Atlanta Georgia Case Search: How To Look Up Court Cases in Atlanta

Finding information about a court case in Atlanta, Georgia can feel overwhelming if you are not sure where to start. Whether you are checking your own case, looking up a criminal record, tracking a traffic ticket, or following a civil lawsuit, most Atlanta case searches come down to understanding which court has the case and how that court shares records.

This guide walks through how case search works in Atlanta, which courts to check, what information you will need, and how to get help if you cannot find what you are looking for.

Key Things To Know Before You Start an Atlanta Case Search

Before diving into specific courts, it helps to know a few basics:

• There is no single “Atlanta case search” website that covers every type of case.
• You must usually search based on:
  • Type of case (criminal, civil, traffic, family, probate, etc.)
  • Court level (municipal, county, state, or federal)
  • County (most Atlanta-area cases are in Fulton County, sometimes DeKalb County for the east side of the city).
• Some records are online, others require in-person or written requests.
• Certain records may be restricted or sealed, especially cases involving juveniles, some family matters, and sensitive criminal records.

Which Court Handles What in Atlanta?

Use this as a quick guide to figure out where your Atlanta case might be:

Once you know which court is likely handling the matter, you can focus your Atlanta Georgia case search in the right place.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Case Search

The Municipal Court of Atlanta mainly handles:

• City ordinance violations
• Some traffic offenses within city limits
• Some misdemeanor offenses initiated by city law enforcement

How to Search Municipal Court Cases

Most people search here when they have:

• A traffic ticket
• A city code violation
• A failure to appear notice from the City of Atlanta

You can typically search using:

• Name
• Citation/ticket number
• Case number
• Date of birth (sometimes requested to narrow results)

If online records are not sufficient or you cannot locate a case, you may need to contact or visit the court.

Municipal Court of Atlanta
150 Garnett St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: Often listed on the City of Atlanta directory under Municipal Court

When you call or visit, have as much information as possible: full name, date of birth, approximate date of offense, and any ticket or case numbers.

Fulton County Case Search (Criminal & Civil)

Most non-federal court cases that people associate with “Atlanta” are handled by Fulton County courts, since much of the city lies in Fulton County.

1. Fulton County Superior Court

The Superior Court of Fulton County handles:

• Felony criminal cases
• Larger civil lawsuits
• Divorce, custody, and other family law matters
• Certain appeals from lower courts

You can usually search Superior Court cases by:

• Name of a party
• Case number
• Sometimes attorney name

For newer or active cases, many details are available through the clerk’s case search tools or by contacting the clerk’s office.

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts
136 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

When seeking records, it is helpful to know:

• Whether your case is criminal or civil
• Approximate filing date or year
• Case type (e.g., divorce, personal injury, felony theft)

Some detailed documents may require a formal records request or in-person visit, especially for older or archived cases.

2. Fulton County State Court

The State Court of Fulton County generally handles:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases (excluding those handled solely by Municipal Court)
• Traffic offenses at the county level
• Civil suits involving money damages within its jurisdiction range

Case searches often include:

• Name
• Case number
• Citation number (for traffic)

You can start by contacting the State Court Clerk’s office, which shares facilities with other county courts.

Fulton County State Court Clerk
185 Central Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Ask specifically whether your case is in State Court or Superior Court if you are not sure; the clerks can often help direct you to the correct division.

3. Fulton County Magistrate and Other Divisions

The Magistrate Court of Fulton County handles:

• Small claims (often called civil claims) up to a certain dollar amount
• Some warrants and preliminary hearings
• Certain landlord–tenant (dispossessory) matters, depending on how they are filed

For small claims or landlord issues in Atlanta, your case may be in Magistrate Court, even if you filed it yourself without a lawyer.

The Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts shares a central office at:

Fulton County Justice Center Complex
136 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

When in doubt, the Magistrate clerk counter is a common starting point for basic civil case searches, especially for self-represented parties.

DeKalb County Cases for Parts of Atlanta

Some neighborhoods commonly considered part of “Atlanta” are actually in DeKalb County, particularly on the east side (for example, certain addresses with “Atlanta” mailing addresses but DeKalb County property records).

If the incident happened or the parties live in that area, the case might be in a DeKalb County court, not Fulton.

Key courts to consider if your Atlanta address is in DeKalb County:

• DeKalb County Superior Court – felonies, major civil, family cases
• DeKalb County State Court – misdemeanors, certain civil cases
• DeKalb County Magistrate Court – small claims, some landlord–tenant matters

If your ticket, police report, or correspondence references DeKalb County, you should search there rather than Fulton.

