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Chatham County Court Records

Court records in Chatham County are documents maintained by the court in a legal case. These records are a core part of the local government and judicial systems, ensuring proper documentation and the preservation of judicial proceedings.

Court records are primarily managed by court clerks as mandated by the law. These records are also intertwined with other public records in the county, collectively serving as a vital source of information for the government, organizations, attorneys, and the general public.

Are Chatham County Court Records Public?

Yes, Chatham County court records are public, but they are governed by different regulations than most public documents. Access is not provided under the general Georgia Open Records Act, which applies to executive branch agencies but not to the judicial branch.

The governing authority for access to records from the Superior, State, Probate, and Magistrate Courts is the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules, Rule 21. Under this rule, court records are generally considered public and available for inspection. However, there are important exceptions for certain confidential documents that are not accessible to the public without authorization from a court or per the law. These restricted records include

  • Sensitive personal identifiers, such as social security, taxpayer identification, and financial account numbers
  • Adoption records
  • Juvenile records
  • Sealed files and documents
  • Records whose disclosure might pose a safety risk

What Information is Available in Chatham County Court Records?

Chatham County records generally contain the following information:

  • Case information: Case number, filing date, case status, case type
  • Party information: Names of plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys
  • Docket entries
  • Trial transcripts
  • Evidence
  • Pleadings, filings, judgments, and court orders

Court records may contain details in both paper and electronic formats, and these details may differ from case to case.

Chatham County Court Records Search

Chatham County court records are accessible through several means, including

Online Access

Individuals can search for court records in the county online using two primary third-party search portals featured on the Chatham County Courts home page. One portal (re:Search) grants access to court records from the county’s Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts, while the other portal (Probate Court Records Search) provides access to probate court records. Inspecting court records through both portals is free, but some features may cost a fee.

In-Person Access

Chatham County court records can be accessed in person by visiting the Clerk of Court’s Office where the case was filed. This may be the Clerk of Superior Court, the State Court Clerk, the Probate Clerk, the Magistrate Court Clerk, the Juvenile Court Clerk, or a Municipal Court Clerk. Requesters will have to visit the office with a name or case number, so the record can be located. Additionally, there may be public access terminals at the courthouse that allow the public to search for all types of court records.

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals can submit requests for court records in Chatham County by mail. This can be done by writing the request on paper and sending it to the appropriate Clerk’s Office mail address. The request should be clearly written and contain a clear description of the record; otherwise, it may be denied. Mail-in requests in Chatham County may incur extra charges.

Fees for Court Records in Chatham County

Searching and accessing court records online in Chatham County is typically free; however, obtaining a physical copy of a record usually costs a fee. The fee depends on the specific service requested. The fees are as follows:

  • Uncertified copies (if no assistance is required): 50 cents per page
  • Uncertified copies (if assistance is needed): $1 per page
  • Computer printouts: $2.50 per page
  • True copy: $1.25 for the first page, 25 cents for each additional page after
  • Certification or exemplification of a record: $2.50 for the first copy/page, 50 cents per page thereafter
  • Certificate of pending or unsatisfied judgment: $3

Chatham County Courthouse Locations

Chatham County is home to several courthouses that host the county’s various courts. These include the Superior Court, the State Court, the Probate Court, the Magistrate Court, the Juvenile Court, and Municipal Courts. Below are the addresses of the county’s courthouses.

Coleman Courthouse

133 Montgomery Street

Savannah, GA 31401

Recorder Court Phone: (912) 652-7425

Magistrate Court Phone: (912) 652-7181

Probate Court Phone: (912) 652-7264

Gadsden Courthouse

400 West Oglethorpe Avenue

Savannah, GA 31401

Superior Court Phone: (912) 434-8920

State Court Phone: (912) 652-7224

Chatham Juvenile Court

197 Carl Griffin Drive

Savannah, GA 31405

Phone: (912) 652-6721

Bloomingdale Municipal Court

City Hall Building

8 West Highway 80

Bloomingdale, GA 31302

Phone: (912) 748-8302

Garden City Municipal Court

100 Central Avenue

Garden City, GA 31408

Phone: (912) 963-2708

Pooler Municipal Court

100 Southwest Highway 80

Poole,r GA 31322

Phone: (912) 748-7333

Port Wentworth Municipal Court
 City Hall

305 South Coastal Highway

Port Wentworth, GA 31407

Phone: (912) 964-4360

Thunderbolt Municipal Court

2821 River Drive

Thunderbolt, GA 31404

Phone: (912) 629-4667

Tybee Island Municipal Court

78 Van Horne Drive

Tybee Island, GA 31328

Phone: (912) 786-5635

Criminal Records Access in Chatham County

Criminal records are maintained by law enforcement and courts in the county, each managing different types of criminal records. Individuals who want to obtain a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), a complete summary of a person’s interactions with the criminal justice system, may contact the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. A request can be made by completing and mailing the CHRI Release/Waiver Form to the department. Included in the mail should be the requester’s valid ID and a $15 payment. Individuals may call the Criminal History/Fingerprint Office at (912) 652-7650 for further clarification about such requests.

Criminal court records are detailed accounts of what transpired during criminal proceedings. CHRI records provide a summary, while court records provide the full legal file. Individuals may obtain court records in the county from the Superior Court Clerk, State Court Clerk, or Municipal Court, depending on the case. The records can also be searched online via Chatham County’s re:Search case search portal.

Chatham County Probate Records

Chatham County probate records are documents maintained by the local Probate Court that deal with the estates of deceased individuals and the distribution of their assets. Estate records typically contain wills, probate filings, letters testamentary, guardianship details, and heir information.

The Probate Court Clerk’s Office is responsible for the filing and safekeeping of all probate records in the county. These records are accessible to the public, similar to other court records, but certain details are restricted due to their sensitive nature.

Individuals can obtain probate records in person at the clerk’s office or by mail. Chatham County probate records can also be accessed online through the dedicated probate record search portal on the Chatham County Courts website.

Chatham County Family Court Records

Family court records in Chatham County are records maintained by the Superior Court for domestic relations cases. These cases commonly involve divorce, annulment, legitimation, adoption, name change, and custody matters.

Family court records contain a lot of sensitive information and, although generally public, are still subject to access restrictions. Publicly accessible information can be obtained from the Superior Court Clerk’s Office. Inquirers may visit the court, mail in a request, or search for the record on the case search portal on the Chatham County Courts website.

Federal Court Records in Chatham County

Federal cases arising from Chatham County are presided over by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, specifically the Savannah Division. These records differ from county-level court records and follow federal public access rules.

Individuals may visit the federal courthouse situated within the county to request a federal court record. Below is the court’s address:

124 Barnard Street

Savannah, GA 31401

Online access to federal court records is provided via the Case Locator (PACER). Users must have an account before they can use the platform and also pay an access fee.

Chatham County Court