Paulding County Court Records

Paulding County court records are official documents containing information about legal proceedings conducted in courts. The office of the Clerk of Superior Court collects and maintains them. These records include criminal proceedings, civil cases, real estate documents, and other related records.

Court records play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the judicial system. As official documentation of legal proceedings, they allow the public to understand how legal decisions are made. Many entities rely on these records to conduct background checks or investigate issues of public interest. Court records also promote fairness in the judicial system by setting a legal precedent that attorneys and judges can rely on to make consistent decisions.

A Paulding court record will typically include the case number details, docket information, information of the parties involved, court rulings, schedules, evidence presented to support a case, and whether the case is civil or criminal.

Are Court Records Public in Paulding County?

Yes. Court records in Paulding County are generally considered public records and open for public inspection per Georgia's Open Records Act (G.O.R.A.). According to the Open Records Act, members of the public can inspect or make copies of court records by submitting a request (in person or online) to the Paulding County Clerk of Courts office.

However, certain records in Paulding County may be sealed or exempted from public access due to legal or privacy reasons. Law enforcement records in pending investigations, jury data, and individual motor vehicle accident reports are also exempted under Georgia's law.

Paulding County Court Records Search

The primary resource for the public to search for Paulding County Court Records is the Paulding County Superior Court office website or office. Other valuable resources for accessing court records in Paulding County include:

• Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (G.S.C.C.C.A.)
• Paulding County Clerk of Courts (for court records and case searchers)
• Paulding County Probate Court (for records related to estates, wills, and guardianship)
• Paulding County Sheriff's Office (for law enforcement-related records, e.g., arrest logs)
• Third-party public record websites

Individuals seeking access to Paulding County court records should note that the court may require a nominal fee to make certified copies of court records. Moreover, the Court Clerk or the Sheriff's office may require a written submission to process a request.

Most records related to civil cases, criminal proceedings, and other legal filings, such as real estate documents, can be accessed online. However, for certain records unavailable online, inquirers may need to visit the courthouse or Clerk's office in person.

Paulding County Courts

The court system in Paulding County mirrors the Georgia state court system and comprises several different courts, each handling various types of cases. The Paulding County court system consists of the Superior Court, which has general jurisdiction over all kinds of cases, the Magistrate Court, the Probate Court, the Juvenile Court, the State Court, and the Municipal Court. The addresses and contact information of the courthouse locations in Paulding county are as follows:

Paulding County Superior Court
280 Constitution Boulevard
Room 1023
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7527

Paulding County Magistrate Court
280 Constitution Boulevard
First Floor - Room 1109
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7533

Paulding County Probate Court
280 Constitution Boulevard
Room 2009
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7541

Paulding County Juvenile Court
280 Constitution Boulevard
Room: 2106
Dallas, Georgia 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7532

Paulding County State Court
280 Constitution Blvd
Room 3132
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7536

It is important to note that some cities (e.g., the City of Dallas) within Paulding County may have their own Municipal Courts that handle violations of city ordinances, misdemeanors, and traffic infractions.

Paulding County Criminal Records

Criminal records, also known as summary criminal history or rap sheets, are official documents detailing the criminal activities of an individual convicted of a crime. Paulding County arrest records and criminal records are primarily maintained by the Paulding County Sheriff's Office and other relevant state agencies. These records include information related to arrests, criminal charges, warrants, convictions, and jail records if the individual was incarcerated within Georgia.

In Paulding County, criminal records are generally accessible to the public per the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 35-3-34. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal records are not accessible to the public except in cases of felony convictions. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 (d.2) allows public access to felony conviction records and does not require the consent of the person whose record is being requested.

Members of the public and their designees can request criminal history records, which often contain the subject's identification data, including their date of birth, social security number, race, etc. Businesses, employers, or other third parties who wish to access an individual's criminal record in Paulding County would need to complete a form requiring the signed consent of the subject whose criminal record is being sought. Juvenile and criminal records that are sealed or expunged are typically not accessible to the public.

Accessing Paulding County Criminal Records

Interested members of the public may request Paulding County criminal records from the Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Crime Information Center (G.C.I.C.), the County Clerk of Courts, the F.B.I., or third-party online databases.

