Pierce County Court Records

Pierce County court records document all legal matters that arise within the county's jurisdiction. They are created and managed by the county court system and typically include case information, filings, motions, and judgments. These documents are products of civil, probate, family, and criminal cases. Criminal case files may include some aspects of Pierce County arrest records.

Are Court Records Public in Pierce County?

Yes. According to the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules, Rule 21, most court records in Pierce County are available for public inspection unless explicitly sealed by judicial directive or restricted by law. For example, personal identifying information, such as Social Security and bank account numbers, is redacted from records before release. Additionally, juvenile records, medical records, and records of ongoing investigations are exempt from public access.

Pierce County Court Records Search

The Clerk of Superior Court in Pierce County handles court documents for the superior, state, and juvenile courts within the county. Records from the magistrate and probate courts are maintained by clerks of the respective courts. Consequently, interested parties can approach the relevant court clerk to request records. Individuals can also utilize the statewide E-Access tool or third-party databases to search for Pierce County court records online.

Pierce County Courts

Pierce County operates a multi-tiered judicial system. The superior court handles the more serious cases, including felonies and divorces. The state court has limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors and civil cases. The magistrate court deals with small claims, while the probate court presides over wills, estates, and guardianships. Finally, the cities of Blackshear and Patterson maintain municipal courts that enforce local city laws and ordinances.

Below is a list of contact information for Pierce County courts.

County Courts

Pierce County Superior Court
3550 West Highway 84
P.O. Box 588
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2020
Fax: (912) 449-2106

Pierce County State Court
3550 West Highway 84
P.O. Box 588
Blackshear, GA 31516

Pierce County Probate Court
3550 West Highway 84
Suite 1
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2029

Pierce County Magistrate Court
3550 West Highway 84
Suite 2
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2027
Fax: (912) 449-2103

Pierce County Criminal and Civil Records

Apart from approaching the clerks of superior court and other lower courts in the county, one can obtain Pierce County criminal records, including Pierce County arrest records, by submitting a signed consent form with the Georgia Crime Information Center. The form requires the record subject's full name, age, sex, and date of birth.

Civil court records are available online through the E-Access portal or through the relevant clerk's office.

To request records, requesters are generally required to furnish a case number, name, or other identifying detail to facilitate a search. A fee applies for copies: 50 cents per page for reproduction, and $5 for each certified true copy.

Pierce County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Pierce County are obtainable from the local clerk of the probate court.

3550 West Highway 84
Suite 1
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2029

For records of marriages between June 1952 and November 1996, requesters can also fill out the required application form and mail it along with a valid ID and money order/certified check to:

Georgia State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702

Applicants will need to pay the search fee, which is typically $10, inclusive of one certified copy. There is a $5 surcharge for each additional copy thereafter.

Pierce County Divorce Records

The local superior court is the custodian of Pierce County divorce records. Applicants can mail requests to the office or visit during regular business hours. The request process requires a valid ID along with the case number or the full name of a case party. Payment is 50 cents for a plain copy and an extra $5 for each certified copy. Requests can be made to:

3550 Highway 84
P.O. Box 588
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2020
Fax: (912) 449-2106

Electronic certified copies are available online through the E-Access portal.

Pierce Birth Records

The Pierce County Probate Court and the Georgia DPH State Office of Vital Records maintain birth records for Pierce County. Based on state law, this type of record is highly restricted and available only to the following:

• The registrant (the child named on the document)
• The parents/legal guardians of the registrant
• The registrant's legal spouse, eligible children, siblings, or grandparents
• Approved legal representatives

All applications require a valid photo ID and documented proof of relationship. The Request for Search of Birth Form may be completed and submitted by mail or in person at the following location:

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

Payment is $25 inclusive of one certified copy, and $5 each for additional copies. Anyone can also make an online request through the state's ROVER portal or the local probate court's approved online vendor. Additionally, the Georgia Vital Records Department offers walk-in services at designated offices.

Pierce Death Records

The Pierce County probate court works in conjunction with the State Office of Vital Records to maintain Pierce County death records. Interested parties can use the death certificate request form to apply in person or by mail to the state vital records office.

The standard fee is $25 for a successful certified search plus $5 for each additional certified copy. However, state law restricts eligibility to individuals who have a demonstrable legal relationship to the deceased.

One can also utilize online and walk-in procedures outlined under the previous "birth records" section to purchase death documents.

Pierce County Probate Court Records

The Pierce County Probate Court handles cases concerning wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and other probate matters. It also serves as custodian of the related court documents. To obtain these records, one can visit or contact the probate clerk of court at the probate courthouse address.

Pierce County Property Records

Custody of property records in Pierce County, including liens, plats, mortgages, leases, and deeds, is maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Property documents are generally considered open records. Individuals interested in Pierce County property records can use the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) Real Estate Index (for post-1999 data) or contact the clerk's office:

3550 Highway 84
P.O. Box 588
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: (912) 449-2020
Fax: (912) 449-2106

Additionally, individuals can use resources and methods provided by the Pierce County Assessor and the Pierce County Tax Commissioner to review property assessment and tax records, respectively.

Pierce County Court Records Online

Statewide official search tools, such as the GSCCCA portal and E-Access, equip the public with a convenient means for searching and obtaining Pierce County court records, although specific searches may require a subscription. Alternative online resources, such as Georgiacourtrecords.us, may also offer a more streamlined experience. Users of these third-party sites may locate records by name or case number. However, these platforms require prudent usage as the information available is not officially vetted.