Burke County Court Records Search

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    Burke County, Georgia, situated in the eastern part of the state with Waynesboro as its county seat, operates a multi-court judicial system that handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and magistrate matters. Court records generated by these proceedings are the official documentation of legal actions and outcomes, maintained by designated court offices throughout the county. These records typically contain case numbers, party information, filed pleadings, docket entries, hearing records, judgments, and dispositions.

    Georgia residents and others seeking court case information have several access routes available. Records can be searched in person at courthouse offices, through public access terminals, and via online platforms maintained by the court and the state. GeorgiaStateCourts.us is a resource that may help you locate publicly available court case information across Georgia's court system.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Burke County?

    Start with the Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts, currently Radeta G. Smith. The Clerk's office manages records for the Superior Court, State Court, and Juvenile Court, and offers several ways to access case information.

    Burke County Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts
    Address: Burke County Judicial Center, 200 East 6th Street, P.O. Box 803, Waynesboro, GA 30830
    Phone: (706) 554-2279
    Fax: (706) 554-7887
    Email: clerkofcourtservices.burke@gsccca.org
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

    For online case searches, the Burke County Clerk of Court's case management portal allows users to search cases by name or case number. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) also maintains a statewide database covering real estate indices, UCC filings, lien information, and related court records searchable by authentication code. Certified documents from courts across Georgia can be requested digitally through the GSCCCA eCertification Portal.

    For electronic filing, attorneys and self-represented litigants may use Odyssey eFileGA or access Georgia's courts e-filing system through the Georgia Courts e-filing page. Pro se litigants can also find relevant court forms through the Pro Se Forms section of the clerk's website.

    Are Court Records Public in Burke County?

    The Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., establishes that all public records held by government entities in Georgia — including court records — are open to inspection and copying by any person. Government agencies must respond to records requests and provide access to documents unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

    Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, certain records are exempt from mandatory public disclosure. In the court context, the most commonly restricted categories include:

    • Records protected under attorney-client privilege
    • Medical or psychological records submitted during proceedings
    • Sealed or expunged court records, closed by court order
    • Juvenile court records, which are confidential under Georgia law
    • Ongoing law enforcement investigatory records whose release could compromise a case
    • Records restricted by federal statute or regulation

    Courts also retain the authority to seal records in specific cases where public disclosure would threaten the privacy or safety of a party. Requesters denied access to records may petition a court for an order compelling disclosure. Where exemptions do not apply, agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days.

    Burke County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Burke County are handled at several levels. Felony cases and serious misdemeanors are prosecuted in the Superior Court, while the State Court handles misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations. The Magistrate Court manages bond hearings, warrant issuances, first appearance hearings, and preliminary hearings in criminal matters.

    Criminal court records — including charging documents, motions, orders, and sentencing records from Superior and State Court proceedings — are maintained by the Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts. These can be accessed through the Burke County Clerk's online case search or by visiting the Judicial Center in person.

    For criminal history background checks, the Burke County Sheriff's Office provides Georgia criminal history reports through its Records Division. The fee is $15.00 per report, accepted in cash or money order, with an additional $4.99 convenience fee for credit card payments. A valid Georgia photo ID is required at the time of the request. Reports are available for:

    • A personal lifetime criminal history report (complete adult misdemeanor and felony history in Georgia)
    • Employment background check purposes
    • Expungement-related requests

    The Sheriff's Office also maintains an inmate inquiry tool on its website, allowing the public to check on individuals currently held in the Burke County jail.

    Arrest records held by law enforcement are distinct from court case records. Direct requests for incident reports or arrest records to the arresting agency — either the Burke County Sheriff's Office or a municipal police department — rather than the court clerk.

    Burke County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Burke County is divided between the Superior Court and the Magistrate Court based on the amount in dispute. The Burke County Magistrate Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Judge Cynthia Kelley, handles civil claims of $15,000.00 or less, dispossessory (landlord/tenant) proceedings, deposit account fraud, garnishments, and personal property foreclosures. The Magistrate Court does not conduct jury trials and is not a court of record; civil appeals from its judgments go to the Superior Court.

    Burke County Magistrate Court
    Address: 602 Liberty Street, P.O. Box 401, Waynesboro, GA 30830
    Phone: (706) 554-4281
    Fax: (706) 554-8772
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Self-represented parties can file small claims actions and eviction cases online through TurboCourt or access in-person forms through the Georgia Self-Represented Litigants portal. The Magistrate Court's website also links to video tutorials explaining common court processes.

    For civil cases above the $15,000.00 threshold, the Superior Court has jurisdiction. The Burke County Clerk's office publishes a cost and fee schedule for Superior Court filings. Under the schedule in effect as of January 2022, the general civil case filing fee was $209.00, which includes the law library fee (up to $5.00) and ADR fees (up to $10.00), plus applicable service fees. Confirm current fees with the clerk's office or consult the Georgia Clerks' Authority cost schedules, which are updated periodically.

    Burke County also participates in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for civil matters, offering mediation as an option before or during litigation.

    Burke County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Burke County — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence proceedings — are handled by the Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts maintains all family case records, which are generally accessible as public records unless sealed by court order.

    To request copies of divorce decrees or related family court filings, contact the Clerk's office directly:

    Burke County Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts
    Address: 200 East 6th Street, P.O. Box 803, Waynesboro, GA 30830
    Phone: (706) 554-2279
    Email: clerkofcourtservices.burke@gsccca.org

    Have the names of the parties and the approximate year the case was filed ready when you reach out. Non-confidential divorce records can also be searched through the Burke County Clerk's online case management system.

    Juvenile court matters — including dependency, neglect, and delinquency cases — are confidential under Georgia law and are not accessible to the general public. The Juvenile Court shares facilities with the Superior Court at the Burke County Judicial Center.

    Marriage licenses and certificates are issued and maintained by the Burke County Probate Court, not the Superior Court Clerk. Certified copies of marriage certificates may be requested online through the Burke County Probate Court's online ordering system or in person at the Probate Court's records office:

    Burke County Probate Court — Vital Records
    Address: 200 6th Street, Room 208, Waynesboro, GA 30830
    Phone: (706) 554-3000
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    The fee for a certified marriage certificate copy is $10.00. Birth certificates cost $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates also cost $25.00 per copy. Mail-in payments should be made by check or money order payable to the Probate Court of Burke County. Birth certificate requests must include a written request with the subject's name and date of birth, and a valid photo ID. Death certificates are restricted to immediate family members or personal representatives of the deceased's estate.

    Burke County Probate Court Records

    The Probate Court of Burke County has exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of decedent estates, appointment and removal of guardians for minors, and guardianships and conservatorships for incapacitated adults. The court also serves as a vital records office for birth, death, and marriage certificates.

    Probate Court of Burke County
    Address: 200 6th Street, Room 208 (Vital Records); P.O. Box 322, Waynesboro, GA 30830
    Phone: (706) 554-3000
    Fax: (706) 554-6693

    Probate case records — including will filings, estate inventories, petitions for letters of administration, and guardianship orders — are part of the public record and may be accessed in person at the Probate Court during regular business hours. When making a request, include the full name of the decedent or ward and, when known, the case number or approximate filing date.

    Standard Georgia Probate Court forms — including will probate petitions, temporary letters of guardianship, and conservatorship petitions — are published by the Georgia Supreme Court and are available for download. These forms can guide self-represented parties through common probate procedures.

    The Georgia Probate Records portal provides online access to probate-related records from participating counties, including searches for recorded marriage licenses, traffic dockets, will information, and guardianship petitions. Burke County residents can also use the Probate Court's online ordering system for vital records requests, which are processed Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.