Grady County Court Records

Grady County court records are official documentation of judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records are essential for attorneys, researchers, and the general public, providing insights into court actions. Maintained by the clerk of the respective court where each case was filed, Grady County court records typically include:

• Case and party information
• Filed motions and pleadings
• Court orders and final judgments
• Hearing transcripts and proceedings
• Charges, claims, or legal allegations

Are Court Records Public in Grady County?

Yes. Grady County public records, including court records, are publicly accessible under the Georgia Open Records Act. This allows individuals to review or obtain copies of court records, barring any restriction imposed by statute or court rule. One such rule limiting public access is Rule 21 of the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules. The following records are typically exempt from public disclosure in Grady County:

• Grand jury proceedings
• Adoption and termination of parental rights records
• Certain guardianship and probate records
• Juvenile court records
• Mental health records
• Protective order records
• Sensitive personal identifiers, including Social Security and financial account numbers

Grady County Court Records Search

Interested persons may obtain a Grady County in these respective ways:

• Going to the court where the case was handled
• Searching the court’s online case management portal
• Searching third-party websites

Grady County Courts

Grady County is served by multiple courts, including the Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Court. Additionally, the county has municipal courts that handle minor misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and city ordinance violations. The courthouses in Grady County include:

Grady County Courthouse
250 North Broad Street
Cairo, Georgia 39828
Phone: (229) 377-2912

Whigham Municipal Court
126 East Broad Avenue
Whigham, Georgia 39897
Phone: (229) 762-4215

Cairo Municipal Court
119 North Broad Street
Cairo, Georgia 39828
Phone: (229) 377-1722

Grady County Criminal and Civil Records

Grady County criminal records are maintained by both the Sheriff’s Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. Grady County arrest records are primarily held by the Sheriff, while court records related to criminal cases are handled by the courts, mainly the Superior and State Courts. The Magistrate Court also has limited jurisdiction over minor offenses and preliminary proceedings in the county.

Civil court records, on the other hand, cover disputes such as contracts, personal injury claims, property issues, family law, and small claims. These records are available through the Superior, Magistrate, or Probate Courts, depending on the case type.

To access criminal and civil records, individuals may visit the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office and provide identifying details about the record, such as a name or case number. Copying fees may apply when making a request. Alternatively, individuals can use the Clerk of Court’s Case Search feature to search for civil and criminal records.

Grady County Marriage Records

Grady County marriage records provide proof of a marital union and are maintained by the county’s Probate Court, which also issues marriage licenses. Persons seeking to obtain a Grady County marriage certificate may visit the Probate Court. However, marriage certificates are only obtainable by the couple. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $10, with each additional copy requested together costing $5.

Grady County Divorce Records

Grady County divorce records are public and available through the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office. To request a record, individuals must provide the clerk with the name of at least one party involved in the case and, if known, the divorce date. A valid ID may be required, along with applicable copying fees if a physical copy is requested. Divorce records can also be accessed through the Clerk of Superior Court’s Case Search portal.

Grady County Birth Records

Birth records are documents used to verify an individual’s age and identity. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-25(e), birth records in Georgia are not public for 125 years after birth. During this time, access is restricted to the person named on the record, their immediate family, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives.

Grady County birth records are kept by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Office, which maintains all vital records statewide, including Grady County vital records. Residents can request a birth certificate by visiting the local Health Department office or by mailing a completed Request for Search of Birth form to the department. The mailing address is:

1030 4th Street Southeast
Cairo, GA 39828

The cost for a Grady County birth certificate is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Mail-in requests must include a copy of the requester’s valid photo ID along with payment by money order or certified check.

Grady County Death Records

Death records in Grady County are maintained by the State Office of Vital Records. According to Georgia law, death records remain confidential for 100 years after the date of death. During this restricted period, only the deceased person's immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a valid court order may access these records.

Residents may obtain a death certificate by visiting the Grady County Health Department in person or by mailing a completed Request for Search of Death Record form to their office. The fees for death certificates are identical to those for birth records in the county.

Grady County Probate Court Records

The Grady County Probate Court is primarily responsible for handling probate matters in the county. These matters include guardianships, conservatorships, wills, and estate proceedings. Inquirers can obtain a probate record at the Grady County courthouse for a fee, provided the record is not confidential under state law or by court order.

Grady County Property Records

Grady County property records contain information about all properties located within the county. These records are maintained by both the Clerk of Court and the Tax Assessor's Office, with each office handling different types of documents. The Clerk of Court maintains deeds, liens, court filings, and real estate documents, while the Tax Assessor oversees property appraisal records, ownership information, and parcel maps.

Residents may access property records either in person at the respective offices or online through the Clerk's Search portal or the Tax Assessor's Search Records portal.

Grady County Court Records Online

Individuals can search for Grady County court records online through third-party websites such as Georgiacourtrecords.us. These platforms allow users to remotely search court records for convenience, typically using a name or case number as search criteria. After a search, basic information in the record may be available for free, a fee might be required for full access. When using third-party websites, individuals should be aware that the information retrieved may contain inaccuracies and might not match official court records.