Richmond County Court Records Search
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Richmond County, Georgia, encompasses the city of Augusta and operates under a consolidated government structure. The county’s court system includes multiple divisions—Superior Court, State Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Civil Court, and two municipal courts—each maintaining its own set of case records. These records document filings, motions, orders, judgments, verdicts, evidence, and other materials generated during legal proceedings, and they are defined as official documents under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-91. Whether you need to verify a judgment, research a pending case, or obtain a certified copy of a court order, this guide explains what is available, where to find it, and how to request it.
Georgia court records can be located through several channels: in-person visits to the relevant clerk’s office, public access terminals at the courthouse, mail requests, and online search tools. The state judiciary maintains resources at GeorgiaStateCourts.us that may help users identify court locations and access publicly available case information. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority also offers a statewide portal for real estate and lien searches across all 159 counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Richmond County?
The primary online tool for locating Richmond County court cases is the Case Management Search portal maintained by the Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court. To use it:
- Navigate to the clerk’s website and select the Case Management Search option.
- Read the disclaimer and click “Yes, I Agree” to proceed.
- Choose either a Civil or Criminal search.
- Enter the party’s name, case number, or other identifying details and review the results.
This portal covers Superior Court and State Court cases. For Civil Court and Magistrate Court matters, the Richmond County Civil and Magistrate Court docket search provides a separate online lookup by party name.
Georgia also provides statewide electronic access to court records through eAccess, which requires a user account and redirects to the provider’s platform. Real estate records, deed indexes, liens, and UCC filings can be searched through the GSCCCA statewide search.
For in-person searches, the offices below serve as the main points of contact:
Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court
Address: 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1500, Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: (706) 821-2460
Fax: (706) 821-2448
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
| Division | Phone Extension |
|---|---|
| Traffic Violations Bureau | Option 1 |
| Real Estate / Deeds / Liens / UCCs | Option 2 |
| Criminal / Felony | Option 3 |
| Criminal / Misdemeanor & Citations | Option 4 |
| Civil / Domestic / Military Discharges | Option 5 |
| Juvenile | Option 6 |
| Notary Public / Trade Names | Option 7 |
| Child Support | Option 8 |
| Board of Equalization | Option 9 |
When requesting copies, provide the case number, party names, and hearing dates if known. A written request may be required. Copy fees from the Superior & State Court fee schedule (effective July 1, 2024) include:
- Uncertified copy (no assistance required): $0.50 per page
- Uncertified copy (assistance required): $1.00 per page
- Certified or exemplified copy: $2.50 first page, $0.50 each additional page
- Computer printouts: $2.50 per page
- Faxed or electronic copy: $2.50 first page, $1.00 each additional page
Acceptable payments are cash, money order, cashier’s check, business check, or credit card (Mastercard or Visa only with photo ID required). A $30.00 fee applies to returned checks.
Are Court Records Public in Richmond County?
Most court records in Richmond County are public. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including court documents. Any member of the public may inspect and copy records held by the clerk’s office, subject to applicable fees.
Certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. Exemptions that commonly affect court records include:
- Records compiled for law enforcement purposes where disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation
- Medical, psychiatric, or veterinary records and similar files
- Records deemed confidential by federal law or regulation
- Sealed bids or proposals and related cost estimates until final contract award or project termination
- Personal information of public employees, such as home addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, insurance information, and identities of family members
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Records related to rating plans, underwriting rules, and proprietary information for liability insurance
Beyond statutory exemptions, Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rule 21 governs limitations on access to court files. Under Rule 21.1, all court records are presumed public and available for inspection unless a court order restricts access. A party seeking to seal or restrict a record must file a motion and demonstrate that the interest in confidentiality outweighs the public’s right of access. When records are restricted, the court must use the least restrictive means necessary, and any sealing order must specify the duration and scope of the restriction.
Juvenile court proceedings are generally confidential under Title 15, Chapter 11 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Adoption records, certain family violence filings, and records involving minors are also subject to heightened privacy protections. Information that identifies victims of sexual offenses or minors is routinely redacted before public release.
Richmond County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Richmond County are handled by the Superior Court (felonies and certain serious offenses) and the State Court (misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings). The Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court maintains criminal case files for both courts.
Online searches. Use the Case Management Search portal, select “Criminal Search”, and enter the defendant’s name or case number.
In-person requests. Visit the clerk’s office at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1500. Contact the Criminal/Felony division at (706) 821-2460, Option 3, or the Misdemeanor & Citations division at Option 4. The Traffic Violations Bureau handles traffic citation inquiries at Option 1.
Criminal background checks. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Records Bureau processes Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) criminal history checks. Key details:
- Fee: $20.00 (cash accepted; credit cards accepted with a $2.00 surcharge)
- The check is typically completed while you wait if the state computer system is online
- Requests must be made in person; the requestor must reside in Richmond County
- The individual must be at least 17 years old
- Required identification: valid state driver’s license, U.S. government-issued ID, military ID, or U.S. passport, plus a secondary form of identification (Social Security card, additional government ID, birth certificate, or passport)
- Available Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; no appointment needed
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, a private individual or business may also request another person’s criminal history if they have a signed consent form that includes the subject’s full name, location, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Incident and accident reports. The Records Bureau also releases incident reports in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. Copies cost $5.00, plus $0.10 for each additional page (credit card surcharge of $2.00 applies). Requestors who are not named parties in a report must complete a Statement of Need Form and present valid government photo identification. Sensitive information—including dates of birth, unpublished phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, juvenile information, and account numbers—is redacted as required by law. Open records requests can be emailed to rcsoopenrecords@augustaga.gov.
