Bartow County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Bartow County?
Public records in Bartow County are defined as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency or by a private person or entity in the performance of a service or function for or on behalf of an agency or when such documents have been transferred to a private person or entity by an agency for storage or future governmental use. This definition is established under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 et seq.
Bartow County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
- Land use and zoning records
The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court maintains most court-related records, including civil and criminal case files, real estate records, and notary commissions. Property records are maintained by both the Clerk's office (deeds, liens) and the Tax Assessor's office (property valuations, tax records). Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Bartow County Health Department, while marriage licenses and divorce decrees are handled by the Probate Court.
The Bartow County Board of Commissioners maintains records of county operations, including meeting minutes, ordinances, and financial documents. These records are typically available through the County Clerk's office or on the official Bartow County website.
Is Bartow County an Open Records County?
Bartow County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Georgia Code § 50-18-70(a), "the public at large shall have access to all public records of their state, county, and municipal governments unless specifically exempted from disclosure under this article or any other statute."
The law further states that "agencies shall produce for inspection all records responsive to a request within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days of receipt of a request." If records cannot be produced within three business days, the agency must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for their production.
Bartow County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains an open records policy that outlines the process for requesting and obtaining public records. This policy is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in county government operations while protecting confidential information as required by law.
All county departments and offices are required to comply with the Georgia Open Records Act and the county's open records policy. The county has designated specific employees in each department to handle open records requests, ensuring that requests are processed efficiently and in compliance with legal requirements.
How to Find Public Records in Bartow County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Bartow County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple avenues for accessing public records:
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Submit a written request to the specific department or office that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
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Visit the appropriate county office in person to inspect records during regular business hours. The Civil and Criminal Division of the Clerk's office handles many record requests.
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Access online records through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the Georgia Courts E-Access portal
- Property records are available through the Clerk of Superior Court's online search system
- Tax records can be accessed through the Tax Commissioner's website
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Complete an official Open Records Request form, available at county offices or downloadable from the county website.
For court records specifically, the Clerk of Superior Court maintains comprehensive records of civil and criminal proceedings. These records may be accessed in person at the courthouse or through the clerk's online portal. Pursuant to Georgia Code § 15-6-61, the Clerk is responsible for maintaining these records and making them available to the public.
Property records, including deeds, liens, and plats, are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be searched by property address, owner name, or parcel number. The Tax Assessor's office maintains property tax records, which can be accessed through their online database or in person.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bartow County?
Bartow County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(c). The current fee structure for obtaining public records is as follows:
- Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page
- Certified copies: $2.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Electronic records: Variable fees based on the actual cost of the media or electronic transmission
- Search and retrieval time: $15.00 per hour after the first 15 minutes (which are provided at no charge)
Additional specialized fees may apply for certain record types:
- Deed copies: $1.50 per page
- Plat copies: $5.00 per page
- Marriage licenses: $10.00 per copy
- Birth/death certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
The county accepts payment in the form of cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) for records requests. Fees must be paid before records will be released, though inspection of records in person is generally available at no cost.
It is important to note that under Georgia law, agencies may waive or reduce fees if the requested information is determined to be in the public interest. Additionally, indigent persons may request a fee waiver under certain circumstances as provided by state statute.
Does Bartow County Have Free Public Records?
Bartow County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Georgia law. Members of the public may inspect most non-exempt records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. The Georgia Open Records Act specifically provides that "agencies shall provide reasonable access to records for inspection" without charge.
Records currently available for free inspection or access include:
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- County ordinances and resolutions
- Voter registration information (excluding confidential data)
- Property ownership information through online search portals
- Court docket information
- Budget documents and financial reports
The Bartow County website provides free access to many public documents, including commission meeting agendas, county ordinances, and various forms and applications. The county's GIS mapping system is also available online at no cost, allowing users to view property boundaries, zoning information, and other geographic data.
The Clerk of Superior Court offers free public access terminals at the courthouse for searching court and property records. While printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees, viewing the records electronically is provided at no charge.
It should be noted that while inspection is free, obtaining copies of records typically involves fees as outlined in the previous section. Additionally, records requiring extensive search, retrieval, or redaction time may incur labor charges as permitted by state law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Bartow County?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, any person may request access to public records maintained by Bartow County. The law specifically states that "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any person." This broad eligibility extends to:
- Georgia residents
- Non-residents of Georgia
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- Demonstrate a "need to know" or special interest in the records
However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions under Georgia law. For example:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) may only be requested by the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a qualifying direct interest
- Adoption records have strict confidentiality provisions under Georgia Code § 19-8-23
- Medical records are protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Criminal history information may have restricted access depending on the nature of the record
When requesting your own records versus those of another individual, different standards may apply. Requests for personal records often require identity verification to protect privacy, while requests for general government records typically do not require identification.
Government agencies, including law enforcement, have broader access to certain records for official purposes as provided by various state and federal laws.
What Records Are Confidential in Bartow County?
Bartow County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions provided under the Georgia Open Records Act and other state and federal laws. Georgia Code § 50-18-72 specifically exempts the following record types from public disclosure:
- Medical and veterinary records containing personal information
- Personal information such as Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, financial data, insurance or medical information
- Records containing information about public employees' home addresses, home telephone numbers, personal mobile phone numbers, personal email addresses, and insurance information
- Records related to pending investigations by law enforcement agencies
- Attorney-client privileged information and attorney work product
- Confidential tax information
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Records that would compromise security, including infrastructure plans and security systems
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Adoption records
- Records of the Department of Family and Children Services concerning child abuse and neglect
- Grand jury records and proceedings
- Records containing information about the location of real property or personal property of a public employee
- Records that would reveal the identity of confidential sources or confidential investigative materials
The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records that may contain both public and exempt information. In such cases, the exempt information is redacted, and the remainder of the record is released. This approach is consistent with Georgia's policy of providing maximum public access while protecting legitimate privacy and security interests.
It is important to note that confidentiality provisions may be waived in certain circumstances, such as by court order or with the consent of the person whose information is protected.
Bartow County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 233
Cartersville, GA 30120
(770) 387-5030
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Bartow County Probate Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 243A
Cartersville, GA 30120
(770) 387-5075
Bartow County Probate Court
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Bartow County Tax Commissioner's Office
135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 195
Cartersville, GA 30120
(770) 387-5111
Bartow County Tax Commissioner
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Bartow County Health Department (Vital Records)
100 Zena Drive
Cartersville, GA 30121
(770) 382-1920
Bartow County Health Department
Hours of Operation: Monday - Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays