Decatur County Court Records

Legal matters and court cases in Decatur County, Georgia, are recorded in documents collectively known as Decatur County Court records. These records give a detailed account of legal proceedings in the county and are required to be kept by law. Examples of court records include orders, motions, judgments, dispositions, dockets, and basic case information such as party names and location. Decatur County arrest records may also be obtained via the court system as part of court records for criminal cases.

Are Court Records Public in Decatur County?

According to the Georgia Open Records Act, members of the public and other eligible parties may request these records, except if the record is specifically restricted or exempt by the act. Court records in Decatur County are typically maintained by the Clerk of the Court, whose responsibilities also include answering requests for these records. Records such as juvenile records, personal information of victims, medical records, and records made confidential by federal law are examples of records and information that may be restricted or completely exempt from public disclosure.

Decatur County Court Records Search

Interested parties may request Decatur County court records from the Clerk of the Superior Court, who maintains and provides access to these records. Record seekers may generally search for Decatur County court records using the following means.

• Visiting the court where the case was heard or contacting the Decatur County Clerk of the Superior Court
• Using the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) Portal to look up records online
• Using third-party online records collation websites

Decatur County Courts

The Court system in Georgia consists of several courts, including Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, Civil, and Municipal Courts. Below are all the court locations within Decatur County.

Decatur County Superior Court
112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 336,
Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3025
Fax: (229) 248-3029

State Courts in Decatur County

State Court of Decatur County
112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 336,
Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3025
Fax: (229) 248-3029

Juvenile Courts in Decatur County

Decatur County Juvenile Court
112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 336,
Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3025
Fax: (229) 248-3029

The contact information is for the Clerk of Courts office. Juvenile Court is held at the Decatur County Sheriff's Office at 912 Spring Creek Road.

Probate Courts in Decatur County

Probate Court of Decatur County
112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 234,
Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3016
Fax: (229) 248-3863

Magistrate Courts in Decatur County

Decatur County Magistrate Court
912 Spring Creek Road,
Bainbridge, GA 39817
Phone: (229) 248-3014
Fax: (229) 248-3863

Municipal Courts in Decatur County

Municipal Court of Attapulgus
P.O. Box 99, Attapulgus, GA 39815
Phone: (229) 465-3322

Municipal Court of Bainbridge
101 South Broad Street,
Bainbridge, GA 39817
Phone: (229) 243-0132

Municipal Court of Climax
P.O. Box 7, Climax, GA 39834
Phone: (229) 246-0267

Decatur County Criminal and Civil Records

Records from criminal cases, such as felonies and misdemeanors, and civil cases such as divorce, large claims, and domestic matters are available from the superior court. Record seekers may obtain criminal or civil court records from Decatur County by visiting the County or mailing a written request to the county Clerk of the Superior Court at:

Decatur County Clerk of the Superior Court
112 West Water Street,
P.O. Box 336,
Bainbridge, GA 39818

During requests, record seekers may be required to fill out a form or provide information to locate the record, such as party names and case numbers. It is recommended that record seekers call the office at (229) 248-3025 before any visit or request and inquire about the record request procedures, copy fees, and any other information.

Decatur County criminal and civil court records can also be found online using the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) Portal. Users must create an account on the website to use the search tools, and may be required to pay subscription and copy fees.

Decatur County Marriage Records

Record seekers may obtain copies of marriage records from the Decatur County Probate Court. Marriage records in Georgia are typically considered public records, but specific information may be confidential and exempt from public disclosure.

Interested parties may request marriage records in person or by mailing a written request to:

Explanation of the availability of marriage records in Decatur County. Details on the process of obtaining these records in the county.

Decatur County Probate Court
Physical address: 112 West Water Street
Mailing address: P.O. Box 234,
Bainbridge GA 39818

Requesters must provide the full names of the couple, date, and location of the marriage so staff may locate the marriage. Mailed requests should include a phone number or email where the requester can be reached and an address where the request will be sent. Marriage records cost $20 for certified copies when picked up in person and $23 for mailed requests. Payment is accepted in cash, by card in person, and by cashier’s check and money order for mailed requests.

