Cherokee County Court Records Search
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Cherokee County, Georgia, located north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is served by a multi-tiered court system that handles the full spectrum of legal proceedings — from felony criminal cases to estate administration and family law disputes. The court system includes the Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and several Municipal Courts. Records generated through each of these courts are maintained by different clerks depending on the type of proceeding, and access methods vary accordingly.
For those searching for court case information in Georgia, records can be located through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the courts themselves. The GeorgiaStateCourts.us website is one resource that may assist users in locating publicly available Cherokee County court case information alongside the official portals described throughout this guide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cherokee County?
The primary starting point for most court record searches in Cherokee County is the Cherokee County Clerk of Courts case search tool, maintained by Clerk of Courts Patty Baker. The portal allows searches by case number, party name, or Child Support Enforcement (CSE) number across Superior, State, and Magistrate Court cases. The tool provides docket information including party names, court dates, and judge assignments, and is available as a free public resource.
Step-by-Step: How to Request Records
- Identify which court handled the case (Superior, State, Magistrate, Probate, or Juvenile Court).
- Determine your preferred access method: online, in person, or by mail.
- Gather required details: party names, case number (if available), case type, and the specific documents needed.
- If requesting copies by mail, prepare a request letter with all identifying information, enclose payment, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Submit the request to the appropriate clerk’s office listed below.
In-Person Access
All Superior, State, and Magistrate Court records are accessible in person at the Frank C. Mills III Justice Center, located at 90 North Street, Canton, GA 30114. Office hours for the Clerk of Courts are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors may use the public search terminals to print copies independently or request clerk assistance at the counter.
Copy Fees — Clerk of Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copy (self-printed at public terminal) | $0.50 per page |
| Regular copy (clerk assistance required) | $1.00 per page |
| Regular copy requested by mail | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $2.50 (fee applies per certified document) |
Georgia law governs these fees, and the Clerk’s Office is statutorily required to collect them. Fee waivers are not available for copy requests.
For certified copies of court records through the statewide system, the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ eCertification portal allows requesters to create an account and obtain digital certified copies online.
Are Court Records Public in Cherokee County?
The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-18-70 through 50-18-74) establishes a broad presumption of public access to government records, including court records maintained by Cherokee County’s clerks. Under the Act, any person may inspect or copy public records unless the records fall within an enumerated exemption.
O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 identifies records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. In the context of Cherokee County court records, the following categories are commonly withheld or restricted:
- Records sealed or expunged pursuant to a court order
- Documents classified as confidential under state or federal law
- Records pertaining to active criminal investigations, including outstanding arrest warrants
- Personal juror information
- Records containing Social Security numbers, personal phone numbers, credit card information, or other sensitive personal identifiers
- Records held by the Probate Court judge under Code Section 16-11-129 (relating to weapons carry licenses)
- Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
- Juvenile court records, which are generally confidential under Georgia law
Where a record contains both public and restricted information, the restricted portions are typically redacted before release. Requesters seeking records that may be restricted are encouraged to contact the relevant clerk’s office for guidance. Open records requests to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office can be submitted through the county’s online portal.
Cherokee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Cherokee County are distributed across several courts based on the severity of the offense:
- Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal cases.
- State Court handles all misdemeanor and traffic criminal cases.
- Magistrate Court has limited jurisdiction over misdemeanor and ordinance violations.
- Municipal Courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and city ordinance violations within their respective city limits.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal court case records for the Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts are searchable online through the Clerk of Courts case search portal. Requesters can also use the eCertification portal to obtain certified copies of criminal court records digitally. For in-person or mail requests, submit your request to:
Cherokee County Clerk of Courts — Criminal Division
Address: 90 North Street, Suite G-170, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (Criminal): (678) 493-6505
Fax: (770) 479-0467
Criminal History Records — Sheriff’s Office
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office maintains criminal history records for individuals arrested or convicted in the county. Access to these records is restricted. The Sheriff will release criminal history information only to:
- The record subject
- Third parties presenting a signed consent form from the subject
- Authorized government agencies
Eligible requesters must submit a notarized request form in person or by mail to:
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 498 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA 30115
Phone: (678) 493-4200
Incident Report Requests: (678) 493-4140, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which holds arrest, disposition, and custodial data. Inquiries about obtaining a criminal history record can be directed to GBI’s Criminal History Records division at (404) 244-2639.
