Catoosa County Court Records Search
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Catoosa County, Georgia, located in the northwestern corner of the state near Chattanooga, Tennessee, maintains a multi-tiered court system that produces a substantial body of public records each year. These records — covering everything from felony prosecutions and civil disputes to estate proceedings and marriage licenses — are created by several courts operating within the county and held by their respective clerks. Dockets, pleadings, orders, motions, transcripts, and exhibits all form part of this official record, and the clerk of court serves as the legally designated custodian responsible for their preservation and accessibility.
Locating Court Records in Catoosa County
Georgia court records can be searched through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and several online tools. Residents and researchers working on Georgia matters may find GeorgiaStateCourts.us a useful starting point for locating publicly available case information, understanding court jurisdictions, and identifying the appropriate office to contact. The sections below explain how each type of record is maintained and how to request or search them.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Catoosa County?
The primary online tool for searching Catoosa County court cases is the CM Web Search portal maintained by the Catoosa County Clerk of Court. This system allows searches by party name, associated party name, or case number and is available to the public. For those needing certified copies of court documents or real estate records, the Superior Court Clerk now offers an eCertification portal that allows electronic requests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Georgia Courts system also provides an e-Access to Court Records gateway, though an account is required through the provider’s website. In-person searches and requests for physical copies can be made directly at the courthouse. The Superior Court Clerk’s office is the central point of contact for most circuit-level case records and can be reached as follows:
Catoosa County Superior Court Clerk (Tracy Hullender Brown)
Address: 875 Lafayette Street, Catoosa County Courthouse, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-4231
Email: tracy.brown@gsccca.org
The county’s court system includes several divisions, each serving a distinct function:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | 875 Lafayette St, Ringgold, GA 30736 | (706) 935-4231 |
| Juvenile Court | 875 Lafayette St, Ringgold, GA 30736 | (706) 935-4901 |
| Probate Court | 875 Lafayette St, Ringgold, GA 30736 | (706) 935-3511 |
| Magistrate Court | 877 Lafayette St, Ringgold, GA 30736 | (706) 935-3114 |
| Municipal Court – Fort Oglethorpe | 500 City Hall Dr, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 | (706) 866-2989 |
| Municipal Court – Ringgold | 150 Tennessee St, Ringgold, GA 30736 | (706) 935-3061 |
Catoosa County’s Superior Court is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which also covers Chattooga, Dade, and Walker Counties. That circuit’s website posts upcoming court calendars, felony arraignment schedules, and civil pre-trial calendars for the Superior Court.
Are Court Records Public in Catoosa County?
Georgia law broadly favors public access to court records. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 et seq.) grants any citizen the right to inspect, copy, and access public records, including those generated by the courts. The Act requires that responses to open records requests be made promptly, and most routine records must be produced within three business days.
Despite this presumption of openness, certain categories of court-related records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records — proceedings involving minors in delinquency, child-in-need-of-services, and dependency cases are confidential under Georgia’s juvenile code
- Physical evidence records — documentation of physical evidence used in civil or criminal proceedings is exempt
- Jury list data — because jury lists contain names, dates of birth, and home addresses, they are protected from general disclosure
- Weapons carry permit records — records held by the Probate Court judge relating to firearms carry licenses and firearm possession are not open to the public
- Prosecutorial records — materials gathered for prosecution that could endanger confidential informants or compromise an active investigation are withheld
All other case records — including criminal case files, civil pleadings, orders and judgments, probate filings, and real estate instruments — are generally available for public inspection through the clerk’s office or the online case search portal.
Catoosa County also operates a dedicated Open Records Request portal through the County Clerk’s office at 800 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736, Phone: (706) 965-2500, Fax: (706) 935-3112, Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This portal requires users to create an account and allows them to track and monitor the progress of submitted requests.
Catoosa County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Catoosa County are divided between the Superior Court and the State Court depending on the severity of the charge. The Superior Court, which sits within the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, has jurisdiction over all felony trials. The State Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, preliminary hearings, and the issuance of search and arrest warrants. The Solicitor General’s office prosecutes misdemeanor cases and county code violations in State Court.
Criminal case records for both courts are searchable through the CM Web Search system. For State Court tickets and criminal cases, callers should dial (706) 935-4231 and press “2” for State Court, then “1” for tickets and criminal matters.
Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Records Division
The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement records custodian for the county. The Records Division, supervised by Rebecca Holcomb, maintains arrest records, open records requests, criminal histories, and warrant information. Open records requests for incident reports can be submitted online through the Sheriff’s Office website or by mail to:
Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office
Address: P.O. Box 909, Ringgold, GA 30736 / 5842 Highway 41, Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706) 935-2424
Email: catoosarecords@catoosacountyga.gov
Lobby Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Requesting a personal criminal history from the Sheriff’s Office requires the following steps:
- Visit the Records Division in person during lobby hours
- Provide a valid Catoosa County Georgia driver’s license or proof of Catoosa County residency
- Complete a criminal history request form
- Pay the $10.00 fee (exact change required)
- Return to collect your results within 24 hours — only the person who made the request may pick it up
For broader criminal background checks, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide criminal history records and provides services to both criminal justice agencies and, in certain cases, the public. For full background checks requiring fingerprinting, residents are directed to the GAPS system at ga.cogentid.com. The Sheriff’s Office provides free fingerprinting for Catoosa County residents Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The City of Ringgold Police Department also accepts open records requests and provides a downloadable Open Records Request form on its website for those seeking police reports or arrest information within Ringgold city limits.
