Catoosa County Court Records

Catoosa County court records refer to essential legal documents created, filed, and managed by the courts of law within the county, which contain information about the cases over which they have jurisdiction. These court records include a wide range of information, typically including materials such as dockets, transcripts, pleadings, documentary exhibits, motions, orders, and any evidence presented during the court trial. Catoosa County's official custodian of court records is the County Clerk of Court. This means that this official is legally responsible for filing, maintaining, and managing the files for all the cases handled by the courts in Catoosa County.

Court records are important legal documents in the judicial system because they provide a reliable and trustworthy account of what happens during a court trial. This is particularly important in cases where there may be disagreements or misinterpretations concerning the evidence presented in court. Court records also allow the public to understand the Catoosa County legal system and its procedures. This is especially important in criminal court trials. The consequences of wrongful behavior are made clear, which may serve as a deterrent to criminal activity in the future. They ensure transparency of the judicial system, as their public nature provides entities such as the media and other interested members of the public with a means to verify if justice was administered fairly per state law.

Are Court Records Public in Catoosa County?

Yes, court records are public in Catoosa County. This is according to the provisions of the Georgia Open Records Act, which grants all citizens the right to access, inspect, and copy all public records, including court records. Consequently, anyone can request access to Catoosa County court records from the applicable custodian.

However, this law also prohibits public access to certain court records. The Public Records Act outlines the records that fall under this category, some of which include:

• Records of physical evidence used in civil or criminal trials
• Jury list data as it contains sensitive information such as the individuals' names, dates of birth, and addresses
• Court records maintained by the Probate Court judge about weapons carry licenses or possession of firearms
• Records collected for prosecution purposes that would put the life of a confidential person at risk or jeopardize an ongoing confidential investigation

Catoosa County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can conduct a search for Catoosa County court records at the following places:

• The office of the Catoosa County Superior Court Clerk
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• A third-party public records website

Catoosa County Courts

The Catoosa County court system comprises various levels: a Superior Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Courts. The list of court locations, their contact details, and links to their websites are provided below:

Catoosa County Superior Court
875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-4231
Fax: (706) 965-7431

Catoosa County Juvenile Court
875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-4231
Fax: (706) 935-7431

Probate Court of Catoosa County
875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-3511
Fax: (706) 935-3519

Catoosa County Magistrate Court
877 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-3114
Fax: (706) 965-9036

Municipal Court of Fort Oglethorpe
500 City Hall Drive, P.O. Box 5509, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
Phone: (706) 866-2989
Fax: (706) 858-4682

Municipal Court of Ringgold
150 Tennessee Street, P.O. Box 579, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-3061
Fax: (706) 965-7446

Catoosa County Criminal Records

Interested members of the public can access Catoosa County criminal records under the Open Records Act of the state of Georgia. These records detail a person's interactions with the law enforcement agencies within the county and typically provide information on their Catoosa county arrests, charges, and convictions. However, per the law, juvenile criminal records are exempt from general public access, as these are considered confidential to safeguard minors' privacy. Individuals who wish to access other Catoosa County criminal records can take the following actions:

• Visit the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office. This is the primary source of retrieving criminal records within the county. When requesters visit the Sheriff's office, they will receive an Open Records Request form to complete detailing their request. The personnel will conduct a search, and a request will be provided within 3 business days. For personal criminal history records, individuals must fill out a criminal history form and present a Catoosa County Driver's license or proof of residence. This is provided within 24 hours and costs a fee of $10. The Sheriff's Office is located at the following address:

5842 Highway 41
Ringgold, GA 30736

• Contact the County Police Departments to make a request. The City of Ringgold Police Department, for example, provides an Open Records Request form on its website, which can be used to make criminal record requests. Requesters may also visit their offices physically to make their requests.

Get Catoosa County Civil Court Records

Civil court records are legal documents that detail the decisions and proceedings of non-criminal disputes between private entities, including individuals and businesses. These often include issues such as property disputes, breach of contract, custody battles, and personal injury claims. In Catoosa County, the Superior Court primarily has jurisdiction over civil case trials. At the same time, the Magistrate Court presides over civil cases involving matters of $15,000 and below, as well as disputes between landlords and tenants.

