Fannin County Court Records Search
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Fannin County, Georgia has a multi-court system that handles everything from felony prosecutions to estate administration and small civil disputes. In most cases, records from these courts are open to the public — but knowing which office holds what you need, and how to ask for it, will save you a lot of time. Whether you're tracking down a civil judgment, verifying a criminal case outcome, or looking up a property deed, this guide walks you through the right steps for each record type.
How to Locate Fannin County Court Records:
You can search court records in Georgia through clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and several online tools. GeorgiaStateCourts.us is a useful place to start when identifying publicly available case information across the state. For Fannin County specifically, the Georgia Courts' E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case search tools, and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) offers statewide real estate index and clerk records online. In-person searches are available at each court's clerk office during regular business hours, and many offices also accept written mail requests.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Fannin County?
All Fannin County courts are located at the Fannin County Courthouse, 400 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513 — the suite number varies by division. Here's a quick-reference listing of each court and its contact details:
| Court | Suite | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Court / Clerk of Superior Court | Suite 100 / Suite 205 | (706) 632-2039 | (706) 258-5250 |
| Probate Court | Suite 204 | (706) 632-3011 | (706) 632-7167 |
| Magistrate Court | Suite 202 | (706) 632-2039 | (706) 632-8236 |
| Juvenile Court | Suite 100 | (706) 632-2039 | (706) 258-5250 |
All offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and are closed on county holidays. The mailing address for the Clerk of Superior Court is P.O. Box 1300, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.
To locate a specific case, you have several options depending on the record type:
- Online: The GSCCCA Search portal gives statewide access to real estate deed indexes, lien filings, and UCC records maintained by all Superior Court Clerks. The Georgia Courts E-Access system links to case search tools for multiple court levels.
- In person: You can inspect public case files directly at the clerk's office during business hours. Bring a party's full name or a case number to speed up the search.
- By mail: Submit a written request to the relevant clerk's office. Include identifying details about the case and any applicable fees. The Clerk of Superior Court's mailing address is P.O. Box 1300, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.
- By phone: Staff at each court division can confirm whether a record exists and explain the correct request procedure, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Fannin County is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, which also covers Gilmer and Pickens counties. The circuit's website includes contact information and general jurisdictional details for all three counties.
Are Court Records Public in Fannin County?
Public access to Fannin County court records rests on O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act. Under this law, all public records are open for personal inspection and copying unless a specific legal exemption or court order prohibits disclosure. Government agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days.
Both the Probate Court and Magistrate Court note that under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, administrative and copying fees may be charged to cover the cost of searching, retrieving, and copying requested documents. Copies generally cost $0.10 per page. The first fifteen minutes of staff time are free; time beyond that is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee who can process the request.
Several categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Records classified as confidential by court order or statute
- Private personal data embedded within otherwise public records
- Law enforcement records that could reveal investigative sources or methods
- Records tied to pending investigations (initial police reports are generally accessible)
- Personal juror information
- Details of public officer investigations within the first 10 days
- Real estate transaction records that have not yet been completed or terminated
Juvenile court records receive additional protection and are generally sealed except by court order. Probate Court records that are filed in court are recorded in permanent minute books and are publicly available, except for information specifically prohibited by law.
Fannin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Fannin County are handled primarily by the Superior Court, which hears felony cases, criminal appeals, and serious misdemeanors. The Magistrate Court handles early-stage proceedings — arrest warrant applications, search warrants, first appearance hearings, and preliminary hearings. Misdemeanor traffic and game and fish violations are prosecuted in Probate Court, which holds monthly sessions for those matters.
Clerk of Superior Court — Criminal Records
The Judicial Division of the Fannin County Clerk of Superior Court receives, files, processes, stores, and retrieves all criminal court records for the Superior Court, including criminal indictments and case files. Clerk Dana Chastain oversees the office, with Deputy Clerk Allison Payne. Staff can be reached at (706) 632-2039 during business hours.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Fannin County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated Fannin County. The Sheriff's Office and Adult Detention Center are located at:
Fannin County Sheriff's Office
Address: 645 West First Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (Sheriff's Office): (706) 632-2044
Phone: (Detention Center): (706) 632-2045
The detention center houses individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors who are awaiting court proceedings. To request inmate custody information, call (706) 632-2045 with the subject's full legal name and date of birth. The Sheriff's Office also processes open records requests for arrest records under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation — Criminal History Records
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history background check, requests go through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains statewide criminal history records. You can initiate a request by calling (404) 244-2639 or emailing gacriminalhistory@gbi.state.ga.us. The GCIC Lobby Office can also help with criminal history inquiries and criminal record restrictions.
Fannin County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Fannin County are divided between two courts based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Superior Court — Civil Jurisdiction
The Superior Court handles civil cases above the Magistrate Court's monetary threshold, along with equity matters, title to land, and cases seeking injunctive relief. The Clerk of Superior Court's Judicial Division maintains all civil case files. You can obtain copies in person at Suite 100, 400 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, or by submitting a written request by mail to P.O. Box 1300, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Phone: (706) 632-2039
Magistrate Court — Small Claims and Civil Matters
The Fannin County Magistrate Court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less, including small claims, abandoned motor vehicle proceedings, garnishments, and landlord-tenant (dispossessory) actions. Dispossessory actions are an exception to the $15,000 cap and carry unlimited monetary jurisdiction within the Magistrate Court. The court is presided over by Chief Magistrate Judge Brian D. Jones, Senior Associate Judge James S. Altman, and Associate Judge R. Kevin Dye. For filing information, contact Chief Clerk Cassie Rymer at (706) 632-2039.
