Search Georgia court records in 2026 using the right official source: Georgia Courts eAccess, participating-county re:SearchGA records, county clerk portals, superior court clerks, state courts, magistrate courts, probate courts, municipal courts, Supreme Court docket search, Court of Appeals records, GSCCCA eCertification, GBI/GCIC criminal history resources, and PACER for federal cases.
Need Georgia Court Records Right Now?
Georgia does not have one single free official portal that shows every trial court case from every county. Georgia Courts eAccess can point users to electronic access providers, re:SearchGA covers participating counties, and many superior, state, magistrate, probate, juvenile and municipal courts still maintain records through county-level or court-level systems. Start with the correct court type and county before searching.
Georgia Court Records Overview
Georgia court records are official records created by courts and clerks during a legal case. They may include the case number, party names, filing date, docket entries, charges, citations, complaints, motions, orders, judgments, sentencing entries, divorce filings, probate filings, hearing calendars, appellate filings and certified court documents.
Georgia court records are split across different courts. Superior courts handle felony, divorce, major civil, equity and many real property matters. State courts handle many civil and misdemeanor matters in counties that have state courts. Magistrate courts handle small claims, dispossessory/eviction, garnishment and warrant-related matters. Probate courts handle estates, guardianships, marriage licenses and some vital-style local records. Municipal courts handle city ordinance and many traffic cases.
Which Georgia court record source should you use?
| Record Type | Likely Official Source | Best Search Intent |
|---|---|---|
| Felony criminal case | County Superior Court Clerk | Georgia felony case search by county |
| Misdemeanor case | State Court, Superior Court or Municipal Court | Georgia misdemeanor court records search |
| Civil lawsuit | Superior Court, State Court or Magistrate Court | Georgia civil court case lookup |
| Divorce case | Superior Court Clerk | Georgia divorce records court search |
| Probate or estate case | County Probate Court | Georgia probate court records search |
| Eviction or small claim | Magistrate Court | Georgia magistrate court records search |
| Traffic ticket | Municipal Court, State Court or Probate Court in some counties | Georgia traffic citation lookup |
| Supreme Court appeal | Supreme Court of Georgia docket | Georgia Supreme Court docket search |
| Federal case | PACER / Georgia federal district court | Georgia federal court records search |
Is There a Free Statewide Georgia Case Search?
This is the biggest search mistake. Georgia has official statewide court resources and electronic access links, but that does not mean every trial court case from all 159 counties is searchable in one free public database. Some counties participate in re:SearchGA or other Tyler/Odyssey portals. Some counties use PeachCourt or local e-filing/document providers. Some records still require county clerk contact.
For broad research, begin with the Georgia Courts eAccess page and directory. For a real case, narrow your search by county, court type and case number. If the case is in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Chatham, Clayton, Cherokee, Henry, Richmond, Muscogee or another county, use that county’s official court or clerk records system.
Georgia court records decision tree
- Find the county first Start with the county where the case was filed, the arrest occurred, the divorce was filed, the estate was opened, or the citation was issued.
- Identify the court type Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate, Juvenile and Municipal courts do not always share the same public search portal.
- Use eAccess or the directory Open the official Georgia Courts eAccess page or Georgia Courts Directory to reach court-approved access links.
- Search by case number when possible Case number is cleaner than name search and helps avoid false matches.
Free Georgia Court Records Search Steps
Many Georgia courts provide free basic docket searching, but access depends on the county, court type and provider. Some document access, certified copies and multi-county searches may require an account, login or fee. Georgia Courts eAccess specifically redirects users to providers and may require an account to search records.
How to search Georgia court records online free
- Open the official Georgia court access page Start at Georgia eAccess Court Records.
- Select the county or provider Use the county court, participating re:SearchGA portal, or local clerk website that matches the record.
- Choose the right court division Pick superior, state, magistrate, probate, municipal, appellate or federal court based on the case type.
- Search by case number or party name Use the full case number first. If searching by name, try legal name, former name, business name, middle initial and spelling variations.
- Verify before relying on the record Check court name, county, filing date, case type, party role, docket entries, judge and status.
Georgia eAccess and re:SearchGA
Georgia Courts eAccess is the official starting point for electronic access to court records. It may redirect users to a provider website and may require an account. re:SearchGA is a court-record search platform that covers participating Georgia counties, but it should not be treated as a complete statewide database for every Georgia county and court.
