Georgia Public Records

Georgia's public records are generally easy to search and acquire, but they are maintained by a number of different government departments, so interested parties must know where to look. Information about the most commonly-sought public records follows.

Vital Records

Georgia's vital records - including records of birth, death, marriage, and divorce - are administered by the Georgia Department of Public Health Public Health. Birth and death certificates can be requested online via the ROVER (Request Official Vital Events Records) system website.

Georgia marriage and divorce records are not available online.

All vital records can be requested by mail or in person. To request a birth or death certificate by mail, download the request form and send it, along with the required fee and a photocopy of a photo ID, to:

Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA 30319

The process is the same for marriage and divorce records, but the form is different. For marriage and divorce records, use this form instead. Fill it out and send it, along with the required fee and a photocopy of a photo ID, to the Vital Records address above.

Vital records are also available for order in person, by visiting the county vital records registrar, whose office is usually located at the county health department or in the county probate judge's office.

For more information, call the Office of Vital Records at (404) 679-4702 or visit their website.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Georgia are administered by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and can usually be acquired from the local sheriff's office or police department. The Bureau of Investigation recommends that people contact local law enforcement agencies directly to inquire about the records-request process.

Alternatively, the Georgia Technology Authority maintains a felon search database, which allows online search. For a fee of $15, it is possible to obtain anyone's Georgia felony records; all that is required is the person's name and date of birth. Here is the Georgia felon search website.

Business Records

The Georgia Secretary of State maintains business records for corporations and limited liability companies. The business entity records typically include such information as the name and file number of the business, the names of any officers or agents, as well as the date of formation. Note, though, that as of this writing, the Secretary of State's website is being upgraded; many of the online search features are still available, but some are not. Visit the website or call (404) 656-2817 for more information.

Property Records

Property records in Georgia are maintained at the county level and many counties have made the records available online. For a list of the county offices that allow online search, click here.

Records are also available in person from the relevant county assessor's office. The Georgia Assessors Association has a helpful database of county assessors offices on its website.

Driving Records

People can order their own driving histories by visiting the Department of Driver Services website and clicking the Online Services tab at the top of the page. Non-certified copies can be viewed online, but certified copies must be ordered by mail or in person.

To order by mail, download the request form (also available at the above website) and mail it, along with the fee, to:

Driver Services
MVR Request
Post Office Box 80447
Conyers, GA 30013