Clayton County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clayton County?

Public records in Clayton County are defined under the Georgia Open Records Act, codified in Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 50-18-70 et seq. According to this statute, public records include all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared, maintained, or received by an agency in the course of its operations.

Clayton County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments available through the Clayton County Tax Assessor's Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (maintained by the Clayton County Probate Court)
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations (maintained by the Clayton County Business License Department)
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records accessible through the Clayton County Tax Commissioner's Office
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results (maintained by the Clayton County Board of Elections and Registration)
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board meetings, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports where permitted by law (maintained by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits (maintained by the Clayton County Community Development Department)

Clayton County has established a centralized portal for accessing many of these public records and forms, demonstrating the county's commitment to transparency and public access.

Is Clayton County an Open Records County?

Clayton County fully adheres to the Georgia Open Records Act as established in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. This comprehensive state law mandates that public records be open for inspection by any individual at a reasonable time and place, and that copies shall be provided upon request.

The statute specifically states: "The General Assembly finds and declares that the strong public policy of this state is in favor of open government; that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society; and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government and so that the public can evaluate the expenditure of public funds and the efficient and proper functioning of its institutions."

Clayton County has implemented this policy through its own procedures and systems, earning an A+ rating from Ballotpedia for openness, accountability, and transparency in government operations. The county maintains a dedicated public records portal to facilitate citizen access to government information.

In addition to the Open Records Act, Clayton County also complies with Georgia's Open Meetings Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq.), often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that government meetings be open to the public with limited exceptions.

The county has established specific procedures for handling records requests in accordance with state law, including designated records custodians within each department responsible for processing requests within the statutory timeframe.

How to Find Public Records in Clayton County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Clayton County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple pathways for records access:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Citizens may access:
- Court records through the Court Case Inquiry system
- Property information via the Tax Assessor's property search portal
- Tax records through the Tax Commissioner's public access system
- Inmate information using the Sheriff's Office inmate search function
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records or submit requests:
- For court records: Clayton County Judicial Center
- For property records: Tax Assessor's Office
- For vital records: Probate Court
- For general county records: County Clerk's Office
Written Requests: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, individuals may submit formal written requests for records not readily available online. Requests should:
- Be addressed to the specific department holding the records
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Include contact information for response
- Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
Georgia Open Records Portal: The state maintains a centralized Open Georgia portal that provides access to financial information across all Georgia counties, including Clayton County.
Judicial Records: The Georgia Courts website offers a gateway to judicial records throughout the state, including those from Clayton County courts.

County agencies are required by law to respond to records requests within three business days, either by providing the requested records or a timeline for when they will be available.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clayton County?

Clayton County assesses fees for public records in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and reproduction of public records. The current fee structure includes:

Standard Copying Fees: $0.10 per page for letter or legal-sized documents (black and white)
Color Copies: $0.25 per page
Large Format Documents: $5.00 per page for maps, plats, and other oversized documents
Electronic Records: $1.00 per CD/DVD for electronic document delivery
Search and Retrieval Fees: $15.00 per hour after the first quarter hour (which is provided at no charge)
Certified Copies: Additional $2.50 per document for certified copies

Specific record types may have statutorily established fees that differ from the standard schedule:

Vital Records: Birth certificates ($25.00), Death certificates ($25.00), Marriage certificates ($10.00)
Court Records: Case copies ($1.00-$5.00 per document depending on type), Background checks ($15.00)
Property Records: Deed copies ($10.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page)

The county accepts payment in the form of cash, check, money order, and major credit cards at most departments. Some online services may require credit card payment.

It is important to note that under Georgia law, agencies cannot charge for inspection of records when no copies are requested. Additionally, fee waivers may be available when disclosure of the requested information primarily benefits the general public, as determined by the records custodian.

Does Clayton County Have Free Public Records?

Clayton County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to citizens. In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b), individuals have the right to inspect public records free of charge during regular business hours, provided that such inspection does not disrupt normal government operations.