When to use each tool
| Tool | Best For | Important Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Courts eAccess | Starting point for electronic court record access | Redirects to provider websites; account may be needed |
| re:SearchGA | Searching case information and documents in participating counties | Not every county/court is included |
| Georgia Courts Directory | Finding official court contacts and local websites | Directory is not itself a docket database |
| County clerk website | Official local case records and copies | Format and access vary by county |
| GSCCCA eCertification | Certified digital court documents from participating clerks | Only available where clerk participates and document is eligible |
Georgia Case Number Lookup
A case number is the most reliable way to search Georgia court records. Court number formats vary by county and court type, but the number usually appears on court notices, e-filing confirmations, citations, complaints, orders and hearing notices.
Where to find a Georgia case number
- Criminal accusation, indictment or warrant paperwork
- Civil complaint or summons
- Divorce petition or final decree
- Magistrate court dispossessory or small claim notice
- Probate court estate or guardianship notice
- Traffic citation or municipal court notice
- e-filing confirmation or clerk receipt
- Hearing notice, order or judgment
Micro steps for case number search
- Copy the full number exactly Keep letters, dashes, spaces, year digits and leading zeros.
- Use the correct county and court A superior court case number may not work in a probate, magistrate or municipal court search.
- Search in the official portal Use the county clerk site, re:SearchGA, eAccess provider, or appellate docket depending on case type.
- Save the docket details Write down court, judge, party names, filing date, docket entry names and document titles before requesting copies.
Search Georgia Court Records by Name
Name search is helpful when you do not have a case number, but it is less reliable. Georgia counties and providers may use different search rules. Some require last name first, some allow partial names, and some require exact spelling. Business names can be entered with or without punctuation, LLC, Inc. or trade-name variations.
How to search Georgia court records by name
- Start with full legal name Use last name, first name and middle initial if available.
- Try spelling variations Search former name, maiden name, hyphenated name, nickname, business abbreviation and punctuation-free versions.
- Filter by county and court type Large counties return many matches. Narrow by superior, state, magistrate, probate, municipal or appellate court.
- Verify identity carefully Check party role, case type, filing date, county, address if public, charge/cause type and docket activity.
Georgia Superior Court Records
Superior courts are Georgia’s general jurisdiction trial courts. They commonly handle felony criminal cases, divorce, child custody, major civil lawsuits, equity matters, real property disputes, adoptions, declaratory judgments and other serious or broad-jurisdiction matters. Superior court records are usually maintained by the county Clerk of Superior Court.
Superior court records users search most
| Search Intent | Record Type | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia felony case search | Felony criminal docket | County Clerk of Superior Court |
| Georgia divorce records online | Divorce and family case | Superior Court Clerk |
| Georgia civil lawsuit lookup | Major civil case | Superior Court or State Court depending on filing |
| Georgia real property court case | Real estate/equity litigation | Superior Court Clerk |
| Georgia certified court copy | Certified superior court document | Local clerk or GSCCCA eCertification where available |
Georgia State Court Records
Georgia state courts exist in many counties and often handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic-related offenses, civil cases and other matters within their jurisdiction. Not every Georgia county has the same court structure, so the local court directory is important.
State court records commonly searched
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic misdemeanor cases
- Civil lawsuits within state court jurisdiction
- Personal injury cases
- Contract and debt cases
- Jury trial matters assigned to state court
- Appeals from lower courts where applicable
How to search Georgia state court records
- Confirm the county has a state court Use the Georgia Courts Directory or county court website.
- Search by case number or party Use the local online portal, re:SearchGA if participating, or clerk website.
- Check court name carefully Do not confuse State Court with Superior Court, Magistrate Court or Municipal Court.
- Request copies from the clerk For official documents, contact the clerk’s office that maintains state court records.
Magistrate Court, Eviction and Small Claims Records
Georgia magistrate courts commonly handle small claims, dispossessory/eviction cases, garnishments, civil claims, warrant applications, first appearances and other lower-level matters. Magistrate court records may be available through local portals, re:SearchGA, or county magistrate court sites.
Georgia magistrate court search examples
| Search Query | Likely Record | Where to Search |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia eviction records search | Dispossessory case | County Magistrate Court |
| Georgia small claims case lookup | Magistrate civil claim | Magistrate Court portal |
| Georgia garnishment case search | Garnishment record | Magistrate or State Court depending on filing |
| Georgia warrant application lookup | Magistrate warrant matter | May be restricted or court-specific |
| Georgia judgment search magistrate court | Small claim or civil judgment | Magistrate Court or county portal |
Probate, Estate, Marriage and Guardianship Records
Georgia probate courts handle estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, weapons-carry licenses and other probate-related matters. Probate records are usually maintained by the probate court in the county where the estate, guardianship or marriage license was filed.
