What are Rockdale County Public Records?
In line with the Georgia Open Records Act, Rockdale County public records refer to all types of documents generated or received by government agencies while carrying out their public service duties. This category includes the various on-site and off-site documents maintained by public agency custodians such as the County Clerk, Sheriff’s Office, and other public records custodians.
Rockdale County public records also include data and information kept on behalf of the government by private individuals and organizations for future use. Rockdale County public records comprise all papers, letters, maps, photographs, and other public agency-derived materials already existing at the time an open record request was being made.
However, Rockdale County does not recognize public records documents and different data types that were not in existence when an open records request was made. Some of the information not considered to be public records include the following:
- Insurance and medical records;
- Social security numbers;
- Credit card information;
- Identification information of sex offenders;
- Criminal records subjected to record restrictions;
- Temporarily restricted personal information of minor (juvenile) offenders;
- Divorce records which expose the wealth distribution of the involved parties; and
- Criminal investigation-related information that might adversely affect the law enforcement officials involved.
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.
Rockdale County Crime Statistics
The Georgia Investigation Bureau collects and compiles crime index reports for all of Georgia’s counties. The various types of crimes and offenses reported by law enforcement agencies in Rockdale County are included in these reports. A total of 1,266 cases were reported in Rockdale County in 2019. The most common crime was larceny-theft, which accounted for 892 cases. Burglary came in second with 140 cases. A total of 91 violent assaults, 78 motor vehicle thefts, 34 robberies, 19 rape cases, 6 arsons, 4 murders, and 2 incidents of human trafficking (commercial sex acts) were registered. The annual total crime index for Rockdale County decreased by 56.8% between 2018 and 2019, while the total crime index increased by 5.9% between 2017 and 2018. Similarly, the county’s total crime index increased by 5.4% between 2016 and 2017, after declining by 5.3% between 2015 and 2016.
Are Rockdale County Criminal Records Public?
Rockdale County criminal records are presumed to be public records based on Georgia’s Open Records Act. The Office of the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts administers criminal records in Rockdale County. While the Open Records Act guarantees the public’s access to criminal records, courts with jurisdiction over such records often restrict public access to such records due to security considerations. For instance, the court may seal or delete some criminal records if the offender has not reached the age of majority or if the data concerned risks the safety of law enforcement agents who were actively involved in the criminal case.
How to Obtain Rockdale County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Rockdale County police and arrest records can be obtained from the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, specifically the Records Unit. Individuals interested in obtaining copies of these records should contact the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office at the following addresses:
911 Chambers Drive NW,
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-8000
Southside Precinct
3552 GA-20,
Conyers, GA 30013
(770) 278-8000
The Sheriff’s Office Records Unit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for county holidays. In an incident or accident in Rockdale County, the parties involved receive copies of the incident report at no charge. On the other hand, all other interested parties must file a Request to Inspect Records Form to the Records Unit. The request form is available at the Sheriff’s Office or can be printed from the internet. Requestors may send completed forms to the Sheriff’s Office via the following methods:
- Personally (in person)
- Submitted by email;
- Submitted by email; or
- Mailed
Entities not identified in a Georgia Motor Vehicle Accident Report but wish to obtain it must complete a Statement of Need Form. Before a Motor Vehicle Accident Report can be disclosed to an entity not listed in the report, the Statement of Need Form must be returned to the Records Unit. Parties interested in obtaining 911 tapes regarding police reports and arrest records can contact the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). This agency is responsible for the Rockdale County 911 Center and can be reached at 770-482-200. Members of the public who are interested in obtaining records may send an email to the EMA.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Rockdale County
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Judicial Services Division, is responsible for registering and verifying sexual offenders’ movements around the county. Residents of Rockdale County can access the local Sex Offender Registry through the website of the Sheriff’s Office or via the State of Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry.
How to Find Rockdale County Inmate Records
The Jail Division of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office administers and preserves inmate records for Rockdale County. Members of the public interested in acquiring inmates’ information are urged to Phone: (770) 278-8200 for assistance. Alternatively, requestors seeking inmates’ records can search on the County Sheriff’s website. To conduct a comprehensive search of the county’s inmates records online, users to the website have to supply the following information:
- Full name of the inmate (mandatory)
- Date of birth
- Date of booking
- Date of release
Also, third-party websites that connect people to online databases where interested persons such records can obtain Rockdale County inmate records.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Rockdale County Jail?
Visitors who wish to appear physically to schedule a visit should report to the Rockdale County Jail’s reception desk, which is located at the following address:
2385 Sigman Industrial Court
Conyers, GA 30012.
Alternatively, individuals interested in scheduling an on-site or remote visit can do so by visiting the website of the video conferencing service provider. The following are some of the rules to follow when visiting an inmate at the Rockdale County Jail:
- Visitors that are 17 years or older must have a State or Federal Government-issued picture Identification Card.
- Visitors must be appropriately dressed.
- Each inmate is allowed one visitor for 20 minutes during a visitation period.
