athens ga public records guide for residents

What you can find

Athens-Clarke County keeps a wide range of documents that help you verify property details, track court outcomes, or research local government decisions. Knowing where each record lives saves time and prevents duplicate requests.

Core repositories

• Clarke County Superior Court: civil, criminal, deeds, liens.
• Magistrate and State Courts: traffic, small claims, misdemeanors.
• Tax Assessor and Board of Equalization: parcel data, valuations, appeals history.
• Probate Court: marriage licenses, wills, estate filings.
• Athens-Clarke County Police and Sheriff: incident reports, arrest logs.
• Open Records Office: emails, agendas, contracts under Georgia’s Open Records Act.

How to request

Most offices accept online requests; some still require in-person verification or mailed forms. Clearly list names, dates, and case or parcel numbers, and ask for fee estimates before copies are made. Sensitive details may be redacted under state law.

For quicker results, search official portals first, then follow up by phone if a docket, map, or report is missing. Keep confirmation numbers, and note statutory response timelines to track progress.