Decatur County Court Records Search
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Decatur County, Georgia sits in the southwestern part of the state with Bainbridge as its county seat. The county’s court system operates as a branch of Georgia state government, not as a department of the local county government, and encompasses several distinct courts — each with specific jurisdiction over different types of legal matters. Court records created in these proceedings include orders, motions, judgments, dockets, dispositions, case summaries, executed warrants, indictments, and sentencing documents, among others.
Residents and researchers in Georgia can locate court case information through official clerk offices, courthouse visits, and online tools. GeorgiaStateCourts.us may help users find publicly available case information filed in courts across the state, including Decatur County. The Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority also maintain statewide online access systems described throughout this guide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Decatur County?
The central records office for most Decatur County court records is the Clerk of the Superior Court, who maintains filings for the Superior Court, State Court, and Juvenile Court. The Clerk’s office is located in the Historic Decatur County Courthouse.
Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court
Physical Address: 112 West Water Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3025
Fax: (229) 248-3029
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Clerk: Cecilia Willis
Available search options:
- In person — Visit the Clerk’s office at 112 West Water Street during business hours to request case files, review records, or obtain copies. Bring the case number and names of the parties involved to expedite the search.
- GSCCCA eCertification Portal — The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) eCertification Portal allows users to request digitally certified documents from court systems across Georgia. Account creation is required.
- GSCCCA State Index Search — The GSCCCA State Index Search provides online access to real estate records, UCC filings, lien indexes, notary searches, and related public documents by county.
- Georgia AOC E-Access Portal — The Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts maintains an E-Access to Court Records portal that redirects users to provider websites for case searches; account creation may be required and subscription or copy fees may apply.
- Mail requests — Submit a written request to P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818. Include the case number, full names of the parties, and the type of record requested. Call (229) 248-3025 beforehand to confirm copy fees and procedures.
Are Court Records Public in Decatur County?
Georgia law establishes a broad public right of access to court records. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public records are open for personal inspection and copying unless specifically restricted by court order or by law. The Clerk of the Superior Court, as the primary custodian, is required to honor records requests unless a specific exemption applies.
Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure in Decatur County include:
- Juvenile records — Cases involving minors are confidential by law and handled separately through the Juvenile Court.
- Victim personal information — Identifying information of crime victims may be withheld to protect personal privacy and safety.
- Medical records — Health and medical information included in court files may be restricted.
- Records made confidential by federal law — Certain categories of information are protected under federal statute regardless of state access rules.
- Sealed records — Courts may seal records upon application by a party or on the court’s own motion under the Open Records Act framework.
- Active criminal investigation materials — Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records compiled in connection with active law enforcement investigations are exempt from mandatory public disclosure.
Note: The Clerk’s office is prohibited by statute from providing legal advice or assistance in preparing legal paperwork for civil or criminal matters.
Decatur County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Decatur County is divided based on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court handles all felony cases as well as misdemeanor cases that are elevated to its level. The State Court of Decatur County handles misdemeanor criminal matters. The Magistrate Court issues arrest warrants and search warrants and handles preliminary matters. Juvenile criminal matters are heard in the Juvenile Court, which convenes at the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office on Spring Creek Road.
Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur County Superior Court | 112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818 | (229) 248-3025 |
| State Court of Decatur County | 112 West Water Street, P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818 | (229) 248-3025 |
| Decatur County Magistrate Court | 912 Spring Creek Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817 | (229) 248-3014 |
| Decatur County Juvenile Court | 912 Spring Creek Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817 | (229) 248-3025 |
Magistrate Court hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Emmons presides.
Searching criminal records:
- Contact or visit the Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court at 112 West Water Street for copies of felony indictments, accusations, warrants, sentencing documents, and post-conviction filings.
- Use the GSCCCA eCertification Portal to request certified criminal case documents online.
- Access the Georgia AOC E-Access portal for statewide case record searches.
Arrest records and jail information are maintained by the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office:
Decatur County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 912 Spring Creek Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817
Sheriff’s Office Phone: (229) 248-3044
Jail Phone: (229) 248-3050
Fax: (229) 248-3850
Sheriff: Wiley Griffin
Decatur County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Decatur County is handled primarily by the Superior Court, which has general jurisdiction over major civil matters including large monetary claims, land title disputes, equity actions, divorce, adoptions, name changes, garnishments, and child support. The State Court handles certain civil matters as well, and the Magistrate Court hears small claims disputes involving lower dollar amounts.
