What are Augusta Public Records?
According to the Georgia Open Records Act, public record means all documents, tapes, photographs, or similar material maintained or received by an agency or by a private person on behalf of an agency. Although Georgia's OPA provides broad access to most government records, it also permits custodians to restrict access to documents or records that may contain protected information such as:
- Medical or veterinary records
- Identity of a confidential source, disclose confidential investigative or prosecution material
- Records of law enforcement, prosecution, or regulatory agencies in any pending investigation or prosecution of criminal or unlawful activity,
- Individual Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Reports
- Confidential evaluations or examinations regarding the appointment or hiring of a public officer or employee;
- Real estate appraisals, engineering or feasibility estimates, or other records made for or by the state or a local agency
- Records which identify persons applying for or under consideration for employment or appointment as executive head of an agency or of a unit of the University System of Georgia
- Related to the provision of staff services to individual members of the General Assembly
- Records that are of historical research value which are given or sold to public archival institutions, public libraries, or libraries of a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
- Records that contain information from the Department of Natural Resources inventory and register relating to the location and character of a historic property or of historic properties
- Agricultural or food system records, data, or information that are considered by the Department of Agriculture to be a part of the critical infrastructure
Augusta Crime Statistics
Data presented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report (UCR) provides an overview of crime rates in Augusta in 2016 and 2017. Data published in 2017 shows a total of 872 violent crimes in Augusta, compared to 845 crimes in 2016. The number of murder and non-negligent manslaughter cases in 2017 was 23, there were 18 cases in 2016. There were 46 reported rape crime cases in 2017, while 66 cases were reported in 2016. Robbery cases in 2017 were 281, compared to 323 cases in 2016. Aggravated assault cases were 522 in 2017, there were 438 cases in 2016. Property crime cases reported in 2017 were 8745, while there were 8643 cases in 2016. Burglary cases reported in 2017 were 1582, while there were 1637 cases in 2016. The number of larceny-theft cases in 2017 was 6508, there were 6560 cases in 2016. Motor vehicle theft cases totaled 655 in 2017, compared to 446 cases in 2016. The UCR does not have reports of arson cases in 2016. However, there were 46 reported cases of arson in 2017.
Are Augusta Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records in Augusta are maintained by the Richmond County Sheriff's office. Residents may request their own criminal record information. Record seekers will be required to input
- Personal information
- Address information
- Social Security Number
- Government Issued Photo ID
Requesters may also need to provide a secondary form of identification such as Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Passport, etc. To obtain records, applicants will need to download a Records Check form and submit to
Records Bureau, Richmond County
400 Walton Way,
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-1000
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrests Records
Police reports are available at the Richmond County Sheriff's office. To request records, applicants must be
- A named, involved party to the case
- An authorized representative named in the report
- Involved party to the case
Unauthorized persons seeking a police report will need to fill out a Statement of Need Form and provide a valid government photo identification. Requesters may be able to obtain a copy of a police report by contacting the Records Bureau at:
Records Bureau, Richmond County
400 Walton Way,
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-1000
Requesters will also be required to provide a case number and other identifying information.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Augusta
Sex offender information is available at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. City residents may look through the online registry for registered offenders and absconders living in local neighborhoods. Searches can be filtered using the offender's name. Residents may also choose to register for email notifications to be notified when an offender registers a residential address within a 3-mile radius from Requesters.
How to Find Augusta Inmate Records
Information about inmates is available at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Interested parties may search for records for free through the Online Inmate Inquiry. The portal displays information about current inmates such as race, sex, age, and arrest date. Record seekers may perform a name search for specific inmates in Richmond County.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Augusta Police Department Jail
Visitation at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office is conducted via an on-site video system. Visitors must schedule their visits prior to visitation at any of the kiosks located in the visitor's center. Requesters will be required to provide a government-issued ID upon arrival at the visitation area.
