What are Houston County Public Records?
The Georgia Open Records Act defines Houston County public records to include all records, journals, letters, maps, and books that an agency or a private individual has prepared, obtained, or retained in the process of providing a public service. Tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar materials are also included. There are, however, some records and data which are exempted from public disclosure. Some of these include:
- Records exempted by a federal statute or regulation;
- Medical or veterinary records;
- Files and documents that their disclosure would be an invasion of the right to privacy;
- Records of law enforcement, prosecution, or regulatory agencies in any pending investigation or prosecution of criminal or unlawful activity;
- Jury list data;
- Records containing confidential evaluations submitted to a governmental agency and prepared in connection with the appointment or hiring of a public officer or employee;
- Pending, rejected, or deferred sealed bids or sealed proposals and detailed cost estimates related to them until when the final award of the contract is made.
Houston County Crime Statistics
According to Georgia’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, Houston County law enforcement agencies recorded a net total of 6,656 incidents of reported index crime offenses within county limits with property crimes accounting for 91% of the total reported incidents. A further breakdown of the data revealed larceny to be the most recurring crime with 4,667 incidents, followed by burglary with 1,067 incidents, and motor vehicle theft with 352 reported incidents.
Aggravated assault ranked 4th among all the criminal acts but was notably the most recurrent among violent crimes, with 337 reported incidents, while robbery and rape were recorded to have occurred 163 and 42 times respectively. Arson and murder were the least reported crimes with 20 and eight incidents respectively, explaining Houston County’s place as No. 4 on its 2017 list for the state’s safest cities.
Are Houston County Criminal Records Public?
Houston County criminal records are mostly open to the public. By obtaining the signed consent of the subject of the record, third parties can request criminal records. However, felony conviction records are open to members of the public without the required permission.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services to the county and is the primary custodian of criminal history information of county residents. The office processes requests for county-level criminal records and background checks. Similarly, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide repository of crime-related data and conducts background checks on state residents upon request.
The Records Division of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office maintains all records and reports generated by the Sheriff’s office. The division is tasked with processing requests for background checks and criminal history information. Interested persons may request records by making in-person queries to the office or by calling (478) 542-2130.
Individuals requesting their own records are required to present a government-issued picture ID on requesting the records. Employers may also request background checks or criminal history information only if they have a notarized release from the subject of the record being requested. Requesters will be charged a $20 fee and will be issued the requested records on the day of the request.
Requests for criminal records can be made to:
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
202 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 542-2085
Fax: (478) 329-9715
or
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
201 Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4790
Fax: (478) 218-4795
Interested parties search felony conviction records using the Georgia Felon Search website. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) operates this website. Requesters can search with the full name, date of birth, sex, and race of the subject. The consent of the subject of the record is not required. Credit cards are the accepted payment for this service.
How to Obtain Houston County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records Division of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office keeps copies of Houston County arrest records and police reports. Interested persons may obtain these records at $25 by making in-person queries to the office or by calling (478) 542-2130. Requests for arrest records and police reports can be made to:
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
202 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 542-2085
Fax: (478) 329-9715
or
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
201 Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4790
Fax: (478) 218-4795
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Houston County?
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office maintains a searchable registry of sex offenders who are resident within county limits. The Houston Sex Offender Registry lists the names and addresses of registered offenders. It also includes details of their sexual-offense related criminal history and mug shots for identification. Interested persons may view relevant information by searching the Registry by the name of the offender, their address, or the offender’s date of birth. The GBI provides the general public with a registry of registered sex offenders in the state. Searches by name may be performed by requesters. It is also possible to filter search results by race, gender, address, and form of offense.
How to Find Houston County Inmate Records?
All jail and inmate information pertaining to the Houston County Detention Center and incarcerated persons can be obtained from the office of the Jail administrator or from other Detention facility staff. Information regarding inmate location, incarceration status, primary charges, and bail/bond conditions can be obtained using the Inmate Search Prompt or the Inmate Search portal. Using the tool, inmates can be searched by name and most current custody status.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Houston County Jail?
Inmate visitation at the Houston County Detention Center is done between Monday and Friday. Each inmate is allowed to receive visitors for 30-minutes twice a week or a one-hour visit once a week. To visit an inmate, call the detention center on (478) 218-4900 to schedule a visit.
Court Records
The Houston County court system consists of one Superior Court, one State Court, one Juvenile Court, one Probate Court, one Magistrate Court, and three Municipal Courts. The courts exercise jurisdiction over various cases and maintain the records relating to these cases, such as civil, criminal, juvenile, family, traffic, and probate cases.
Location of Courts in Houston County
Houston County Superior Court
Houston County Superior Court
201 Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4720
Fax: (478) 218-4735
Phone: (478) 218-4740 (Civil)
Fax: (478) 218-4736 (Civil)
Phone: (478) 218-4730 (Criminal)
Fax: (478) 218-4735 (Criminal)
Houston County State Court
State Court of Houston County
202 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 542-2105
Fax: (478) 542-2077
Houston County Juvenile Court
Houston County Juvenile Court
Houston County Juvenile Justice Complex
206 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 542-2060
Houston County Probate Court
Probate Court of Houston County
201 Perry Parkway
P.O. Box 1801
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4710
Fax: (478) 218-4715
Houston County Magistrate Court
Houston County Magistrate Court
89 Cohen Walker Drive
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 987-4695
Fax: (478) 987-5249
Houston County Municipal Courts
Municipal Court of Centerville
300 East Church Street
Centerville, GA 31028
Phone: (478) 953-4795
Fax: (478) 953-6642
Municipal Court of Perry
Perry Public Safety Building
1207 Washington Street
P.O. Box 2030
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 988-2814
Municipal Court of Warner Robins
233 North Houston Road
Suite 115
Warner Robins, GA 31093
Phone: (478) 302-5600
Fax: (478) 225-2065
Are Houston County Court Records Public?