Cherokee County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cherokee County are heard primarily by the Superior Court and the State Court, with the Magistrate Court handling smaller civil disputes.
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Superior Court | Unlimited civil, real estate, complex commercial, equity, administrative appeals |
| State Court | General civil, foreclosure, liens, landlord-tenant disputes |
| Magistrate Court | Small claims (up to $15,000), ordinance violations |
All civil court records for these three courts are maintained by the Clerk of Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts. Searches can be conducted online through the case search tool, at public terminals within the courthouse, or by mail request.
Mail Requests for Civil Court Records
To request civil court records by mail, include the following in your letter:
- Names of all parties in the case
- Case number, if available
- Title of the specific document(s) needed
- Type of copy requested (regular or certified)
- Payment by money order or cash (do not send cash through the mail)
- A self-addressed, stamped return envelope
Send all mail requests to:
Clerk of the Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts
Address: 90 North Street, Suite G-170, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (Civil): (678) 493-6501
Note that hidden pleadings and documents containing sensitive data are blocked from internet display. To view restricted documents, you must visit the Clerk’s Office in person during business hours.
Cherokee County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Cherokee County are divided between two courts. The Superior Court handles most adult family proceedings, while the Juvenile Court oversees matters involving minors.
Superior Court — Family Proceedings
The Superior Court has jurisdiction over divorce and dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence protection orders. All such records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are accessible through the case search portal, in person at the clerk’s office, or by mail request.
Copy fees for family court records follow the same schedule as other civil records: $0.50 per page (self-printed at terminal), $1.00 per page (clerk assistance or mail), and certified copies as applicable. Confidential portions of family records — particularly those involving minors or sensitive personal information — are redacted or restricted. Requesters seeking sealed family records must demonstrate legal eligibility.
Juvenile Court — Minor-Related Proceedings
The Cherokee County Juvenile Court handles juvenile delinquency cases, termination of parental rights proceedings, and child abuse and neglect matters. Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Georgia law and are not accessible to the general public. Requests for juvenile records must be directed to the Juvenile Court Clerk, and access is limited to the juvenile, their parents or guardians, legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
Cherokee County Juvenile Court
Address: 90 North Street, Suite 350, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (678) 493-6560
Fax: (678) 493-6255
Email: juvenileclerks@cherokeecountyga.gov
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage certificates issued in Cherokee County are held by the Probate Court. Requesters can search historical marriage data and estate filings through the Probate Court’s online marriage and estate database. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, complete the marriage record request form and submit it with a $10.00 fee (by money order, cash, or debit/credit card with a 4% surcharge for card payments in person) to the Probate Court at 90 North Street, Suite 340, Canton, GA 30114.
Divorce records are held by the Clerk of the Superior Court and are searchable through the clerk’s online search database. Copies can be requested in person at the clerk’s counter, at public terminals, or by mail to Suite G-170 at the same Justice Center address.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Cherokee County residents are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). These records are restricted and available only to the record subject, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. To obtain a certified copy, requesters must complete either the birth certificate request form or death record request form available through the DPH, provide a copy of a valid photo ID, and include the applicable fee. The DPH charges a $25 search fee, which covers one certified copy for records within a three-year window; additional copies cost $5 each. Requests may be submitted by mail or in person to:
State Office of Vital Records
Address: 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Cherokee County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court of Cherokee County administers proceedings involving wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, and mental health matters. The Probate Court also handles marriage license applications and weapons carry license applications. Probate case records are maintained by the Probate Court Clerk and are accessible through the court’s online database as well as in person or by mail.
Cherokee County Probate Court
Address: 90 North Street, Suite 340, Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (678) 493-6160
Fax: (678) 493-6170
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Searching Probate Records Online
The Probate Court maintains a searchable estate and marriage database where users can look up historical marriage data and open estate case filings. The statewide Texas judicial records search portal is not applicable here; instead, Georgia probate records can also be searched through the statewide Georgia Probate Records database, which covers recorded marriage licenses, wills, and guardianship petitions.
Requesting Copies of Probate Records
Estate and guardianship petitions are handled by appointment. Contact the Probate Court at (678) 493-6160 to schedule. The court also accepts completed petitions by mail. For marriage document requests, the fee is $10.00 per copy. The court accepts cash, money order, and debit/credit card (with a 4% service fee for card payments in person); mail payments must be by money order or cash only, made payable to the Cherokee County Probate Court.