null
How to Find Public Records in Butts County in 2026
ButtsRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Butts County, Georgia. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find data pertaining to a range of record categories, including court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs. The information presented reflects what is accessible through government custodians and public databases; completeness and availability vary by record type and the custodial office involved.
Records in Butts County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Butts County official website provides access to select county records and department contacts.
- The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains statewide online portals for real estate records, Uniform Commercial Code filings, and other instruments recorded at the county level.
- Members of the public seeking court case information may use the Georgia Courts online court records search portal, which redirects users to a provider's website and requires account registration.
- Property tax records and assessment data are accessible through the Butts County Tax Assessor's online search tool.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant custodial office. The Butts County Clerk of Superior Court, located at 25 Third Street, Jackson, GA 30233, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record sought by name, date range, case number, or parcel number where applicable.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate it. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a request, either by producing the record, providing a timeline for production, or citing a lawful exemption. Requests may be mailed to the relevant office at its physical address.
Phone/Email:
- Butts County Clerk of Superior Court: (770) 775-8214
- Butts County Tax Assessor's Office: (770) 775-8207
What Are Public Records in Butts County?
Public records in Butts 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 operation of a public office or agency. The following record types are among those maintained by county offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Probate Court
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court; assessment data held by the Tax Assessor
- Vital records — birth and death certificates issued through the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage licenses issued by the Probate Court; divorce decrees filed with the Superior Court
- Business records — trade name registrations and Uniform Commercial Code filings maintained through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority
- Tax records — property tax bills and payment histories maintained by the Butts County Tax Commissioner
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Butts County Board of Elections and Registration
- Meeting minutes and agendas — published by the Butts County Board of Commissioners
- Budget and financial documents — available through the Butts County Finance Department
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Butts County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Butts County Planning and Zoning Department
Is Butts County an Open Records County?
Butts County operates in full compliance with Georgia's statewide open records framework. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public records maintained by state and local government agencies are presumed open and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act states that "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure."
The Georgia Attorney General's office provides guidance on compliance with the Open Records Act, noting that "the open records law reflects the General Assembly's intent that public records be available to the fullest extent possible." Butts County agencies are required to designate an open records officer responsible for responding to requests and ensuring compliance with the Act's provisions. No county-specific ordinance narrows the scope of access beyond what state law permits.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Butts County?
The fee structure for public records in Butts County is governed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which sets limits on what agencies may charge requestors.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certification of documents | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of production |
| Search/retrieval labor (requests exceeding 15 minutes) | Hourly rate of lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling request |
- Inspection of records at a public counter carries no fee.
- Copy fees for standard paper documents are capped at $0.10 per page under state law.
- Certification fees for vital records and court documents vary; the Probate Court and Clerk of Superior Court each maintain their own schedule of certified copy fees.
- Electronic records may be provided at the actual cost of duplication, excluding staff time unless the search exceeds 15 minutes.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Georgia law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in individual cases.
Does Butts County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at custodial offices in Butts County. Under Georgia law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record at the office of the custodian. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review documents at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority real estate index allows free name-based searches of recorded instruments statewide, including Butts County deeds and liens.
- The Butts County Tax Assessor's public access terminal, available during office hours, permits free review of property assessment records.
- Court case information for Butts County Superior Court may be searched at no cost through the Georgia Courts electronic access system, subject to account registration requirements.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents published on the Butts County Board of Commissioners website are available at no charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Butts County?
Any person may request public records in Butts 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 identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records.
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Georgia retain full rights under the Act.
- Identification: Not required for most record types, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice for in-person visits.
- Purpose: Not required to be stated for access to open records.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as those involving ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile proceedings, or sealed court files, carry access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be subject to identity verification requirements imposed by the custodial agency to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
What Records Are Confidential in Butts County?
Not all records maintained by Butts County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law enumerates specific categories of exempt records, and custodians are authorized to withhold documents falling within those categories. The following record types are among those currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal history
- 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 mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of public employees, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure details
As stated in the Georgia Open Records Act, "any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains any public record by false pretenses shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a withheld record falls within a recognized exemption. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and produce the remainder.
Butts County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Butts County Clerk of Superior Court
25 Third Street, Suite 201
Jackson, GA 30233
(770) 775-8214
Butts County Clerk of Superior Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Butts County Probate Court
25 Third Street
Jackson, GA 30233
(770) 775-8215
Butts County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Butts County Tax Assessor's Office
625 West Third Street, Suite 1
Jackson, GA 30233
(770) 775-8207
Butts County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Butts County Tax Commissioner's Office
625 West Third Street, Suite 2
Jackson, GA 30233
(770) 775-8206
Butts County Tax Commissioner
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Butts County Sheriff's Office
1941 Highway 42 North
Jackson, GA 30233
(770) 775-8212
Butts County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (administrative functions)
Dispatch and law enforcement operations: 24 hours, 7 days per week
Parties seeking to e-file court records in Georgia may do so through the state's electronic filing system, which supports filings across multiple counties including Butts County Superior Court.