fulton county georgia public records: expert access tips, sources, and process

What falls under public records

In Fulton County, public records include property deeds and plats, civil and criminal case files, marriage and probate documents, business registrations, tax assessments, and certain law-enforcement logs. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most materials are open unless an exemption applies, such as active investigations or protected personal data.

Where to search

Begin with the Clerk of Superior Court for deeds and court dockets, the Probate Court for wills and marriage records, the Magistrate Court for small claims, the Tax Assessor for parcel data, and the Sheriff’s Office for inmate and incident information. Many indexes are searchable online, with certified copies available by mail or in person.

Professional tips

• Define scope: case type, address, party names, and date range.
• Capture identifiers: case numbers, book/page, parcel ID; they speed retrieval.
• Search name variants and spellings, especially for older filings.
• Expect fees for copies and certifications; ask about digital delivery to save costs.
• For formal requests, cite the Open Records Act and allow up to three business days for a response.

If denied, request the specific exemption in writing and consider narrowing your query to resolve issues quickly.