Search Athens-Clarke Court Records

AthensClarkeCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on AthensClarkeCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia State Court Records

An Athens-Clarke County court record is any document maintained by a local clerk of court in connection with a case. A court record contains all decisions, petitions, complaints, motions, and documents filed during a case. Court records also serve as proof of the court's action on a matter.

Athens-Clarke County court records are rarely isolated files in the public record system and are often intertwined with several other records, such as arrest records and vital records.

Are Athens-Clarke County Court Records Public?

Yes. Athens-Clarke County court records are public documents. In Georgia, the judiciary is explicitly exempted from the Georgia Open Records Act. This exemption maintains the constitutional separation of powers between the branches of government. Access to court records in the state is instead governed by court rules, such as Rule 21 of the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules.

Under Rule 21 of the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules, court records, including those held by courts in Athens-Clarke County, are, by default, open to the public for inspection; however, there are exceptions. Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under the law or by court order. These records include

  • Juvenile court records
  • Dates of birth
  • Mental health commitment records
  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • The home addresses and phone numbers of state employees

What Information is Available in Athens-Clarke County Court Records?

The details contained in an Athens-Clarke County court record usually depend on the type of record in view. Some information found in a criminal court record may not be found in a civil or probate court record. However, an Athens-Clarke County court record typically details the following information:

  • The filing date
  • The case number
  • The court handling the case and the name of the presiding judge
  • The names of the parties in the case and their roles
  • The case docket
  • The hearing schedule
  • The documents filed during the proceedings
  • The case disposition and court orders

Athens-Clarke County Court Records Search

Court records in Athens-Clarke County may be accessed through these methods:

Online Access

Online access to case records in Athens-Clarke County is primarily provided by the Athens-Clarke County Clerk of Court Case Search Portal and the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court Case Search Portal. The Clerk of Court Case Search Portal may be used to access Superior and State Court records, while the Probate Court Case Search Portal is exclusively for probate court records. A search may generally be done for free on both portals using a name or case number.

In-Person Access

In-person access is one viable option for individuals who want to inspect physical copies of a court record. Inquirers may walk into the appropriate Clerk of Court's Office and provide the name on the record or the case number and filing date, if known. The time to retrieve the file may vary depending on its age. Searching the file is usually free, but physical copies cost a fee.

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals can also request copies of a court record by submitting a written request through the mail. The request should contain details sufficient to identify the specific record needed, including the case number and the names of the parties involved. Payment (in the form of a money order or check) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope should be mailed with the written request.

Fees for Court Records in Athens-Clarke County

Individuals requesting physical copies of a record are generally required to pay a fee. Athens-Clarke County follows the fee schedule below.

  • Unassisted copies: 50 cents per page
  • Assisted or mailed copies: $1 per page
  • Certified copies: $2.50 for the first page, and 50 cents for every subsequent page
  • Court seal and signature: $2
  • Electronic or faxed copies: $2.50 for the first page, and $1 for every subsequent page

Researchers who want to inspect but not obtain a copy of a court record are exempt from paying any fees.

Athens-Clarke County Courthouse Locations

The Athens-Clarke County judicial system consists of a Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, the Athens-Clarke Municipal Court, and the Winterville Municipal Court. The contact information for the courts is listed below.

Athens-Clarke County Courthouse

325 East Washington Street

Athens, GA 30601

Superior Court Phone: (706) 613-3161

State Court Phone: (706) 613-3200

Juvenile Court Phone: (706) 613-3300

Probate Court Phone: (706) 613-3320

Athens-Clarke Municipal Court Phone: (706) 613-3690

Winterville Municipal Court

125 North Church Street

Winterville, GA 30683

Phone: (706) 742-8600

Criminal Records Access in Athens-Clarke County

A criminal record in Athens-Clarke County is any record that relates to an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system in the county. Criminal records pertaining to a person's arrest and incarceration are primarily managed by law enforcement, while records about the criminal trial are maintained by the judiciary.

Individuals can access an Athens-Clarke County criminal court record by visiting the Clerk of Superior and State Court Office. Copies of the record can be printed from the court's terminal computers for 50 cents per page. Researchers may also search the Athens-Clarke County Clerk of Court Case Search Portal for the case docket sheet. For city ordinance violation cases, individuals may visit the appropriate municipal court that handled the case.

A criminal history record information report captures both court and law enforcement events. In Georgia, this record is maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), a division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Individuals may obtain this record by submitting the Release of Criminal History Consent Form to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Requesters are required to provide a copy of their state-issued photo ID at the point of submission.

Athens-Clarke County Probate Records

Athens-Clarke County probate records are files managed by the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court that deal with a deceased person's assets and the guardianship of incapacitated persons. The Probate Court maintains several types of records, including wills, asset inventories, marriage licenses, guardianship records, and weapons carry licenses.

Records maintained by the Athens-Clarke County Probate Court are open to the public per Georgia law. Anyone can inspect or obtain copies of a probate record; however, certain information (e.g., weapons carry licenses and guardianship files) is not disclosed to the public.

Athens-Clarke County Family Court Records

Family court records in Athens-Clarke County proceed from domestic relations cases heard in the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. These records include divorce, alimony, paternity, name change, adoption, and child custody records.

Athens-Clarke County family court records are generally public, so individuals can visit the Clerk of Superior Court's Office to inspect a record. Alternatively, users may search the Athens-Clarke County Clerk of Court Case Search Portal for a record.

Federal Court Records in Athens-Clarke County

Federal court records are documents created for cases involving federal law or interstate disputes. These records are separate from county or state court records and are maintained exclusively by the judiciary. Federal court records from Athens-Clarke County are handled by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, specifically the Athens Division.

Individuals can access a federal court record by visiting the courthouse in Athens or searching for the record online using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal.

Athens-Clarke County Court