- Children are the responsibility of the visitor who accompanied them and must not be left unattended.
- Only a person visiting an inmate is allowed to remain in the visitation room and office.
Court Records
Court records are publicly-owned documents generated by a hierarchical structure of courts and courthouses in the United States legal system. In Rockdale County, the court system includes the Superior Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court. Parties who wish to obtain Rockdale County court records have to identify the specific courts which administer the records in question and file the requisite forms after fulfilling the conditions for obtaining the records. The contact information and addresses of the courts in Rockdale County are as follows:
Superior Court of Rockdale County
Rockdale County Courthouse
922 Court Street,
P.O. Box 937
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7900
Fax: (770) 278-7921
State Court of Rockdale County
922 Court Street, P.O. Box 938
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7900
Fax: (770) 278-79211
Rockdale County Juvenile Court
Rockdale County Courthouse
922 Court Street, Room 103, P.O. Box 452
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7777
Fax: (770) 278-8935
Probate Court of Rockdale County
Rockdale County Courthouse
922 Court Street, Room 107
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7700
Fax: (770) 278-8928
Rockdale County Magistrate Court
945 Court Street, P.O. Box 289
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7800
Fax: (770) 278-8915
The information above (Magistrate Court) is related to the court office. The courtroom is located at 948 Bank Street.
Are Rockdale County Court Records Public?
The Freedom of Information Act protects Rockdale County residents and the general public's right to inspect and access court records. However, documents filed in various legal proceedings frequently contain sensitive information that could jeopardize the safety of individuals, government organizations, and businesses. As a result, the court classifies certain documents as confidential, making them available to a limited number of individuals or entities. Additionally, the juvenile records of a youngster involved in a court case are often sealed until the culprit reaches the age of maturity. For public records in Rockdale County that are in the public domain, interested persons may visit the webpages of the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts, the Sheriff’s Office, and other governmental agencies that compile and administer public records in the performance of their public duties.
How to Obtain Rockdale County Civil Court Case Records
Interested persons can obtain Rockdale County civil court cases records from the Office of the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts. Specifically, the Civil Division of the County Clerk’s Office maintains civil cases records for the Rockdale County Superior and State Courts. The types of civil court case records managed by the division for the courts include:
- Abandoned motor vehicle
- Complaints
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Garnishments
To obtain the above mentioned civil court case records, interested persons can contact the Clerk’s Office at the addresses below:
922 Court Street
Conyers, GA 30012
Mailing Address
Superior Court Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 937
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7900
Fax: (770) 278-7921
Mailing Address
State Court Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 938
Conyers, GA 30012
Requestors of Rockdale County civil court case records may download and submit completed relevant civil forms accessed from the webpage of the Office of the Clerk. These forms can be presented at the county’s courthouses in-person, mailed, or emailed. Public access terminals are available in the County Clerk’s Office for searching and printing civil court case records. The self-service printing attracts a cost of $0.50 per page. In addition, interested members of the public may wish to obtain historical records of civil court case records through an online search on the webpage of the County Clerk. Additional information on the county’s civil court cases may also be acquired from the Nancy Guinn Law Library, also known as the Conyers Rockdale Library. The Library’s contact information is as follows:
864 Green Street, Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 388-5040
How to Obtain Rockdale County Criminal Court Records
The Office of the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts is the custodian of criminal court records in Rockdale County. These records are domiciled with the Criminal Divisions of the courts. While the Superior Court Criminal Division manages all criminal felony cases for the Rockdale Superior Court, the State Court Criminal Division handles traffic citations and misdemeanor cases for Rockdale County. To obtain criminal court case records, interested parties should contact the Officer of the Clerk of the Superior Court:
922 Court Street, Room 203,
Conyers, GA 30012
Phone: (770) 278-7922
The Superior Court retains criminal court records on-site for up to 15 years, after which they are stored off-site. The off-site documents require a 3-day processing period and attract fees for all record copies, which can be found in the Filing Fees section of the County Clerk Office’s webpage.
What are Rockdale County Vital Records?
“Rockdale County vital records” refers to government records on vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Vital records include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce judgments. The US Vital Statistics Act protects the public’s right to access all vital records. This right, however, is not absolute. Access to some vital records may be restricted to the general public but made available to specified persons. Individuals who do not fulfill the specified eligibility standards for vital records access may request informational copies.
On the other hand, eligible requestors, such as record owners and their immediate family members, can get both informational and certified copies of vital records. Public vital records are administered in Rockdale County via online databases and repositories. Individuals interested in doing an internet search for these documents must provide the following information:
- The complete name(s) and contact information for the individual(s) named in the document.
- Previously used maiden name (where applicable)
- The subject's parents' or legal guardians' names
- The location and approximate date of the vital event.
- The records' case number.
Additionally, Rockdale County vital records may be found through third-party aggregate websites. These websites are typically not geographically restricted and are frequently beneficial for investigating specific or numerous records. It is worth noting that none of these websites are government-sponsored. As a result, the documents available to them may differ from those on official government websites. In general, the requirements for accessing vital records in Rockdale County vary according to the following:
- The type of record being requested.