Copies of Catoosa County civil court case records can be retrieved by contacting the office of the Superior Court clerk. This can be done by placing a phone call to (706) 935-4231, submitting a detailed written request via email to the Court Clerk at tracy.brown@gsccca.org, or visiting the office in person at the following address to make a request:

875 Lafayette Street
Catoosa County Courthouse
Ringgold, GA 30736

The Magistrate Court may also be able to provide information concerning civil court case records. They can be contacted at (706) 935-3114, and walk-in inquiries can be made during work hours at the court located at:

County Courthouse
877 Lafayette Street
Ringgold, GA 30736

Catoosa County Marriage Records

In Catoosa County, marriage records can be found at either the Probate Court or the Vital Records Department of the Georgia Department of Public Health, depending on the years they were issued. Marriage records issued from June 1952 to August 1996 can be retrieved from the Vital Records Department, while all later marriage records can be searched through the County Probate Court.

To access Catoosa County marriage certificates maintained by the Vital Records Department, requesters should fill out the Request for Search of Marriage Form available on their website. A non-refundable search fee of $10 is required before the search is conducted, and additional copies can be provided for a fee of $5. Once the form is completed, it should be mailed alongside a valid Government issued means of identification and a money order or certified check to the following address:

State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702

Alternatively, requesters can visit the office in person to make a request.

For later marriage records, a search may be conducted using the Probate Records Search feature provided on the Catoosa County Probate Court website. To carry out a search, requesters should provide mandatory details such as the applicants' names. Details such as the issued date, recorded date, and marriage dates are optional but can aid the precision and accuracy of the results.

Catoosa County Divorce Records

In Catoosa County, copies of divorce records are filed and maintained by the county Superior Court. While the Vital Records Department can confirm divorces, all requests for their records must be made to the Superior Court county clerk. The clerk's office can be reached using the contact details provided in the previous section.

Catoosa County Birth and Death Records

Interested individuals can access Catoosa County birth records from January 1919 till date at the Vital Records Department within the State Department of Public Health. Catoosa County death records, on the other hand, can be retrieved from both the Vital Records Department and the Probate Court. The Vital Records Department holds death records from January 1919 till date, while the date ranges covered by the Probate Court are not specified.

Requesters who wish to retrieve Catoosa County birth certificates from the Vital Records department may do so by filling out the request form provided on the website. A non-refundable search fee of $25 is required to carry out the request. If the death record is found, a certified copy will be issued. Additional copies can be provided upon paying a $5 fee per one. To retrieve death records from the same department, requesters should also complete the request form on the website. A non-refundable search fee should be paid, which enables a 3-year search and the provision of a certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies can also be provided for a fee of $5. Both records, including a valid government-issued ID, check, or money order, should be mailed to the Office of Vital Records.

Inquirers may retrieve death records from the Probate Court by utilizing the search tool provided on the website. The search criteria include the deceased individual's first and last names and the applicable date ranges.

Catoosa County Probate Court Records

The Catoosa County Probate Court handles various family-related matters, including the administration of estates, guardianships, wills, and the issuance of marriage licenses. They also handle weapon carry permit applications, traffic citations, and Catoosa County vital records such as death certificates. Records of the Probate Court can be accessed via the search portal provided on their website. Requesters can select the specific category of cases handled by the court they are interested in, enter the required search parameters, and the results will be made available for them to view online. This feature is free to all interested individuals and for all requests.

Catoosa County Property Records

Catoosa County Property records provide essential information about real estate or property within the county. These records hold information, including tax assessment details, ownership, sales history, and other relevant data. In Catoosa County, property records can be retrieved from the offices of the County Tax Assessor and the Superior Court Clerk.

The Tax Assessor's office provides a search portal through which property within the county can be looked up. Here, requesters have the option to search by various criteria, including the name of the property owner, the address where it is located, parcel number, and legal information. Requesters can also send a mail to the Chief Appraiser at assessor@catoosa.com or visit the office in person at the address provided below to make inquiries:

798 Lafayette Street
Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 965-3772

The Catoosa County Superior Court clerk's office also provides access to property information, including Deeds, Liens, and Plats. The links to search each are provided on the website's homepage.

Catoosa County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources such as Georgiacourtrecords.us provide remote public access to Catoosa County Court records. They offer their users convenience and ease of access, as they provide an alternative to visiting various courthouses to make requests. The interfaces of these platforms are also relatively easy to navigate. However, because they operate independently of the government, it is advisable to apply caution as the accuracy of the data they provide may not always be reliable.