Murray County Court Records Search
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Murray County, Georgia, is a northwest Georgia county with its seat in Chatsworth. The county’s judicial structure spans several courts, each with distinct subject-matter jurisdiction, and records from those courts are maintained by designated clerks and court officials. Court records may encompass charging documents, pleadings, docket entries, judgments, orders, sentencing records, and other filings generated during the lifecycle of a case. Knowing which court produced a particular record — and which office holds it — is essential to retrieving it efficiently.
Residents researching Georgia court records can use GeorgiaStateCourts.us as a starting point to identify court contacts, explore publicly available case information, and navigate the state’s broader judicial resources. In Murray County, records may be obtained directly from the Clerk of Superior Court, the Probate Court, the Magistrate Court, or through online repositories maintained by state court authorities.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Murray County?
Murray County court cases can be located through several access points depending on the court involved and the type of record being sought. The primary options are:
Online Resources
- The Georgia Clerks Authority (GSCCCA) provides a searchable database of land records, liens, UCC filings, and real estate documents filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Basic searches are free; a premium subscription unlocks additional features.
- The Georgia Courts E-Access portal connects users to case search providers for circuit and superior court case records. An account with the provider is required.
- The Georgia Probate Records portal allows online searches of marriage licenses, estate files, wills, and guardianship petitions filed in the Murray County Probate Court.
- The Murray County Magistrate Court offers e-filing through eFile Georgia for applicable civil matters.
In-Person Access
All Murray County courts accept in-person record requests at their respective offices. Visitors may review case files, request certified copies, and make payment at the counter during office hours. Each court charges fees for copies and certifications.
Mail Requests
Written requests addressed to the Clerk of the applicable court may be submitted by mail. Requests should identify the case number or full names of parties, the approximate filing date, and the type of record sought. Payment should accompany the request in the form specified by each office.
Key Court Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court / Clerk of Court | 121 N. Third Ave., Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 695-2932 |
| Magistrate Court | 812 G.I. Maddox Pkwy., Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 695-3021 |
| Probate Court | 115 W. Fort St., Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 695-3812 |
| Juvenile Court | 121 N. 4th Ave., Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 517-1400 ext. 9 |
| Sheriff’s Office (Records) | 810 ½ G.I. Maddox Pkwy., Chatsworth, GA 30705 | (706) 695-4592 |
The Clerk of Superior Court office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Probate Court is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office Records Section is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Murray County?
Georgia’s Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) establishes a general presumption that all public records — including those maintained by courts and government offices — are open to personal inspection and copying by any person. Agencies must respond to records requests within three business days and, where records are produced, must make them available at a reasonable cost.
Despite this broad right of access, certain categories of court records are specifically exempt from public disclosure under Georgia law, including:
- Juvenile court records — proceedings involving minors in delinquency, dependency, or related matters are confidential under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only by court order
- Medical and mental health information — protected under state and federal privacy law
- Confidential informant identities in active investigations
- Records sealed by court order — access is permitted only to parties authorized by the issuing judge
- Sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain identifying data that have been ordered redacted
Records that fall within these exemptions cannot be obtained through standard public access channels. Any person seeking access to a sealed or confidential record must file a motion with the court and obtain a judicial order authorizing disclosure. The Clerk of Superior Court can advise whether a specific file is subject to a restriction but cannot override a sealing order.
Certified copies of court documents from the Magistrate Court cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, per the court’s published fee schedule. Fees for Superior Court certified copies may vary; contact the Clerk directly at (706) 695-2932 for the applicable rate.
Murray County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Murray County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The Murray County Superior Court has exclusive constitutional jurisdiction over felony criminal cases under Georgia law, including cases involving serious violent crimes, drug trafficking, white-collar offenses, and other felonies. The Conasauga Judicial Circuit — which encompasses both Murray and Whitfield Counties — is served by four circuit judges, each elected to four-year terms. The circuit also operates specialized accountability courts, including a Drug Court (established 2002), a Domestic Violence Court (established 2014), and a Mental Health Court (established 2018).
Misdemeanor criminal matters, criminal warrant applications, and deposit account fraud complaints at the lower end of the criminal spectrum are processed through the Murray County Magistrate Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Judge Connie Reed. Warrant applications at the Magistrate Court carry a pre-warrant application fee of $20, and good behavior bond applications are also $20.
Criminal case records — including charging documents, indictments, pleas, and sentencing orders — are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court for felony matters and by the Magistrate Court clerk for lower-level offenses. These records can be requested in person or by mail from the relevant clerk’s office.
Criminal History Background Checks
Criminal history records maintained by the state are the responsibility of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Key details for requesting a Georgia criminal history record:
- Name-based checks are available to the public for authorized purposes under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34
- Felony conviction records are accessible without written consent; full criminal history disclosure in civil matters requires the subject’s written consent
- Attorneys representing defendants may submit written requests to GCIC by mail or fax; requests must include case style, case number, and identifying information of the subject
- Fees are payable to GCIC by business check or money order; the fee schedule as of January 1, 2025, is published on the GBI website
- Processing time is approximately 5–10 business days
For crimes reported within Murray County, the Sheriff’s Records Section at (706) 695-4593 handles law enforcement incident reports and arrest-related inquiries. The office is located at 810 ½ G.I. Maddox Parkway, Chatsworth, GA 30705.
