Search Chatham County Public Records

Chatham County public records are available to all who seek them. The county seat is Savannah. Over 295,000 people live here. You can find government documents from many county offices. The Georgia Open Records Act protects your right to access. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives you the right to inspect and copy records. You can submit requests online or visit offices in person.

Chatham County Open Records Portal

Chatham County has an online system for public records requests. You can submit requests through the county website. The portal lets you track your request status. You will get email updates as staff work on your file. Visit chathamcountyga.gov to access the open records system.

The county follows O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 for all requests. Staff must respond within three business days. They can produce the records or give you a timeline. Some records take longer if they are in storage. You can contact the Open Records Officer for help. The main county offices are at 124 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Each department has its own custodian. The Police Department handles incident reports. The Sheriff's Office manages jail records. The Clerk of Court keeps court documents. You should send your request to the right office. This will speed up the process in Chatham County.

Chatham County Court Records Access

Chatham County court records are public documents. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains them. You can search civil cases and criminal filings. Real estate records are also available. The courthouse is in Savannah. You can visit in person or search online.

The GSCCCA portal covers Chatham County. You can search at gsccca.org. This includes court cases and property records. You can search by name or case number. You can also search by property address. The system is open to the public. You can pay per search or buy a subscription.

Chatham County has several court divisions. The Superior Court hears major cases. The State Court handles misdemeanors. The Magistrate Court deals with small claims. Juvenile Court serves minors. Each court keeps separate records. Request from the right court for faster service.

Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page. Extra pages are 50 cents each. You can pay by cash, check, or card. Call ahead to confirm payment options. Some older records may need time to retrieve. Staff can help you locate hard-to-find files in Chatham County.

Chatham County Sheriff and Police Records

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records. Their main office is in Savannah. They handle incident reports and arrest records. Jail records are also kept here. You can request these records directly from the Sheriff's Office.

The Savannah Police Department serves the city. They handle police reports for most of Chatham County. You may need to contact them for certain records. Their records division can help with accident reports. Check if your request should go to the city or county.

Law enforcement follows O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 for public records. Some files are exempt from release. Active investigations stay closed. Completed cases may be released. Each request is reviewed under the law. The agency must cite specific exemptions if they deny your request.

Chatham County Vital Records and Birth Certificates

Vital records in Chatham County are handled by the Probate Court. This includes marriage licenses and probate files. The office is in Savannah. You can visit in person to request records.

Birth and death certificates are also available at the state level. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains these records. You can order online through their system. The first certified copy costs $25. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $5.

Marriage records in Chatham County are public documents. You can search them at the Probate Court. Bring the names and approximate date. Staff can help you find the record. Certified copies are available for a fee. These are often needed for legal matters.

Probate records include wills and estate files. These become public after death. You can view them at the court. Some older records are on microfilm. The court has records dating back many decades. Call ahead for very old files in Chatham County.

Chatham County Property and Real Estate Records

Property records in Chatham County are open to all. You can search deeds and mortgages. Liens and plats are also public. The Superior Court Clerk handles real estate records. You can search online through the GSCCCA portal. Visit gsccca.org to search statewide.

The GSCCCA lets you search by name or address. You can also search by instrument number. This helps you find specific deeds. The system covers all Georgia counties. You can search Chatham County records from anywhere. The site offers subscription plans. Pay-per-search options are also available.

Chatham County also uses the FANS system. FANS stands for Filing Activity Notification System. It is free to use. You can register your property. You will get alerts about new filings. This helps prevent fraud. You will know if someone files a lien on your Chatham County property.

The Tax Commissioner has assessment records. These show who owns each parcel. They also show the assessed value. You can search these records online. The tax records are public under Georgia law. You do not need to file a formal request to view them in Chatham County.

State Resources for Chatham County Records

Several state offices help with Chatham County public records. The Governor's Office has an open records portal. This covers state executive branch agencies. The office is at 201 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334.

The Secretary of State has business records online. You can search business entities by name. You can also search professional licenses. These databases are free to use. They help you verify businesses in Chatham County.

The Attorney General's Office offers guides on open records. They publish sample request forms. They answer common questions about O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Their website is a good starting point for Chatham County requesters.

Tips for Requesting Chatham County Public Records

Be specific when you request records. Describe what you want clearly. Include dates if you know them. Name the department that has the records. This helps staff find your documents faster. Vague requests take longer to process in Chatham County.

You do not need to say why you want the records. Georgia law does not require a purpose. You also do not need to live in Chatham County. Anyone can request public records here. Keep copies of your requests. Note the date you filed them. Follow up if you do not hear back within three days.

Agencies can charge for copies. Paper copies cost ten cents per page. This is the standard rate across Georgia. Electronic records cost less. You pay only for the media used. If your request will cost over $500, the agency may ask for prepayment. They must give you an estimate first. You can narrow your request to lower costs in Chatham County.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County includes several cities. Each city keeps its own records. You may need to contact city offices for some requests. The county and city systems work together. They follow the same open records laws.

Other communities in Chatham County include Pooler, Garden City, and Tybee Island. Each maintains public records for its own operations. Check with the right office for the records you need.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chatham County. You may need records from them if your search spans multiple areas.