Clayton County Public Documents

Clayton County public records are open for review under the Georgia Open Records Act. Jonesboro is the county seat where most records are housed. You can access court filings, property deeds, and vital records. The law guarantees your right to inspect and copy these documents. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to state a reason for your request.

Clayton County Court Records

The Clerk of Superior Court in Jonesboro maintains all court records. This office handles civil, criminal, and domestic cases. Real estate records are also filed here. You can search deeds, mortgages, and liens. The clerk's office accepts in-person requests. You can also mail in your request form.

The GSCCCA system covers Clayton County records. You can search online for real estate documents. Subscriptions are available for frequent users. You can also pay per search. This is helpful for title companies and attorneys. The database includes UCC filings.

State Court and Magistrate Court also operate in Clayton County. State Court hears misdemeanor and traffic cases. It also handles civil matters under $25,000. Magistrate Court does small claims and preliminary matters. Each court keeps its own records. Contact them directly for copies.

Probate Court is in Jonesboro. This court manages vital records and estates. You can get birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses are also issued here. The court follows O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 for records access. Some records have privacy restrictions.

Clayton County Property and Tax Records

The Tax Commissioner maintains property tax records. The office is in Jonesboro. You can look up assessments and tax bills. Payment history is available. The commissioner also handles motor vehicle tags. You can visit during business hours.

The Tax Assessor values all Clayton County property. You can review your property card. It shows land size, building details, and recent sales. Appeals must be filed by the deadline. The assessor's office is open to the public. Records are available for inspection.

Real estate records go back many decades. The Superior Court Clerk keeps these files. You can search by grantor or grantee name. The GSCCCA portal makes this easier. You can search from your computer. Fees apply for copies.

Clayton County Sheriff and Police Records

The Clayton County Sheriff's Office provides incident reports. Visit the records division in Jonesboro. Some reports may be restricted. Pending investigations are exempt under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. The sheriff must cite the specific law when withholding records.

Local police departments serve Clayton County cities. Jonesboro Police and Forest Park Police maintain their own records. You can request accident reports. Some departments have online request forms. Others require in-person visits. Call ahead to confirm the process.

Clayton County Birth and Death Certificates

Probate Court handles vital records in Clayton County. The office is in Jonesboro. You need photo ID to request certificates. Birth records are restricted to family members. Death certificates have fewer restrictions. Fees vary by document type.

The state Department of Public Health also has records. You can order online, by phone, or by mail. Births and deaths from 1919 onward are available. Marriage verifications start in 1952. Divorce verifications also start in 1952. State fees are $25 for the first copy.

You can reach DPH Vital Records at their Atlanta office. Forms are on their website. Some orders require notarization. Processing times vary. The state follows all Georgia open records laws.

State Resources for Clayton County

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority covers Clayton County. You can search real estate records online. UCC filings are available. The FANS system provides free alerts. Property owners can monitor filings.

The Secretary of State has business records. You can search corporations and LLCs. Professional license lookups are free. This helps verify businesses in Clayton County.

The Governor's Office Open Records Portal is for state agencies. Local Clayton County offices are separate. But state records are accessible here. You can file requests online.

For help, contact the Attorney General's Office. They publish open government guides. The Georgia Open Records Act is online.

Clayton County Records Request Process

Contact the agency that holds the records you need. Each Clayton County office has an Open Records Officer. Their contact info is on the county website. Written requests are best. They create a record of your ask.

The agency must respond within three business days. This is required by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. They can provide the records or give a timeline. If they deny your request, they must explain why. They must cite the specific exemption.

Fees are limited by law. Copies cost ten cents per page. Search time is free for fifteen minutes. Then you pay the lowest staff hourly rate. Large requests may need a deposit. Ask for an estimate first.

Nearby County Public Records

Clayton County is in metro Atlanta. Neighboring counties include: