Court records of Paulding County, Georgia, are available through several channels. PauldingCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online tools of the court, the offices of the clerks of the Superior Court and State Court, as well as through public terminals in the courthouse in Dallas, Georgia.
Paulding Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Paulding County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding jurisdiction will help determine where to search for the necessary record.
Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal cases involving felonies, civil lawsuits without monetary limits, divorce cases, child custody, real estate disputes, and appeals from lower courts. The Clerk's Office of the Superior Court manages all civil and criminal cases of this court, real estate documents, and oversees the jury system.
State Court handles misdemeanors, civil lawsuits regardless of the amount, traffic violations, and contract-related claims. The Clerk of State Court maintains records and provides administrative support for this court.
- Magistrate Court handles small claims up to $15,000, search and arrest warrants, preliminary hearings in criminal cases, eviction cases, and county ordinance violations.
- Probate Court deals with wills, estate management, appointment of guardians, issuance of marriage certificates, Georgia weapons licenses, and U.S. passports.
- Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors: offenses, dependency, termination of parental rights. Most records of this court are confidential.
Paulding County is part of the Judicial Circuit, which also serves Paulding County (the only county in this circuit). Federal cases are handled separately — in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Paulding Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, contact the office of the relevant court directly. There is currently no single publicly accessible online calendar for all county courts, but there are several ways to obtain this information.
- Superior Court — call or visit the office of the Clerk of Superior Court at the Watson Government Complex. Hearing calendars are often published on court pages or available upon request.
- State Court — the schedule can be clarified through the office of the Clerk of State Court.
- Probate Court — the schedule of hearings on inheritance cases and other matters is available on the Probate Court page.
- State Portal — Georgia Courts provides access to statewide court resources, including directories and forms.
If you are a party to a case or an attorney, the court office may send a notice of a scheduled hearing by mail or email. For the general public, the most reliable way is to call the office the day before the hearing.
How to Get a Copy of a Paulding Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. A certified copy contains the official stamp and signature of the clerk, confirming the authenticity of the document. Such copies are usually required for submission to another court, government agencies, or when processing real estate.
Online Search
To view criminal cases, use the case search system on the county's website. The search is conducted by case number or last name. For viewing criminal cases, you will be redirected to the pauldingclerkofcourt.com website. At the state level, E-Access to Court Records is available, where account registration is required.
In Person or by Mail
Contact the appropriate clerk's office. To obtain a copy by mail, send a written request specifying the case number, names of the parties, and type of document.
Clerk of Superior Court
To obtain incident, accident, or arrest reports, submit a public records request to the sheriff's office. Records department phone: (770) 443-3010.
Access Restrictions
Not all records are public. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some mental health records are usually closed to public access. Check with the clerk if there are restrictions on a specific document.
Paulding Court Records Fees & Payment
The amount of fees is determined by Georgia state law and the internal rules of the court. Below are typical fees charged by the offices of Paulding County. It is recommended to verify the exact amounts directly with the office, as they may change.
| Service | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 | According to Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71) |
| Certified copy | $2.50 for the first page + $0.50 for each additional page | Typical rate for Superior Court; may vary |
| Registry search (by name) | Depends on the court | Some online searches are free |
| Georgia criminal history report | Check with the sheriff's office | Consent form required; available through Sheriff's Office |
| Real estate documents (recording) | Set by state law | Through the Real Estate Division of the Clerk of Superior Court |
| Certificates (marriage, birth, death) | Check with Probate Court | Through the Vital Records department |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or certified check. Some offices accept credit cards — verify when contacting. For mail requests, include a money order for the appropriate amount along with the completed request form.
According to the Georgia Open Records Act, government agencies have the right to charge a reasonable fee for searching and copying public records, but they cannot use fees as a tool to restrict access to information.