Fannin County Court Records

Court records are produced and preserved to document public office activities (the judiciary in this case), thereby improving the public's understanding of the legal system.

Fannin County court records include various documents such as letters, maps, and books related to the county judiciary's operations. Created and maintained by court officials, these records may originate from the county court clerk's office, the county judge, the prosecuting attorney, and court personnel

Are Court Records Public in Fannin County?

Per Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Fannin County court documents are public records accessible for inspection unless a court order or legal exemption prevents it.

However, some information is exempt from public disclosure and is only privy to authorized persons:

• Legally classified confidential records
• Private data within court records that could violate privacy
• Law enforcement records that reveal sources or methods that can endanger individuals if revealed
• Pending investigation records, excluding initial police reports
• Juror's personal information
• Public officer investigation details for 10 days post-investigation
• Real estate transaction records until completion or termination

Fannin County Court Records Search

Fannin County court records can be accessed through multiple avenues, as all public offices must provide their records to the public. These searches can be conducted at:

• The county court clerk's office
• The courthouse where the case was managed
• Online via third-party record custodians

Record searches can be initiated through in-person requests during business hours, online, by mail, phone, or fax requests sent to the records custodian.

Note that custodians may require fees and specific application formats for record preparation, charged at a minimal rate based on the request's nature and volume.

Fannin County Courts

The courts in Fannin County include the following, with varying jurisdictions:

Superior Court: Handles general trial cases and hears appeals from lower courts.

Location:
Fannin County Courthouse
400 West Main Street
Suite 100
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-2039
Fax: (706) 258-5250

Probate Court: Oversees wills, estates, adult involuntary hospitalizations, misdemeanor cases (when no state court is present), fish and game law violations, and traffic cases.

Location:
Fannin County Courthouse
400 West Main Street
Suite 204
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-3011
Fax: (706) 632-7167

Juvenile Court: Deals with delinquent children under 17 (sometimes 18), sharing jurisdiction with the Superior Court in capital felonies, child support, custody, and parental rights termination.

Location:
Fannin County Courthouse
400 West Main Street
Suite 100
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-2039
Fax: (706) 258-5250

Magistrate Court: Possesses limited civil (up to $15,000, excluding landlord-tenant actions) and criminal jurisdiction. Handles:

• Civil: Claims arbitration (up to $15,000), abandoned vehicles, contempt punishments (fines up to $200 or 10 days imprisonment), subpoenas, and summons
• Criminal: Arrest and search warrants, bond settings, extraditions, criminal trespass, underage alcohol offenses, and misdemeanor deposit account fraud

Location:
Fannin County Courthouse
400 West Main Street
Suite 202
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-2039
Fax: (706) 632-8236

Municipal Courts: Serve incorporated municipalities, addressing ordinance violations, issuing criminal warrants, and hearing misdemeanor cases like shoplifting and marijuana possession.

Location:
Municipal Court of Blue Ridge
480 West 1st Street
Suite 202
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-2091
Fax: (706) 632-3278

Municipal Court of McCaysville
Suite 223
Blue Ridge Drive
McCaysville, GA 30555
Phone: (706) 492-4921

Fannin County Criminal and Civil Records

Fannin County criminal records document criminal activities within the county, while civil records report non-criminal disputes addressed by the court. To locate either type of record, researchers should be aware of certain information.

Custodians: Fannin criminal records are held by law enforcement agencies, while civil records are preserved by the judicial system, specifically the clerk's office. The court also provides criminal indictments.

Law enforcement includes federal, state, and local agencies. Requesters can access Fannin criminal records, including Fannin arrest records and court proceedings, at all levels of law enforcement agencies. Since this is possible, an inquirer can begin their search at the Sheriff’s office. Furthermore, the office provides access to Fannin County arrest records to those who need them.

Requirements: Both Fannin County criminal and civil records are governed by the Open Records Law, allowing public access. To obtain a record, one needs to provide details such as the name on the record or a case number for civil records. Also, fees may apply for requesting copies.

Procedure: To retrieve a criminal or civil case record, individuals should contact the appropriate agency responsible for the record. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person, depending on the agency. As both types of records are public, requesters can complete and submit the open request form to the relevant custodian.

Fannin County Marriage Records

Fannin County vital records, including marriage certificates, are considered confidential as per G.A.R. 511-1-3-.33.

The Probate Court acts as the custodian of these records, managing all requests. Individuals authorized by law may obtain Fannin County marriage certificates and records dating from August 1996 to the present from this court or from any county court that issued the certificate.

Marriage records serve as proof of name changes, as well as for purposes related to divorce, legitimation, and research.

Requests for Fannin County marriage records can be submitted in person, by mail, or via fax to the county probate court clerk’s office. A non-refundable search fee of $10 is required upon request, and if the record is located, there is an additional fee of $5 for each copy requested.

Fannin County Divorce Records

Similar to Fannin marriage records, divorce records are classified as Fannin County vital records and are managed by the same custodian. Consequently, access to these documents is restricted. Individuals involved in the case, as well as others with legal authority, may request a Fannin divorce certificate or record from the court. The requester must provide the necessary details to locate the record and pay the required fee.

Fannin County Birth Records

Birth records serve various purposes, including establishing identity, tax reporting, school enrollment, applying for a driver's license, and obtaining health insurance.

Fannin County birth certificates are classified as vital records, managed by both the probate court and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). The DPH’s vital records department oversees all birth records in the state.

Birth records from 1919 are obtainable from DPH, while records before 1919 are maintained by the state archives or the county.

To obtain a Fannin County birth certificate, individuals are required to pay a fee determined by the custodian. The probate court charges $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy requested. Payments can be made in cash or by check; debit and credit cards are not accepted.

Requests for birth records can be submitted in person at the custodian's office, by mail, or via fax. Orders can also be placed through the approved third-party vendor online.

It is essential to note that Fannin County birth certificates are issued only to direct legal representatives or immediate family members of the certificate holder, requiring identification and proof upon request.

Fannin County Death Records

Fannin death records fall under the category of vital records, with the Office of the County Clerk and the Department of Public Health (DPH) serving as the official custodians. The process for obtaining death records or certificates in the county is parallel to that for birth records.

These vital records are accessible to authorized individuals for a fee of $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy requested.

To claim certain benefits related to a deceased individual, presenting the death certificate is the necessary documentation required.

Fannin County Probate Court Records

Probate court records are created and managed by the county probate court clerk. They include all cases adjudicated by the probate court, including marriage and divorce records, as well as cases related to the probate of wills, estates, fish and game law violations, traffic violations, and more. Fannin County probate court records are held by the Fannin County court clerk's office, which provides public access upon request.

The Fannin County probate court also doubles as the custodian for vital records. Requests for probate court records can be made in person or through online, mail, or fax submissions to the probate court clerk's office. Please note that there may be fees associated with these requests.

Fannin County Property Records

The clerk of the Superior Court in Fannin records and distributes documents pertinent to properties within the county, including deeds, plats, and liens. The court’s Real Estate department manages these records.

Individuals looking to conduct a property search can visit the court in person or send a written inquiry. Fortunately, since property records are typically considered public, anyone is entitled to make a request.

Fannin County Court Records Online

Georgiacourtrecords.us is an example of a third-party site that offers access to Fannin court records. Such sites are typically preliminary and not government-operated; they often function as commercial entities. Nevertheless, many of these platforms do offer complimentary searches for users.

Using these sites can be advantageous due to the convenience they provide, including remote access and simple interfaces. However, they also come with drawbacks, such as the risk of retrieving outdated records.