Paulding County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Paulding County?

Public records in Paulding County are defined according to the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which states that all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a public office or agency are considered public records. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.

Paulding County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records including:

Court Records: Civil and criminal case files, dockets, judgments, and orders maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property tax assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission meetings, board meetings, and public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and accident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Zoning maps, building permits, and planning documents

The maintenance of these records is distributed among several county offices:

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, property records, and notary commissions
The Probate Court handles vital records, marriage licenses, and weapons carry licenses
The Tax Commissioner's Office manages property tax records
The Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records and incident reports
The Board of Commissioners maintains meeting minutes, ordinances, and resolutions

Is Paulding County an Open Records County?

Paulding County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this law, all public records are presumed to be open and available for inspection by any person at a reasonable time and place, unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Georgia Open Records Act specifically states that "public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying" and that "agencies shall produce for inspection all records responsive to a request within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days of receipt of a request." If records cannot be produced within three business days, the agency must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for when they will be available.

Paulding County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. The county maintains a Request for Public Records process that allows citizens to submit formal requests for various types of county records.

Additionally, Paulding County 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. The county provides public notice of meetings and makes meeting minutes available as public records.

How to Find Public Records in Paulding County in 2026

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

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Citizens may search for:
- Court cases through the Case Search portal
- Property records through the Tax Assessor's database
- Meeting minutes and agendas through the Board of Commissioners' website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
- For court records, visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office
- For vital records, visit the Probate Court or Health Department
- For property tax records, visit the Tax Commissioner's office
Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. The county provides a standard public records request form that can be submitted to the appropriate department.
Email Requests: Many departments accept records requests via email. Include specific information about the records being requested, including dates, names, and any identifying information.
Mail Requests: Send a written request to the appropriate department with a self-addressed stamped envelope if copies are requested.

When making a request, citizens should:

Be as specific as possible about the records being sought
Provide relevant dates, names, and case numbers when applicable
Specify whether inspection of records or copies are requested
Include contact information for follow-up questions

Pursuant to Georgia law, agencies must respond to requests within three business days, either by providing the records or explaining when they will be available.

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

Paulding County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee structure includes:

Standard Copying Fees: $0.10 per page for letter or legal-sized documents
Search and Retrieval Fees: The actual hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the search, with no charge for the first 15 minutes
Electronic Records: Actual cost of the media on which electronic records are produced (CD, DVD, USB drive)
Certified Copies: Additional fees apply for certified copies of official records

Specific fees for common record types include:

Marriage License: $56.00
Certified Copy of Birth Certificate: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
Certified Copy of Death Certificate: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
Criminal History Records: $20.00
Incident/Accident Reports: $5.00

The county accepts the following payment methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Money orders
Certified checks
Credit/debit cards (subject to a processing fee)
Personal checks (for certain transactions)

Under Georgia law, an agency may require prepayment if the estimated cost exceeds $25.00. The agency must notify the requestor of the estimated cost before proceeding with the request.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the disclosure of the information is determined to be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers should be included with the initial records request and must explain how the waiver would serve the public interest.

Does Paulding County Have Free Public Records?

Paulding County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Georgia law. The Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(b) guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. The following free services are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. No fees may be charged for viewing records, though advance notice may be required for voluminous requests.
Online Resources: Paulding County provides free access to several online databases, including:
- Case Search for court records
- Board of Commissioners meeting agendas and minutes
- County ordinances and resolutions
- Property tax information through the Tax Assessor's website
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices, including the Clerk of Superior Court's office, for public use in searching electronic records at no charge.
Public Notices: Legal notices, upcoming meetings, and public hearings are posted on the county website at no cost.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive search and retrieval services as outlined in the previous section. Additionally, certain specialized records may require payment of statutory fees regardless of the method of access.

Who Can Request Public Records in Paulding County?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70(b), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Paulding County. The law specifically states that public records "shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any person." This broad eligibility includes:

Georgia residents
Non-residents and foreign nationals
Media representatives
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

When requesting public records in Paulding County, requestors should be aware of the following:

Identification Requirements: While identification is not generally required for most public records requests, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity. For example, requesting one's own criminal history record would require proper identification.
Purpose Disclosure: Under Georgia law, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records. The county cannot deny access to records based on the intended use of the information, except in limited circumstances prescribed by law.
Requesting Records About Others: While many records about other individuals are public, certain personal information may be redacted or restricted. Access to records containing sensitive personal information about others may be limited by privacy laws and exemptions.
Restrictions on Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is generally permitted, certain specialized databases may have restrictions on commercial exploitation.

For requests involving sensitive or potentially exempt information, county officials may require additional verification or documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws. This is particularly relevant for records containing personal identifying information, medical information, or information about minors.

What Records Are Confidential in Paulding County?

While Paulding County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-72, which provides specific exemptions to protect privacy, security, and other important interests. The following categories of records are generally confidential:

Personal Information: Social Security numbers, dates of birth, mother's birth name, credit card information, bank account information, financial data, and insurance or medical information
Law Enforcement Records: Ongoing investigation materials, confidential investigative techniques, identity of confidential sources, and certain surveillance materials
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors under 17 years of age, except in specific circumstances outlined in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-79
Medical Records: Individual medical records protected under HIPAA and other privacy laws
Adoption Records: Records related to adoptions are sealed by court order
Child Abuse Records: Reports and records concerning child abuse investigations
Certain Personnel Records: Medical information, performance evaluations, and personal contact information of public employees
Attorney-Client Communications: Records subject to attorney-client privilege
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to government agencies
Security Information: Records that would compromise security against sabotage, criminal, or terrorist acts
Critical Infrastructure: Information about public utility infrastructure that could be used for destructive purposes
Certain Real Estate Appraisals: Appraisals of real property to be acquired by public agencies until the property has been acquired
Educational Records: Student educational records protected under FERPA

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific legal authority for any denial or redaction of records.

Georgia law also provides for a balancing test in certain circumstances, where the public interest in disclosure may be weighed against the potential harm from disclosure. This determination is made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Paulding County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court
240 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1001
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: (770) 443-7527
Clerk of Superior Court