Most Houston court records are considered open records and thus available to members of the public. Public access to court documents in Houston County is limited exclusively by the court. Court clerks or at the courthouse where the case was handled hold the court records. The Houston County Superior Court Clerk maintains the court records of the Houston County Superior Court and the Houston County State Court Clerk maintains
Can you look up a Houston County Court Case Online?
Houston County court records are available online through various court search portals. The Magistrate Civil search portal allows users to search documents and information about cases addressed by the Houston County Magistrate Court. A user will have to provide the name of the plaintiff and defendant. There is also a State Court case search portal that contains information on cases filed before September 1, 2017, and cases filed after September 1, 2017. Users can search civil, criminal, and traffic cases.
The Superior Court civil case search portal allows interested persons to search civil cases that the Superior Court handled. Users just need to provide the name of the plaintiff and defendant. The Superior Court criminal case search portal is for criminal cases handled by the Superior Court. All that is needed for a search is the defendant’s name.
The Superior Court Clerk also maintains records pertaining to land and real estate records. Documents such as deeds, land records, liens, and plats can be obtained by querying the Clerk’s office at the above-stated address or by using the Online Records Index managed by the office. Index searches can be conducted by the name of the owner, book or page number of the record, and the file number or filing date of the record.
How to Obtain Houston County Civil Court Case Records?
The Houston County Superior Court Clerk provides record-management services to the county’s Superior Court. The office provides copies of non-confidential records to members of the public in compliance with Georgia State laws.
Houston County civil court case records can be retrieved by querying the clerk’s office via mail or in person. The requesting party will be required to provide details of the record including the names of the plaintiff and defendant as well as the case file number and the date of filing of the requested record. Requesters are also charged a $1 fee per standard copy of the record requested and $2.50 per certified copy (plus 50 cents for each additional page). Requests are to be made to:
Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Houston County Annex
200 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Or
Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Houston County Courthouse
201 North Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
How to Obtain Houston County Criminal Court Records?
The Houston County Superior Court Clerk provides copies of Houston County criminal court records. Requesters can request copies of these records by querying the clerk’s office by mail or in person. A requester will be required to provide details of the record including the name of the defendant as well as the case file number and the date of filing of the record. It costs a $1 fee per standard copy of the record requested and $2.50 per certified copy (plus 50 cents for each additional page). Make requests to:
Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Houston County Annex
200 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Or
Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Houston County Courthouse
201 North Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
What are Houston County Vital Records?
The Georgia Department of Public Health operates the Office of Vital Records which houses statistical vital data and records of Georgia state residents. The office responds to requests for records of all Georgia vital events. At the county level, these services are provided by the Houston County Probate Court and the office of the Superior Court Clerk. The eligibility requirements for accessing a record depends on the record being requested.
Where and How to Obtain Houston County Divorce Records?
The Clerk of the Houston County Superior Court is responsible for maintaining and issuing Houston County Divorce Records. The office provides copies of divorce records to interested members of the public upon request.
To obtain a divorce record, interested persons may query the clerk’s office via mail or in person. The requester will be required to provide details of the divorce record including the names of the divorcees as well as the case file number of the record and the date and place of the record. Requesters will be charged $2.50 per certified copy requested (plus 50 cents for each additional page). Requests are to be made to:
Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Houston County Courthouse
201 North Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Where and How to Get Public Houston County Marriage Records?
The Houston County Probate Court maintains and issues copies of Houston County marriage records. Marriage records can be requested by making in-person or mail queries to the office. The requesting party will be required to provide information regarding the marriage including the names of the bride and groom (prior to the marriage), the date and place of the marriage and the certificate number. Requests attract a charge of $10 per record and will require the requester to enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope for mail requests. Request for Houston County marriage certificates should be sent to:
Houston County Probate Court
201 North Perry Parkway
P.O. Box 1801
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4710
Fax: (478) 218-4715
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Houston County?
All marriage records in Houston County are considered public.
Where and How to Find Houston County Birth Records?
Houston County birth certificates are made available by the Houston County Probate Court. Houston birth records are not public, hence, only the following eligible persons may obtain them.
- The person listed on the birth certificate
- Either natural parent of the person on the birth certificate
- Adoptive parents of the person on the birth certificate
- Grandparents of the person on the birth certificate
- Siblings of the person on the birth certificate
- Spouse of the person on the birth certificate
Eligible persons may request birth records in person, by email, or by mail. To do so, complete a written request containing a name on the certificate, date of birth, relationship to that person, the reason for applying for the record, phone number, and address. Send the request to
Houston County Probate Court
201 N. Perry Parkway, P.O. Box 1801
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4710
Fax: (478) 218-4715
Email: probate2@houstoncountyga.org
All forms of request require requesters to provide copies of valid ID, while mail requesters are to include self-addressed envelopes. Houston County birth records cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy per visit.
Where and How to Find Houston County Death Records?
Houston County death certificates are made publicly accessible by the Houston County Probate Court. Interested persons may request Houston County death records in person, by email, or by mail. To make requests, record seekers must send a written request that includes the name on the certificate, date of birth, relationship to that person, the reason for applying for the record, phone number, and address to:
Houston County Probate Court
201 N. Perry Parkway, P.O. Box 1801
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4710
Fax: (478) 218-4715
Email: probate2@houstoncountyga.org
All requesters are to provide copies of valid ID to authenticate their requests, while mail requesters should also include a self-addressed envelope. Each first copy of Houston County death records cost $25, while each additional copy per visit costs $5.
