Dodge County Court Records Search
Dodge County court records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Eastman, Georgia, and include civil case dockets, felony criminal filings, domestic relations matters, and the real property index for the county. This guide covers how to search Dodge County court records using state databases and how to request documents from the Eastman courthouse.
Dodge County Quick Facts
Dodge County Superior Court and Clerk
Dodge County's Superior Court is part of the Oconee Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Superior Court in Eastman handles all case filings for the county's Superior Court, which covers felony criminal cases, civil disputes, domestic relations proceedings, and equity matters. The Clerk also maintains the real property index, which indexes deeds, mortgages, plat maps, judgment liens, and other property documents for Dodge County.
Eastman is the county seat and is where the Dodge County Courthouse is located. The Clerk's office is open on weekdays during normal business hours. Staff can assist with case lookups and certified copy requests for on-site files. For older or archived records, there may be a short delay while the file is retrieved.
Current contact information for the Dodge County Clerk is available through the Find My Clerk directory.
Online Tools for Dodge County Court Records
The GSCCCA search portal is Georgia's main statewide platform for civil and property record searches, including Dodge County. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs this system for all 159 counties. Standard subscriptions are $14.95 per month and premium subscriptions are $29.95 per month. Document prints cost $0.50 each. The portal allows name-based and case-number-based searches, making it useful for pulling Dodge County civil records without a trip to Eastman.
The Georgia Judicial Gateway is free and links to court directories and filing resources across Georgia. For cases filed since 2005, PeachCourt provides document access at $0.50 per page with support at 844-GA-EFILE. The re:SearchGA platform offers document-level searches for counties that participate - verify whether Dodge County is active in the system at the time of your search.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect court records. Agencies must respond within three business days. Standard copy fees are $0.10 per page. Exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 include juvenile records and certain law enforcement materials.
What Dodge County Court Records Contain
Superior Court records in Dodge County include felony criminal cases, civil suits, real property disputes, domestic relations matters including divorces and custody orders, and equity proceedings. State Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and civil claims within its jurisdiction. Magistrate Court covers civil claims up to $15,000, dispossessory filings, and local ordinance violations. Probate Court keeps records for estates, wills, guardianship, and marriage licenses separately from Superior Court.
Civil case files typically include the initial complaint, responses, motions, court orders, and the final judgment. Criminal records show the charges filed, arraignment information, hearing dates, plea or verdict, and sentencing. Domestic relations files cover the petition, financial disclosures, custody arrangements, and the final decree. These records are all public in Georgia unless a judge orders specific exhibits sealed.
FANS Alerts and Dodge County Filings
The FANS service from GSCCCA lets you set up free email notifications for new filings in the GSCCCA database that match your name or a Dodge County property. This is a useful tool for anyone who owns property in Eastman or elsewhere in Dodge County and wants to monitor for unauthorized liens or judgments. FANS registration is free and takes only a few minutes on the GSCCCA website.
Requesting Copies of Dodge County Court Records
In-person requests are accepted at the Dodge County Courthouse in Eastman during weekday hours. Bring the case number or party names to speed up the search. Certified copies carry the Clerk's official seal and are appropriate for legal use. Walk-in requests for on-site files are generally processed the same day.
For mail requests, send a written request to the Clerk's office with the case details, your return address, and payment for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Use the Find My Clerk tool to confirm the mailing address. Mail turnaround is typically three to seven business days.
Archived records may take additional time to retrieve. If you are not sure whether a specific record exists, call the Clerk's office before making the trip to Eastman.
Dodge County Criminal Records
Felony cases are handled at the Superior Court level. Misdemeanor matters go to State Court. Both types of records are public in Dodge County with narrow exceptions. Arrest and booking information is held by the Dodge County Sheriff, not the Clerk - contact the Sheriff's office directly for that type of record. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation background check covers criminal history across all Georgia counties and is available for an additional fee through a separate process.