- The judicial district where the record is being held.
- The authority of the requesting party.
Where and How to Obtain Rockdale County Divorce Records
Rockdale County's Superior Court maintains divorce records in accordance with Federal and State Laws and in the course of the court’s regular and administrative activities. The Office of the Clerk of the Superior and State Courts in Rockdale County administers divorce records. Rockdale County divorce records contain all documentation pertaining to the parties’ legal separation. The divorce certificate and the divorce decree are included in these records. The divorce decree is a detailed document that incorporates the parties' agreements on significant matters such as their parental roles, child custody, rights and obligations, and financial arrangements.
Rockdale County court frequently restricts access to divorce records to the following individuals:
- Either of the divorced spouses.
- An attorney representing either spouse with proof they have the authority of the spouse to request the record.
- A representative of either the divorced husband or wife.
Where and How to Get Public Rockdale County Marriage Records
Rockdale County Probate Court is the principal court responsible for Rockdale County marriage records. Depending on the period marriages were contracted, marriage records in the county can either be obtained from the County Probate Court or the States Office of Vital Records in Georgia. For instance, while marriage records before June 1952 and after August 1996 are administered by the Rockdale County Probate Court, records of marriages contracted between June 1952 and August 1996 are strictly managed by the Georgia Office of Vital Records.
Also, requestors of historical marriage records can obtain such documents from the Rockdale County Probate Court. These documents are available in Rockdale and other counties because Georgia State laws mandated recording marriages from 1805. The marriages were recorded by the Court of Ordinary, now known as the Probate Court. Requestors of historical records should note that marriages were generally recorded in the bride’s county of residence. Marriage records dating back to the last two centuries are also available on microfilm at the Georgia Archives. The Georgia Archives is located at the address below:
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
According to the Open Records Act of Georgia, marriage records in Rockdale County are presumed to be public records. However, records of marriages classified as confidential by the spouses involved are only available to authorized persons or government agencies. In Rockdale County, individuals or other entities who wish to ascertain the status of a marriage may fill out and submit a marriage verification request form. Only qualified requesters can obtain certified copies of Rockdale County marriage records after providing the requisite information and documents. For the verification of marriages that happened after January 1, 2014, interested individuals can mail a marriage verification request form to the following address:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349.
The State’s Vital Records Office charges $10 for the first certified copy of marriage certificates and $5 for each additional copy of the duplicate records requested at the same time.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Rockdale County
All marriage records in Rockdale County are considered public records. Couples concerned about their marriage records may wish to keep them secret, with only authorized requestors having access to them. All parties, including spouses, law enforcement officers, some family law divisions, and parties subject to court orders or subpoenas, have the right to see and obtain sealed marriage documents. Furthermore, sensitive data such as social security numbers, financial account numbers, passwords, and other relevant information is considered confidential and must be redacted before being made public.
Where and How to Find Rockdale County Birth Records
The Rockdale County Probate Court is the custodian of Rockdale County birth records. The address of the Probate Court is as follows:
922 Court Street, Room 107 Conyers,
GA 30012
Individuals interested in Rockdale County birth records are required to tender a state-issued ID card to obtain the vital records. Parties interested in Rockdale County birth records may receive the documents in the following manner:
- In-person through the County’s walk-in service;
- Via mail through a specific home address; or
- Online.
Funeral homes and crematories requesting Rockdale County birth records are expected to email the request to probatevitalrecords@rockdalecountyga.gov. Once the request has been fulfilled, the Court will notify the requestors. However, there is a two-hour window for the request to be completed. Georgia State law expressly states the categories of family relations that can obtain a birth certificate and other birth records for another person, which include the following:
- Child;
- Parent;
- Spouse;
- Siblings; and
- Grandparents
Under the Official Code of Georgia (GA Code Ann., 31-10), which Rockdale County is subject to, a qualified requestor for certified copies of specific birth records must pay $25 for the first copy. In contrast, each additional copy requested concurrently for the same person attracts a fee of $5.
Where and How to Find Rockdale County Death Records
Rockdale County records are under the jurisdiction of the Rockdale County Probate Court. In other words, the Court collates and disseminates records about recorded deaths in its territory. Rockdale County death records are the official documentation of the cause, date, and place of death, signed by a physician. Death records serve the following purposes:
- Settle estates
- Claim life insurance benefits
- Claim pensions
- Research purposes
- Various purposes
- Various legal reasons
Also listed below are the primary means of accessing death records in Rockdale County:
- Online by filling and submitting a request form;
- Physically by visiting the Court; or
- Sending a request form via mail.
Rockdale County death records can also be obtained through third-party websites by filling an online form and providing the requisite information. Individuals who qualify to receive certified copies of the County’s birth records must pay a $25 fee for the initial copy of the record. In contrast, every additional copy ordered at the same time for the same person costs $5. However, under Georgia’s law, which Rockdale County is subject to, only people who directly interest the deceased person can acquire their death records.
