Search Georgia Criminal Court Records
Georgia criminal court records are public files kept by Superior Court Clerks in all 159 counties. These records cover felony and misdemeanor cases from Superior Courts, State Courts, and Magistrate Courts across the state. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the Crime Information Center, which holds criminal history data for every person arrested in Georgia. You can search these records online through state portals. A clerk office visit works too. Local law enforcement can pull criminal history reports as well. Whether you need case details, arrest data, or final court dispositions, several sources in Georgia give you direct access to criminal court records.
Georgia Criminal Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Georgia Criminal Court Records
There are two main paths to get criminal court records in Georgia. County Superior Court Clerks keep case files for all felony and misdemeanor cases tried in their courts. Each of the 159 counties has its own clerk office. You can visit in person, call, or check online if the county has a web portal. The clerk can search by name or case number and make copies for you. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history records held by GCIC can be shared with attorneys and certain agencies upon written request. Most people start at their local courthouse when they need Georgia criminal court records.
The GBI Criminal History page explains how to get a copy of your own record or request data for legal purposes in Georgia.
You can also get your Georgia criminal history from most sheriff offices or police departments. Ask for a "Purpose Code U" report if you want your own record.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all 159 clerk offices into one system. It holds indexes for real estate filings, liens, and court documents. GSCCCA does not store full criminal case files, but it can point you to the right county clerk for Georgia criminal court records.
GSCCCA is a good starting point when you are not sure which county holds the records you need.
How to Search Criminal Records in Georgia
Georgia gives you several online tools to search criminal court records. The fastest is the state court system. Many counties now post case data on the web. You can search from home at any time of day. Some portals are free. Others charge a small fee. The method you pick depends on what you need and how far back the case goes.
The E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case data from counties across Georgia. You get sent to the provider's site and need an account to search.
Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-11, Superior Court Clerks may offer public access to view cases and eFiled documents online. More counties add this each year.
The GSCCCA Search Portal lets you look up filings by name or type across Georgia counties. A regular account costs $14.95 per month and a premium account runs $29.95 per month as of July 2025.
Subscription plans give you full search results from all participating counties in Georgia.
To search Georgia criminal court records online, you typically need:
- Full name of the person
- County where the case was filed
- Approximate date range for the case
- Case number if you have it
In-person searches work well too. Go to the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed. Staff can look up records and make copies. Bring a valid ID. Copy fees are $0.10 per page for standard copies in Georgia, and agencies cannot charge for the first 15 minutes of search time under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
Georgia Criminal History Records
The Georgia Crime Information Center is the state hub for criminal history data. GCIC sits within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. It keeps records of every arrest made in the state. Each record has the person's name, date of birth, social security number, and physical details. It also shows arrest data with the agency, date, and charges. Final court dispositions and any time spent in a Georgia correctional facility show up too.
The Georgia Crime Information Center page has more on how GCIC stores and shares this data.
GCIC lobby hours are by appointment only. Call (404) 244-2639 option 1 to set up a visit for record inspections or fingerprint services at the GBI office in Decatur.
The GBI Criminal History FAQ page covers common questions about getting your own record in Georgia.
Most people can get a copy of their Georgia criminal history from a local sheriff or police department. Contact your local agency for their specific steps and any fees.
Criminal Record Restriction in Georgia
Georgia allows some criminal records to be restricted from public view. This used to be called expungement. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain records can be hidden from public searches while staying open to law enforcement and courts. The process depends on when the arrest took place and what the outcome was. Not every record qualifies for restriction in Georgia.
Records that may be eligible for restriction in Georgia include:
- Arrests that did not lead to a conviction
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait
- Cases placed on a dead docket for more than 12 months
- Convictions that were reversed on appeal
- Trafficking victims under the Survivors First Act
For arrests before July 1, 2013, you apply through the arresting law enforcement agency. For arrests after that date, contact the prosecuting attorney's office in the county where you were arrested. Agencies may charge up to $50 to process the request. Georgia limits you to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in your lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are not eligible.
You can submit formal records requests through the GBI Open Records Request Portal for criminal history data held by the state.
As of December 2023, the GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts requests by email. Use the online portal or mail your request to their Decatur office.
Georgia's Attorney General also provides guidance on public access rules. The Open Government page from the state covers how records requests work under Georgia law.
Under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-21, victims of trafficking may get free record restriction through the Survivors First Act. No fee applies for those requests.
Georgia Court Records and Public Access
Criminal court records in Georgia are public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, the Georgia Open Records Act. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to give a reason. Agencies must respond within three business days. Copy fees cannot go past the prorated hourly wage of the lowest paid qualified employee, and the first quarter hour of search time is free. Some records are exempt under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. These include pending criminal investigations, confidential informant data, and certain juvenile records.
The Supreme Court of Georgia Docket Search lets you look up cases from the last five years at no cost.
This portal is free and open to the public. You can search by case name or docket number.
The FANS Filing Activity Notification System from GSCCCA lets you track new court filings tied to a name or property. It is free to use.
Sign up through FANS to get alerts when new filings appear in Georgia court records that match your search terms.
Criminal Court Resources in Georgia
Several state agencies handle criminal court records in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Corrections keeps records for people who served time in state facilities. You can look up current inmates through their website. The GBI maintains the Sex Offender Registry as well. For questions about your own criminal history or how to correct errors, the Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 is the best place to start.
For general questions about criminal history records in Georgia, the GBI contact page lists phone numbers, email, and mailing addresses for each division.
The main GBI office is at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034. The 24-hour communications center can be reached at (404) 244-2600. For criminal history questions, email gacriminalhistory@gbi.state.ga.us. Attorneys seeking criminal history for trial prep can email gcic.attorneys@gbi.state.ga.us with case details and subject info.
Browse Georgia Criminal Court Records by County
Each county in Georgia has its own Superior Court Clerk who keeps criminal court records. Pick a county below to find local court info, contact details, and search resources for criminal records in that area.
Criminal Court Records in Major Georgia Cities
Residents of major cities file criminal cases at their county Superior Court. Pick a city below to learn about criminal court records and local court resources in that area.