Heard County Court Docket Records

Heard County court docket records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Franklin, Georgia. These records cover civil, criminal, and domestic cases filed in the county's courts. You can search Heard County dockets online through Georgia's statewide portals or visit the clerk's office in person. This page walks through how to find, request, and understand court docket records in Heard County, including what each record type contains and what state law says about public access.

Heard County Clerk of Superior Court

The Heard County Superior Court Clerk's office is located at 215 East Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. The main phone number is (706) 675-3301. Office hours run Monday through Friday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk maintains all court filings for the Superior Court, which handles felony criminal cases, civil suits above the jurisdictional threshold, and domestic relations matters such as divorce and child custody.

Heard County is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit, which also includes Carroll, Coweta, Meriwether, and Troup counties. Because multiple counties share circuit judges, the clerk's office coordinates with the circuit administrator on scheduling. If you have questions about a specific judge or upcoming hearing, the clerk's staff can help. For basic county contact information, check heardcountyga.gov.

In-person searches are welcome during business hours. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties involved. The clerk's staff can pull the physical file or direct you to the in-house terminal for electronic records. For older cases, some files may be stored off-site, so calling ahead saves time. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain how to read a docket sheet and which documents are available.

Search Heard County Court Dockets Online

Georgia provides free online docket access through re:SearchGA, the statewide court records portal. You can look up Heard County Superior Court cases by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries, filing dates, party information, and in many cases links to scanned documents. Access is free for basic searches. Some document images may require a small fee to view or download.

The re:SearchGA portal provides statewide docket search for Heard County Superior Court filings.

This tool lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date at no cost for basic lookups.

The GSCCCA is another strong tool, particularly for property-related court records and liens. Their index is updated regularly and spans all 159 Georgia counties. You can also use FANS, the GSCCCA's lien tracking system, for UCC filings and related records. For certified document orders, the eCertification portal handles requests online. Electronic filing for qualifying courts goes through eFileGA.

Requesting Heard County Court Records

You can get paper copies of Heard County court records in person at the clerk's office or through a mail request. For in-person requests, arrive during business hours and tell the clerk what case or document you need. The clerk's staff will locate the file and make copies. Payment is typically by cash or check.

Georgia copy rates for Superior Court records are set by O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77. You pay $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 per page after that. If you need a certified copy for a legal proceeding or financial institution, make sure to request certification when you place your order.

Mail requests go to the Heard County Superior Court Clerk at 215 East Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. Include the case number or party names, a description of which documents you want, and a check or money order covering the estimated copy cost. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the copies returned by mail. Simple requests are often filled within a few business days.

What the Heard County Docket Contains

A court docket is a chronological record of every action taken in a case. Each entry notes the date, the filing or event, and which party initiated it. Civil dockets track complaints, answers, motions, discovery orders, and final judgments. Criminal dockets show arraignments, bond hearings, plea entries, trial dates, and sentencing records. Domestic dockets include divorce petitions, temporary restraining orders, parenting plans, and final decrees of divorce or custody.

Not all records are open. Georgia seals juvenile court records by default. Cases that are expunged or restricted by court order will not appear in public searches. Certain victim records and sensitive health information may also be withheld or redacted. If you cannot find a record you expect to exist, the clerk's office can tell you if it has been sealed or if your search terms need revision.

Georgia Open Records Law

Public court records in Georgia fall under the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. This law gives anyone the right to inspect or copy most government records, including court dockets and filed pleadings. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The law applies to all government entities, including Superior Court clerks.

Agencies must respond to a records request within three business days. They must provide the records, give a date by which records will be ready, or state the legal basis for any denial. If a record is partially exempt, the agency must redact only the exempt portions and release the rest. Heard County's clerk follows this process for all public record requests.

Some exemptions apply. Personal financial data, Social Security numbers, and certain victim identifiers are typically removed before release. Records sealed by court order are not subject to open records disclosure. If you believe a record is being withheld improperly, you can file a written complaint with the Georgia Attorney General's office.

Statewide Resources for Heard County

For certified copies without visiting the courthouse, use the GSCCCA eCertification portal. The Georgia Courts e-Access portal links to multiple court record systems across the state. Federal cases involving Heard County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. You can search federal dockets through PACER at pacer.gov.

For free legal help, contact Georgia Legal Services Program at www.glsp.org. They offer assistance to eligible residents across rural Georgia, including Heard County. The State Bar of Georgia at www.gabar.org maintains a lawyer referral service if you need a private attorney for court matters in the Coweta Circuit.

Cities in Heard County

Heard County's main city is Franklin, the county seat. Other communities include Centralhatchee and Ephesus. None of these communities meet the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city docket page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Heard County sits in west-central Georgia and shares borders with several other counties. Court records for those counties are accessible through their own clerk offices and the same statewide tools described above.

Adjacent counties include Carroll County, Troup County, Meriwether County, Coweta County, and Harris County. Each has its own Superior Court Clerk and may offer different levels of online access.