Atlanta, Georgia Court Records: How to Find, Access, and Understand Them

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, visit often, or are dealing with a legal issue connected to the city, you may need to look up court records. That might be for a background check, a pending case, a past ticket, or just to understand what happened in an old lawsuit.

In Atlanta, court records are spread across multiple courts and offices, and knowing where to look is half the battle. This guide walks you through how court records work specifically in Atlanta, which courts handle what, and how to access records in person and online.

What Counts as a Court Record in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, court records generally include:

• Case information (parties, case number, charges, status)
• Dockets (chronological list of everything filed and every hearing)
• Orders and judgments (final decisions, sentencing, rulings)
• Motions, complaints, petitions, and answers
• Transcripts and audio recordings (for some hearings)
• Warrants and probation orders (in certain courts)

Many of these records are considered public records under Georgia law, but some are restricted, such as:

• Juvenile court cases
• Certain family law matters (especially involving minors)
• Records sealed by court order
• Sensitive information (social security numbers, some medical details)

When you request Atlanta court records, you’re usually dealing with one specific court, not a single citywide database.

Which Courts Handle What in Atlanta?

Atlanta is covered by city, county, and state-level courts. Knowing which court handled your matter is key to finding the right records.

Main Courts Serving Atlanta

Here’s a practical breakdown of the courts that most Atlanta residents and visitors interact with:

If your incident or case happened inside the Atlanta city limits, start by asking:

• Was it mainly a traffic ticket or ordinance violation? → Likely Atlanta Municipal Court.
• Was it a misdemeanor or moderate civil case (like a car accident lawsuit)? → Likely State Court (Fulton or DeKalb).
• Was it a felony, divorce, or major lawsuit? → Likely Superior Court (Fulton or DeKalb).
• Did it happen in DeKalb County portions of Atlanta (e.g., some neighborhoods on the east side)? → Check DeKalb County courts.

Are Atlanta Court Records Public?

In general, yes, many Atlanta court records are public. Georgia law assumes open access to court proceedings unless there’s a specific reason to limit it.

Commonly accessible records:

• Civil case files (contract disputes, injury lawsuits, debt collections)
• Most criminal case dockets and final dispositions
• Traffic and ordinance cases (unless restricted)
• Divorce decrees and other family law records, with some sensitive portions redacted

Commonly restricted or sealed:

• Juvenile cases
• Certain adoption, guardianship, or termination of parental rights files
• Records explicitly sealed by a judge
• Some identifying or personal data (like detailed medical or financial info)

Courts in Atlanta balance public access with privacy, so even when a case is public, specific documents or information may be partially redacted.

How to Find Atlanta Court Records Online

Many people in Atlanta can handle basic court record searches online without visiting a courthouse. Availability varies by court and record type.

1. Fulton County Superior & State Court Records

For most Atlanta cases in Fulton County, records flow through Superior or State Court.

You can usually:

• Search by name or case number through the county’s official online portals
• View basic case information and docket entries
• In some instances, view or purchase document images

🔎 Helpful for:

• Checking on divorce case status or obtaining a copy of a divorce decree
• Finding out the outcome of a felony or significant civil lawsuit
• Verifying if someone has an open civil or criminal case in Fulton County

If you need certified copies, you will often need to:

• Order them through the clerk’s office online (if available), or
• Visit the clerk in person at the downtown Justice Center Complex (185 Central Ave SW or 136 Pryor St SW, depending on the division).

2. Atlanta Municipal Court Records

For traffic tickets, local ordinance violations, and many minor city cases, records are handled by Atlanta Municipal Court.

Typical online services:

• Ticket lookup by name, citation number, or driver’s license
• Basic case status (open, pending, closed)
• Some payment and resolution tools

If you want a detailed record or older case:

• You may need to contact the Clerk of the Municipal Court
  • Address: 150 Garnett St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone numbers are typically available through the city’s official directory.

3. DeKalb County Court Records (for East Atlanta & Surrounding Areas)

If your case or incident took place in the DeKalb County part of Atlanta, your records might be with the:

• DeKalb County State Court
• DeKalb County Superior Court
• DeKalb County Magistrate Court

These courts maintain online search systems where you can look up civil, criminal, and some traffic cases by name or case number.

If you’re not sure which county your Atlanta address falls in, you can usually:

• Check your property tax bill, or
• Use a county address lookup tool available through county government resources.

How to Access Court Records In Person in Atlanta

Sometimes online access is limited, especially for older cases, detailed documents, or certified copies. In those situations, an in-person visit is often the most reliable option.

