Ware County Court Records

Ware County court records are documents created and maintained by any judicial body in the county regarding a court case. County court records include letters and documents to maps, books, tapes, photos, computer-generated or computer-based information, and data created to monitor legal proceedings.

Ware County court records serve two main purposes. The first is to show how the court handles a case, and these records also serve as a reference showing the final decisions made in a court case.

Are Court Records Public in Ware County?

Yes, court records are public in Ware County as per the state Open Records Act. This implies that ware county court records will be available to interested citizens who need them. Court records must be made available by records custodians for public viewing and copying, except those expressly exempt from disclosure by law or a court order in this state. The Georgia judicial retention schedule also stipulates how long these records must be maintained and made public by their custodians. Some examples of court records that are confidential in Ware County include:

• Juvenile court records
• Court records of child abuse and child neglect
• Court documents disclose a person's mother's birth name, social security number, bank account number, credit card details, and debit card details.
• Personal details of a person in protective custody
• Court records of confidential law enforcement investigations

Ware County Court Records Search

A ware county court records search is usually done at the following places:

• The county court clerk's office
• Using the public access terminals at the records center in the superior or magistrate court
• Online by using the Georgia e-courts system
• The Ware County Court Documents Centre

Ware County Courts

The Ware County judicial system is made up of six courts. There is one superior court, two magistrate courts, one probate court, one state court, one juvenile court, and a probate court. Each court has different jurisdictions over civil and criminal cases. The superior court is the largest and most important court in Ware County. Below are the physical locations of every court in Ware County:

Ware County Superior Court
800 Church Street, Suite 124, P.O. Box 776, Waycross, GA 31502
Phone: (912) 287-4340
Fax: (912) 287-2498

State Court of Ware County
800 Church Street, Suite 104, P.O. Box 776, Waycross, GA 31502
Phone: (912) 287-4340
Fax: (912) 287-2498

Ware County Juvenile Court
801 Grove Avenue, Waycross, GA 31501
Phone: (912) 287-4345
Fax: (912) 287-4347

Probate Court of Ware County
800 Church Street, Suite 123, Waycross, GA 31501
Phone: (912) 287-4315
Fax: (912) 287-4317

Ware County Magistrate Court
310 Albany Avenue, P.O. Box 17,
Waycross, GA 31502
Phone: (912) 287-4375 (Civil)
Fax: (912) 284-4464 (Civil)
Phone: (912) 287-4373 (Criminal)
Fax: (912) 287-4377 (Criminal)

Municipal Court of Waycross
512 Oak Street, P.O. Box 176, Waycross, GA 31502
Phone: (912) 287-2921

Ware County Criminal and Civil Records

Ware County criminal and civil records can be obtained from the superior or magistrate court in Ware County. The Ware County Superior Court is a general jurisdiction court that hears criminal and civil law cases. In addition, the court hears civil cases pertaining to offenses, contract disputes, premises responsibility, and other matters. Furthermore, felony cases involving jury trials—including those involving the death penalty—fall under the Superior Court's exclusive authority.

Additionally, the Ware Magistrates Court handles various criminal and civil cases. The Civil Division handles personal property foreclosure, small claims, abandoned motor vehicles, and dispossessory (landlord-tenant) actions.

Interested persons can obtain criminal and civil records by visiting the county court to request them. The request process involves completing a records request form at the county courthouse. Requestors need to provide information on the desired court records, such as the case number, the name of the person on the record, the type of case (civil/criminal), and the date that judgment on the case was issued. In-person requests for documents are processed on the same day.

Persons can request records by mail to the county court where the case proceeding took place. Requestors must call before requesting to ensure that the record they want is publicly available.

Remote searches for Ware County court records can be done using the Georgia courts portal or the terminals located at the records center in any Ware magistrate or superior county courthouse.

Ware County Marriage Records

Ware County marriage records can be requested from the Ware County Superior Court clerk. The county clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains a list of ware county marriage certificates and indexes in an electronic database. Individuals can visit the county clerk's office to request any marriage records within its system. Individuals must come with a valid ID and a photograph to make a request. Most requests are made by providing information about the marriage, such as

• The date and time of the marriage
• The city and location where the marriage took place
• The names of the spouse

Persons who are not sure which county where the marriage took place can perform a statewide search for marriage records. People can visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office for statewide searches.

Ware County Divorce Records

Ware County divorce records are documents found within the civil division of the Ware County Superior Court and sometimes the Ware County Magistrate Court. Most divorce proceedings are initiated at the county superior court, where individuals can request divorce records. The county clerk at the office will provide interested persons with a divorce request form, which they will need to complete to make a request.

Ware County Birth Records

Individuals can find Ware County birth records at the Ware County Public Health Department office. The office maintains vital records for all Ware County births and allows requests for birth records in person, by telephone, or through the mail.

According to GA Code Ann., 31-10-26, individuals whose birth certificate is being requested—or applicants with a direct and obvious interest, like a parent, guardian, or legal representative, can obtain certified copies of birth certificates. Usually, all that is required to obtain a certified copy of a birth record is to download the birth records request form and send it to the office in person or by mail.

A certified copy will cost $25.00 if the record is on file. An additional $5.00 fee will be charged for any extra copy purchased at the same time. The search charge is not refundable.

Ware County Death Records

Ware Death records are also vital records that can be obtained from the Department of Public Health in Ware County. The Ware County death certificate is the most commonly requested death record in Ware County. A death record can be used for various purposes, including settling estates, claiming life insurance benefits, claiming pensions, and doing research. A Ware County death certificate is an official document that a doctor signs and documents the cause, date, and location of death.

The only people who can access Ware County death records are those who have a direct and close relationship with the deceased, such as the deceased's primary family members or legal representatives.

Requests for death records can be made online, in person, or through mail. To make a request, download the request form, complete it, and send it to the Department of Health office. In-person requests can be processed on the same day.

Ware County Probate Court Records

The Ware County Probate Court handles a variety of delicate matters impacting children, the elderly, and those with intellectual disabilities. The probate court's primary duty is managing the estates and trusts of deceased people.

Probate court records are sensitive documents that can only be viewed by those involved in the probate matter and their lawyers. To find these records, individuals need to visit the Ware County Probate Court and submit a written request for them. Individuals can also contact the clerk of the probate court by telephone to make inquiries about probate court records.

Ware County Property Records

Persons can find Ware County property records at the Ware County Board of Assessors office. The board of assessors maintains records that provide information about any property in the county. Weigh county property records include ownership history, sales history, exemption benefits, and property taxable value. People interested in obtaining property records in Ware County can do so by visiting the Board of Assessors office during working hours; individuals can also search the county assessors' property online portal using the property owner's name or the property's address of the property of interest.

Ware County Court Records Online

Third-party online webpages georgiacourtrecords.us may offer convenience in accessing public Ware County court records. They provide an easy-to-use interface allowing users to remotely look for court record cases. They also provide persons with access to county court records from different counties in a state all in one place. These systems frequently save time and effort because anyone can easily find and pay for the necessary documents. Most of these platforms are run independently of any government organization, and others work with local and state governments to provide access to documents. It is essential to check the accuracy of the data from some of these websites, mainly if the records will be used for official purposes.