Washington County Court Records

Washington County Court records are official details of legal proceedings within the various county-level courts in Washington County, GA. These documents play a crucial role in ensuring the transparency and accountability of the county's judiciary, provide detailed case histories for appeals, and establish precedent for future cases. They also include Washington County arrest records, which are essential for law enforcement actions and tracking criminal histories.
Washington County court records encompass:

• criminal records
• Civil claims case files
• Documents on:
  • Probate adjudication
  • Family law proceedings
  • Property and land dispute cases
  • Traffic cases.

Generally, court records typically include:

• Case information, including case number, filing date, and case type
• Names of the plaintiff and defendant, attorneys of record, and witnesses (if applicable)
• Legal documents, including:
  • Complaints and petitions
  • Motions and briefs
  • Affidavits and declarations
  • Judgments and orders
  • Transcripts
• Case proceedings and docket entries
• Outcomes and sentences
• Confidential and restricted information.

Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

Yes, most Washington County court records are public. The Georgia Open Records Act grants individuals the right to inspect and copy government records (including Washington County court records).
However, public access to Washington County court records is not absolute; exceptions apply. Under Georgia law, public disclosure of Court records does not include:

• Juvenile records
• Sealed or expunged records
• Sensitive personal information, such as:
  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Names of minor victims
  • Medical or mental health information
• Records of certain family and protective matters, including adoption, child custody evaluations, and protective orders
• Records of active investigations or pending prosecutions

Washington County Court Records Search

There are ways to search for Washington County court records. The best option for accessing these documents depends on the type of case and the level of detail needed. Individuals can request digital copies of certified Washington County court records online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority eCertification Portal. Alternatively, requesters can contact the specific Washington County court through mail or visit its clerk's office and request access to the required court records.

Washington County Courts

The Washington County judiciary comprises several courts that exercise varying jurisdictions, specifically: a Superior Court, a State Court, a Juvenile Court, a Probate Court, a Magistrate Court, and Municipal Courts.
Under Georgia’s judicial hierarchy, the Washington County Superior Court serves as the apex county-level court. The Superior Court has general authority over civil and criminal cases, but hears only those cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of the other county courts. The remaining Washington County courts possess limited jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

Washington County Superior Court
132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 231,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3186
Fax: (478) 553-9969

State Court of Washington County
132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 231,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3186
Fax: (478) 553-9969

Washington County Juvenile Court
132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 231,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3186
Fax: (478) 553-9969

Probate Court of Washington County
129 West Haynes Street, Room 106,
P.O. Box 669,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3304
Fax: (478) 640-0009

Washington County Magistrate Court
132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 1053,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3591
Fax: (478) 552-4010

Municipal Court of Davisboro
110 South Main Street,
P.O. Box 189,
Davisboro,
GA 31018
Phone: (478) 348-4400

Municipal Court of Harrison
40 North Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 31,
Harrison,
GA 31035
Phone: (478) 552-7640

Municipal Court of Sandersville
141 West Haynes Street, Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-2525, (478) 552-3121.

Washington County Criminal and Civil Records

Courts generally generate records during civil and criminal trials. In Washington County, the Clerk of the Superior Court is the custodian of most criminal and civil case records, and the Georgia Open Records Act governs access to these documents.
Washington County's civil court records comprise case files on civil disputes, probate adjudications, family law matters, and property-related disagreements. Likewise, Washington County criminal court records refer to documents on felony and misdemeanor trials in Washington County courts. This category also includes Washington County arrest records, particularly arrest incidents that result in criminal prosecutions.
Individuals interested in Washington County’s civil and criminal court records may obtain copies online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority eCertification Portal. For copies of Washington County court records unavailable online, information seekers should call, fax, mail, or visit the Washington County Clerk of the Superior Court at:

132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 231,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3186
Fax: (478) 553-9969

Record seekers can also identify the Washington County court that handled the specific cases they seek and contact the relevant clerk's office.
Although Washington County civil and criminal records are public, requesters should note that restricted access applies to juvenile court records, sealed records, and expunged cases. The clerk of the court office may redact sensitive personal information. Furthermore, obtaining copies of some Washington County civil and criminal court records may require valid government-issued IDs, providing sufficient case details, and making payments.

Washington County Marriage Records

Washington County marriage records are public. In Washington County, the Probate Court is the primary custodian of marriage records.
Access to certified copies of Washington County's marriage records does not require proof of relationship to the couple. Interested individuals seeking copies of Washington County’s marriage records from 1952 to the present should mail or visit the Washington County Probate Court at:

The Washington County Courthouse
225 West Robert Toombs Avenue,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3291

Older marriage records may also be accessible through the Georgia Archives.

Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County divorce records are accessible as part of Washington County court records. However, access to certified copies of Washington County divorce records is restricted to parties to the divorce, their legal representatives, and authorized entities.
In Washington County, the Superior Court Clerk files and maintains these documents as evidence of marriage dissolutions within the county. Individuals seeking copies of Washington County divorce records should send mail to the Washington County Superior Court Clerk’s office or visit the office at:

132 West Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 231,
Sandersville,
GA 31082.

Washington Birth Records

Washington County birth records are confidential documents with time-based access. Under Georgia law, public access to birth records is restricted for 100 years from the date of birth. During this period, access to birth records is limited to:

• The person named on the birth certificate (if 18 or older)
• Parents listed on the record or legal guardians (with proof of guardianship)
• Adult children, spouse, and grandparents of the subject
• Authorized legal representatives.

In Washington County and the rest of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Office of Vital Records, is the primary repository for birth records. Individuals can request copies of Washington County birth certificates by submitting completed Georgia Birth Certificate Applications along with valid government-issued photo IDs, self-addressed stamped envelopes with sufficient postage, and the required fees to the DPH Office of Vital Records or the Washington County Health Department at the following addresses:

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

Washington County Health Department
201 Morningside Drive,
Sandersville,
GA 31082.

Eligible individuals can also order Washington County birth records online through the Georgia Department of Public Health's Request Official Vital Event Records (ROVER) webpage.

Washington Death Records

Washington County death records, like birth records, are subject to time-based and relationship-based restrictions. Under Georgia law, the public cannot access these records for 75 years following the date of death. During this restricted period, only specific individuals may obtain them, including:

• Immediate family members of the deceased, such as the spouse, parents, adult children, siblings, and grandparents
• Legal representatives, including attorneys, executors, and administrators
• Individuals with a direct and tangible interest, such as insurance companies, government agencies, or persons managing estate or benefit matters.

Death records serve essential functions in legal and estate-related processes. Individuals use them to:

• Settle estates and initiate probate proceedings
• Transfer property or assets
• Close bank accounts and manage financial holdings.

These records also support claims for life insurance, Social Security survivor benefits, pensions, and veterans’ benefits.

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Office of Vital Records (OVR) maintains death records for individuals who died in Washington County and throughout the state. The OVR and the Washington County Department of Health issue certified copies of Washington County death records to eligible requesters.
To obtain a copy, the requester must complete a Georgia Death Certificate Application Form and submit it with:

• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• A money order or cashier’s check for applicable fees
• A self-addressed stamped envelope.

Requesters may send their requests to either of the following addresses:

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

Washington County Health Department
201 Morningside Drive,
Sandersville,
GA 31082.

Additionally, the Georgia Department of Public Health allows eligible individuals to order Washington County death records online through its ROVER (Request Official Vital Event Records) webpage.

Washington County Probate Court Records

Washington County probate court records are official documents generated by the Washington County Probate Court during probate proceedings. The Washington County Probate Court handles matters involving:

• Administration of wills and distribution of assets after death
• Appointment of guardians for minors or adults deemed incompetent
• Oversight and administration of trust agreements
• Legal process of adopting a child or adult
• Involuntary hospitalization for mental health treatment
• Approval of settlements in wrongful death cases
• Approval of settlements involving minors
• Legal name change petitions
• Issuance of marriage licenses for Washington County.

In Washington County, the Probate Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of probate records. Individuals seeking copies of these documents should mail or submit their requests in person to:

129 West Haynes Street, Room 106,
P.O. Box 669,
Sandersville,
GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-3304
Fax: (478) 640-0009.

Washington County Property Records

Washington County property records are official documents on ownership, value, use, and legal interests in real estate within Washington County, GA. These records encompass:

• Ownership and title information
• Legal descriptions and maps
• Property value and assessment data
• Tax information
• Liens, encumbrances, and restrictions
• Improvements and use of data.

In Washington County, multiple agencies maintain property records. Where to request access to Washington County property records depends on the specific documents. The following agencies maintain Washington County property records:

The Washington County Clerk of Superior Court

• Deeds and title documents
• Mortgages and liens
• Plats and surveys
• Easements and rights-of-way
• Foreclosures and court-ordered property actions

Washington County Tax Assessor’s Office

• Source for valuation and descriptive property data. This office maintains records used for taxation and assessment purposes

Washington County Tax Commissioner’s Office

• Property tax billing
• Payment history
• Tax delinquencies
• Tax liens and tax sales.

Individuals seeking copies of Washington County property records should confirm the custodian of the specific documents and mail or visit their offices at the following locations:

Washington County Clerk of Superior Court
129 W Haynes Street,
Sandersville,
GA 31082

Washington County Tax Assessor's Office
116 W Haynes Street,
P.O. Box 308,
Sandersville,
GA 31082

Washington County Tax Commissioner
116 W Haynes Street, Sandersville,
GA 31082.

The Washington County Tax Assessor's Office also provides access to property records through its online Records Search Portal.

Washington County Court Records Online

While Washington County court records are accessible through official sources, third-party online resources are options for accessing these documents. Private platforms such as Georgiacourtrecords.us and other third-party online repositories are convenient alternatives to government repositories when seeking documents and information. These informal databases gather documents from various locations and make them globally accessible in one place. Users can search for documents through user-friendly interfaces and advanced search tools.
Nonetheless, third-party resources are not official platforms, and do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their contents.