Spalding County Court Records

The O.C.G.A. § 50-18-91 defines Spalding County court records as all materials, including books, letters, papers, documents, maps, microfilm, and magnetic tape, created or received by the court. These records typically contain information like the party's name, case number, disposition, disposition date, case type, court date, judge's name, events, attorney's name, filing date, charges, charge number, arrest date, and case status. Public members can use the information in a court record to verify a person's criminal history, civil disputes, bankruptcies, or other legal issues. It allows them to monitor the legal system's functions, ensuring transparency in judicial operations.

Are Court Records Public in Spalding County?

According to Ga. R. Super. Ct. 21, all Spalding County court records are public and available for public inspection upon request. The Georgia Open Records Act supports this Rule. However, public access to some court records is restricted, especially if the disclosure negatively affects a person or compromises justice. Examples of court records unavailable to the public include:

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

Spalding County Court Records Search

Anyone can conduct a Spalding County court records search via the following means:

• Visiting the courthouse during business hours
• Using the Online Record Search portal
• Using third-party portals

Spalding County Courts

The Spalding County court system comprises Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts. Most of these courts are in the same location. Below are there addresses:

Spalding County Courthouse
132 East Solomon Street,
Griffin, GA 30223

Spalding County Juvenile Court
429 East Solomon Street
Griffin, GA 30223
Phone: (770) 467-4730
Fax: (770) 467-4733

Griffin Municipal Court
100 S. Hill St.
P.O. Box T
Griffin, GA 30223
Phone: (770) 233-4124

Spalding County Criminal Records

The Spalding County Sheriff's Office (S.C.S.O.) permits members of the public to obtain copies of criminal records from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These copies cost $20 and are payable by money order or cash. The office processes Spalding County criminal records in 2 to 3 days. Record seekers searching for Spalding County arrest records can view such information for free from the Online Services Portal. Alternatively, they can visit the Sheriff's Office during business hours to submit a request. The office is located at:

Spalding County Sheriff's Office
401 Justice Blvd
Griffin, GA 30224
Phone: (770) 467-4282

Get Spalding County Civil Court Records

Spalding County has several courts with civil divisions where civil cases are handled. Examples of these courts are:

• The Superior Court had general jurisdiction over civil cases.
• The State Court has limited jurisdiction over all civil matters regardless of the amount in controversy.
• The Magistrate Court hears civil claims involving 5,000 or less

These courts provide access to civil court records at the courthouse. Requesters should make their requests during business hours and provide sufficient information to help locate the record. The record staff will collect a search or copy fee from the customer based on the number of pages requested. Those who cannot visit the courthouse can use the Online Record Search portal to conduct a civil court record search. Users are required to register an account to use the portal. Although access to case information is free, civil court documents can be downloaded for a fee.

Spalding County Marriage Records

Spalding County public records include marriage documents issued by the Probate Court. Individuals can obtain copies of Spalding County marriage records by visiting the courthouse during business hours. The record staff will provide them with an application form and tell them about the appropriate copy fees depending on the number of requested copies. The completed form will be used to locate the desired records.

Individuals who cannot visit the courthouse can submit Spalding County marriage certificate requests by mail to the Georgia Department of Public Health (D.P.H.) Office of Vital Records. The search fee is $10, and each additional copy costs $5. The D.P.H. expects to receive a completed Request for Search of Marriage Form, a valid copy of the picture I.D., and the appropriate fees in the form of a money order or certified check to process the request.

Spalding County Divorce Records

Copies of divorce records are available at the Spalding County Superior Court. Individuals can visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to obtain their desired records. However, they will need to provide a name, case number, or divorce date to help in locating the divorce record. Copies of divorce records typically come with a fee as low as $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page, plus $0.50 for each additional page. Alternatively, record seekers can use the Online Record Search portal available on the Clerk of Courts' website to conduct a divorce record search. Access to case information is free, but users must register an account to use the portal. Those who want to get court documents through the portal will pay a copy fee.

Spalding County Birth and Death Records

Per O.C.G.A. 31-10-26, birth and death certificates are only issued to individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record holder. This could be immediate family members or the family's legal representatives. The subject of records can request for their own Spalding County birth certificates.

Copies of most Spalding County vital records, such as births and deaths, can be obtained from the Health Department. Customers can submit their requests in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The record staff charges $25 per copy for certified copies of birth or death certificates. Those who need extra copies of the same records will pay an extra $5 per copy. Any inquiries regarding these prices should be forwarded to the local registrar by phone at (770) 467-4741 or by email at Valerie.Colwell@dph.ga.gov.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (D.P.H.) Office of Vital Records also issues birth and death certificates to its customers online, by mail, and in person. They charge $25 per certified copy of a record and $5 each for additional copies. Online orders can be made through several third-party vendors approved by the D.P.H. These vendors accept credit card payments and mail the requested vital records within 8 to 10 weeks. They also charge additional fees for their services.

Mail applicants should send a completed Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918)or Death Record (Form 3912) to the office. A valid I.D. and the appropriate fees payable by money order or certified check should be sent with the form. The processing time for mail-in requests is between 8 and 10 weeks on all mail-in requests. In-person customers can visit the office Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a valid I.D. The office is located at:

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

Spalding County Probate Court Records

The Spalding County Probate Court exercises exclusive, original jurisdiction in the administration of estates, probate of wills, appointment of guardians for minors and adults, and involuntary hospitalization of incapacitated adults. Most records maintained by this court are obtainable in person at the courthouse. Requests can be made from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The record staff closes for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The record seeker has to provide a name or case number to facilitate the search. Copies of probate court records cost $0.50 per page.

Spalding County Property Records

Spalding County has several custodians in charge of property records. These custodians issue property records to members of the public in person at their offices. For example, individuals can visit the Spalding Court Clerk of Courts from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to submit their requests. The Clerk charges $0.50 per page for copies of property records, and certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page plus $.50 for each additional page.

Other custodians have online portals where individuals can find property tax information for free. The Spalding County Board of Tax Assessors has a Search Records tool that returns property records information when an owner's name, location address, parcel number, real key/account number, legal information, or reprop key is used to conduct a search. The Tax Commissioner also has a Property Tax Search portal that can be used to find property records. The search criteria are map/parcel/property I.D., bill number, property address, or owner's name.

Spalding County Court Records Online

Individuals can conduct Spalding County court records searches on several third-party portals like georgiacourtrecords.us. These portals provide case information across multiple jurisdictions in a user-friendly manner. Many third-party websites charge fees for accessing court records, which may otherwise be free on official sites. However, users can find limited court information for free on third-party sites. Using third-party sites may pose security risks when there are no adequate measures to secure sensitive case information.