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Houston County, Georgia State Court Records

A Houston County court record (also called a judicial record) is any document, physical or electronic, generated or received during the performance of the court's duties (O.C.G.A § 50-18-91). Court records in Georgia are exclusively maintained by the judiciary and primarily filed with the Clerk of Court's Office of the court that handled the case (e.g., the Superior Court Clerk, the State Court Clerk).

Court records are important and critical documents in the county, extending beyond the judiciary, as they also interact with other public records, such as vital records and arrest records.

Are Houston County Court Records Public?

Yes. Houston County court records are public in Georgia. Contrary to a certain misconception, court records in Houston County and in all of Georgia are not governed by the Georgia Open Records Act. Instead, the presumption of court record openness is established under state common law and court rules, such as the Georgia Superior Court Uniform Rules, Rule 21.

Members of the public are generally permitted to inspect and obtain copies of court records in Georgia; however, this access is not without limits. Certain information and records are barred from public view, despite the general presumption of access. These records are excluded by law or by court order. Examples of such records include

  • Juvenile court records
  • Adoption records
  • Sensitive personal identifying information (e.g., Social Security Numbers, driver's license numbers)
  • Unexecuted search warrants
  • Medical reports

What Information is Available in Houston County Court Records?

Houston County court records typically contain these details:

  • The court handling the case
  • The names of the plaintiff and defendant
  • The case number
  • The docket log
  • The date the case was filed
  • The judge overseeing the case
  • The case outcome

Houston County Court Records Search

Members of the public can access Houston County court records through the following options.

Online Access

Researchers who prefer to access court records in the county remotely may use the Houston County State Court Case Search Portal or the Houston County Superior Court Case Search Portal (found on the Online Services Section of the Houston County website). The State Court portal provides access to civil, traffic, or criminal cases heard in the State Court, while the Superior Court Portal contains cases handled by the Superior Court and Magistrate Court.

Users can search with a case number, party name, citation number, warrant number, arresting case number, or driver's license number. Municipal court records generally cannot be accessed online in Houston County, so researchers will need to utilize offline options to view a record.

In-Person Access

To inspect a Houston County court record in person, individuals may visit the Clerk of Court's Office where the case was filed. The Clerk's Offices for the Superior Court, State Court, and Probate Court are located at the Houston County courthouse, while municipal court clerks are resident in the respective municipal courthouses. Inquirers generally need to provide the party name, case number, or filing date to request the search of a record. Copies may also be obtained for a fee.

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals who cannot visit the courthouse or search the web portals may send a written letter containing known details about the case, such as the names of the parties involved or the case number, to the Clerk of Court's Office by mail. The letter should also state the specific documents in the record that are needed. A self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order or check payment should be mailed along with the written request to the Clerk of Court's Office.

Fees for Court Records in Houston County

The following fees are associated with obtaining copies of court records in Houston County.

  • Plain Copies: $1 per page
  • Certified or Exemplified Copies: $2.50 for the first copy and 50 cents for each additional page
  • Alias Fi. Fa.: $5

These fees are generally only charged when requesting copies. Individuals who visit the courthouse to only search and inspect a court record are not charged a fee.

Houston County Courthouse Locations

The Houston County court system primarily consists of county-wide courts, such as the Superior, State, Probate, Magistrate, and Juvenile Courts, and several municipal courts. The Superior and State Courts handle major matters in the county, while the municipal courts oversee traffic tickets and city ordinance violations. Below is the contact information for the courts in Houston County.

Houston County Courthouse

201 North Perry Parkway

Perry, GA 31069

Superior Court Phone: (478) 218-4720

State Court Phone: (478) 218-4970

Probate Court Phone: (478) 218-4710

Houston County Juvenile Court

206 Carl Vinson Parkway

Warner Robins, GA 31088

Phone: (478) 542-2060

Houston County Magistrate Court

89 Cohen Walker Drive

Warner Robins, GA 31088

Phone: (478) 987-4695

Warner Robins Municipal Court

308 North Davis Drive

Warner Robins, GA 31093

Phone: (478) 302-5600

Centerville Municipal Court

310 East Church Street

Centerville, GA 31028

Phone: (478) 953-4795

Perry Municipal Court

808 Carroll Street

Perry, GA 31069

Phone: (478) 988-2819

Criminal Records Access in Houston County

Criminal records in Houston County have multiple custodians, depending on the type of record. Arrest records are primarily maintained by law enforcement agencies, while criminal trial records are maintained by the court.

Criminal court records may be maintained by the Houston County Superior Court Clerk (for felony cases) or the State Court Clerk (for misdemeanor cases). Researchers may access a record by visiting either the Clerk of Court's Office or searching for the record on the appropriate case search portal.

In Georgia, an individual's criminal history record is managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). A Houston County resident does not have to travel to the GBI's headquarters to request their criminal history record. They may instead request the record from the Houston County Sheriff's Office. Requests are to be made in person, and a valid government-issued ID card may be required.

Houston County Probate Records

Probate records in Houston County are files created and maintained by the Houston County Probate Court. These records pertain to the administration of a deceased person's estate and the protection of minors or incapacitated adults. Wills, trusts, appraisals, estate inventories, guardianship records, and testamentary letters are examples of probate records in Houston County. Marriage licenses, while not conventionally probate records, are managed by the Probate Court.

Houston County probate records are court records, so they are presumed to be public. However, certain records, such as guardianship and conservatorship records, are confidential and not disclosed to the public, except by court order.

Houston County Family Court Records

Any record created or filed with the court concerning a legal domestic matter is considered a family court record. All domestic and family matters in Houston County are handled by the Houston County Superior Court. Common family matters include divorce, adoption, child custody, child support, and alimony.

Family court records are generally public; however, sensitive details are redacted before public disclosure. Family law cases fall under the Superior Court, so individuals who want to access a record may visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office. A family court record may also be accessed online through the Superior Court Case Search Portal.

Federal Court Records in Houston County

Federal court cases are matters primarily involving federal law. In Houston County, these cases are handled by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and not the local courts. Houston County is part of the Macon Division of the federal District Court.

Houston County residents interested in viewing a federal court record may use the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. Users are required to register for an account before they are allowed to use the search system.

Houston County Court