Criminal records in Fulton County, Georgia, can be accessed through several channels. FultonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, the official court systems — including the Superior Court of Fulton County and the Fulton County State Court — maintain searchable case records. The Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and state-level agencies also provide access to criminal record data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fulton
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Fulton County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need an official certified copy or just case details.
Online Search Options
- FultonCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information in Fulton County. You can search by name or case number.
- Fulton County Clerk eServices — The Clerk's eServices platform allows you to search judicial records online, including criminal case filings in Superior Court.
- Georgia Courts E-Access — The statewide E-Access to Court Records portal lets you search court cases across Georgia. You will need to create an account.
- Fulton County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — The inmate search tool shows current jail population data and booking information.
- Georgia Department of Corrections — To find someone currently serving a state sentence, use the GDC Offender Query.
- District Attorney Public Record Access — The Fulton County DA's office offers a portal for searching case information and court documents across 25 Georgia counties.
What You Need to Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Charge type or statute number (optional but useful for filtering)
In-Person Search
Visit the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court to use public access terminals or request assistance from staff. Criminal case files for Superior Court matters are maintained at this office.
By Mail or Written Request
Written requests for criminal records can be directed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. For formal Georgia criminal history reports, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. A fingerprint-based background check requires submission of a completed GCIC form and applicable fees to the GBI.
Search Fulton Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Georgia case numbers in Fulton County typically follow a structured format that encodes the year, court, and sequence.
A Fulton County Superior Court criminal case number generally looks like this:
- Year prefix — The first two or four digits indicate the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 or 2024).
- Court code — A letter or abbreviation identifies the court division. For Superior Court criminal cases, you may see designations such as "SC" or a numeric code tied to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.
- Sequential number — The remaining digits represent the order in which the case was filed during that year.
State Court criminal cases use a separate numbering scheme. When entering a case number into an online search tool, enter the full number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have. Partial numbers may not return results. If you are unsure which court handled a case, try both the Superior Court and State Court search systems.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fulton
Criminal case records in Fulton County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The O.C.G.A. (Official Code of Georgia Annotated) section the defendant is accused of violating, e.g., O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2 for theft by taking |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature — felonies are handled in Superior Court; misdemeanors typically in State Court or Magistrate Court |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations; the amended charge replaces the original for disposition purposes |
| Count number | If multiple charges are filed, each is assigned a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further proceedings.
- Active — The case has scheduled hearings or ongoing activity.
- Disposed — A final decision has been reached (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (sentencing, probation) are complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether there is probable cause to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss the case status, potential plea offers, and trial readiness.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — If convicted, the judge imposes a sentence.
- Review hearing — A follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict.
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court.
- Nolle prosequi — The prosecutor elected not to pursue the case (common in Georgia).
- Dead docketed — The case is set aside indefinitely; it can potentially be reopened.
- First Offender — Under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60, the defendant may be sentenced without a formal conviction; successful completion can result in discharge without a conviction on record.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fulton
Certified copies carry an official seal and are accepted by courts, employers, and government agencies. In Fulton County, the office that handles your request depends on the type of record you need.
Court Case Records
Request certified copies of criminal case documents — indictments, dispositions, sentencing orders — from the Clerk of Superior Court.
You can submit requests in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Include:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number (if known)
- A valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- A written request letter specifying the documents needed (for mail requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
Sheriff's Office Records
Arrest records, booking reports, and jail records are maintained by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. Submit an open records request under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). All open records requests should be directed to the Fulton County Open Records Requests Center.
State Criminal History
For a comprehensive Georgia criminal history report, contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's GCIC unit. Fingerprint-based background checks require a completed application, a set of fingerprints, and a fee submitted directly to the GBI.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fulton
Fees for criminal records in Fulton County are set by statute and local fee schedules. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), agencies may charge for search time, copying, and direct administrative costs.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copies | $0.25 per page | O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) |
| Certification of document | $2.50 per document (Clerk of Superior Court) | O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 |
| Search/retrieval fee (Sheriff's Office) | Varies; charged at actual administrative cost | O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) |
| GBI criminal history (name-based) | $15.00 | Georgia Bureau of Investigation |
| GBI criminal history (fingerprint-based) | $24.25 | Georgia Bureau of Investigation |
Processing Times
- In-person clerk requests: Simple document copies are often available the same day. Complex or voluminous requests may take several business days.
- Open records requests (Sheriff's Office): Georgia law requires a response within three business days, though production of the actual records may take longer depending on volume.
- GBI background checks: Name-based checks are typically processed within five to ten business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
- Mail requests to the Clerk: Allow at least one to two weeks for processing and return mailing.
Payment methods vary by office. The Clerk of Superior Court typically accepts cash, money orders, and certified checks for in-person transactions. Check with the specific office before visiting to confirm accepted payment forms.