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining and providing the criminal history records of individuals in the County. Paulding County residents may request their criminal records by obtaining and completing a consent form at the Sheriff's Office at:

Paulding County Sheriff's Office
180 Constitution Boulevard
Dallas, Georgia 30132

Requesters typically need to provide valid proof of identity in the form of a Driver's License, Georgia Photo ID, or social security card. Suppose the requester is a business, employer, or a third party seeking to obtain another person's criminal history record. In that case, the Sheriff's office requires the subject to come to the office and fill out a consent form. Eligible parties requesting a criminal record from the Sheriff's Office must also pay a $10 fee - if they live or work in Paulding County. If you do not reside in the County, you must pay $20. These fees are only payable in cash. Information about inmates and current jail records are also publicly available to the public and can be accessed via the inmate inquiry tool available on the Sheriff's Office website.

The G.C.I.C., a division of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), maintains a centralized criminal records database for criminal convictions in Georgia. The G.C.I.C. provides fingerprint-based criminal record checks, and inquirers may request a full criminal background check using the online Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) or schedule an appointment for record inspection. Requesters may call (404) 244-2639 to book an appointment.

The Paulding County Clerk of Courts also provides access to court-related criminal records handled in the Superior Court. These records typically include details on charges, trial outcomes, and sentences.

Generally, to access criminal records in Paulding County, Georgia, inquirers typically need to:

• Submit a request by contacting the Sheriff's Office (for name-based search) or use the G.C.I.C.'s (for fingerprint-based search) service to request criminal records.
• Provide necessary identification details and consent where applicable.
• Pay the associated processing fee.

Get Paulding County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Paulding County are documents related to non-criminal legal proceedings such as property cases, financial disputes, contract breaches, divorce, custody, and other civil matters. These records contain court notices, transcripts, schedules, and court decisions. Civil court records in Paulding County are governed by Georgia's Open Records Act (G.O.R.A.) and are primarily accessible to the public via the Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court's office. Interested persons may access basic case information or court calendars using the online portal provided by the Paulding County Superior Court. However, to access full civil court records, they may need to visit the Paulding County Clerk of Courts office in person at 280 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1023, Dallas, GA 30132. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

When seeking information about a civil court record (online or offline), requesters typically need to provide the following:

• Case information such as case number, party names, or other specific details about the case;
• Valid ID for requests that require obtaining certified true copies;
• Associated fees for copying or certification. The fees are often nominal and may vary based on the type and volume of the requested document.

Members of the public can also access Paulding County's civil court records via the Georgia Judicial Gateway's E-Access platform. To use the E-Access portal, users must locate and select "Paulding Superior" and then register an account or sign in (if they are already users) to access information about civil cases.

Paulding County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Paulding County are issued, maintained, and accessible to the public through the Paulding County Probate Court Vital Records Office. These records detail information about legal marriages that occurred within the County and are important for proving marital status or completing name changes.

Marriage records are generally available to the public, and interested parties can obtain copies from the Paulding County Probate Court. The court can provide both certified and uncertified copies of marriage records, depending on the requesting party's need. Marriage records in Paulding County can be requested by the individuals involved in the marriage (Bride and groom) or by third parties. However, certified copies of the marriage application are usually restricted to the Bride or Groom.

Members of the public can obtain marriage records in Paulding County through in-person requests at the Probate Court, via mail, or through the County's online service. For in-person requests, visit the Paulding County Probate Court to request and pick up a copy of a marriage record. For third parties requesting a certified copy of a marriage license or application, information like the couple's birth dates and the mother's maiden name will be redacted.

For mail requests, inquirers will need to complete a Marriage Verification Request Form downloadable from the Vital Records website and mail the completed form to the Paulding County Vital Records Office:

Paulding County (Probate Court)
Vital Records Office
280 Constitution Boulevard
Room 2009
Dallas, GA 30132

Obtaining a certified copy of a marriage record costs $10 in Paulding County. When requesting marriage records via mail, the requesting party will need to provide information to facilitate the search, including the full names of the couples at the time of marriage, the date and location of the marriage, and a money order payable to Paulding County Probate Court. Additionally, marriage records can also be requested and accessed in person or via mail from:

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

Paulding County Divorce Records

The County's Superior Court Clerk manages and maintains divorce records in Paulding County. These records often detail the legal dissolution of a marriage, custody arrangements, and other court decisions granted in the County. Divorce records in Paulding County are accessible to the public under Georgia's Open Records Act. However, certain confidential information (e.g., details about minors) may be restricted from the public.