Key Locations for Court Records in Atlanta

Here are some main offices Atlanta residents commonly visit:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk’s Office

• Address: 136 Pryor St SW, Suite C155, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Handles: Felonies, divorces, major civil cases, real estate records
• Services: Case lookups, file requests, certified copies of court orders and judgments

Fulton County State Court Clerk’s Office

• Address: 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Handles: Misdemeanor criminal, civil lawsuits, some traffic cases
• Services: Case files, dockets, certified dispositions

Atlanta Municipal Court Clerk’s Office

• Address: 150 Garnett St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Handles: Traffic tickets, city ordinance violations, minor city-related cases
• Services: Ticket records, dispositions, payment records, and scheduling inquiries

Fulton County Magistrate Court

• Address: 185 Central Ave SW, Suite J-150, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Handles: Small claims, evictions, some warrant matters
• Services: Small claim case files, eviction records, case dockets

When visiting:

• Bring a valid photo ID
• Have as much information as possible: full name, date of birth, case number, approximate date, type of case
• Be prepared to pay copy or certification fees, often per page or per document

Searching Atlanta Criminal Court Records

If you’re trying to find out about criminal charges, convictions, or case history in Atlanta:

Where to Look

• Felony cases → Fulton or DeKalb Superior Court
• Misdemeanors and some traffic-related offenses → Fulton/DeKalb State Court and Atlanta Municipal Court
• City ordinance violations and many traffic tickets → Atlanta Municipal Court

You can typically obtain:

• Case number and charges
• Arrest or accusation date
• Disposition (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi, etc.)
• Sentence information (fines, probation, jail time)

Keep in mind:

• Some older records may be archived and require more time to retrieve
• Certain pre-trial or investigative materials may not be accessible to the public
• If records have been expunged or restricted, access may be limited or show “no record found”

For official criminal history checks that cover more than just one court’s records, people often use state-level processes through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), usually accessed via local law enforcement or authorized agencies.

Accessing Civil Court Records in Atlanta

If you’re dealing with lawsuits, business disputes, personal injury cases, landlord-tenant matters, or debt collections, you’ll mostly interact with:

• Fulton County State Court – many civil suits (e.g., car accidents, contract disputes, some injury cases)
• Fulton County Superior Court – higher value civil cases, property disputes, injunctions
• Magistrate Court – small claims and evictions

Typical civil records you can access:

• Complaints and answers (what each side claims)
• Motions and orders (what the court has decided so far)
• Judgments and final decisions
• Eviction filings and outcomes (for landlord-tenant matters)

If you’re a tenant in Atlanta, for example, and want to see if an eviction case was filed against you, you’d usually:

1. Identify whether your property is in Fulton or DeKalb County
2. Search the county’s Magistrate Court records (many are available online)
3. Visit the courthouse if you need certified documents or older records

Family Law and Divorce Records in Atlanta

Family law and divorce matters connected to Atlanta are generally handled in Superior Court, usually:

• Fulton County Superior Court
• DeKalb County Superior Court (for DeKalb County parts of Atlanta)

Common records:

• Divorce petitions and decrees
• Child custody and support orders
• Name change orders

What to know:

• Much of the basic case information and final orders are public, but sensitive details (especially about minors) may be limited or partially redacted.
• If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree (for name changes, remarriage, etc.), you’ll typically request it directly from the Superior Court Clerk where the divorce was finalized.

Bring:

• Names of both parties
• Approximate year of the divorce
• Case number, if you have it (this speeds things up significantly)

Traffic Tickets and Citations in Atlanta

If you got a traffic ticket or city citation in Atlanta:

• The case is likely in Atlanta Municipal Court if it involves city police and happened inside city limits.
• Some traffic offenses, especially more serious ones or those outside city limits, may appear in Fulton State Court or DeKalb State Court.

Typical traffic records:

• Ticket/citation details
• Court date and case status
• Fines and payment records
• Disposition (e.g., guilty, nolo contendere, dismissed)

You can usually:

• Look up tickets online using name, driver’s license, or citation number
• Pay fines online when permitted
• Request case information or copies from the Municipal Court Clerk in person or through official channels

Costs, Copies, and Certified Records

When dealing with Atlanta court records, expect fees for:

• Printed copies (often per page)
• Certified copies of judgments, orders, decrees, or dispositions
• Some online access or downloads (depending on the system used)

Certified copies are often needed for:

• Immigration applications
• Professional licensing
• Name changes and marriage license applications
• Certain employment verification or background checks

If cost is a concern:

• You may be able to view records at a public terminal at the courthouse and only pay for the pages you truly need.
• Calling the clerk’s office ahead of time can help you understand fees, acceptable payment methods, and wait times.

Tips for a Smooth Court Records Search in Atlanta

A little preparation goes a long way:

• Gather details first

  • Full legal name (and any former names)
  • Date of birth
  • Approximate date of incident or filing
  • Case type (criminal, civil, traffic, divorce, etc.)
  • County (Fulton vs. DeKalb) and, if known, the specific court

• Call before you go

  • Confirm office hours and whether an appointment is needed
  • Ask if the record type you want is available online or only in person

• Bring ID and payment

  • A government-issued photo ID
  • A payment method accepted by the court (often cash, money order, or card—varies by office)

• Respect privacy limits

  • Be aware that juvenile, sealed, or restricted records may not be available, even if you know a case exists.
  • Clerks can explain what you can and cannot access, but they do not offer legal advice.

By understanding which court handled your matter, how Atlanta splits jurisdiction between city and county courts, and what’s available online versus in person, you can usually track down the Atlanta, Georgia court records you need with less frustration and fewer extra trips downtown.