Douglas County Court Records

Per O.C.G.A. § 50-18-91, a Georgia court record refers to all materials such as papers, letters, documents, books, microfilm, maps, and magnetic tape created or received in relation to a judicial proceeding. These records provide official documentation of judicial proceedings and decisions and serve as evidence of what transpired during a case. Court records are often used in background checks for various purposes, such as employment and housing. This helps employers and landlords verify potential employees' and renters’ legal history and character.

The clerk of the court where the case was heard officially keeps these records. Most Clerks disseminate court records online and in person to members of the public. Public access to court records promotes accountability and transparency within the judicial system. This access allows citizens to observe and understand the workings of the courts. Record seekers tend to find the following information in a court record:

• Case detail (case number, style, type and status, judge’s name, filing date, disposition stage and code)
• Party information (name, party type, service date and type, and answer date)
• Attorney information (name and representing party)
• proceeding/events (date, court date, type, and image)
• Charges (charge number, violation code, offense, offense date, disposed on, disposition method and stage, arrest date, felony/misdemeanor)
• Sentencing (sentence date, sentence, base fine, total due, years, month, days, and hours)

Are Court Records Public in Douglas County?

Yes. The Georgia Open Records Act permits public inspection and copying of court records, except those specifically exempted from disclosure by court order or by law. Therefore, anyone can request court records from any court in Douglas County during business hours. However, some court records are exempted from public disclosure. Confidential court records in Douglas County include:

• Medical records
• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Confidential attorney work product
• Attorney-client privilege communications
• Court records included in pending investigation or prosecution of criminal or unlawful activity
• Records relating to weapons carry licenses maintained by a judge of the Probate Court
• Jury list data such as persons' names, addresses, gender, ages, race, dates of birth, telephone numbers, and social security numbers
• Records that reveal a person’s social security number, credit or debit card information, account number, utility account number, account password, bank account information, and financial information.

Douglas County Court Records Search

Douglas County residents majorly conduct court records searches using the following means:

• Online through the Web Search portal
• In-person at the court where the case was heard
• Online through third-party databases

Douglas County Court Records Search by Name

Individuals can search name-based court records online via the Web Search and eSearch portals. A last name must be entered in the appropriate search field to view the desired records for free. The search will return case information of all case parties with the searched name. Expand any case to view more information on it. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the court where the case was heard to find court records. The record staff will require a last, first, or middle name to process the request. Copies of records attract a small fee.

Douglas County Courts

The Douglas County court system has six trial courts: the Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal courts. Below are the addresses of all courts in Douglas County:

Douglas County Courthouse
8700 Hospital Drive
3rd Floor, Judicial Side
Douglasville, GA 30134

Douglasville Municipal Court
Douglasville Public Safety Building
2083 Fairburn Road
Douglasville, GA 30135
Phone: (678) 293-1858
Email: dvillemunicourt@douglasvillega.gov

Austell Municipal Court
5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road
Suite 175
Austell, Georgia 30106
Phone: (770) 944-4304
Fax: (770) 944-9173

Villa Rica Municipal Court
Holt-Bishop Justice Center
101 Main Street
Villa Rica, GA 30180

Douglas County Superior Court Case Search

The Douglas County Superior Court has broad jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. It provides free online access to records through the Web Search portal. Public users can either click the civil or criminal search links to find desired records. The search criteria include case number, party name, alias, citation, CSE number, or filing date. Check the “Superior Civil” or “Superior Court” box to streamline the search. Criminal and civil records before 1971 can be accessed through the eSearch portal. Users must select the case type to streamline the search and enter a last name in the search field.

Individuals can also visit the Superior Court from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The record staff will ask for a name or case number to process the request. The clerk charges a fee for copies of a record. Uncertified copies of Superior Court records without assistance from the clerk cost $0.50 per page, while records with assistance cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2.50, and each additional copy cost $0.50.