Requests for Paulding County divorce records must go through the County's Superior Court. Requests can be made in person, via mail, or online through the G.S.C.C.C.A. Records Search.

For in-person requests:

• Visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 280 Constitution Blvd, Dallas, GA.
• Provide a valid I.D.
• Provide necessary information about both parties involved in the divorce, such as their full names and date, if known.
• Pay the applicable fee. The Clerk's Office can provide certified and uncertified copies, but certified copies will likely cost more.

For mail requests, inquirers must submit a written request to the Paulding County Clerk of Superior Courts. Any applicable fee should accompany the request, which should include relevant details like the names of both parties, dates, and case number, if known. The request should be mailed to:

Paulding County Superior Court Clerk
280 Constitution Blvd
Dallas, GA.

Divorce records can be searched and requested online via the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (G.S.C.C.C.A.). The State Office of Vital Records also partners with third-party sites, which allow inquirers to access divorce records related to its jurisdiction.

Paulding County Birth and Death Records

Paulding County birth and death records are vital personal, legal, and financial documents. These documents are often used to verify identity, claim insurance benefits, and settle estates. Authorized and Certified copies of Paulding County birth and death records are available in person, online, and via mail through the Paulding County Health Department, Paulding County Probate Court, or the State Office of Vital Records. Access to birth records in Paulding County is restricted to the individual named in the record, immediate family members, and the family's legal representatives.

To request a birth or death record by mail, fill out the appropriate request form and mail it to:

Paulding County Probate Court office
280 Constitution Blvd.,
Room 2009
Dallas, GA 30132

Mail queries should be sent along with a copy of a valid I.D. and a money order for the correct amount. In Paulding County, it costs $25 to obtain an initial certified copy of a birth or death certificate, while additional copies cost $5 each. Inquirers may also access birth and death records using the State of Georgia's online service ROVER and third-party online repositories.

Paulding County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Paulding County detail information about legal proceedings related to the administration of estates, guardianships, wills, weapon licenses, vital records (birth, death, and marriage), and other probate-related cases. Probate court records are essential for legal settlements, appointments, and execution of wills.

The Paulding County Probate Court maintains Paulding County probate court records and is generally accessible to the public. However, certain records, such as those related to minors, incapacitated adults, mental health, and sealed cases, may be restricted from the public.

Inquirers seeking to access a probate court record in Paulding County may visit the County's Probate Court in person and formally request the desired record. The Probate Court can provide both certified and uncertified copies depending on your need. Persons unable to visit the court in person may request probate records via mail.

Regardless of the option used, inquirers will need to provide:

• A copy of a valid identity card
• Information about the subject and case, such as full name and case number, if known
• Details about the specific record you are interested in, your contact information, and mailing address (for mail requests)
• Pay any applicable fees.

Paulding County Property Records

Property records, also known as title records, are legal documents detailing information related to land or real estate transactions. They are accessible to the public per the provisions of the Georgia Open Records Act. The Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court and the Paulding County Board of Tax Assessors' Office maintain property records in Paulding County.

The county Clerk of the Superior Court is responsible for maintaining records related to property deeds, mortgages, and real estate documents. Inquirers can access these records by visiting the Clerk's Office. They will need to provide important information about the property, including the property address, the transaction date, and the parties' names. For additional information, contact the Clerk's Office at (770) 443-7527.

The Paulding County Board of Tax Assessors' Office provides an online property record search tool for accessing property records in Paulding County.

Paulding County Court Records Online

Third-party sites like Georgiacourtrecords.us offer online access to Paulding County court records, offering information seekers and the general public a convenient way to obtain information about civil, criminal, probate, property, and other legal proceedings.

An advantage of third-party online search tools is that individuals seeking information can access a comprehensive database of public records all in one place since these websites often aggregate public records from various states, departments, and agencies in the U.S., including Paulding County. Some third-party platforms offer instant access to public records and provide customer support services. However, while official county and State websites offer free or nominal access to court records, third-party websites may charge significantly higher fees for detailed reports or require some form of subscription before you can access specific records. It is important to note that third-party websites cannot access sealed, expunged, or restricted court records like official Paulding County platforms.