The following free public records resources are available:

In-Person Inspection: Citizens may visit county offices to view records without charge. No fees apply when copies are not requested.
Online Resources: Clayton County offers numerous free online databases:
- The Court Case Inquiry system provides basic case information at no cost
- Property assessment records are freely accessible through the Tax Assessor's website
- The Sheriff's Office inmate search is available without charge
- County meeting agendas and minutes are posted online at no cost
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county facilities, including the public library and courthouse, allowing citizens to access digital records without charge.
Open Georgia Portal: The state's Open Georgia website provides free access to financial information, including Clayton County expenditures and employee compensation.
Georgia Courts Portal: The Georgia Courts website offers free access to basic court information from across the state.

While inspection is free, standard fees apply when copies are requested or when extensive search and retrieval time is required, as outlined in the county's fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clayton County?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), any person may request access to public records maintained by Clayton County. The law specifically states that records shall be open to "the public," with no residency requirement or restriction based on citizenship status.

Key eligibility considerations include:

No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Clayton County residents or Georgia citizens to access public records.
Identification Requirements: While basic identification may be requested for certain records, anonymous requests are generally permitted for most public records. However, specific record types (such as vital records or certain court documents) may require verification of identity or relationship to the subject of the records.
Purpose Disclosure: In most cases, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d) specifically prohibits agencies from requiring disclosure of purpose as a condition of access.
Special Provisions for Certain Records:
- Vital Records: Access to birth, death, marriage, and divorce records may be restricted to individuals with a direct interest (family members, legal representatives) pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 31-10-25.
- Criminal History Information: Complete criminal histories may require fingerprint submission and statutory authorization under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.
- Voter Registration Records: While generally public, certain information (such as Social Security numbers) is redacted pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-225.
Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though certain specialized databases may have specific usage restrictions.
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other agents may request records on behalf of others, though documentation of authorization may be required in some circumstances.

The county processes all legitimate requests regardless of the requestor's identity, provided that the request complies with reasonable procedural requirements established by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Clayton County?

While Clayton County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which establishes specific categories of protected information. These exemptions include:

Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records and juvenile court proceedings (except as provided in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-79.2)
Juvenile Records: Most records pertaining to minors in juvenile court proceedings, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses
Law Enforcement Records: Active investigation materials, confidential informant identities, and certain surveillance information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, dates of birth, mother's birth name, credit card information, financial account numbers, and other data that could facilitate identity theft
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Adoption Records: Sealed adoption records and related court documents (except as provided in O.C.G.A. § 19-8-23)
Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse and neglect investigations conducted by DFCS (except as provided in O.C.G.A. § 49-5-40 et seq.)
Personnel Records: Certain employee information including medical information, home addresses, and performance evaluations (though basic employment information remains public)
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county that would harm competitive position if disclosed
Security Information: Records that would compromise public safety, including security plans, vulnerability assessments, and certain utility infrastructure details
Attorney-Client Communications: Records subject to attorney-client privilege or prepared in anticipation of litigation
Tax Information: Certain confidential tax return information (though property tax assessments remain public)

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Clayton County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(b).

The county applies a balancing test in certain cases where disclosure may constitute an invasion of personal privacy, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the individual's privacy interest.

Clayton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court
9151 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3432
Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the official recorder for Clayton County, maintaining real estate records, liens, plats, and other official documents. The Recording Department processes all real estate transactions, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, and plats.

Clayton County Probate Court
9151 Tara Boulevard, Suite 1-140
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3405
Clayton County Probate Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Probate Court maintains vital records including marriage licenses and certain death records. This office also handles wills, estates, and guardianships.

Clayton County Tax Commissioner's Office
Clayton County Administration Annex 3, 2nd Floor
121 South McDonough Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3311
Clayton County Tax Commissioner

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Tax Commissioner's Office maintains property tax records, tax maps, and related documentation.

Clayton County Tax Assessor's Office
Clayton County Administration Annex 2
122 Smith Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3285
Clayton County Tax Assessor

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Tax Assessor's Office maintains property assessment records, ownership information, and property maps.