Banks County Court Records

Under the O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-91, court records generally consist of documents produced or submitted during court proceedings, such as paper, books, documents, letters, microfilms, maps, and magnetic tapes. Such records are publicly accessible, as are other documents, such as arrest records from Banks County. In accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act, court records are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court, who serves as their official custodian.

Are Court Records Public in Banks County?

Indeed, court records are widely accessible to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA). This law is supported by Georgia Superior Court Rule 21, which permits the public to view and copy Banks County court records upon request. However, the public does not have access to all court records. The purpose of this confidentiality is to prevent the disclosure of court records from endangering public safety, violating someone's right to privacy, or impeding current investigations. Adoption, correspondence regarding attorney-client privilege, jury list information, and private legal work products are examples of confidential court records.

Banks County Court Records Search

In Bank County, there are two primary methods for accessing court documents. The first is available online through the Georgia Administrative Office of Courts' Online Portal. To access the portal, users must create an account. The second approach is to visit the Banks County Courthouse in person.

Banks County Courts

The Banks County court system comprises a Superior Court, a State Court, and a Magistrate Court. These courts are located in a single building whose address is below:

Banks County Courthouse
144 Yonah-Homer Road
Homer, GA 30547

Banks County Criminal and Civil Records

Numerous courts in Bank County handle both civil and criminal issues. Family and domestic relations matters, civil disputes, and criminal proceedings are under the purview of the Superior Court. Misdemeanors, some traffic crimes, and civil issues beyond the jurisdiction of the Superior Court are handled by the State Court. Cases involving civil claims of $15,000 or less are heard by the Magistrate's Court. The following methods are available to record seekers for accessing criminal and civil records:

• Online: Banks County criminal and civil records are electronically accessible via the Georgia Administrative Office of Courts' web portal. To access the relevant case information, users must create an account and subscribe to the website.
• In-person: Copies of criminal and civil records are available to anybody who visits the Banks County courthouse during regular business hours. The search requires either the case number or the party name. Copies of documents will be subject to a nominal fee.

Banks County Marriage Records

Marriage records have been kept by the Banks County Probate Court since 1859. They can be requested in person at the office during business hours or in writing by mail. They must be prepared to give the names of the bride and groom, as well as the wedding date. The cost of certified copies of marriage records is $10 and can be paid for in person or by money order.

Banks County Divorce Records

All divorce proceedings are under the exclusive equitable jurisdiction of the Banks County Superior Court. Anyone can visit the courthouse to get copies of divorce records, which are public records. All in-person requests must be submitted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To search, the requester will require the name of the divorcing party, a case number, or the date of the divorce.

Banks Birth Records

All births that have taken place in Banks County are officially documented in birth records. They are used for applications such as driver's licenses, taxes, identification verification, health insurance, and school enrollment. Only those who have a direct and visible interest in the registrant are granted access to birth data from 1861 to the present by the Banks County Probate Court. This coverage extends to members of the immediate family, as well as the family's legal representatives. Birth records are available in person at the courthouse from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday. However, before the visit, they must call (706) 677-6250 to schedule an appointment.

To facilitate the search, each applicant must present a state-issued photo ID and be prepared to provide the complete name of the individual on the birth record, the date of birth, and the full names of the parents. Birth certificates that have been certified cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Only cash payments are accepted.

Banks Death Records

Death records are important documents that include details on a person's demise. Only those who have a direct and visible interest in the deceased, such as primary family members or the family's legal representatives, are granted death certificates by the Banks County Probate Court. Each certified copy of these certificates costs $25.00, and each additional copy costs $5.00. Only cash is accepted to pay these costs. Even if there is no death record, there is no reimbursement. Those who qualify should call (706) 677-6250 to make an appointment. They can then make written requests in person at the office on the scheduled date during business hours. The full name of the deceased person and the date of record should be included in the written request.

Banks County Probate Court Records

The official repository for guardianships, conservatorships, wills, estates, and other probate documents is the Banks County Probate Court. Requests for probate court records may be made by mail or in person during regular business hours at the Probate Court office.

To help court employees find the desired record, record seekers must supply the decedent's complete name, case number, or filing date. In Banks County, it costs $15 to search a probate court record. Requesters may be asked to pay a copy fee in addition to the search price.

Banks County Property Records

The Property Tax Division of the Tax Commissioner's Office maintains a Property Record Search database containing public property tax data. Users will need an owner's name, location address, parcel number, account number, or legal information to search. For more comprehensive, up-to-date records, individuals must visit the Tax Commissioner's Office Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to request property tax records in person. The office is located at the address below:

Banks County Tax Commissioner
150 Hudson Ridge
Suite 7
Homer, GA 30547
Phone: (706) 677-6204
Fax: (888) 716-6431
Email: bcarlan@co.banks.ga.us

The Banks County Clerk of Superior Court's Office has more property records, such as mortgages, liens, and deeds. These records can be viewed in person by the court Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make the search process easier, the requester may need to complete a request form during the visit. A copy fee will be assessed before the document's release after it has been located.

Banks County Court Records Online

Court records are easily accessible online through third-party platforms such as Georgiacourtrecords.us. Users can read basic case information for free on these platforms. However, there is a nominal price for anyone who wants to view photographs of court documents or access more detailed case information.

People should use caution when getting court records from third-party aggregate databases. These websites update their content based on publicly available data. As a result, the information about them may be outdated, incorrect, or incomplete. Records obtained from third-party websites are therefore typically not acceptable for official, legal, or formal purposes.