Chatham County Court Records Search
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Chatham County occupies the coastal southeastern corner of Georgia, with Savannah serving as both the county seat and the state’s oldest city. The county’s trial court system is extensive, comprising a Superior Court, State Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Recorder’s Court, and six Municipal Courts spread across Chatham’s incorporated municipalities. The Clerk of Superior Court—currently Tammie Mosley—functions as the principal keeper of civil and criminal case records, real estate filings, and related legal documents. This guide details where each type of court record is held in Chatham County, how to request copies, what fees to expect, and which online tools are available for remote searches.
Georgia provides statewide electronic access to court case information through the re:SearchGA portal, which covers cases filed in Chatham County’s Superior Court, State Court, and other participating courts. Users who create a free account can search by party name, case number, or attorney across multiple Georgia counties simultaneously. In addition to this state-level tool, each Chatham County court office accepts in-person visits, written requests, and—in many cases—online inquiries. The Georgia Courts website also directs the public to electronic court record access resources. For those seeking Georgia court records more broadly, GeorgiaStateCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available case data across the state’s counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Chatham County?
Chatham County offers several pathways for locating court case information, depending on the type of case, the court that handled it, and whether you prefer to search online, in person, or by mail.
Online Searches
The primary online tool is re:SearchGA, the Odyssey-based case management portal. After registering for a free account, users can search by party name (entered in last name, first name format), case number, or attorney name. Viewing the face of a document costs $0.50 per page if the user chooses to print. Chatham County’s traffic and criminal citations from Recorder’s Court can also be searched and paid online by citation number, driver’s license number, or name.
Civil and family law documents can be electronically filed through eFileGA, Georgia’s statewide e-filing platform. Criminal filings, adoptions, and temporary protective orders are not accepted through e-filing at this time.
In-Person Access
The Clerk of Superior Court’s Civil Division is the main point of contact for walk-in record requests:
Clerk of Superior Court — Civil Division
Address: 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: (912) 434-8920 (Press 1 for Civil) or (912) 434-8930
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Public access terminals are available at this location for self-service case searches. The office accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, check, or money order for copy purchases. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Clerk of Superior Court”.
Requests by Mail
Mail-in requests require a completed Records Request Form, a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID, and payment by check or money order. Send requests to:
Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 10227
Savannah, GA 31412
Copy Fees (Superior Court Clerk):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Oversized copy (larger than 8½ x 14) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy surcharge | $2.00 additional |
| Electronic certified copies | See eCertification details |
Other Chatham County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | 133 Montgomery St., Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401 | (912) 652-7200 |
| State Court | 133 Montgomery St., Room 501, Savannah, GA 31412 | (912) 652-7224 |
| Magistrate Court | 133 Montgomery St., Room 303, Savannah, GA 31401 | (912) 652-7181 |
| Probate Court | 133 Montgomery St., Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401 | (912) 652-7265 |
| Recorder’s Court | 133 Montgomery St., Room 116, Savannah, GA 31401 | (912) 652-7425 |
| Juvenile Court | 197 Carl Griffin Dr., Savannah, GA 31405 | (912) 652-6716 |
Are Court Records Public in Chatham County?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 through 50-18-76), all public records—including court records—are open for personal inspection and copying. Any interested person may request access, and agencies must respond within three business days. The Clerk of Superior Court’s office has stated that scanned images of filings are not displayed on the internet to protect against identity theft, but the public may view documents in person at the courthouse or purchase copies through re:SearchGA.
Georgia law does mandate that certain categories of records remain confidential or restricted:
- Sealed and expunged records — Records sealed by court order or expunged under Georgia law are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in Juvenile Court are confidential by statute.
- Adoption records — These files are sealed and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Medical and mental health records — Protected health information filed with the court is exempt from disclosure.
- Child custody and paternity records — Access may be limited depending on the nature of the proceedings.
