Coffee County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Coffee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official materials may access publicly available information through CoffeeCountyRecords.us as well as through official county and state government channels. Coffee County, Georgia maintains a range of records that may be inspected or obtained by eligible requestors, subject to applicable state law. The types of records that may be available include court filings, property deeds, vital records, tax assessments, business licenses, meeting minutes, and law enforcement incident reports, among others. Availability and completeness of specific records depend on the custodial office and the nature of the request.

Records in Coffee County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Coffee County official government portal provides access to board agendas, meeting minutes, public notices, and open records request forms.
The Georgia Courts e-access system allows members of the public to search court case records statewide; an account may be required depending on the record type.
Property tax and assessment records may be searched through the Coffee County Tax Assessor's online portal.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Coffee County Clerk's Office or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. The Clerk of Courts office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought and may be asked to complete a request form on-site.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Coffee County Clerk's Office. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the custodian must respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Coffee County Clerk's Office: (912) 384-4799
Clerk of Superior Court: (912) 384-2865

The official open records request form is available on the county website for submission by mail, in person, or electronically.

What Are Public Records in Coffee County?

Public records in Coffee County are defined under Georgia law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a public office or agency. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, these records are presumed open to the public unless a specific exemption applies.

The following categories of records are maintained by Coffee County government offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings) — maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats) — maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Tax Assessor's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — birth and death records are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court
Business records (licenses, permits, and trade name registrations) — maintained by the County Clerk and applicable licensing departments
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Coffee County Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor
Voting and election records — maintained by the Coffee County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the County Clerk and accessible through the Coffee County government website
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Administrator's Office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted) — maintained by the Coffee County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Planning and Zoning Department

Is Coffee County an Open Records County?

Coffee County fully complies with Georgia's open records statutes, which mandate public access to government documents. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all state and local government agencies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government agency to justify any denial of access.

As stated in the county's official records policy, "To assist individuals seeking information and to comply with Georgia Open Records law, Coffee County has designated an Official Custodian of Records." This designation ensures that requests are processed in a consistent and lawful manner. The county's open records request page outlines the procedures for submitting requests and identifies the responsible custodian.

Georgia's Open Records Act also intersects with the state's Open Meetings Act, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained and made available. The Georgia Attorney General's office has noted that "the Open Records Act reflects a strong public policy in favor of open government," reinforcing the county's obligation to provide timely and complete responses to records requests.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Coffee County?

The fee structure for public records in Coffee County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual custodial office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, but fees must not exceed the actual cost incurred.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic copies	Actual cost of production
Search and retrieval (clerical)	Actual labor cost, if applicable
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
Copies of standard documents are assessed at $0.10 per page for letter- and legal-size reproductions.
Certification fees vary by office; the Clerk of Superior Court sets its own schedule for certified copies of court documents.
Electronic records may be provided at the actual cost of duplication.
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodian.

Does Coffee County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the relevant custodian during regular business hours. Georgia law does not permit agencies to charge for the mere inspection of records; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Coffee County government portal provides free online access to board of commissioners agendas, meeting minutes, public notices, and budget documents.
The Georgia Courts e-access platform offers searchable court case information at no cost for basic lookups, though some detailed records may require an account or fee.
The Coffee County Tax Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data and parcel information through its public search tool.
In-person inspection at the Clerk of Superior Court and the County Clerk's Office is available at no charge during posted business hours.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review original records without charge, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Coffee County?

Any person may request public records in Coffee County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Georgia retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Not required for most records, though certain sensitive record types may require the requestor to establish identity or legal standing.
Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as those involving ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile proceedings, or sealed court files, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right of access.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access materials that are otherwise restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records, upon providing appropriate identification.

Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may seek review through the Georgia Attorney General's Office or pursue legal remedies under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-73.

What Records Are Confidential in Coffee County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following types of records are currently treated as confidential or restricted in Coffee County:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal history information
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Adoption records and related proceedings
Child welfare and protective services case files
Personnel records of public employees, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 sets forth the full list of exemptions applicable to Georgia public agencies. When a custodian withholds a record, the agency is required to provide written notification identifying the specific statutory exemption relied upon. In cases where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Coffee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary offices responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records in Coffee County are the County Clerk's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. Both offices serve as official custodians for distinct categories of records.

Coffee County Clerk's Office
101 S. Peterson Ave, Suite 4
Douglas, GA 31533
(912) 384-4799
Coffee County Government

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Coffee County Clerk of Superior Court
101 S. Peterson Ave
Douglas, GA 31533
(912) 384-2865
Clerk of Courts – Coffee County