Murray County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Murray County is divided between the Superior Court and the Magistrate Court based on the dollar amount in dispute. The Superior Court handles civil cases of any amount, including claims involving title to land, equity actions, declaratory judgments, and matters exceeding the Magistrate Court’s jurisdictional ceiling. The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over civil claims of $15,000 or less and is designed to allow self-represented parties to navigate the process without an attorney.
Magistrate Court Civil Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)
| Action | Filing Cost | Service Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Claim (Statement of Claim, Garnishment, Trover) | $52.00 | $50.00 per defendant | $102.00 |
| Foreclosure of Personal Property | $52.00 | $50.00 per defendant | $102.00 |
| Dispossessory (Eviction) | $52.00 | $25.00 per defendant | $77.00 |
| Abandoned Motor Vehicle | $52.00 | — | $52.00 |
| Abandoned Mobile Home | $57.00 | — | $57.00 |
| Writ of Possession (Service) | $50.00 | — | — |
| Additional Attempt for Writ of Possession | $25.00 | — | — |
| Levy/Execution (FiFa Issuance) | $4.00 | — | — |
| Post-Judgment Interrogatories (Murray Magistrate) | $20.00 | — | — |
| Post-Judgment Interrogatories (Other Courts) | $102.00 | — | — |
| Subpoena Filing | $1.00 | $10.00 (Sheriff, if used) | — |
| Certified Copies | $2.50 (first page) | $0.50 (each add’l) | — |
The full court filing fee schedule is published on the Murray County official website. Self-represented litigants can access free, customized forms for Magistrate Court filings through the Georgia Magistrate Council’s guided form tool, which walks users through a series of questions to generate appropriate pleading documents.
Civil case records, judgments, liens, and real estate documents recorded with the Superior Court Clerk are searchable through the GSCCCA online search system. The Clerk of Superior Court also records deeds, plats, mortgages, trade names, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.
Murray County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Murray County fall primarily under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, as Georgia’s superior courts hold exclusive constitutional authority over divorce, adoptions, and cases involving equitable distribution of marital property. The Clerk of Superior Court at 121 N. Third Avenue, Chatsworth, processes all filings related to:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) — including contested and uncontested cases, property division, and spousal support
- Child custody and visitation — both as part of divorce proceedings and as stand-alone actions
- Child support — establishment, modification, and enforcement actions; the Clerk’s office also handles child support collection and disbursement functions
- Adoptions — filed with and processed exclusively through the Superior Court
- Family violence protective orders — petitions for protection can be filed with the Clerk of Superior Court; the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Authority maintains protective order forms for use statewide
Divorce decrees and related orders are public court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and may be requested in person or by mail. Requesters should provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of filing to facilitate retrieval.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses in Murray County are issued by the Murray County Probate Court at 115 W. Fort Street, Chatsworth, GA 30705. Applications can be submitted online through the Georgia Probate Records marriage application portal. Certified copies of previously issued marriage licenses cost $10.00 each and are available from the Probate Court. The court may be reached at (706) 695-3812.
Birth and Death Certificates
Vital records — including birth and death certificates — are issued through the Murray County Probate Court and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The standard fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. In-person requesters may pay by cash or card (card payments may incur a processing surcharge); mail-in requests require a money order. Eligible requestors for birth certificates are limited to the registrant, a parent or legal guardian, an adult sibling, child, or spouse of the registrant, or a legal representative. Death certificate requests are similarly restricted to close family members or the estate’s legal representative. Requesters must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and submit the request in writing with the subject’s full name, date of birth, and parents’ names.
Murray County Probate Court Records
The Murray County Probate Court, presided over by Judge John Waters and located at 115 W. Fort Street, Chatsworth, GA 30705, has jurisdiction over a broad range of non-adversarial civil matters including estate administration, will probate, and guardianship proceedings. The court is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Probate Subject Matter Jurisdiction
- Probate of wills (testate estates)
- Administration of intestate estates (no will)
- No-administration cases
- Years of support petitions
- Safekeeping of wills
- Guardianships of minors
- Guardianships of incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships of minors and adults
- Weapons carry permit applications
- Marriage license issuance
Probate Court Fee Schedule
| Matter | Base Filing Fee | Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Administration (Intestate Estate) | $202.00 | $192 publication; $50/sheriff service if needed |
| Executorship (Testate Estate) | $202.00 | $132 publication if heirs don’t sign; $50/sheriff service |
| No Administration | $202.00 | $192 publication; $50/sheriff service |
| Years Support | $202.00 | $192 publication if needed; $50/sheriff service |
| Dismission (Estate Closing) | $187.00 | $42 publication; $50/sheriff service if needed |
| Guardianship — Minor | $137.00 | $102 publication (2 insertions) if needed; $50/sheriff service |
| Guardianship — Incapacitated Adult | $202.00 | $132 publication; $50/attorney; $50/service for proposed ward |
| Safekeeping of Will | $15.00 | — |
| Individual Claims | $15.00 each | — |
Certified mailing costs may apply in addition to the fees listed above.
Probate records — including estate filings, will records, and guardianship petitions — can be searched online through the Georgia Probate Records portal, which aggregates data from participating counties. For records not available online, the Probate Court staff can be reached at (706) 695-3812 or by email at kseifert@murraycountyga.gov (Kayla) or ctorres@murraycountyga.gov (Cintya). Forms for probate proceedings are available from the court or through the Georgia Probate Judges Council forms portal.
Weapons carry permit applications are processed through the Probate Court and can be submitted online via the Georgia Probate Records weapons permit portal. The Probate Court also exercises appellate review authority over traffic citations in some circumstances and oversees certain election-related certifications as required by Georgia law.