- Active investigation materials — Law enforcement records that could reveal confidential informants or compromise ongoing investigations are exempt.
- Income tax returns — These are not subject to public disclosure when included in court filings.
Record custodians are also authorized to redact personal identifying information—including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and passport numbers—before releasing documents. Anyone uncertain whether a particular record is available should contact the relevant Clerk’s office directly.
Chatham County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Chatham County are handled by several courts depending on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court, sitting within the Eastern Judicial Circuit, has exclusive jurisdiction over felonies. The State Court’s Criminal Division presides over misdemeanors and traffic offenses from all jurisdictions within the county. The Recorder’s Court handles county-level traffic and ordinance violations, and the six Municipal Courts address offenses within their respective city limits.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal court records from the Superior Court and State Court can be searched through re:SearchGA. Users must register for an account and can then look up cases by defendant name or case number. Viewing is free, but printing documents costs $0.50 per page. Recorder’s Court cases can be searched separately by citation number, social security number, name, or driver’s license number.
In-person searches are available at the respective Clerk’s office for the court that heard the case. Walk-in visitors should bring a valid government-issued ID.
Arrest and Incident Reports
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and the Chatham County Police Department Records Unit both maintain arrest and incident records. Open records requests to the Police Department are governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 through 50-18-76, and reports must be provided within three business days. The cost for police records is $0.10 per page, with audio and video pricing determined by incident length and materials used; the first 15 minutes of staff time for custom requests are free of charge.
Chatham County Police Records Unit
Address: 295 Police Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: (912) 652-6988
Chatham County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: (912) 652-7634
The county also maintains a centralized public records request portal for submitting open records requests to various Chatham County agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office. Do not submit payment with an open records request—the custodian will notify you of the cost. Accepted payment forms include cash, business checks, and debit/credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.
Chatham County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Chatham County is split across multiple courts. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all civil matters and handles higher-value lawsuits, complex commercial disputes, real estate title issues, and equity cases. The State Court has concurrent jurisdiction over some civil cases. The Magistrate Court hears small claims and dispossessory (eviction) actions. Municipal Courts and the Recorder’s Court handle ordinance violations within their jurisdictions.
Obtaining Civil Case Records
The Clerk of Superior Court’s Civil Division processes and maintains civil case files for Superior Court matters. Records can be obtained three ways:
- Online — Search and purchase document copies through re:SearchGA at $0.50 per printed page.
- In person — Visit the Civil Division at 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178, Savannah, GA 31401, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Public access terminals are available for self-service searches. To confirm copy costs before visiting, call (912) 434-8930.
- By mail — Submit the Records Request Form with a photocopy of a valid ID and payment to P.O. Box 10227, Savannah, GA 31412.
Civil Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2024):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil and domestic | $218.00 (plus applicable service fee) |
| Civil cases filed by local government | $78.00 |
| Civil cases filed by a Georgia state agency | $93.00 |
| Family violence / stalking order | No fee |
| Incoming transfer | $50.00 |
| Issuing subpoena | $5.00 |
| Sheriff’s service (plus $0.50/page for copies) | $50.00 |
| Tenant dispossessory action | $25.00 |
All civil filing fees increased by $4.00 effective July 1, 2024, under SB322 amending O.C.G.A. § 47-16-61. A current and complete fee schedule is posted on the Clerk’s website.
E-Filing Civil Cases
Civil and family cases may be electronically filed through eFileGA. Users create an account, upload each document as a separate PDF, and file into the Chatham County location. Notifications are sent by email. Public access terminals at the courthouse also allow in-office e-filing with all fees due at the time of submission.
