Access Decatur County Court Records
Decatur County court records are on file with the Superior Court Clerk in Bainbridge, Georgia, and include civil case filings, felony criminal dockets, domestic relations matters, and the county's real property index. This page explains where to search Decatur County court records online and how to get documents from the Bainbridge courthouse.
Decatur County Quick Facts
Decatur County Superior Court Records
Decatur County is part of the South Georgia Judicial Circuit. The Superior Court in Bainbridge handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations matters including divorces and custody, and equity proceedings. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all official filings and is the custodian of the real property index. Bainbridge serves as the county seat and is where the main courthouse is located.
The Clerk's office processes case filings, prepares certified copies, and responds to public record requests. Staff are available weekdays during standard hours. Because Decatur County has roughly 27,000 residents, the office handles a moderate volume of cases - enough to maintain current procedures but small enough that staff can give personal attention to most inquiries.
Get current contact information for the Decatur County Clerk using the Find My Clerk directory.
Searching Decatur County Court Records Online
The GSCCCA search portal is the primary online tool for Decatur County court records. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes civil filings, real property records, and UCC filings for all 159 Georgia counties including Decatur. A standard subscription costs $14.95 per month; premium access runs $29.95. Printed document copies cost $0.50 per page. Researchers can search by party name or case number to locate Decatur County filings.
The Georgia Judicial Gateway is free and lists contact information for all Georgia courts, including Decatur County Superior Court and Magistrate Court in Bainbridge. For e-filed cases from 2005 onward, PeachCourt is available at $0.50 per page with support at 844-GA-EFILE. The re:SearchGA system provides document-level searches for participating counties - check current availability for Decatur.
Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 establishes the public's right to inspect government records. Agencies must respond within three business days, and standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Exemptions are listed under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
The image below from the GSCCCA homepage shows the statewide portal used to search Decatur County records online.
GSCCCA covers civil filings and real property records for Decatur County, Georgia, with a monthly subscription.
Types of Court Records in Decatur County
The Superior Court handles the broadest range of case types. That includes felonies, civil suits above the Magistrate Court threshold, domestic relations cases, and equity matters. State Court in Decatur County handles misdemeanor criminal cases and lower-value civil claims. Magistrate Court covers civil disputes up to $15,000, dispossessory cases, and ordinance violations. Probate Court maintains wills, estate records, guardianship files, and marriage licenses separately from the Superior Court system.
Criminal records in Decatur County are public unless sealed by the court or restricted by law. Juvenile records are always confidential under Georgia law. Domestic relations records - including divorce decrees and custody orders - are public though specific financial exhibits may be sealed. Real property records at the Superior Court Clerk are public and searchable for any property in Decatur County.
In-Person and Mail Requests in Decatur County
The Decatur County Courthouse in Bainbridge is open weekdays for in-person record requests. Have the case number ready if you know it, or provide party names and a rough filing date so staff can locate the file. Certified copies carry the Clerk's official seal and are appropriate for legal and financial transactions. The Clerk's office will tell you the current fee when you visit or call.
For mail requests, write to the Clerk's office, include case details, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Turnaround time is typically three to seven business days. Archived files may take additional time. The Find My Clerk tool provides the current mailing address.
FANS Filing Alerts for Decatur County
The FANS service from GSCCCA is a free email notification tool. You can sign up to receive alerts whenever a new filing appears in the GSCCCA index that matches your name or a property address in Decatur County. This is helpful for monitoring potential liens or legal actions tied to your property or name. Registration takes only a few minutes on the FANS website and there is no ongoing fee.
Decatur County Criminal and Civil Records
Felony cases are filed in the Decatur County Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases go to State Court. For a broader criminal background check that spans multiple Georgia counties, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation offers a statewide criminal history search - this is separate from local court records and has its own fee and request process. The Decatur County Sheriff holds arrest and booking records; contact the Sheriff's office for that information.
Civil records in Decatur County cover contract disputes, personal injury suits, property litigation, and judgment entries. Liens are indexed separately in the real property records and can be searched through GSCCCA. If you need to verify whether a lien or judgment has been satisfied or released, look for a release filing in the same index.