Clayton County Court Records Search
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Clayton County is part of the Clayton Judicial Circuit in Georgia and serves a population of more than 297,000 residents through a multi-court system based in Jonesboro. The county operates five distinct courts — Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Court — each with its own clerk’s office and jurisdiction over specific case types. Court records generated by these courts encompass civil complaints, criminal dockets, family law filings, estate matters, and more. Whether you need to verify a case disposition, obtain a certified divorce decree, or research a probate filing, understanding which office holds the records you need and how to access them is essential.
Individuals looking for court case information in Georgia can start by exploring official resources at GeorgiaStateCourts.us, which provides links to statewide court tools and portals. Clayton County also maintains its own Court Case Inquiry system, and Georgia’s E-Access portal connects users to electronic case records across participating jurisdictions. Beyond these online tools, records can be requested directly from the relevant clerk’s office in person, by mail, or through the county’s eCertification Portal, which allows users to order certified and regular copies of court and real estate documents electronically around the clock.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clayton County?
Clayton County provides multiple pathways for searching court cases. The method you choose will depend on the type of case, the court that handled it, and whether you need official certified copies or simply want to view docket information.
Online Search Options
- Clayton County Court Case Inquiry — The county’s own Case Inquiry System supports both civil and criminal case searches. Users can search by party name or case number. Docket entries are generally posted within 72 hours of filing. Note that certain restricted records — juvenile cases, probate records, protective orders, sealed matters, and cases filed before the county transitioned to its Judicial Information System — may not appear in the results.
- re:SearchGA — Georgia’s unified case management portal provides cross-jurisdictional access to electronic court records statewide. Users must create an account to search. Searches can be performed by party name or case number.
- eCertification Portal — For those who need certified or regular copies of court documents or real estate recordings, the eCertification Portal operated through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) allows orders to be submitted and fulfilled electronically.
- GSCCCA Real Estate Search — The GSCCCA hosts a Real Estate Document Search covering records from 1985 to the present, useful for property-related court records like deeds, liens, and UCCs.
In-Person Searches
Visit the clerk’s office for the specific court that handled your case. All courts except Probate Court are located at the Harold R. Banke Justice Center. Bring as much identifying information as possible — party names, approximate filing dates, and case numbers speed up the search. Offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mail Requests
Each clerk’s office accepts written record requests sent by U.S. Mail. Include the case party names, case number (if known), specific documents requested, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Copy and certification fees will apply.
Are Court Records Public in Clayton County?
Georgia law establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records, including court records. Under OCGA § 50-18-70 et seq., known as the Georgia Open Records Act, any member of the public may inspect and copy public records maintained by government offices, including court clerks.
Most court filings — complaints, answers, motions, orders, judgments, docket sheets, and sentencing records — are available for public review. However, OCGA § 50-18-72 exempts specific categories from disclosure:
- Jury list data, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and contact information
- Records revealing sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or utility account information
- Medical records, mental health records, and similar documents
- Weapons carry license records maintained by the Probate Court
- Confidential investigative and prosecutorial documents
- Records identifying witnesses in protection programs
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Physical exhibits containing obscene content or nudity
- Adoption records
Additionally, juvenile court proceedings in Clayton County are confidential under Georgia law, and protective orders, sealed cases, and certain family court records containing sensitive information are not available for general public access.
Formal open records requests for non-court government records can be submitted through Clayton County’s Open Records Request portal. For court records specifically, requests should be directed to the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed.
Clayton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Clayton County are divided between multiple courts based on the severity of the charges. Felony cases are prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office and heard in Superior Court. Misdemeanor criminal offenses and traffic violations are handled by State Court, where the Solicitor General’s Office handles prosecution. The Magistrate Court conducts preliminary hearings in felony and misdemeanor cases and issues arrest warrants and search warrants.
Court Locations for Criminal Matters
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, GA 30236 | (770) 477-3436 |
| State Court | Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, GA 30236 | (770) 477-3354 |
| Magistrate Court | Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, GA 30236 | (770) 477-3444 |
How to Search Criminal Records
The Court Case Inquiry system allows criminal case searches by defendant name or case number. The re:SearchGA portal also indexes Clayton County criminal dockets for registered users. In person, criminal case records can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court for felony matters or the Clerk of State Court for misdemeanors.
E-filing for criminal cases in both Superior Court and State Court is handled through the Odyssey eFileGA system. The Solicitor General’s office accepts eService at solicitorgeneral.efile@claytoncountyga.gov.
Criminal Background Checks
The Clayton County Police Department processes criminal history reports through its Records Unit. Requests must be submitted in person during business hours with:
- A government-issued photo ID
- A Social Security card
- A signed waiver form
- $20 fee (payable by cash, cashier’s check, or money order)
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) also processes fingerprint-based criminal history checks and record restriction applications. Requests can be mailed to the Georgia Crime Information Center at P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.2), private persons and businesses may obtain felony conviction records without the subject’s consent through the Georgia Felon Search maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center.
Clayton County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Clayton County is distributed across three courts depending on the amount in controversy and subject matter.
Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil actions, with exclusive authority over cases involving title to land, equity, declaratory judgment, mandamus, and quo warranto. The Clerk of Superior Court — currently Chanae Q. Clemons — maintains all civil case files for Superior Court.
Clerk of Superior Court
Address: Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard, Room 1CL25, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (770) 477-3395
State Court exercises concurrent jurisdiction over civil actions regardless of amount, unless exclusive jurisdiction lies with Superior Court. The Clerk of State Court — currently Tiki Brown — maintains civil filings for this court.
