Georgia Public Records
(2026 Guide)

Almost everyone needs to search for public records at some point — whether you’re vetting a new neighbor, researching a potential business partner, or confirming your own data on file with the state. In Georgia, the law empowers every resident with the right to access records maintained by local, county, and state government institutions. Access to public records is one of the cornerstones of democratic governance — the idea that the people are the government, and the government must remain transparent and accountable. This 2026 guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding Georgia public records, from criminal history and court documents to vital records, property data, and unclaimed property — quickly and legally.

How This Guide Can Help You

This guide is designed to help you search for and find public records in the State of Georgia as efficiently as possible. A decade ago, locating public records meant calling government offices, mailing paper requests, and waiting weeks for results. Today, the ongoing digitalization of public records and more streamlined centralized databases has dramatically improved access — though roadblocks still exist. Some records remain difficult to find, and navigating the patchwork of state, county, and local agencies can be confusing. Rather than spending hours on hold or guessing which agency holds the record you need, this guide puts the relevant resources at your fingertips.

Whether you’re a Georgia resident looking for your own records, a landlord screening a prospective tenant, a parent researching a youth sports coach, or an attorney gathering court documents, this 2026 guide covers every major category of public records in the Peach State.

Why People Need Access to Public Records in Georgia

The reasons people search for public records in Georgia are as varied as the state’s 159 counties. Here are some of the most common use cases:

• Employment screening: Employers are legally required in certain industries — childcare, education, elder care, healthcare — to conduct criminal background checks before hiring.
• Tenant screening: Landlords may search court and criminal records to evaluate rental applicants.
• Personal background checks: Individuals may verify their own records before applying for jobs, professional licenses, or citizenship in another country.
• Family law matters: Divorces, name changes, custody disputes, and contested wills all involve court records.
• Genealogy research: Vital records like birth, death, and marriage certificates help trace family history.
• Legislative transparency: Citizens can review the proceedings of city councils, county commissions, and state legislative sessions.
• Unclaimed property: Georgia maintains records of dormant bank accounts, unclaimed wages, and other unclaimed assets that rightful owners may recover.

Whatever your reason for searching, Georgia law gives you the right to access most public records — and this guide shows you exactly how.

What Are Public Records?

Public records include any document, image, multimedia file, court proceeding transcript, or dataset that is created or maintained by an institution or agency funded by taxpayer money. This encompasses a remarkably broad range of information:

• Criminal arrest records and conviction histories
• Court filings, judgments, and docket information
• Vital records: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Property deeds, tax assessments, and liens
• Sex offender registration data
• Inmate and corrections records
• Business filings and professional license records
• Government meeting minutes and legislative proceedings
• Unclaimed property records

Some quasi-governmental institutions and private organizations that contract with state agencies may also be required to submit records that become part of the public record. The key principle: the public has the right to know how government operates and how public funds are spent. That right belongs to every Georgia resident.

That said, not every record held by a government agency is automatically public. Georgia law carefully defines categories of exempt records to protect personal privacy, public safety, and sensitive data. Records containing trade secrets, juvenile offender histories, military discharge papers, personal financial data, and certain security-sensitive materials may be restricted or fully exempt from public disclosure.

Public Records Laws in Georgia

Georgia has a robust legal framework governing public records access, built on several interlocking statutes.

The Georgia Open Records Act

The Georgia Open Records Act is the foundational state law governing access to public records. Originally enacted in 1959 and updated multiple times since, the Act requires that virtually all records created or maintained by state and local government agencies be made available to the public upon request. Agencies generally must respond to requests within three business days.

The Georgia Open Meetings Act

Related to open records is the Georgia Open Meetings Act, which requires that all government meetings — at the local and state level — be open to the public. This ensures transparency in the legislative and executive decision-making processes that affect all Georgians.

Georgia Sunshine Laws

Georgia Sunshine Laws reinforce open government by mandating that agencies proactively make their records available. These laws are designed to prevent government secrecy and give citizens meaningful oversight power.

How to Submit a Records Request

More information about submitting formal open records requests can be found at the Georgia State Attorney General’s office. You can also use the official request form when submitting your request.

Keep in mind that requests may be denied if you fail to provide adequate identifying information, if the records are sealed by court order, or if they fall into one of the statutory exempt categories. Being thorough and specific in your request significantly improves your chances of receiving the records you need.

Background Checks

Criminal history records and background checks are among the most frequently requested public records in Georgia. Whether you’re an employer, a concerned parent, or a private citizen looking up someone you recently met, Georgia provides several avenues for conducting background checks.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) manages the state’s primary criminal history records database. With a subject’s full legal name and date of birth, you can access criminal history for virtually any adult in the State of Georgia. You can also submit requests through local law enforcement agencies.

The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) operates an online felony records database that allows anyone to search Georgia felony records online. As of 2026, the processing fee for a criminal background check through the GTA remains $15. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §35-3-34(d.2), public access to felony conviction records is granted without requiring the convicted person’s consent, in the interest of public safety.

Note that juvenile records are protected by law. If you are attempting to conduct a background check on a person sixteen years of age or younger, you will generally not be able to access their records through standard public channels.

Any person in Georgia is entitled to search for felony records processed in the state. The GTA’s online portal makes this process straightforward. You’ll need the subject’s name and date of birth, and to pay the applicable fee.

Criminal Records

Beyond felony searches, Georgia maintains a comprehensive criminal history system that includes misdemeanor convictions, arrest records, and court dispositions. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available and where to find it:

Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)

Housed within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) is the state’s centralized repository for criminal history records. The GCIC collects and maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records submitted by law enforcement agencies across all 159 Georgia counties. Employers in regulated industries can access GCIC records through the GBI’s authorized background check process.

County-Level Criminal Records

For misdemeanor offenses, arrest records, and local court dispositions, county-level agencies are often the best source. Each of Georgia’s 159 counties operates its own court system and law enforcement agency. Many county superior courts now offer online case search tools, though availability varies by county.

Expungements and Restricted Records

Georgia law allows for the restriction (expungement) of certain criminal records under O.C.G.A. §35-3-37. If a record has been restricted, it will not appear in standard public searches. Understanding whether a record may have been expunged is important when conducting research.

Jail and Prison Records

If you need to locate a person currently incarcerated in a Georgia state correctional facility, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) provides a public inmate search tool. You may want to find an incarcerated individual to send money, arrange a visit, or simply confirm their location. Victims of crime also have the right to know the custody status of an offender.

The GDC maintains a map of all correctional facilities, including private prisons under state contract. You can use the GDC’s