Fulton County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Fulton County?
Public records in Fulton County are defined according to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes that all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared, maintained, or received by an agency in the course of its operations are considered public records. These records are maintained by various Fulton County departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.
Fulton County maintains a comprehensive array of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Fulton County Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1928), death certificates (from 1919), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Fulton County Probate Court
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment history maintained by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and various boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
- Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and jail records (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning applications, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by a specific Fulton County department or office. The Fulton County Government serves as the central portal for accessing information about these various departments and their respective record holdings.
Is Fulton County an Open Records County?
Fulton County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this state law, Fulton County is required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Georgia Open Records Act 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." This statutory framework ensures transparency and accountability in government operations throughout Fulton County.
Fulton County has established specific procedures for handling open records requests in accordance with state law. The Fulton County Open Records Policy designates an Official Records Custodian responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to requests for public records.
Additionally, Fulton 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 meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that adequate notice of such meetings be provided.
How to Find Public Records in Fulton County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Fulton County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The county currently provides multiple pathways for accessing public records:
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Submit a Formal Open Records Request:
- Complete the Open Records Request Form available on the Fulton County website
- Submit requests via email to openrecords@fultoncountyga.gov
- Mail written requests to the Fulton County Open Records Request Center
- Include specific details about the records being requested to facilitate prompt processing
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Visit Department Offices in Person:
- Records may be inspected in person at the appropriate department office during regular business hours
- Contact the specific department in advance to ensure record availability and to schedule an appointment if necessary
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Access Online Databases:
- Court records are available through the Fulton County Superior Court eServices platform
- Property records can be searched through the Fulton County Tax Assessor's online database
- The Fulton County District Attorney's Office provides access to case information and court documents
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Contact the Specific Department:
- Direct inquiries to the department that maintains the specific records being sought
- Department contact information is available on the Fulton County website
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Utilize the County Clerk's Office:
- The Clerk of Superior Court maintains many official county records
- Visit the clerk's office in person for assistance with locating specific documents
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, Fulton County is required to respond to open records requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the county must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for when they will be available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fulton County?
Fulton County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71). The current fee structure for obtaining public records in Fulton County is as follows:
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Standard Copying Fees:
- Black and white copies: $0.10 per page
- Color copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $2.50 for the first page, $0.10 for each additional page
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Electronic Records:
- CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
- USB drive: Actual cost of the drive
- Email delivery: No charge (when feasible)
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Specialized Records:
- Maps, plats, and oversized documents: Actual cost of reproduction
- Photographs: Actual cost of reproduction
- Audio/video recordings: Actual cost of reproduction
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Administrative Fees:
- Search, retrieval, and redaction: $14.44 per hour (after the first 15 minutes, which are free)
- No charge for the first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time
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Vital Records Fees (maintained by Probate Court):
- Birth certificates: $25.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage licenses: $56.00 for issuance, $10.00 for certified copies
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Court Records Fees:
- Case file copies: $0.10 per page
- Certified court documents: $2.50 for certification plus copying fees
Fulton County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limitations on accepted payment methods.
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 must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.
Does Fulton County Have Free Public Records?
Fulton County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), members of the public may inspect public records free of charge during regular business hours at the office where such records are maintained. No fee may be charged for inspection of records if the requestor does not request copies.
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Online Access: Fulton County offers free online access to numerous public records through various departmental websites:
- The Fulton County Superior Court provides free access to court case information through its online portal
- The Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office offers free online property tax record searches
- The Fulton County Board of Commissioners provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings
- The Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections offers free access to voter information and election results
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First 15 Minutes Free: Under Georgia law, the first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time for records is provided at no charge to the requestor.
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Email Delivery: When records are available in electronic format and can be transmitted via email, Fulton County typically provides these at no charge.
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Public Access Terminals: Several Fulton County departments maintain public access terminals where visitors can search electronic records at no cost.
The Fulton County Government website serves as a central hub for accessing many of these free resources and provides guidance on how to locate specific types of records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Fulton County?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records maintained by Fulton County. The law specifically states that public records "shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any person." This broad eligibility ensures transparency in government operations.
Key points regarding who may request public records in Fulton County:
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No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be residents of Fulton County or the state of Georgia to submit a records request.
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Identification Requirements:
- For general public records: Basic contact information is typically required, but formal identification is not necessary for most requests.
- For certain sensitive records: Valid identification may be required, particularly for vital records or records containing personal information.
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Purpose Disclosure:
- For most records: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or how the information will be used.
- For certain specialized records: State law may require disclosure of purpose (e.g., motor vehicle records under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act).
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Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though certain specialized databases may have restrictions or different fee structures for commercial use.
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Requesting Personal Records: Individuals seeking their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity.
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Requesting Records of Others: Access to records containing personal information about others may be limited by privacy exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
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Representatives and Agents: Attorneys, researchers, and other representatives may request records on behalf of clients, though authorization documentation may be required for certain record types.
Fulton County processes all records requests in accordance with state law, regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, subject only to statutory exemptions.
What Records Are Confidential in Fulton County?
While Fulton County strives to provide access to public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. The following records are generally considered confidential in Fulton County:
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Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, financial data, insurance or medical information
- Home addresses, home telephone numbers, and birthdates of public employees
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active investigation materials
- Confidential informant identities
- Juvenile criminal history information
- Records that would disclose a confidential source or investigative technique
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Court Records:
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order
- Adoption records
- Certain family court proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
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Personnel Records:
- Performance evaluations
- Disciplinary actions
- Medical information of public employees
- Personal contact information of public employees
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Security-Related Information:
- Computer security plans
- Security system specifications
- Infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Emergency response plans
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Proprietary Information:
- Trade secrets
- Confidential research data
- Proprietary business information
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Attorney-Client Privileged Communications:
- Legal advice provided to government agencies
- Attorney work product in pending litigation
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Child Welfare Records:
- Child abuse reports and investigations
- Foster care records
- Records concerning minors in state custody
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Economic Development Records:
- Certain records related to economic development projects until publicly announced
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a), these exemptions are specifically defined in state law. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Fulton County will redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder of the record, as required by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(b).
Fulton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court - Real Estate Division
136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C-155
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-613-5380
Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Fulton County Probate Court (Vital Records)
136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C-230
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-613-4070
Fulton County Probate Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Fulton County Tax Commissioner's Office
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1085
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-613-6100
Fulton County Tax Commissioner
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Fulton County Open Records Request Center
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 3030
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-612-4000
Fulton County Open Records
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Fulton County
District Attorney Public Record Access
Superior Court eServices Portal
County Attorney Open Records Requests