Clerk of State Court
Address: Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard, Room 1CL181, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (678) 479-5521
Magistrate Court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less, landlord-tenant dispossessory actions, damage suits, loans, personal property foreclosures, and related small claims matters. The Clerk of Magistrate Court accepts filings in person and via e-filing 24/7 for civil cases.
Magistrate Court Clerk’s Office Phone: (770) 477-3443
State Court Civil Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (filing only) | $223.00 |
| Civil action with one service | $273.00 |
| Each additional service | $50.00 |
| Abandoned motor vehicle lien | $174.00 |
| Certified copies (first page) | $2.50 |
| Additional certified copy pages (with case number) | $0.50/page |
| Additional certified copy pages (without case number) | $1.00/page |
| Regular copies (with case number) | $0.50/page |
| Regular copies (without case number) | $1.00/page |
| Subpoenas (all civil) | $5.00 |
| Transfer to another county | $50.00 |
Civil court forms for Superior Court filings can be downloaded from the Clerk of Superior Court’s website. E-filing for civil actions is available through the Odyssey eFileGA platform. Per Superior Court Rule 6.1, attorneys or parties who e-file a civil motion must notify opposing parties and the assigned judge by email within 24 hours.
Clayton County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Clayton County fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. These cases include divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, name changes, legitimation proceedings, and adoptions. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all family court case files.
Divorce Records
The Clerk of Superior Court’s divorce information page provides guidance and resources for individuals filing or seeking records related to dissolution of marriage, annulment, or divorce. Requests can be submitted in person at the Harold R. Banke Justice Center, by mail, or through the online eCertification system. A divorce record request form is available for download. Video instructions for divorce filings are also posted on the Clerk’s website.
Legitimation and Custody
Legitimation proceedings — through which a biological father establishes legal parental rights — are filed in Superior Court. The Clayton County Courts Law Library maintains resources on legitimation and custody procedures.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are issued exclusively by the Clayton County Probate Court. To obtain a marriage license:
- Complete the online marriage application in advance.
- Both applicants must appear in person at the Probate Court with a confirmation number and valid state-issued photo ID.
- If either applicant was previously married, a certified divorce decree or certified death certificate (if a former spouse is deceased) is required.
- The fee is $10, payable by cash, debit, or credit card. Checks are not accepted.
- Applications for marriage licenses are not accepted after 3:00 p.m.
Marriage licenses are available for same-day pickup. Framed copies of marriage certificates require additional processing time. Both a certified marriage license copy and a framed marriage certificate each cost $10.
To request a marriage record by mail, send a money order for $10 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Clayton County Probate Court
121 South McDonough Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Certified copies of Georgia marriage records dated June 1952 through August 1996 — as well as marriage verifications for unions held on or after January 1, 2014 — can also be obtained from the Georgia Office of Vital Records. The fee is a nonrefundable $10, plus $5 for each additional copy.
Confidentiality in Family Cases
Family court records containing sensitive information — particularly those involving minors, custody evaluations, and financial disclosures — may be restricted from public access. Adoption records are expressly exempt from disclosure under Georgia law. Juvenile Court records are also confidential.
Clayton County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court of Clayton County exercises exclusive original jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians and conservators, involuntary hospitalization of incapacitated adults, marriage licensing, and weapons carry licensing. The court is presided over by Judge Atha H. Pryor.
Probate Court
Address: Annex Building 3, 121 South McDonough Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
| Division | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Estates Division | (770) 477-3299 | (770) 477-3306 |
| Licensing Division (Marriage, Weapons, Guardianship, Mental Health) | (770) 477-3301 | (770) 477-3306 |
| Emergency Filings (Guardianship/Conservatorship, Involuntary Treatment) | (678) 492-3416 | — |
Searching Probate Records Online
Clayton County Probate Court estate records can be viewed online at no cost. To search:
- Visit georgiaprobaterecords.com and click “Estates”.
- Select Clayton County from the drop-down menu.
- Search by last and first name, or by deceased date/filed date range.
- Click the bold case number to view the record. Documents display a red Adobe icon when available for viewing.
Upon issuance of Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, a decedent’s last will and testament is made available in the online portal. Documents not available online can be obtained by submitting a written request to the court.
Copy Fees for Probate Records
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $10.00 + $1.00 per additional page |
| Exemplified copies | $15.00 + $1.00 per additional page |
| Mailing fee | $2.00 (or include a self-addressed stamped envelope) |
Mail requests should be sent to: Clayton County Probate Court, P.O. Box 896, Jonesboro, GA 30237. Include the estate name, case number, and a specific list of the documents you need.
Selected Probate Filing Fees (Revised February 2025)
| Petition Type | Base Fee | Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Probate will (solemn/common form) | $203.00 | — |
| Permanent letters of administration | $203.00 | — |
| Temporary letters of administration | $188.00 | — |
| No administration necessary | $203.00 | +$25 Superior Court recording fee if real property |
| Year’s support | $203.00 | +$180 publication; +$25 recording fee if real property |
| Guardianship/conservatorship of incapacitated adult | $203.00 | +$650 GAL/attorney/evaluation/process server |
| Permanent guardianship of a minor | $203.00 | +$150 GAL |
| Temporary guardianship of a minor | $138.00 | — |
| Petition for discharge | $188.00 | +$45 publication |
Standard probate forms and general instructions can be downloaded from the Georgia Probate Court standard forms website. Filing fee calculations for specific case types, including service costs, can be generated at georgiaprobaterecords.com by selecting Clayton County.
The Probate Court also operates a Pro Bono Clinic on select dates, offering free legal consultations on probate matters on a first-come, first-served basis at the 3rd floor of Annex 3. The schedule is posted on the Probate Court’s website and is subject to change. Attorneys at the clinic provide consultations only and do not enter into representation agreements.