The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all civil filings, including:
- Suits of account and judgments
- Liens and fi. fas. (fieri facias)
- Divorce and domestic relations cases
- Adoptions and name changes
- Child support and custody modifications
- UCC filings and liens on personal property
- Real estate deeds, plats, cancellations, and transfer tax records
How to obtain civil case records:
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts at 112 West Water Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Call (229) 248-3025 ahead of time to confirm copy fees and request procedures.
- By mail — Send a written request to P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818. Include party names, case number if known, and the type of document requested.
- Online property and lien records — The GSCCCA State Index Search provides online access to real estate records, UCC filings, and lien indexes. The Decatur County Tax Assessor’s Record Search allows users to look up property valuations, assessments, and parcel data.
- Online case access — The GSCCCA eCertification Portal allows online requests for certified court documents statewide.
The Clerk’s office also handles passport applications, notary public appointments, trade name registrations, military discharge recordings, and appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
Decatur County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Decatur County — including divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, contempt actions, and adoptions — fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. These cases are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court along with all other civil filings.
Divorce records are accessible through the Clerk’s office. To request copies, visit the courthouse in person or mail a written request providing the full names of both parties, the case number if available, and the date of the divorce. Call (229) 248-3025 to confirm copy fees before submitting a request. Divorce records may also be searchable through the GSCCCA eCertification Portal.
Marriage records in Decatur County are issued and maintained by the Probate Court. Current marriage license fees are:
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| With notarized pre-marital counseling certificate | $38.00 (includes 2 certified copies) |
| Without pre-marital counseling | $78.00 (includes 2 certified copies) |
| Additional certified copies (in person) | $20.00 each |
| Additional certified copies (by mail) | $23.00 each |
The Probate Court accepts debit and credit cards for most services; weapons carry licenses must be paid by cashier’s check, money order, or debit/credit card — no personal checks or cash accepted for that service. Applicants are asked to call or visit the Probate Court before applying for a marriage license to confirm required documents.
Birth records in Decatur County are maintained by the Decatur County Health Department (Vital Records Office, 928 South West Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819) for records from 1919 to the present. The Health Department phone number for birth and death certificate inquiries is (229) 248-3055. The statewide Georgia State Office of Vital Records at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, also processes requests. To request a birth certificate, complete and submit the Request for Search of Birth Form in person or by mail with a valid photo ID and payment. Fees are $25.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Only the registrant, immediate family members (parents, grandparents, spouse, adult child, or sibling), legal guardians, or authorized agents are eligible for certified copies.
Death records are obtained using the Request for Search of Death Record form, submitted to either the Decatur County Health Department or the State Office of Vital Records. Fees are $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Certified copies are restricted to the deceased’s immediate family and legal representatives. Mail processing through the State Office takes 8 to 10 weeks.
Decatur County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court of Decatur County is a court of record with exclusive jurisdiction over probate and estate matters. All documents filed in Probate Court are recorded in minute books and kept permanently available to the public. The court handles a wide range of matters:
- Wills and estate administration
- Intestate administration (estates without a will)
- Years’ support petitions
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Temporary guardianship of minors
- Marriage licenses
- Weapons carry licenses
Probate Court of Decatur County
Physical Address: 112 West Water Street, Bainbridge, GA 39818
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 234, Bainbridge, GA 39818
Phone: (229) 248-3016
Fax: (229) 248-3858
Judge: Eric L. Gay
Clerk: Yvonne Jenkins
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Weapons Carry License Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
How to access probate records:
- Visit the Probate Court in person at 112 West Water Street during court hours. Call (229) 248-3016 before visiting to confirm copy fees and record availability.
- Submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 234, Bainbridge, GA 39818. Include the names of all parties involved, the type of record requested, and a mailing address and phone number for the response.
- Search the Georgia AOC E-Access portal for probate case records available through the statewide system.
Note: Probate Court staff are not permitted to provide legal advice or clerical assistance in preparing petitions or other legal documents. Petitioners requiring help with probate filings are encouraged to consult a Georgia-licensed attorney.