Douglas County District Court Records

The Douglas County court system comprises a Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal courts. The District Court is excluded, making it impossible for inquirers to conduct District Court searches. All court records can be obtained from the available court in the county. Most court records are available online, but in-person searches are also possible.

Douglas County Criminal Records

Individuals can find criminal records (background checks) at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Copies can be retrieved in person at the Sherrif’s Office Records Division from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The requester must provide a government-issued picture ID, date of birth, name, race, sex, and Social Security Number. Criminal record requests must be made before 4:30 p.m., costing $20. The Sheriff’s Office Record Division is located at:

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
8470 Earl D. Lee Blvd.
Douglasville, GA 30134
Phone: (770) 920-4920
Fax: (770) 920-3927
Email: records@sheriff.douglas.ga.us

Record seekers can also find Douglas County arrest records at the Sheriff’s Office. The Records Division issues arrest reports over 60 days old by phone at (770) 920-4920. Arrest records less than 60 days old are available online through the Inmate Search portal.

Douglas County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Douglas County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over criminal cases involving felonies and misdemeanors. Individuals can conduct criminal court case lookups online or in person from the Clerk of Court. Online requests can be made using the Criminal Search link on the Web Search Portal. A search can be conducted by case number, name, alias, citation, and filing date. In-person requests can be made during business hours. The Clerk will need information on the desired record to conduct the search. Copies of criminal court records will not be released until appropriate fees have been paid. Uncertified copies of criminal records cost $0.50 or $1 per page, depending on whether the requester was assisted with the search. Certified copies cost $2.50, and each additional copy cost $0.50.

Get Douglas County Civil Court Records

Douglas County residents commonly get civil court records online on the Superior Court website. The Court has a Web Search Portal that provides free access to civil court information. Click the Civil Search link and conduct a search by case number, party name, CSE number, or filing date.

Alternatively, record seekers can obtain copies of civil court records onsite at the court where the case was heard. This service attracts a fee ranging from $0.50 to $1 per page, depending on whether the clerk assisted with the search. Certified copies cost $2.50, and each additional copy cost $0.50.

Douglas County Family Court Records

The Douglas County Superior Court has jurisdiction over domestic relations cases, including legitimation, divorce, equitable division of assets and liabilities, alimony, child custody and support, annulment, paternity actions, and termination of parental rights in connection with adoption proceedings. Records of these cases can be retrieved online through the Web Search Portal. Click the Civil Search link and proceed to enter a search criteria in the appropriate field. Then, check the “Domestic or Child Support” box to view only family cases. Alternatively, requesters can visit the courthouse during business hours to obtain copies of family court records. The Clerk will require basic case information and the appropriate fees before issuing the records.

Douglas Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records are available at the Douglas County Superior Court for a small fee. The Court accepts requests from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The requester must provide a search criteria to conduct the search. Individuals who cannot visit the courthouse can search for records online. Enter a case number, party name, CSE number, or filing date in the search portal and view the record for free.

Douglas County Marriage and Divorce Records

Divorce and marriage records are part of Douglas County public records. Individuals can find Douglas County marriage certificates online, by mail, or in person at the Probate Court. If purchased simultaneously, copies of marriage certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional record. Mail requests attract an additional $1 mailing fee. Copies of marriage requests can be retrieved online through a third-party site. The copies will be delivered by mail, costing an extra $10 for priority mail and $31 for priority express. Alternatively, requesters can use the Georgia Probate Records (marriage license) portal to find Douglas County marriage records for free. Go to the county search field and select “Douglas” from the dropdown. The search criteria are as follows: Applicant 1 name (the groom), applicant 2 name (bride), issued date, recorded date, or marriage date. All requests are processed from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The processing time is between 3 and 5 business days.

Individuals can also request marriage records online, by mail, or in person at the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office. Mail requesters must send a completed Request for Search of Marriage Form, required supporting documents, and payment to the office. A search fee of $10 applies to all marriage record requests and an extra $5 per copy for additional copies.

