Fulton County Court Records

Fulton County court records are defined by state statute as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, microfilm, magnetic tape, or other material made or received in the course of judicial proceedings. These records maintained by the Fulton County Superior Court, serve as permanent, public repositories of legal proceedings, documenting cases to ensure transparency and to facilitate access to information. Access to court records in Fulton County is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act and the Uniform Rules of the Superior Court of the State of Georgia Rule 21.

Some examples of court records are pleadings, exhibits, motions, orders, judgments, and other materials about criminal and civil proceedings. Some vital records, arrest information, and federal case files are examples of public documents that may overlap or contain information connected to court records, which describe legal procedures.

Are Fulton County Court Records Public?

Yes. Per the Georgia Open Records Act, all public records, except those expressly exempt from disclosure by law or by order of a state court, shall be available for personal examination and copying. Furthermore, the Uniform Rules Superior Court of the State of Georgia Rule 21 grants the general public access to all court records unless public access is limited by law. However, the court may limit access to some records or they may be exempt from public inspection. They include:

• Attorney-client privileged information
• Records specifically required by federal statute or regulation to be kept confidential
• Records whose disclosure has the potential to cause harm to a person's privacy that outweigh the public interest
• Filings containing personal and confidential information
• Records with unredacted protected identifiers
• Certain investigative records.

What Information is Available in Fulton County Court Records?

The contents of court records in Fulton County typically include the following:

Civil and Family Law Records

Civil Court records include documents created during a legal dispute such as business litigation, lord-tenant matters, contracts, personal injury claims, and others, between two or more parties. Common documents and information regarding civil court case files include complaints and petitions, affidavits, motions and orders, discovery documents, judgments, decisions, case details, and others.

Family court records, which are typically a subset of civil records, contain information such as divorce records, protective orders, paternity and legitimation records, name change petitions, child custody and support documents, and adoption records. Some of these records are considered confidential and may not be accessed by the general public.

Criminal Records

Criminal court records detail an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from the initial arrest to the final disposition. They include arrest data, identification data, prosecutorial information, custodial information, final judicial disposition, court motions and orders, transcripts of court hearings, evidentiary exhibits presented during a trial, witness statements, jury information, plea agreements, and the final judgment and sentencing order.

Specialized Records

Specialized court records, such as probate and juvenile court records, contain distinct information based on the court's jurisdiction. Probate court records include wills, estate administration filings, inventories and appraisals, letters of administration, guardianship papers, and bonds. Juvenile court records typically include delinquency petitions, court orders, investigation and detention reports, and probation and supervision summaries.

Fulton County Court Records Search

Persons interested in obtaining Fulton County court records have three options: online access, in-person, and mail request. These methods differ in how fast a requestor can expect to obtain the information they seek.

• Online Access - There are two methods via which individuals may view or obtain court records online
• The Magistrate, State, and Superior Records Search online tool is maintained by the Fulton County Superior Court. To search, register/sign in, then select the Smart Search button
• The county's eCertification Services provide users the ability to electronically request certified Court records remotely. To request a record, users are required to register, fill in the appropriate information, and pay the required fees. A purchased eCertified copy of a document may be downloaded and stored for future use, enabling users to save their own documents for multiple uses and printing.
• In-Person Access - Interested persons may visit the records division of the Superior Court Clerk's Office to request court records along with the required fees. Visits must be during regular business hours.
• Mail and Phone Requests - outline procedures, including requirements such as self-addressed stamped envelopes and accepted payment methods. Individuals may make phone requests for information regarding criminal or civil court records by calling (404) 613-5313. While there is no stipulated process to request a record via mail, interested persons may mail their requests to the Court Clerk's office address. However, they may need to pick up the record in person.

Fees for Court Records in Fulton County

Requesters are required to pay a fee of $2.50 for the 1st page of a certified/ exemplified copy, with $0.50 for an Uncertified copy, with no assistance per page. A fee of $2.50 is charged for computer-generated copies of public records, subject to disclosures per page. Individuals may generally order vital records such as birth, death, and marriage records through the Georgia Department of Public Health for a statewide fee of $25 per copy plus an $8 processing fee.

Fulton County Courthouse Locations

Courthouses operating in Fulton County include the following

Criminal Records Access in Fulton County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provides the general public with assistance involving criminal history inquiries, criminal record restrictions, and criminal record inspections. Individuals can do a background check by visiting the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS)website or by contacting the GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). The most common method for individuals is to register for fingerprinting and background check services through the State Identogo portal, accessible from the GBI website.

Interested persons may also obtain a copy of their Georgia criminal history record from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for a fee of $15.00. Requests may be made in person during operating hours, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Requests made via mail must include a letter granting the agency permission to process the request along with the required information. Requests may be mailed to

Fulton County Probate Records

The Fulton County Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate records such as wills and testaments, appointment and removal of administrators and executors of decedents' estates, audit of returns of executors, administrators, and conservators, appointment and removal of Guardians and/or Conservators of minors and adults. The probate court also handles the commitments of the mentally ill, alcohol and substance abusers, the issuance of marriage licenses, marriage certificates and weapons carry licenses, and involuntary treatments for drug and alcohol abuse; involuntary commitment.

Some probate records, like guardianships, may only be obtained by contacting the Records Division of the probate court in person, or due to the confidential nature of the record. Records such as marriage records or estate searches can be done via mail or in person at

Fulton County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Superior Court has authority over cases such as contempt, modification, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, divorce, separation, annulment, custody and visitation, child support, and domestic violence.

Individuals who wish to obtain Fulton County Family Court records may utilize the Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts website or the Fulton County Superior Court's official site for online record searches, or the Clerk's office for in-person access. The Court Clerk's Office may issue certified or older copies of probate records to requesters in person. Individuals may obtain a copy of their divorce records at the Closed File Room on the first floor of Fulton County Superior Court, 136 Pryor Street.

Federal Court Records in Fulton County

The US District Court Northern District of Georgia has jurisdiction over federal court cases arising in Fulton County. The District Court typically has jurisdiction over cases such as constitutional conflicts, civil rights abuses, federal criminal prosecutions, admiralty disputes, and bankruptcy appeals.

To obtain a federal court record, use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. Users are required to register for a PACER account to begin searching for or filing federal court records online. Registered users can search for a case in the federal court where the case was filed, or search a nationwide index of federal court cases.