Decatur County Divorce Records

Decatur County divorce records can be obtained from the Decatur County Clerk of the Superior Court. Record seekers may obtain these records by visiting the court in person during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or mailing a written request to the court. The county clerk's office can be reached at:

Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818
Physical Address: Historic Decatur County Courthouse, 112 West Water Street,
Bainbridge, Georgia 39817

To request the divorce records, the requester must provide the case number(if available ), full names of the parties involved, and the date of the divorce. Requesters are advised to call the clerk’s office at (229) 248-3025 to confirm copy fees and request procedures. Divorce records may also be available online using the search tools provided by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) Portal.

Decatur Birth Records

Decatur County can be obtained from the Decatur County Health Department and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Birth records can be used for various reasons, including establishing ethnicity or identity, health insurance applications, and school enrollment. In Georgia, only the following eligible parties may access birth records.

• The registrant on the record
• Immediate family of the registrant (parents, grandparents, spouse, adult child, or sibling)
• Legal guardian or agent
• *

Decatur County birth record requests can be made in person or by mail. During requests, the requester must provide a valid ID showing their relationship with the registrant.

A completed Request For Search of Birth Form must be submitted in person or by mail to any of the following to make a record request.

Decatur County (Health Department)
Vital Records Office
928 South West Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819

State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349

Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for every additional copy. Payment can be made using certified checks and money orders. Cash and credit cards are also accepted during walk-in requests.

Decatur Death Records

Death records can be obtained from the Decatur County Health Department and the Georgia Health Department. Certified death records may be obtained by the immediate family of the deceased(parents, grandparents, spouse, and siblings) or their legal representatives.

Eligible parties may request death certificates by filling out and submitting the Request for Search of Death Record form. The completed form can be mailed or submitted in person to the following locations.

Decatur County (Health Department)
Vital Records Office
928 South West Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819

State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349

Requesters must show a copy of a valid ID from the list on the form in person at the request or include a copy in the mailed request. Decatur death certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Death records can be used for various reasons, including settling inheritance and estates, claiming life insurance or pensions, and for research purposes.

Decatur County Probate Court Records

Decatur County Probate Court records are records concerning the cases heard by the court. These include administration, wills, guardianship/conservatorship of a minor, and adults. Interested parties may obtain records of these cases by contacting the Probate Court at:

Decatur County Probate Court
Physical address: 112 West Water Street
Mailing address: P.O. Box 234,
Bainbridge GA 39818

To inquire about record availability and copy fees, record seekers are advised to contact the court before they visit by calling (229) 248-3016.

Decatur County Property Records

Decatur County property records are records concerning property and business involving property within the county. These records include deeds, mortgages, valuation, assessments, plats, liens, and other similar records. These records can be obtained from the Decatur County Tax Assessor and Clerk of the Superior Court.

Record seekers may obtain records by visiting any of the offices in person or by mailing requests to the following addresses.

Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818
Physical Address: Historic Decatur County Courthouse, 112 West Water Street,
Bainbridge, Georgia 39817

Decatur County Tax Assessor
112 West Water Street,
P.O. Box 1106,
Bainbridge, GA 39818

Record seekers may also look up property records online using the State Index Search and the Assessor Record Search. To make any inquiries, requesters may call (229) 248-3008.

Decatur County Court Records Online

Decatur County court records may all be available online from third-party online websites such as Georgiacourtrecords.us. These websites provide a convenient place to look up and copy court records from the comfort of home. Using a smartphone or any internet-capable device, record seekers may search for Decatur County court records online and save results to the device, typically for a subscription fee. This process has few restrictions and saves time and effort. However, these websites have no government oversight, so the records they provide may be outdated or incorrect. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.