Catoosa County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Catoosa County is distributed between the Superior Court and the Magistrate Court based on the dollar amount in controversy and the nature of the dispute. The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorces and handles general civil matters without a monetary cap. The Magistrate Court presides over civil claims of $15,000 or less, including small claims suits, dispossessory and eviction proceedings, garnishments, foreclosures, and disputes between landlords and tenants. The State Court also hears civil matters not reserved exclusively for the Superior Court.
Magistrate Court Civil Filing Fees (effective July 1, 2024):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Statement of Claim (1 defendant) | $95.00 |
| Garnishment (1 defendant) | $95.00 |
| Foreclosure (1 defendant) | $95.00 |
| Each additional defendant service | + $50.00 |
| Dispossessory/Eviction (1 defendant) | $70.00 |
| Each additional defendant (eviction) | + $25.00 |
Claims eligible for online filing through the Magistrate Court include small claims suits, dispossessory/eviction actions, foreclosures, and garnishments. The Magistrate Court can be contacted at (706) 935-3114, and the courthouse is located at 877 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736.
Civil records held by the Superior Court are accessible through the CM Web Search portal. Certified copies of civil court records and real estate documents — including deeds, liens, and plats — can be requested through the Superior Court Clerk’s office in person, by phone at (706) 935-4231, by email to tracy.brown@gsccca.org, or electronically through the GSCCCA eCertification portal. Property instrument searches through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority are available for deeds, liens, and plats statewide.
Catoosa County Family Court Records
Family-related legal proceedings in Catoosa County are handled by multiple courts depending on the issue. The Superior Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over divorce and may correct errors made by courts of limited jurisdiction. Divorce case files — including petitions, decrees, custody orders, and related filings — are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk at 875 Lafayette Street. To request copies, parties may contact the clerk at (706) 935-4231 or submit a written request by email to tracy.brown@gsccca.org.
The Catoosa County Juvenile Court handles juvenile traffic citations, delinquency matters, child-in-need-of-services (CHINS) cases, dependency proceedings, and termination of parental rights cases. Phone: (706) 935-4901 Juvenile court records are confidential and are not available for public inspection; access is limited to parties, attorneys of record, and governmental agencies directly involved in the case.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Catoosa County are issued by the Probate Court, which can now accept marriage license applications online — though applicants must still appear in person to complete the process. Certified copies of marriage licenses issued by the Probate Court can also be requested through the court’s online service.
For marriages recorded between June 1952 and August 1996, certified copies are available through the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Division. Requesters must submit a completed Request for Search of Marriage Form along with a non-refundable $10.00 search fee and a valid government-issued photo ID to:
State Office of Vital Records
Address: 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
For marriages recorded after August 1996, a search can be conducted through the Georgia Probate Records marriage search tool, where applicants’ names, issued date, and marriage date can be entered to find recorded licenses.
Divorce Records
All divorce records in Catoosa County are filed with and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk, not the Department of Public Health. The Vital Records Division can confirm that a divorce occurred, but certified copies of the actual case file must be obtained from the clerk’s office at 875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates from January 1919 to present are available through the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Division. The local Catoosa County Health Department at 145 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736 can also process vital records requests. Current vital records fees are $25.00 for a birth or death certificate, with additional certified copies available for $5.00 each. Death records may also be searched through the Georgia Probate Records death search tool using the deceased’s name and applicable date range.
Catoosa County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court of Catoosa County handles a broad range of matters that directly affect families, including the administration of decedent estates, the probating of wills, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, the issuance of marriage licenses, weapons carry permit applications, and mental health evaluation orders. The court is located at 875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736, and can be reached at (706) 935-3511, Fax: (706) 935-3519
The Probate Court now offers several services online, including applications for marriage licenses and weapons carry permits, and requests for certified copies of marriage licenses. The online application still requires an in-person visit to complete. A fee schedule under HB 232, effective January 1, 2025, governs current probate filing fees. Guardianship, death record, and traffic records are not yet available through the court’s online portal; those matters require an in-person or written request.
Probate case records can be searched through the Georgia Probate Records portal, which covers estates, guardianships, wills, marriages, deaths, and traffic dockets statewide. Users select a case category and enter the relevant search parameters — typically name and date range — to retrieve results at no cost.
How to Request Probate Records:
- Visit the Georgia Probate Records search portal and select the appropriate case category (estates, wills, guardianships, marriages, or deaths)
- Enter the required search criteria, including name and, if known, date ranges
- Review results online at no charge
- For certified copies or records not yet digitized, contact the Probate Court directly at (706) 935-3511 or visit in person at 875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736
- For estate administration matters or guardianship filings, bring relevant case identifiers and a valid photo ID when visiting in person
Adoption records maintained by any Catoosa County court are sealed and unavailable to the general public; access requires a court order.