Clay County Court Docket Records

Clay County court docket records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Fort Gaines, Georgia, part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit in southwest Georgia. This page explains how to search and access court records from Clay County courts.

Clay County Superior Court and Court Docket

Clay County is one of Georgia's least populous counties. The Superior Court Clerk is at 111 Court Street, Fort Gaines, GA 39851. The phone is (229) 768-2631. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Despite the small population, the clerk's office maintains a complete set of court docket records for all Superior Court cases filed in Clay County.

Clay County sits in the Pataula Judicial Circuit alongside Baker, Calhoun, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, and Webster counties. This is one of Georgia's largest circuits by county count. The circuit judge visits Fort Gaines on a scheduled basis to hold court terms. Between sessions, the Clay County clerk records all docket activity and manages the courthouse files.

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-74 makes court docket records available to the public. The clerk must respond to written records requests within three business days. Walk-in requests are handled during office hours at the Fort Gaines courthouse. Calling ahead is especially advisable in small counties where staff may be limited.

Searching Clay County Court Dockets Online

The re:SearchGA portal covers Clay County Superior Court records in its statewide database. It is free to use and lets you search by party name or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, judge, and a full docket history. Even for a small county like Clay, re:SearchGA may have records going back several years, making it the best first step in any online search.

Because Clay County has fewer cases than larger Georgia counties, searching by a party's last name will typically return a short list of results. This makes it easier to identify the right case quickly. For records not yet in the digital system, a direct request to the Fort Gaines clerk is the right route.

The GSCCCA index includes court-related real property instruments from Clay County. If a case resulted in a recorded judgment or property lien, GSCCCA may have that record. Searching by party name at GSCCCA can turn up instruments not visible in the main docket search portal.

Court Records Available in Clay County

Clay County Superior Court handles the same basic categories of cases as courts in larger counties. Civil dockets include contract disputes, property boundary cases, and personal injury matters. Though the caseload is small, each case generates a public docket that tracks filings, hearings, and rulings from start to finish.

Criminal dockets in Clay County track felony proceedings from indictment through sentencing. Given the county's small size, grand jury sessions and court terms happen on a limited schedule. The clerk records all docket events between those sessions. If a person has a felony case in Clay County, the docket is where that information is found.

Family law cases in Clay County include divorce filings, custody and support matters, and adoptions. These go through Superior Court and generate a docket accessible to the public. Some documents in domestic cases may be restricted by court order, but the general docket log remains public unless the judge rules otherwise.

Note: Juvenile proceedings and sealed orders are not part of the public docket. Contact the clerk for guidance on specific case restrictions.

Getting Copies of Clay County Court Records

In-person requests are the most reliable way to get Clay County court documents. Visit the clerk at 111 Court Street in Fort Gaines. Staff will look up the case and make copies for the standard fee. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Bring a photo ID.

Mail requests go to the Clay County Superior Court Clerk, 111 Court Street, Fort Gaines, GA 39851. Include the case details and enclose a check or money order for fees. Given the small size of the office, allow two to three weeks for a response. A phone call before mailing can confirm whether the specific records you need are on-site and ready to copy.

Some Clay County court records may be available as certified copies through GSCCCA's eCertify service. Check the system for available record types before submitting an online order.

Electronic Filing and Court Access

Attorneys can file Clay County court documents electronically through GSCCCA's eFiling portal. The system accepts filings and updates the docket in real time. Public users can track docket activity for electronically filed cases through the same portal. This gives useful visibility into civil cases without requiring a trip to Fort Gaines.

The Georgia Courts eAccess portal may include some Clay County case records depending on filing year and case type. Check both eAccess and re:SearchGA to ensure a thorough online search of Clay County court dockets.

Clay County Clerk Contact

All court docket records requests for Clay County go through the Superior Court Clerk:

• Address: 111 Court Street, Fort Gaines, GA 39851
• Phone: (229) 768-2631
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Judicial Circuit: Pataula

Given Clay County's small population and office size, calling before visiting or mailing is always the smart approach. The clerk can confirm what records are available and advise on the best method for your request.

Nearby County Courts

Clay County borders Randolph, Quitman, Early, and Calhoun counties, and it also sits on the Georgia-Alabama state line. Albany in Dougherty County is the nearest qualifying city with comprehensive court services. Nearby county pages include Early County, Randolph County, Calhoun County, and Quitman County.