Probate records users commonly need
- Estate case docket
- Will filing or will book reference
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Guardianship or conservatorship records
- Marriage license and marriage certificate
- Probate orders and petitions
- Administrator or executor filings
- Certified probate copies
How to search Georgia probate records
- Identify the county probate court Use the county where the estate was opened, the marriage license was issued, or the guardianship was filed.
- Search the probate court portal Some counties offer online search; others require clerk contact.
- Search by decedent, estate or case number Try full legal name, estate name, executor name or case number.
- Request certified copies when needed Banks, title companies, government agencies and out-of-state courts may require certified probate documents.
Municipal Court and Traffic Records
Georgia municipal courts handle city ordinance violations, many traffic citations and local misdemeanor-type matters within city jurisdiction. If your ticket came from Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Marietta, Alpharetta or another city, the ticket may be in municipal court, not the county superior court.
How to search a Georgia traffic ticket
- Read the court name on the citation The ticket should show whether it belongs to municipal court, state court, probate court or another court.
- Search by citation number first Traffic portals often work better with citation number than party name.
- Check payment and court-date options Look for fine amount, arraignment date, plea options, defensive driving, probation, failure-to-appear rules and license consequences.
- Confirm before paying Paying a ticket can act as a plea or waiver. Read the court’s instructions before paying if you want to contest the case.
Georgia Criminal Court Records
Georgia criminal court records may include charges, accusation, indictment, warrant history in a case, bond information, arraignment, plea, motions, sentencing, probation terms, restitution, fines and final disposition. The correct court depends on whether the matter is felony, misdemeanor, traffic, municipal or magistrate-related.
How to search Georgia criminal court records
- Identify the charge level Felonies are commonly superior court matters. Misdemeanors may be in state court, municipal court, probate court in some counties, or superior court depending on jurisdiction.
- Use the county court portal Search by case number, defendant name, citation number, filing date or attorney name if available.
- Review the docket carefully Look for charge, plea, sentence, disposition, warrant status, bond entries and final judgment.
- Use GBI/GCIC for criminal history when needed Court dockets are not the same as Georgia criminal history records.
Civil, Divorce and Family Court Records
Georgia civil and family court records include lawsuits, debt cases, personal injury claims, contract disputes, divorce, custody, child support, modification, contempt, legitimation, protective orders and related filings. Divorce and many family matters are superior court cases, so the county Clerk of Superior Court is usually the correct record custodian.
How to search Georgia divorce records
- Know the county of filing Search where the divorce was filed, not only where a person currently lives.
- Use superior court records Divorce cases are normally filed in Superior Court.
- Search both spouse names Try former names, maiden names, middle initials and spelling variations.
- Request the final decree from the clerk A certified divorce decree usually comes from the Clerk of Superior Court in the filing county.
Common civil record searches in Georgia
| Search Intent | Likely Court | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia civil lawsuit search | Superior or State Court | Complaint, answer, motions, judgment |
| Georgia divorce case lookup | Superior Court | Petition, final decree, orders |
| Georgia custody court records | Superior Court | Custody orders, parenting plan, modifications |
| Georgia debt collection case search | State, Magistrate or Superior Court | Judgment, garnishment, satisfaction |
| Georgia real estate litigation search | Superior Court | Lis pendens, orders, title dispute records |
Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Records
Georgia appellate records are separate from local trial court records. The Supreme Court of Georgia provides a public docket search for Supreme Court cases. The Georgia Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court and maintains appellate records through its official systems and clerk process.
How to search Georgia appellate cases
- Check the trial court docket first Look for a notice of appeal, appellate case number, order on appeal or transfer notice.
- Search the Supreme Court docket if applicable Use the official Supreme Court of Georgia Docket Search.
- Check the Court of Appeals Use the official Georgia Court of Appeals listing and court website for appellate case information.
- Compare trial and appellate records The appellate result can affect the trial court judgment, so check both dockets.
Certified Copies and GSCCCA eCertification
Online docket information is useful for research, but many official uses require a certified copy. Georgia clerks may provide certified paper copies, and some counties participate in GSCCCA eCertification for tamper-proof digital certified court records and real estate recordings.