Divorce records are available online and in person to the public at the Douglas County Superior Court. Online requests can be made by clicking the Civil Search link on the Web Search portal. A search can be conducted by case number, party name, CSE number, or filing date. Check the “Domestic” box to streamline the search. Divorce records that are unavailable online can be found in person at the courthouse. All visitations should be made during business hours. Provide the record staff a name or divorce date and pay the necessary fees when the record is found.

Douglas Birth and Death Records

Certified copies of birth and death certificates are confidential documents in Douglas County. They are only issued to applicants with a direct and tangible interest in the registrant. The following individuals are eligible to obtain copies of Douglas County birth and death records:

• The registrant (applicable to only Douglas County birth certificate)
• Parents, grandparents, legal guardian, spouse, adult child and adult sibling
• An attorney
• Personal representative of the registrant's estate
• State/federal government official

Record seekers may request Douglas County vital records (birth and death) online, by mail, and in person at the Probate Court’s office. Copies of the first record cost $25, and each additional copy cost $5 if purchased simultaneously. Applicants can also pay $25 for the clerk to help search for a birth or death certificate if they are not sure the records are available or ready to be released. All requests are processed from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The processing time is between 3 and 5 business days. Online requests are delivered by mail, attracting an extra $10 for priority mail and $31 for priority express. Death records can also be viewed online for free via the Death Index. Go to the county search field and select “Douglas” from the dropdown. The search parameters are by name or date added. Mail requesters must provide the following information/documents, a signature witnessed by a Notary Public, and a money order along with a return address:

• A valid photo ID
• The record holder/deceased’s full name,
• The registrant’s birth/death date and place
• The registrant's father’s full name and mother’s full maiden name (for Douglas County birth record only)
• Relationship with the registrant/decedent
• The number of copies

Interested individuals can also find Douglas County birth and death records from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. Requests can be made online through a third-party vendor, by mail, or in person. Mail requesters must send a completed Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918) or Death Record (Form 3912), applicable fees, and photocopy of ID to the office. Mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process. The vital records charge similar fees as the Probate Court. In-person requests can be made from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The office is located at:

Georgia Department of Public Health
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349

Douglas County Probate Court Records

The Douglas County Probate Court has original jurisdiction over probate cases like a deceased person’s wills and estates. It maintains probate court records from the late 1800s. The public can access such records online through the Georgia Probate Records portal. Go to the county search field and select “Douglas” from the dropdown. Then, a search can be conducted by the deceased name, deceased date, or filing date. Alternatively, interested persons can visit the Probate Court to access records from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The record staff will provide the requester with a form to complete that would help locate the desired record.

Douglas County Property Records

The Douglas County Appraisal Office partners with a third-party vendor to freely issue property records online to members of the public. Individuals can search the portal by owner name, location address, parcel number, real key/ account number, or legal information. Alternatively, record seekers can appear at the office during business hours to request property records. A name or parcel number will be required to facilitate the search. Copies of property records attract a small fee. The office is located at:

Douglas County Appraisal
6200 Fairburn Road
Second Floor, Annex Building
Douglasville, GA 30134
Phone: (770) 920-7228

The Douglas County Tax Commissioner's Office provides property tax information online and in person. Online requests can be made by using the Douglas County Maps. The search parameters are owner, parcel number, property address, real key, or subdivision. Individuals who cannot find property tax records online can visit the office during business hours to submit a request. Contact the office by phone at (770) 920-7272, fax at (678) 449-3932, or by email at dctccomments@douglascountyga.gov for more information on property record requests.

The Douglas County Superior Court also maintains real estate records, such as deeds and mortgages. The court issues property records online through the eSearch portal. Users can search by name, property, book/page, or date range.

Douglas County Court Records Online

Several third-party vendors make court records available for public perusal through their online database. The most popular site to get this service is georgiacourtrecords.us, where users can search for court records by name or case number. The portal returns the basic court information without charges, but extensive searches attract a small fee.