.
Requesters must provide a government-issued valid ID before obtaining Hall County marriage records from the State Office of Vital Records. Marriage records are available on requests through mail orders or in-person visits. To obtain Hall County marriage records through mail orders, download, fill out, and send the request form and payment as a money order or check to the:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
It takes 8 to 10 weeks to receive marriage records via mail requests. Marriage records cost $10 for the first copy, while additional copies cost $5. The State Office of Vital Records also accepts in-person requests. Submit a completed request at the:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Where and How to Find Hall County Birth Records
The Hall County Health Department responds to requests for copies of birth events documented within the county. By Georgia state law, the only persons allowed to access birth or death records are:
- The person named on the certificate
- Their parents, spouse, or a family member with proof of relationship
- The registrants of family members legal representative
Eligible persons may request these records in person or via mail using a Birth Certificate Application. Completed applications must be accompanied by the fees indicated on the form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID and sent/brought to:
Hall County Vital Records
1290 Athens Street
Gainesville, GA 30507
To obtain Hall County birth records, requesters must provide a valid government-issued ID and pay a $25 non-refundable search fee. Additional copies of certified birth certificates cost $5.
On the other hand, The Georgia Department of Public Health issues copies of Hall County birth records through mail orders, in-person requests, and online orders. To get birth records via online orders, use the State of Georgia’s ROVER system. Birth records via online order cost a net total of $33.
To obtain copies of Hall County birth records via in-person requests or mail order, complete the birth record request form, and send to, or visit the:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Where and How to Find Hall County Death Records
The Hall County Health Department is responsible for maintaining and issuing death records to interested applicants. Hall County death records are not public records and are only accessible to the following applicants:
- Legal representatives
- The parents of the deceased.
- Authorized legal guardians, who provide a certified court order for the record.
Also, eligible requesters must provide a valid government-issued ID before obtaining death records in Hall County. Death records are obtainable via mail order and in-person requests. To receive a death record in-person or via mail order, download and fill out the death record application form. Send the completed form alongside the specified payment to the Hall County Health Department at:
Hall County Vital Records
1290 Athens Street
Gainesville, GA 30507
Similarly, the Georgia Department of Public Health issues copies of Hall County death records through mail orders, in-person requests, and online orders. To get birth records via online orders, use the State of Georgia’s ROVER system. Death records via an online order cost a net total of $33. To obtain copies of Hall County death records via in-person requests or mail order, eligible persons must complete the death record request form, and send or visit the:
State Office of Vital Records:
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
