Atlanta Court Docket Records

Atlanta court docket records cover civil, criminal, and domestic cases filed across Fulton County Superior Court, DeKalb County Superior Court, and Atlanta Municipal Court. The city sits primarily in Fulton County but extends into DeKalb County, so cases can appear in either county's docket system. This guide explains where to search, how to get copies, and what courts handle different types of matters in Atlanta.

Court Records in Atlanta

Most Atlanta court docket records are maintained by Fulton County Superior Court. The Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court handles civil filings, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and real estate records for the bulk of the city. If you need a case from the eastern portion of Atlanta, DeKalb County Superior Court may have jurisdiction depending on where the matter arose.

Atlanta and Fulton County operate under a consolidated government structure. This means the county's court infrastructure serves city residents directly. The Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court is your main contact for certified copies, docket lookups, and case history going back decades. The clerk's office maintains records for all Superior Court filings, which include felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $15,000, divorce and custody cases, and probate matters.

For cases that span both counties, you may need to check both Fulton and DeKalb records. A docket search on re:SearchGA can show you which court filed a given case, so that is often the best starting point if you are unsure where to look.

Atlanta Municipal Court

Atlanta Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations, traffic citations issued by Atlanta Police, and certain misdemeanor offenses that occur within city limits. The court is located at 150 Garnett Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. You can reach the court by phone at (404) 658-6950. More information is available at Atlanta Municipal Court's official page.

Municipal court does not handle felony charges or major civil disputes. Those go to Fulton County Superior Court. If someone received a traffic ticket in the city, or was cited for a city code violation, Atlanta Municipal Court is where that case appears. The court also handles failure-to-appear warrants tied to local citations.

Municipal court dockets are generally not available through re:SearchGA since that system focuses on Superior and State Court records. For municipal court case status, contact the clerk directly at the Garnett Street address or check the city's online portal if one is available for your case type.

Search Atlanta Court Dockets Online

The primary online tool for Atlanta Superior Court records is re:SearchGA, the statewide court docket portal operated by the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results pull from Fulton County and DeKalb County Superior Courts, giving you a broad view of Atlanta docket activity in one place.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) offers a separate search tool that is especially useful for real estate and lien records tied to court judgments. If you need to find a lien, a deed recorded after a court order, or a UCC filing tied to litigation, GSCCCA is the right place to look.

The Atlanta Municipal Court website provides access to the city's own case information. Here is a look at the city's official court portal:

Atlanta Municipal Court official website

This portal lets you search outstanding warrants and citation status for Atlanta Municipal Court cases. For Superior Court records, stick with re:SearchGA or visit the Fulton County Clerk's office on the 8th floor at 136 Pryor Street SW.

Getting Copies of Court Records

Certified copies of Atlanta Superior Court records come from the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court. Standard copy fees in Georgia are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the GSCCCA eCertification portal for certain document types.

For older records or cases that predate electronic filing, you may need to visit the clerk's office in person. The Fulton County Clerk maintains physical files going back many years, and some older matters require a staff search. Call ahead if your case is more than 15-20 years old, as retrieval may take extra time.

Open Records Access

Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, gives the public the right to inspect and copy court dockets and case files. Government agencies must respond to records requests within three business days. Most court records in Georgia are open to anyone who asks, with no need to show a personal interest in the case.

Exceptions apply. Juvenile court records are sealed under state law. Cases involving trade secrets or minors may have portions redacted. Mental health commitment proceedings have restricted access. If you encounter a sealed file, the clerk can tell you what process exists to petition for access if you have a legal basis to do so.

Legal Resources in Atlanta

If you need help navigating the court system, the Georgia Legal Services Program provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. Atlanta also has the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, which serves Fulton, DeKalb, and surrounding counties. The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service you can reach through georgiacourts.gov.

The Georgia Courts website also has forms, filing guides, and procedural information for people representing themselves. If you need to file a motion, respond to a lawsuit, or request a hearing date, starting with that site can save time. For legal aid eligibility or a referral, the State Bar's online directory is searchable by practice area and county.

Nearby Cities

Atlanta connects to several other large Georgia cities worth knowing about for court record research. Sandy Springs and South Fulton both sit within Fulton County and use that county's Superior Court system. Roswell is just north of Atlanta, also in Fulton County. Mableton is a large community in Cobb County to the west, and Marietta serves as the Cobb County seat with its own court infrastructure. East Point is in southern Fulton County and handles cases through the Fulton County court system as well.