Richmond County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Richmond County is divided between the Superior Court (cases of any dollar amount, equity matters, and appeals), the State Court (civil cases within its jurisdiction), and the Civil and Magistrate Court (claims up to statutory limits, dispossessory actions, garnishments, and small claims).
Richmond County Civil & Magistrate Court
Address: 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1400, Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: (706) 821-2370
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Civil and Magistrate Court fee schedule (effective January 1, 2022) sets filing costs for the most common civil actions:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint, no service | $35.00 |
| Civil complaint, one defendant with marshal service | $78.00 |
| Magistrate complaint, one defendant with marshal service | $98.00 |
| Civil dispossessory, one tenant with marshal service | $94.00 |
| Magistrate dispossessory, one tenant with marshal service | $112.00 |
| Civil garnishment, service on defendant and garnishee | $130.00 |
| Judgment and writ of possession | $65.00 |
| Subpoena (marshal service $10.00) | $7.00 |
Acceptable payment types are cash, money order, cashier’s check, business check, or credit card (Mastercard or Visa only; processing fee applies; photo ID required).
For Superior and State Court civil filings, the 2024 fee schedule sets the general civil/domestic filing fee at $218.00 plus applicable service fees. Publication costs for standard divorce notices are $125.00, and name change publication costs are $120.00. Appeals from lower courts carry a $218.00 fee. Sheriff’s service fees are $50.00 per copy served.
Civil case records at the Superior and State Court level can be searched online through the Case Management Search portal. Civil and Magistrate Court dockets are available through the online docket search. Domestic relations forms, including those for divorce, legitimization, name change, contempt, and protective orders, are available through the Augusta Family Bar. Additional civil forms—such as the General Civil Case Filing Information Form and the Voluntary Dismissal Form—are listed on the clerk’s forms page.
Richmond County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Richmond County—including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, adoption, and domestic violence—are primarily adjudicated in the Superior Court. The Juvenile Court handles dependency, delinquency, and child-in-need-of-services cases involving minors.
Family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court. Online searches are conducted through the Case Management Search portal by selecting “Civil Search” and entering the party’s name. In-person requests can be directed to the Civil/Domestic division at (706) 821-2460, Option 5, or the Juvenile division at Option 6.
Certain family court records carry access restrictions. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 exempts records that would reveal the identity of minors or sensitive personal information. Juvenile proceedings are confidential by statute. Adoption records are sealed and accessible only by court order or through authorized channels. Parties directly involved in a case, their attorneys, and individuals with a demonstrated legitimate interest generally retain access to family court files.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Richmond County Probate Court. The online marriage license application outlines requirements: both applicants must be at least 18 years old (or have parental consent if 16–17), must present proof of age and identity, and must provide certified copies of any prior divorce decrees or a death certificate if a prior spouse is deceased. The license fee is $76.00 (cash or money order only). Applicants who complete six hours of premarital counseling together with a qualified provider may be eligible for a reduced fee under Georgia law.
Birth and death records are available through the Richmond County Health Department’s Vital Records Office, administered by the East Central Health District. A certified birth certificate costs $25.00, and requests require the completed Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918). Death records can be requested using Form 3912. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, access to birth records is restricted to the individual named, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Certified death records are available to those with a direct and tangible interest in the deceased.
Richmond County Probate Court Records
The Richmond County Probate Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians and conservators, year’s support petitions, marriage licenses, and related matters. The Honorable Stacy Y. Johnson serves as the current Probate Court Judge.
Probate Court of Richmond County
Address: 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: (706) 821-2434
The court’s fee calculation and notification charts, revised January 2026, detail the costs for each petition type. The base filing fee for most estate petitions is $215.00. Below is a summary of common filings:
| Petition Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate Will in Solemn Form (GPCSF 5) | $215.00 |
| Letters of Administration (GPCSF 3) | $215.00 |
| Year’s Support (GPCSF 10) | $215.00 |
| Temporary Letters of Administration (GPCSF 2) | $215.00 |
| No Administration Necessary (GPCSF 9) | $215.00 |
| Letters of Administration with Will Annexed / CTA (GPCSF 7) | $215.00 |
| Letters of Administration DBN CTA (GPCSF 8) | $190.00 |
| Temporary Guardianship of Minor (GPCSF 28) | $150.00 |
| Guardian/Conservator for Adult Ward (GPCSF 12) | $215.00 |
| Emergency Guardian/Conservator for Adult Ward (GPCSF 11) | $215.00 |
| Leave to Sell Property (GPCSF 13 or GPCSF 14) | $200.00 |
| Discharge of Personal Representative (GPCSF 33) | $200.00 |
| Motion, Response, Caveat, or Objection | $75.00 |
| Petition to Open Safety Deposit Box | $90.00 |
Additional costs commonly arise for sheriff service ($50.00 per person served), certified mail ($15.00 per person), first-class mail ($5.00 per person), notice by publication ($90.00–$180.00 depending on petition type), and guardian ad litem fees ($200.00–$250.00 per appointment). GCIC fingerprinting, required for guardianship and conservatorship petitions, costs $42.00.
Probate Court Uniform Rule 5.3.12 requires that all petitions be accompanied by the proper filing fee and service copies at the time of filing. If the filer does not provide necessary service copies, the court charges $1.00 per page per person to be served.
To request copies of probate records, contact the Probate Court directly at (706) 821-2434. State law prohibits court staff from providing legal advice (as noted on the court’s website); individuals with questions about interpreting the law should consult a licensed Georgia attorney.