Visitation Availability
- Monday - No visitation
- Tuesday and Thursday - (A-Pod, C-Pod, F-Pod, and H-Pod) 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
- Wednesday and Friday - (B-Pod, E-Pod, G-Pod and Trustee Dorms) 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
- Saturday - (A-Pod, C-Pod, F-Pod, and H-Pod) 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; (B-Pod, E-Pod, G-Pod, and Trustee Dorms) 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Sunday - No visitation
Visits to the jail are not permitted for persons that:
- Have been arrested in Richmond County, Georgia in the last 24 months
- Have been previously arrested for a violent felony violation
- Are improperly dressed
- Are intoxicated
Court Records
Court records in Augusta are maintained by the Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court. Members of the public may view civil or criminal case dockets online by entering the case number or name. The following are types of records available at the courthouse
- Superior civil
- State civil
- Domestic cases
- Child support
- Habeas corpus
- Criminal cases
Locations of Courts in Augusta
Augusta Judicial Center
735 James Brown Blvd,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
Richmond County Juvenile Court
795 James Brown Blvd,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
Civil Court and Magistrate Court of Richmond County Georgia
735 James Brown Blvd #1400,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
Richmond County Probate Court
735 James Brown Blvd # 1000,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
United States Bankruptcy Court
600 James Brown Blvd,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
Court Solicitor
401 Walton Way # A121,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
Columbia County Drug court
530 Greene St,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
US Marshalls Services Federal Justice Center
600 James Brown Blvd,
Augusta, GA 30901,
United States
What Are Augusta Vital Records?
Augusta vital records document life events that have occurred in the city, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Vital records are generally maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Eligible parties may order certificates online or by mail for a stipulated fee. For more information about vital records contact
Vital Records Department
1916 North Leg Road
Augusta, GA 30909
(706) 667-4335
Where and How to Obtain Augusta Divorce Records
Record seekers may obtain copies of divorce notifications for separations that have taken place in the state of Georgia from June 1952 to August 1996. Verifications prior to 1952 and after 1996 are only available from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
To obtain records from 1952 to 1996, eligible applicants must download the online form and submit it to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Requesters will be required to provide the:
- Groom’s Name
- Bride’s Name
- Date of Divorce
- Place of Divorce
- Information about Requestor
Fees
Certified Statement - $10.00
Additional statements - $5.00
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Augusta
Certified copies of a marriage license may be obtained at the County Probate Court. Residents may request for copies in person or by mail. Applicants will be required to provide:
- Brides name at the time of marriage, the
- Groom’s name, and the
- Approximate year of marriage.
Mail requests should be sent to
Richmond County Probate Court,
735 James Brown Blvd. Suite 1000
Augusta, GA 30901.
Fees
- Search fee - $10 check or money order payable to Richmond County Probate Court
- Certified copy of the marriage license - $10
- Plain copy - $1.00
Where and How to Get Public Marriage Records in Augusta
Requesters may search for and verify marriages that occured on or after January 1, 2014 at The State Office of Vital Records. Requests may be sent by mail downloading the Marriage Verification Request Form and submitting to
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100
Atlanta GA 30349
Fees
- Search page - $10.00
- Additional copy fee - $5.00
Where and How to Find Augusta Birth Records
Birth certificates from January 1919 are available at the State Office of Vital Records, records are also available from the local county office. Only authorized personnel such as immediate family members or legal representatives of the registrant may receive a copy of a birth certificate. Requesters may be required to provide valid identification or proof of relationship when requesting records. Requests may be made online or by mail. For mail requests, submit a Request for Search of Birth Form and submit it to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Where and How to Find Augusta Death Records
Death certificates from January 1919 are available at the State Office of Vital Records, records are also available from the local county office. Only authorized personnel such as immediate family members or legal representatives of the decedent may receive a copy of a death certificate. Requests may be made online or by mail. For mail requests, applicants must submit a Request for Search of Death Form to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
