Stephens County Court Records

Stephens County court records are documents created during legal proceedings in Stephens County. These documents are generated when a case is filed, updated as the case progresses through the justice system, and maintained by designated record custodians after the case is decided. The information in court records includes the plaintiffs’ and defendants’ names, case filing dates, case numbers, hearing dates, charges or claims, and judgments. Examples of court records containing these details include court transcripts, motions, orders, and affidavits.

Are Court Records Public in Stephens County?

Yes, court records are public in Stephens County per the Georgia Open Records Act (Georgia Code § 50-18-70). Access to court records fosters transparency in the justice system and supports an informed citizenry. However, the Open Records Act includes exemptions to balance the right to access records with the protection of sensitive information.

Unless otherwise restricted, civil, criminal, and probate cases are open to the public unless sealed by court order. Generally, records containing information about minors are exempt from public access. The same applies to records containing information that may jeopardize a person’s safety or right to privacy. For example, adoption files are sealed for privacy and are only accessible by third parties through a written petition and court approval (Georgia Code Section 19-8-23).

Stephens County Court Records Search

Persons looking for Stephens County court records may access these documents by:

• Visiting the record custodian’s office, i.e., the County Clerk’s Office
• Searching online databases maintained by the record custodian
• Sending a request to the custodian by mail or email
• Searching third-party databases.

Stephens County Courts

The Stephens County court system includes courts that handle a variety of cases. These include the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal cases, marriage separations, land disputes, and appeals; the State Court, which handles unlawful misconducts, traffic offenses, and civil claims; the Probate Court, which administers wills, estates, and marriage licenses; the Magistrate Court, handles small claims and warrants, and preliminary hearings; the Juvenile Court, which addresses cases involving minors.

The locations and contact information of courts in Stephens County are listed below:

Stephens County Superior Court
70 North Alexander Street, Suit 202
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-3598
Fax: (706) 886-5710

State Court of Stephens County
70 North Alexander Street, Suit 202
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-3598
Fax: (706) 886-5710

Stephens County Juvenile Court
70 North Alexander Street
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 898-5746
Fax: (706) 886-5569

Probate Court of Stephens County
70 North Alexander Street, Suite 108
Toccoa GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-2828
Fax: (706) 886-0335

Stephens County Magistrate Court
70 North Alexander Street, Suit 107
Toccoa, GA 30547
Phone: (706) 886-6205
Fax: (706) 886-5569

Municipal Court of Toccoa
92 North Alexander Street
P.O. Box 579
Toccoa, GA 30577.

Stephens County Criminal and Civil Records

IIn Stephens County, the Clerk of Superior Court is the official custodian of criminal and civil court records. Criminal and civil records are accessible by visiting the clerk’s office, calling, or making a written request. The Clerk's official website provides general information but does not go into detail on specific costs or access methods. Civil court records may include cases related to personal injury, landlord and tenant disputes, contract disagreements, and property matters. Access requirements include the names of parties involved, case number, or date filed. It is worth noting that criminal history information such as Stephens County arrest records may be accessed by querying law enforcement agencies within the county’s jurisdiction.

Marriage Records And Divorce Records

The State Office of Vital Records offers certified marriage documents for name changes, legitimation, and genealogy. Stephens County marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996 are available at the State Office; other records are at the Probate Office. To apply for a regular copy, submit the form with a $10 non-refundable search fee; certified copies are available for an additional cost.

Stephens County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court where the divorce was finalized. To get a copy, apply online, by mail, or visit the Clerk’s Office during business hours:

70 North Alexander Street, Suite 202
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-3598
Fax: (706) 886-5710

Death Records And Birth Records

Death and birth records in Stephens County are accessible through the State Office Vital Records. Requests for either record can be made in person, online, or by mail. Death record mail-in requests typically need a processing time of 8 to 10 weeks. A birth or death record costs $25 for a certified copy and additional copies for $5 each. For in-person requests, visit the office during business hours at:

70 North Alexander St. Ste. 108
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-2828
Fax: (706) 886-0335

These records serve different purposes, including estate settlement, life insurance payments, identity verification, and personal or legal matters. Death records provide details such as the cause, date, and location of death, as well as other information about the deceased. On the other hand, birth records contain information about the place and time of birth, as well as information about the parents. Access to certified death and birth records is restricted to requesters with direct and physical interest, such as the record subject—for birth records, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives.

In addition to submitting an application, persons requesting birth and death records will need to provide a government-issued and pay the applicable fees. Birth record requests often need valid photo IDs for the parents, court orders showing evidence of legal custody, and proof of relationship. On the other hand, access to death records depends on the recipient's legal interest or relation to the deceased.

Stephens County Probate Court Records

The Stephens County Probate Court handles cases such as estate administration, marriage license applications, conservatorships, estate administration, legal care arrangements, and involuntary treatment proceedings for disabled adults and other individuals in need of mental health treatments. To access records related to these cases, submit an application online, in person, or by mail using the contact information below:

70 North Alexander Street, Room 108
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-3598
Fax: (706) 886-5710
Email: gseprobate@stephenscountyga.gov.

Stephens County Property Records

In Stephens County, property records are available through two custodians: the Tax Assessor’s Office and the Clerk’s Office. The Stephens County Tax Assessor's Office provides access to property tax records, assessed values, and property characteristics (such as land size and building details). These records help individuals understand how a property is valued for taxation purposes. Interested persons can access these records online via the Qpublic Portal or in person at the Stephens County Tax Assessor’s Office.

For legal property records like deeds, liens, and transfers, the Clerk of Court. These records are important for verifying ownership and tracking the legal history of a property. Records may be accessed online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) or in person:

Stephens County Court
70 North Alexander Street, Room 202
Toccoa, GA 30577
Phone: (706) 886-9496
Fax: (706) 886-5710

Stephens County Court Records Online

Stephens County court records in Georgia can be accessed through the use of third-party websites like Georgiacourtrecords.us. These platforms collect public records from various counties and make them searchable online by name, case number, or location. Although third-party websites' resources include convenience, broader search capability, and easier navigation compared to some official government sites, they may not have recent updates, provide limited case details, and sometimes require payment for full access. Also, the completeness and accuracy of records obtained from third-party sources vary because they are not affiliated with the county or state government.