Find Dade County Court Records
Dade County court records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Trenton, Georgia, and include civil disputes, criminal cases, domestic filings, and property records. This page explains where to search Dade County court records, how to request documents from the Trenton courthouse, and what statewide tools cover this northwest Georgia county.
Dade County Quick Facts
Dade County Superior Court and Clerk's Office
Dade County's Superior Court is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, a circuit that serves several counties in northwest Georgia near the Tennessee border. The Clerk of Superior Court in Trenton handles all case filings for civil, felony criminal, and domestic relations matters. The Clerk's office also maintains the real property index for the county, including deeds, mortgages, plat maps, and judgment liens.
Dade County sits in the far northwest corner of Georgia, bordered on two sides by Tennessee counties. The county's small population means a relatively compact courthouse with staff who are familiar with local filing history. Visitors to the Trenton courthouse can expect personal service and direct assistance with record searches. Standard business hours apply, Monday through Friday.
For current contact information, phone number, and mailing address for the Dade County Clerk, use the Find My Clerk directory.
Dade County Court Records Online
The GSCCCA search portal provides online access to Dade County civil filings, property records, and liens. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains this system for all 159 Georgia counties. Standard access costs $14.95 per month; premium runs $29.95 per month. Printed pages are $0.50 each. Searching by party name or case number, users can locate indexed records without visiting Trenton.
The Georgia Judicial Gateway is a free state resource with links to court directories, filing guides, and basic case lookup tools across Georgia. The re:SearchGA portal offers document-level searches for participating counties - check whether Dade County is currently active on the system. For e-filed cases from 2005 forward, PeachCourt is available at $0.50 per page with support at 844-GA-EFILE.
Georgia's open records statute at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect court records. Government agencies must respond within three business days, and copying charges are $0.10 per page for standard documents. Restricted categories are defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
The image below shows the Georgia Judicial Gateway, a free entry point for court information including Dade County.
The Judicial Gateway provides free court directory access and links to clerk offices across Georgia, including Dade County's Superior Court in Trenton.
Types of Dade County Court Records
Superior Court is the main court for felony criminal cases, civil suits, domestic relations proceedings, and real property matters in Dade County. State Court handles misdemeanors and civil cases within its jurisdiction. Magistrate Court covers small civil disputes up to $15,000, dispossessory cases, and county ordinance violations. Probate Court keeps records for estates, wills, guardianship, and marriage licenses. Each court maintains separate dockets and files.
Civil records often include complaint filings, motions, orders, judgments, and liens. Criminal records show charge information, case history, and the final disposition. Domestic relations files include divorce decrees, custody orders, and support agreements. Juvenile records are confidential under Georgia law and are not part of the public file. For arrest records, contact the Dade County Sheriff's Office directly.
Requesting Records From Dade County
In-person requests at the Dade County Courthouse in Trenton are handled on weekdays. Bring identifying information such as the case number, party names, and approximate filing date. Certified copies carry the Clerk's seal and cost a fee set by the office - call ahead to confirm the current rate. Walk-in requests for on-site files are typically same-day.
For mail requests, send a written request with your contact information, the case details, and a money order or check for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Turnaround is usually three to seven business days. For records older than those stored at the courthouse, retrieval may take longer if files have been archived off-site.
FANS Alerts for Dade County Filings
The FANS notification service from GSCCCA lets you set up free email alerts for new filings in the GSCCCA database that match your name or a property you own. This is helpful for anyone who wants to know quickly if a lien, civil suit, or judgment appears tied to their records in Dade County or any other participating Georgia county. Registration is free on the GSCCCA website.
Dade County and Tennessee Neighboring Courts
Dade County borders Hamilton County and Sequatchie County in Tennessee. If a matter involves property or parties on both sides of the state line, records may be split between Georgia and Tennessee courts. Georgia's statewide tools cover the Georgia side of any cross-border matter. For Tennessee court records, you would need to contact those counties' clerks separately. Keep in mind that Georgia's open records law applies only to Georgia agencies - Tennessee has its own public records rules.