Federal Case Searches in Atlanta

If your matter involves federal law, such as:

• Federal criminal charges
• Federal civil rights lawsuits
• Certain large commercial disputes
• Some immigration-related or federal agency cases

…then the case may be in federal court, not state court.

Atlanta is part of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.

U.S. District Court – Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
75 Ted Turner Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Federal case information is typically accessed through the national federal court system’s electronic records service, which usually requires:

• Registration for an account
• Payment of small fees for some document views

Basic case dockets and party listings are often searchable by name or case number.

What Information Do You Need for an Atlanta Case Search?

You will improve your chances of finding the right case if you gather this information first:

• Full legal name (including middle name or initial, if possible)
• Correct spelling and any prior names (married/maiden)
• Approximate date of arrest, filing, or hearing
• Type of case (criminal, civil, traffic, family, probate, juvenile)
• County involved (Fulton, DeKalb, or another metro county)
• Any case number, ticket number, or citation number you have

If you only have partial information (for example, “traffic ticket in Atlanta in late 2023”), expect to make calls or visit a clerk’s office to narrow it down.

Are Atlanta Court Records Public?

Georgia law generally treats most adult criminal and civil court records as public records, but there are important exceptions:

Commonly accessible records:

• Many criminal case dockets for adults
• Most civil case dockets and filings
• Many traffic and ordinance violation records
• Some sentencing and disposition information

Commonly restricted or sealed records:

• Juvenile court records
• Certain family law documents (e.g., parts of custody or adoption matters)
• Some mental health or medical information in court files
• Cases specifically ordered sealed or restricted by a judge
• Certain records related to expunged or restricted criminal histories

When you do a case search in Atlanta, you may see that only limited information is visible online. To access full files, you might need to:

• Visit the clerk’s office in person
• Provide photo ID
• Submit a formal records request (sometimes in writing)

How To Search In Person at Atlanta-Area Courthouses

If online tools are confusing or not giving you results, a clerk’s office visit can be the most direct option.

Helpful steps when visiting:

1. ✅ Bring identification – a government-issued ID is often required to obtain records, especially for more detailed files.
2. ✅ Write down all details you know – full names, dates, case type, any numbers.
3. ✅ Ask for the records or public access terminal for your specific court (Superior, State, Magistrate, Municipal, etc.).
4. ✅ Be prepared for copy fees – there is often a per-page fee for printed copies or certified documents.
5. ✅ Ask if there are privacy limitations – clerks can explain if a file is sealed or only partially available.

Courthouses in the Atlanta area can be busy, so allowing extra time and visiting earlier in the day can help.

Getting Certified Copies of Atlanta Court Records

If you need a record for official purposes (for example, an employer, immigration case, licensing board, or another court), you may need certified copies.

General process:

• Request a certified copy from the relevant clerk of court (Superior, State, Municipal, etc.).
• Provide:
  • Case number (if you have it)
  • Names of the parties
  • Title of the document (for example, “Final Judgment of Divorce,” “Sentencing Order,” “Disposition”).
• Pay any required certification fee and copy fees.
• Wait for processing – some clerks provide immediate service; others may require a short turnaround time.

Each court may have its own forms or procedures, so it helps to call ahead or ask at the records counter.

Background Checks vs. Case Searches in Atlanta

A case search focuses on a specific court case.
A background check looks more broadly at a person’s history, possibly across multiple courts and agencies.

If you just want to know whether someone has a criminal record in Georgia, that is different from searching for a particular case.

In Atlanta, people commonly use:

• Georgia state-level criminal history systems (often through law enforcement or authorized channels)
• Local court searches in Fulton, DeKalb, and nearby metro counties
• Federal court searches for U.S. District Court cases

For sensitive uses (like employment decisions), there are legal rules about how background information can be obtained and used, so many people consult legal counsel or HR professionals when in doubt.

When You Cannot Find Your Atlanta Case

If your “Atlanta Georgia case search” is not turning up anything, consider these possibilities:

• The case is in a different county (for example, DeKalb instead of Fulton).
• The matter is in a different type of court (for example, Municipal instead of State or Superior).
• The case may be very new, and records are not fully updated yet.
• The record may be restricted, sealed, or juvenile-related.
• The spelling of the name or date may be slightly off in the system.

Practical next steps:

• Call the relevant clerk’s office and explain what you are searching for.
• Confirm the location of the incident (city, county) and type of charge or case.
• If you still cannot find it, consider speaking with a licensed Georgia attorney who is familiar with Atlanta-area courts and can help interpret what is happening.

By understanding how Atlanta’s courts are organized, which offices to contact, and what information you need, you can navigate an Atlanta Georgia case search more confidently and efficiently, whether you are a local resident, a visitor with a ticket, or someone trying to track an important legal matter in the city.