Charlton County Court Records Lookup

Charlton County court records are filed and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Folkston, Georgia, covering civil cases, criminal matters, real property instruments, and other public filings. This guide shows you how to search Charlton County court records using Georgia's statewide tools and how to get copies directly from the Folkston clerk's office when online access falls short.

Charlton County Court Records: What to Expect

Charlton County is in the far southeast of Georgia, bordered by Florida to the south and the Okefenokee Swamp to the west. It is a small, rural county with Folkston as the only incorporated town of significant size. The Superior Court Clerk in Folkston maintains the county's official court records, which includes filings from the Superior Court, recorded real estate instruments, UCC filings, and judgment liens. Because Charlton County has a small population, the record volume is lower than in most Georgia counties, but the same access rights apply.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, the public has the right to inspect and copy government records in Georgia. Court records in Charlton County are public by default. The exceptions listed in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 include records sealed by a judge, juvenile records, and certain investigative materials. Most civil and criminal records you look for in Charlton County will not fall under any exemption.

Searching Charlton County Records Online

The main online tool for Charlton County court records is the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. The GSCCCA database covers UCC filings, real estate records, and civil case information for Georgia counties. Use the GSCCCA search portal to search by party name or document type. Standard subscriptions cost $14.95 per month and premium access runs $29.95 monthly.

PeachCourt at peachcourt.com supports e-filing and public case record viewing for Georgia courts. If Charlton County participates, you can view case dockets and pull document copies at $0.50 per page. The Georgia Judicial Gateway at georgiacourts.gov also provides court directory information and links to judicial circuit resources for Charlton County.

Charlton County Clerk Office: In-Person Access

For records not available through online tools, the Superior Court Clerk's office in Folkston is the right place to go. Staff can search physical index books, pull case files, and provide both certified and uncertified copies of documents. If you are submitting a mail request, include the party name, approximate filing date, and a check or money order for the estimated copy fee.

Bring a photo ID when visiting in person. If you need a certified copy for legal use, specify that when making your request. Plain copies work for most research purposes but carry no official seal or signature.

Types of Cases in Charlton County Superior Court

Charlton County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes, divorce and family law matters, and other actions that fall under Superior Court jurisdiction. The county is part of the Waycross Judicial Circuit along with Brantley and Ware counties. Criminal case records include indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Civil case records include complaints, orders, and final judgments.

Because Charlton County is small, the docket tends to be less crowded than in urban Georgia counties. This can make individual case searches somewhat easier since there are fewer filings to sort through. If you search by name and get multiple results, check the case year and type to confirm you have the right file.

Property records are an important category in Charlton County given the rural land and timber interests in the area. Deeds, timber rights instruments, and mortgage documents are recorded with the clerk and searchable through the GSCCCA real estate system. The FANS notification service at fans.gsccca.org can alert you when new instruments are filed under a name you monitor.

Nearby Counties

Charlton County is in Georgia's deep southeast, bordering these counties.