Chatham County Family Court Records
The Superior Court’s Family Court Division adjudicates divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption cases in Chatham County. Not all family court records are subject to the Open Records Act—adoption records, certain child custody proceedings, and paternity records are restricted from public access.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. The Civil Division provides copies by walk-in, mail, or online through re:SearchGA. Certified copies carry a $2.00 surcharge above the standard per-page copy fee. The Clerk’s office provides several pro se divorce petition packets to assist self-represented litigants:
- Uncontested divorce with children
- Uncontested divorce without children
- Contested divorce with children
- Contested divorce without children
Additional family law assistance is available through the Family Law Resource Center at (912) 354-6057 or mediationsavannah.com, and the Chatham County Family Justice Center at (912) 659-5282.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are under the jurisdiction of the Chatham County Probate Court. All marriage license applications are by appointment only—walk-in applicants will be directed to schedule online. To request certified copies of existing marriage certificates, complete the Existing Marriage Document Request Form and submit it with a money order for the fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Probate Court of Chatham County
P.O. Box 8344
Savannah, GA 31412
Physical Address: 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: (912) 652-7264 (Option 2 for marriage questions)
The research fee is $10, plus $1 per page for certified copies. Certified digital copies of marriage records may also be ordered through the Georgia Probate Court online portal. Probate Court accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), debit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks, and cash. A 5% convenience fee applies to all credit/debit transactions. Personal checks are not accepted.
Birth and Death Records
While not court records, vital records are frequently sought in connection with family legal matters. The Chatham County Health Department Vital Records Office issues certified birth and death certificates:
Chatham County Vital Records Office
Address: 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: (912) 356-2138 or toll-free (866) 667-3236
The fee is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy in the same order, payable by cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or money order from a financial institution or post office. Mail requests should include the required identifying information, a copy of a state-approved photo ID, payment, and a stamped self-addressed envelope, sent to Vital Records, P.O. Box 14257, Savannah, GA 31416.
Other Family Law Forms
The Clerk of Superior Court also provides downloadable packets for legitimation petitions, adult name changes, and minor name changes.
Chatham County Probate Court Records
The Chatham County Probate Court handles the administration of decedents’ estates, probate of wills, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and related matters. The court operates out of the Chatham County Courthouse and accepts pleadings by mail, drop box, or by appointment. With the exception of mental health orders to apprehend and petitions for emergency guardianships or conservatorships, all Probate Court services require an appointment—walk-in visitors will be asked to schedule one.
Probate Court of Chatham County
Address: 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8344, Savannah, GA 31412
Phone: (912) 652-7264 (Option 4 for estates; Option 5 for guardianships/conservatorships)
Fax: (912) 652-7262
Hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM; Thursday, 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (closed noon to 1:00 PM daily)
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be monitored and searched online through Georgia Probate Records, where filers can track service completion and view case documents. The re:SearchGA portal also includes probate filings. The Probate Court’s Records Room is accessible by appointment for in-person research, and a TLO/Transunion database search service is available for $10 per person searched to help locate missing heirs or beneficiaries.
Estate Administration
The Probate Court guides individuals through the estate process with published resources including guides on what to do when a loved one dies, duties of personal representatives, and how to identify heirs. Key filing fees include $40 for annual returns and $40 for estate inventories (no fee if no assets or financial transactions are reported). Wills may be filed for safekeeping for a $15 storage fee. All Probate Court forms are available on the court’s website.
For estates where the only asset is a bank account under $15,000 and the decedent had no will, an heir-at-law may file a Banking Affidavit of Surviving Relative under O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239, potentially avoiding the need for formal Letters of Administration.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
The Probate Court appoints guardians for incapacitated adults and conservators to manage their financial affairs. Conservators are subject to court oversight, and the court publishes instructions for filing guardianship and conservatorship reports along with emergency filing procedures. Service of notice in guardianship filings requires either sheriff’s service ($50) or certified mail ($15). As of October 1, 2025, sheriff’s service is the default method unless certified mail is expressly requested.
Accepted Payment Methods (Probate Court):
Probate Court accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover—5% convenience fee), debit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks, and cash. Personal checks are not accepted. All pleadings filed by mail must include appropriate fees or the filing will be returned.