How to request Georgia certified court records
- Find the correct clerk Use the court and county that handled the case. Superior court records come from the superior court clerk. Probate records come from the probate court. Municipal records come from the city court.
- Write exact record details Include case number, party names, document name, filing date, county and court type.
- Ask for the correct copy type Choose plain copy, certified copy, exemplified copy, digital eCertified copy or paper certified copy based on the requesting agency’s requirements.
- Check GSCCCA eCertification Use GSCCCA eCertification if the county clerk participates and the record is eligible.
| Copy Need | Best Source | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certified divorce decree | County Clerk of Superior Court | Some counties may offer eCertification |
| Certified probate order | County Probate Court | Ask whether certified or exemplified copy is needed |
| Certified criminal judgment | Clerk of court that handled the case | Felony records usually involve Superior Court |
| Certified appellate document | Appellate court clerk | Use Supreme Court or Court of Appeals process |
| Federal certified copy | Federal court clerk / PACER | State clerks cannot certify federal records |
Sealed, Restricted and Confidential Records
Not every Georgia court record is available online or open to the public. Some records are sealed, restricted, confidential, protected by law, restricted by court order, limited to parties and attorneys, or available only through a clerk request. A missing online result does not always mean no case exists.
Records that may be restricted
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Restricted criminal history records
- Sealed court records
- Protected family violence information
- Victim identifying information
- Medical, mental health or treatment records
- Confidential financial information
- Social Security numbers and protected identifiers
- Records sealed by specific judge order
Georgia Record Restriction / Expungement
Georgia often uses the term record restriction for what many people call expungement. Record restriction limits access to certain criminal history information for non-criminal justice purposes when the legal requirements are met. Eligibility and process can depend on arrest date, agency, prosecutor action, charge outcome and Georgia law.
Basic Georgia record restriction steps
- Collect your case information Get arrest date, agency, case number, charge, court, prosecutor and final disposition.
- Check whether the arrest was before or after July 1, 2013 Georgia’s official guidance separates process rules based on arrest date.
- Contact the correct agency or prosecutor Older arrests may require application through the arresting agency. Later records may require prosecutor action depending on the case.
- Use GBI/GCIC guidance Review official Georgia Crime Information Center and Georgia.gov record restriction instructions.
- Get legal advice when consequences are serious Record restriction can affect employment, licensing, housing, immigration and professional review, so do not guess.
Court Records vs GBI / GCIC Criminal History
Georgia court records and Georgia criminal history records are different. A county court docket shows activity in a specific court case. Georgia criminal history information is maintained through the Georgia Crime Information Center under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and copies may be obtained through local law enforcement or official criminal history processes.
Which source should you use?
| Need | Use This Source | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Find a county court case | Georgia eAccess, re:SearchGA or county clerk | eAccess Court Records |
| Find a local court contact | Georgia Courts Directory | Georgia Courts Directory |
| Get a certified copy | Local clerk or GSCCCA eCertification | GSCCCA eCertification |
| Get criminal history information | GBI / Georgia Crime Information Center | Georgia Crime Information Center |
| Restrict a criminal record | Georgia.gov / GBI record restriction resources | Restrict criminal record |
| Search federal cases | PACER | PACER |
Federal Court Records in Georgia
Federal court records in Georgia are separate from Georgia state court records. Federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy and appellate records are searched through PACER and federal CM/ECF systems, not county superior court portals.
How to search Georgia federal court records
- Open PACER Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
- Select the correct federal district Georgia federal trial cases may be in the Northern, Middle or Southern District of Georgia.
- Use PACER Case Locator if unsure Search by party name across federal courts when you do not know the exact district.
- Check fees and document availability PACER can charge for docket reports and downloads under current federal rules.
Georgia federal court resources
| Federal Record Type | Official Source |
|---|---|
| Northern District of Georgia | U.S. District Court — Northern District of Georgia |
| Middle District of Georgia | U.S. District Court — Middle District of Georgia |
| Federal case locator | PACER Find a Case |
| Federal CM/ECF lookup | PACER Court CM/ECF Lookup |
| All federal court records | PACER |
Georgia Court Location and Map
For statewide appellate court access, the Nathan Deal Judicial Center in Atlanta houses the Supreme Court of Georgia and Court of Appeals of Georgia. For local trial court records, contact the county clerk or local court where the case was filed.