Parties in Magistrate Court are not required to have an attorney. The court uses simplified forms and relaxed procedures designed for self-represented litigants.
Property and Real Estate Records
The Clerk of Superior Court's Real Estate Division records and distributes all real estate documents for Fannin County — deeds, plats, easements, liens, powers of attorney, trusts, charters, and limited partnerships. You can search these records online through the GSCCCA Real Estate Index, which provides statewide deed index access. In-person review is available at Suite 205 of the Fannin County Courthouse during business hours.
The Business/Administrative Division of the Clerk's Office handles additional civil matters, including appeals from Superior Court decisions, adoptions, foreign judgments, Fi. Fa. writs, hospital liens, trade name registrations, general partnership records, notary public commissions, and passport applications.
Fannin County Family Court Records
Georgia does not have a separate family court division. Instead, the Superior Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters throughout the state. Family-related cases filed in Fannin County's Superior Court include:
- Divorce and legal separation proceedings
- Child custody and parenting plan determinations
- Child support orders and enforcement
- Adoption petitions
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Legitimation petitions
- Termination of parental rights (shared jurisdiction with Juvenile Court)
Family case records are maintained by the Judicial Division of the Clerk of Superior Court. To get copies of family court documents, contact the clerk's office at (706) 632-2039 or visit Suite 100 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Divorce records are accessible through the same office, since the Superior Court is the court of jurisdiction for all dissolutions of marriage in Georgia.
Juvenile Court
The Fannin County Juvenile Court, located in Suite 100 at the same address and phone number as the Superior Court, handles delinquency matters involving minors under age 17. The Juvenile Court also shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court in certain matters involving child support, custody, and termination of parental rights. Juvenile records are generally confidential and accessible only by court order. Subpoenas involving juvenile matters require a court order before any documents can be released.
Vital Records Related to Family Matters
Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court; divorce decrees are held by the Clerk of Superior Court. Marriage records at the Probate Court date from August 1996 to the present. Requesting a marriage record carries a non-refundable $10.00 search fee, plus $5.00 per certified copy if the record is found. Divorce certificates can be requested from the Clerk of Superior Court.
Fannin County Probate Court Records
The Fannin County Probate Court is presided over by Chief Judge R. Scott Kiker, with Chief Clerk Jennifer Falls managing daily operations. The court is located at:
Fannin County Probate Court
Address: 400 West Main Street, Suite 204, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: (706) 632-3011
Fax: (706) 632-7167
Email: probate@fannincountyga.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Probate Court is a court of record, meaning all filed documents are recorded in permanent minute books and kept for public inspection unless prohibited by law.
Probate Court Functions
The court handles a broad range of proceedings, including:
- Estate administration — both temporary and permanent (with and without a will)
- Common form and solemn form probate of wills
- No Administration Necessary petitions and Years Support petitions
- Safekeeping of original wills
- Incapacitated adult guardianships
- Temporary guardianship of minors
- Conservatorships
- Commitment of mentally ill individuals, alcoholics, and substance abusers for evaluation
- Misdemeanor bench trials (traffic, game and fish, misdemeanor drug cases)
- Land processioning and private way obstruction petitions
Standard probate forms are available through the Georgia Probate Court website, and copies of forms are also available in the Probate Court office. All filings must be accompanied by a filing fee payable by cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Contact the Probate Court directly for the specific fee schedule for each type of proceeding.
Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates
The Probate Court handles vital records for Fannin County. You can obtain certified birth and death certificates in person or by mail. Fees are uniform across all Georgia counties:
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $25.00 | $5.00 |
| Death Certificate | $25.00 | $5.00 |
Important: Debit and credit cards are NOT accepted for vital records payments. Cash or check only.
Birth records are available from 1919 to the present through the Probate Court. Records predating 1919 are held by the state archives or the county. For statewide vital records access or records from other counties, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains a statewide vital records system. The DPH office for Fannin County is listed at the Probate Court's Suite 204 address and can be reached at (706) 632-3011.
For online orders, the Probate Court has authorized VitalDirector by Permitium as the exclusive approved vendor for ordering Fannin County vital records online. Online orders are processed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both applicants must appear in person, and all applicants must complete an online marriage license application before arriving at the office.
Marriage license fees are:
- $36.00 for couples presenting a certificate of pre-marital counseling
- $76.00 for couples without a pre-marital counseling certificate
- $10.00 per certified copy of a marriage license
Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. Applicants who have been previously married must provide either a divorce decree or a death certificate from the former spouse.
Open Records Requests — Probate Court
Open records requests for Probate Court records can be submitted online through the court's open records request portal on the Fannin County government website. Copying fees are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, with no charge for the first fifteen minutes of staff processing time. Administrative fees may apply for more complex requests.