Searching Chatham County Court Records
The most common questions on this page center on how to find a case file or hearing record online. The answers below cover the main court portals and the splits across Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate, and Recorder's.
How do I search Chatham County court records online?
Use the official Chatham Court System site for date-based proceedings and the Case Lookup link to re:Search Georgia for case records and eFiled documents. The homepage has a Court Proceedings date field, a View Cases By Date button, and Criminal, Civil, and Recorders tabs. For Probate matters, use Georgia Probate Records through the Probate Court page. For deeper coverage, see the Chatham County court records page.
Which court handles felony cases in Chatham County?
Superior Court is the general-jurisdiction trial court in Georgia and handles felony criminal cases. Chatham sits in the Eastern Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the records. For the full court profile, see the Chatham County Superior Court page or the Clerk of Superior Court page.
Which court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases?
State Court of Chatham County hears misdemeanor offenses, including traffic cases bound over from Chatham municipalities. Recorder's Court and the city municipal courts handle many traffic and ordinance cases before any bound-over move. See the Chatham County State Court page and the Recorder's Court page for each court's workflow.
How do I find today's docket or hearing schedule?
Start at the Chatham County Court System homepage and use the Court Proceedings date input. Click View Cases By Date and pick Criminal, Civil, or Recorders. Results can show name, case number, courtroom, type, session, time, judge, attorney, start time, and CourtSessionID. For docket basics, see the Chatham County court dockets page.
Can I rely on online records as the official case file?
Use online records as a public access tool. The official court file controls when there is a discrepancy. The homepage states that the case management database is recorded with the understanding it is true and correct as far as the physically filed documents with the clerks. For certified copies, request records from the appropriate clerk. The Clerk of Superior Court page has the certified-copy workflow.
How do I request State Court records by mail?
Use the State Court Record Search Request PDF linked on the civil forms page. The form is mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Clerk with $1.00 per page for simple copies and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Gadsden Courthouse Suite 127 has citizen access terminals for in-person lookup. The full process is on the Chatham County State Court page.
Jail and Inmate Records
Sheriff and jail questions cover bookings, mugshots, bond, and visitation. The answers below cover the basics and link out to the dedicated pages for more depth.
How do I search recent Chatham County jail bookings?
Use the Sheriff's official 24-hour and 72-hour booking pages. They show recent bookings rather than a full historical roster. Each entry can show DIN, name, birth date, race, sex, arrest date, arrest number, agency, bond, and charges. For the full process, see the Chatham County inmate records page.
Why are mugshots not shown on the Chatham booking page?
The Sheriff cites House Bill 845, which restricts release of booking photos when they may be published on a website that charges for removal. The booking page says the law targets sites that publish photos and charge to take them down. Media may still seek photos through an open records request. See the Chatham County public records page for the Open Records Act framework.
How do I post bond for someone in Chatham County Jail?
The Sheriff's bonding page lists bonding company, cash, credit or debit card, online cash bond, property bond, and out-of-county bond options. All bonds carry a $20 nonrefundable bonding fee. Property bonds require Chatham County lien-free property and attorney title search. The bond options ladder is covered on the Chatham County inmate records page.
Does Chatham County publish a released-inmates list?
An official released-inmates list was not located in captured sources. The Sheriff publishes 24-hour and 72-hour booking pages, but those do not show release dates. To verify release, call the jail's Receiving and Discharge, Front Lobby, or Shift Commander. VINELink may help with custody notification. See the Chatham County released inmates page for the full workflow.
How do I find a Georgia state prisoner from Chatham County?
Use the Georgia Department of Corrections Find an Offender tool. It searches persons currently in GDC facilities by name, description, ID, or case number. GDC warns that photos may display and that users should verify information by written correspondence with Inmate Records. County jail inmates should be checked through the Sheriff rather than GDC. The released inmates page walks through this lookup.
How do I find a federal inmate from Chatham County?
Use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. It searches federal inmates from 1982 forward by number or by name. Number search supports BOP Register, DCDC, FBI, and INS numbers. Release dates can change because of First Step Act sentence recalculations. The Chatham County released inmates page has more on this tool.
Marriage, Divorce, and Probate Records in Chatham County
Marriage and probate questions split between the Probate Court and Superior Court depending on the matter. The answers below cover the most common workflows.
How do I apply for a Chatham County marriage license?
Probate Court requires appointments. Complete the online application through Georgia Probate Records, then schedule an appointment after both applicants have IDs and supporting documents. Both applicants must appear. Georgia residents may apply in any county; nonresidents apply in the county where the ceremony will occur. Probate does not conduct weddings. See the marriage and divorce records page.
What does a Chatham marriage license cost?
The standard fee is $76 without a premarital education certificate and includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate. With a qualifying premarital education certificate of at least six hours, the fee is $36. Probate accepts credit and debit cards, cash, money orders, or cashier's checks. Credit and debit carry a 5% service fee, and all fees are nonrefundable. More detail is on the Chatham County Probate Court page.
Where do I file for divorce in Chatham County?
Divorce is a Superior Court matter in Georgia. File with the Clerk of Superior Court at 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178. The general civil and domestic filing fee is $218 plus applicable service. Family violence and stalking order filings carry no fee. See the marriage and divorce records page or the Clerk of Superior Court page.
How do I get a certified Probate Court record?
Use the Probate Record Room process. The Record Room accepts research requests by mail with payment or by appointment. Research fee is $10 for mailed or staff-assisted requests. Certified copies cost $10 for one page or $10 plus $1 per additional page. Exemplified copies cost $15 plus $1 per page. Mailed requests require money order or cashier's check. See the Probate Court page.
Public Access, Juvenile, and Traffic Records
Public access law sets the framework for what is open and what is restricted. The answers below cover Georgia statutes and special categories.
Are juvenile records public in Chatham County?
Juvenile records are not treated like ordinary adult case records. Chatham Juvenile Court handles delinquency under 17 and CHINS or dependency under 18. Access is controlled by O.C.G.A. 15-11-700 through 15-11-710. For juvenile case access, contact the Juvenile Court or an attorney rather than relying on a public online search. The Chatham County court clerks page has Juvenile Court contact information.
How do I restrict or expunge a criminal record in Georgia?
Georgia generally uses "record restriction." GBI says O.C.G.A. 35-3-37 allows restriction of certain criminal history records for non-criminal-justice purposes when approved by the prosecutor. For arrests after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecutor; for older arrests, apply through the arresting agency. Court records may need separate action if docket entries remain. See the Chatham County arrest records page.
What happens if I miss State Court?
State Court warns that failure to appear can lead to an arrest warrant, suspension of driving privileges by the licensing state, and bond being called and forfeited. Defendants must keep the Clerk's office updated with current address information. Contact the court or counsel quickly if you missed court. The Chatham County State Court page covers the rules in more depth.
What is the difference between a court traffic record and a Georgia driver record?
A court traffic record is the case file for a citation handled by Recorder's Court, a municipal court, or State Court. It can show charge, case number, court date, disposition, and fine. A Georgia driver record is maintained by DDS and shows license status, convictions reported, points, suspensions, and driving history. They are related but separate. The Chatham County traffic court records page covers both.
Who do I contact if I cannot afford a lawyer?
For felony charges, contact the Office of the Circuit Public Defender, which represents people accused of felony crimes. For misdemeanor-only charges, call the Public Defender line at (912) 652-3091. The Misdemeanor Defense Office and Indigent Defense Unit handle appointment of counsel for indigent citizens accused of crimes in Chatham County. More on courts is on the Superior Court page.