Nathan Deal Judicial Center
330 Capitol Avenue, S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Supreme Court of Georgia: (404) 656-3470
Official Supreme Court docket: Docket Search
Georgia Courts official site: georgiacourts.gov
Popular Georgia county court record starting points
| County / Area | Official Starting Point | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton County | Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts | Atlanta-area superior and magistrate court records |
| Gwinnett County | Gwinnett Courts Case Search | Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate estate and Recorder’s Court search paths |
| Chatham County | Chatham County Court System | Savannah-area court records and eFile resources |
| All Georgia Courts | Georgia Courts Directory | Find official court contacts by county and court type |
| Certified digital documents | GSCCCA eCertification | Digital certified copies where available |
Practical Search Tips for Georgia Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Georgia court records for free?
Start with Georgia Courts eAccess, the Georgia Courts Directory, re:SearchGA for participating counties, or the local county clerk/court website. Search by case number first when possible, then party name if needed.
Is there one free statewide Georgia court records search?
No single free official portal covers every Georgia trial court case from every county. Georgia records are split across counties, courts and providers. re:SearchGA covers participating counties, and many local courts use their own systems.
What is Georgia Courts eAccess?
Georgia Courts eAccess is an official Georgia Courts page that helps users access electronic court records. It may redirect users to provider websites and may require an account to search records.
What is re:SearchGA?
re:SearchGA is an online court record search platform for participating Georgia counties. It can help search case information and court documents across available counties, but it is not a complete all-county database.
Where do I find Georgia felony court records?
Felony cases are usually superior court matters. Search through the county Clerk of Superior Court, Georgia eAccess, re:SearchGA if participating, or the local county case portal.
How do I search Georgia divorce records?
Georgia divorce cases are usually filed in Superior Court. Search the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed, then request the final decree from that clerk if official proof is needed.
Can I search Georgia court records by name?
Yes, many Georgia court portals allow name searches. Try full legal name, middle initial, former name, maiden name, business name and spelling variations. Always verify identity before relying on a match.
How do I get certified Georgia court records?
Request certified copies from the clerk or court that maintains the record. Some counties also participate in GSCCCA eCertification, which provides tamper-proof digital certified court records and real estate recordings.
Are Georgia criminal court records the same as a GBI background check?
No. A criminal court docket shows court activity in a specific case. Georgia criminal history information is handled through the Georgia Crime Information Center under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement processes.
How do I restrict or expunge a Georgia criminal record?
Georgia commonly calls this record restriction. The process depends on arrest date, agency, prosecutor action and case outcome. Start with Georgia.gov and GBI/GCIC official record restriction guidance.
Where do I search Georgia Supreme Court cases?
Use the official Supreme Court of Georgia docket search. This is for Supreme Court cases, not every county trial court case.
Where do I search Georgia Court of Appeals records?
Use the Georgia Court of Appeals official website and docket resources. Check the trial court docket first for a notice of appeal or appellate case number.
Where do I find Georgia probate records?
Georgia probate records are usually maintained by the county probate court. Search the county probate court for estate, will, guardianship, conservatorship, marriage and related records.
Where do I search Georgia eviction records?
Eviction cases, also called dispossessory cases, are commonly filed in Magistrate Court. Search the county magistrate court portal or contact the magistrate clerk.
Why can’t I find a Georgia court record online?
The case may be in another county, a different court type, a non-participating portal, a municipal court, federal court, sealed record, restricted record, old paper file or clerk-only record.
Where do I search Georgia federal court records?
Use PACER and the correct federal district court. Georgia federal cases are separate from Georgia state and county court records.
Can I use a docket screenshot as an official court record?
Usually no. A screenshot may help with research, but official proof often requires a certified copy from the clerk or eCertification system where available.
Do Georgia court record fees vary by county?
Yes. Online search, document images, certified copies, eCertified records, mail requests and clerk copy fees can vary by county, court and provider.
Final Summary
For georgia court records, start with the correct county and court type. Use Georgia Courts eAccess, re:SearchGA for participating counties, the Georgia Courts Directory, or the local county clerk/court portal. Superior court clerks are usually the right source for felony, divorce and major civil records. Probate courts handle estates and guardianships. Magistrate courts handle many evictions and small claims. Municipal courts handle many city tickets.
Use the Supreme Court docket or Court of Appeals resources for appellate records, GSCCCA eCertification for participating certified digital copies, GBI/GCIC for criminal history resources, and PACER for federal cases. The safest process is simple: identify the county, choose the correct court, search by case number when possible, verify name matches carefully, and request certified copies when official proof is needed.