Gilmer County
Located in the northwestern region of Georgia, Gilmer County was founded in 1832 and named after a former governor of the state, George Rockingham Gilmer. It has a land area of 427 square miles and a population of 31,353 (2020 US census). Ellijay is its county seat and largest city.
The Gilmer County court network is composed of the following:
- The Gilmer County Superior Court - handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. It hears cases involving adoptions, equity, property title disputes, domestic relations issues, and felonies. Additionally, it acts as the county's appellate court for lower courts
- The Gilmer County Juvenile Court - hears all juvenile cases, except those involving armed robbery, rape, and murder. It handles matters including child abuse, child neglect, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile traffic infractions
- The Probate Court of Gilmer County - issues marriage licenses, appoints conservatorships and guardianships, admits wills, and manages trusts and estates. Additionally, it grants licenses for fireworks, explosives, and guns
- The Magistrate Court of Gilmer County - handles preliminary felony hearings, civil cases with claims under $15,000, minor criminal offenses, tenant/landlord disputes, and violations of municipal ordinances
- Municipal courts in Gilmer County conduct preliminary hearings for certain criminal matters and specific code offenses. There are municipal courts located in Ellijay and East Ellijay
Gilmer County public court records are made of court schedules, docket entries, writs, court filings, depositions, court transcripts, motions, orders, warrants, sentences, and judgments from the county courts. The public can view these records unless they are sealed by law or court order. While the clerks from the other courts keep documents created by their courts, the Gilmer County Clerk of the Superior Court keeps track of all public court records from inside the Superior Court. Following county and state laws, court clerks arrange, prepare, index, and preserve court documents.
Unless sealed by court orders, the following non-confidential court documents are usually accessible to the public in Gilmer County:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Traffic Records
- Family Law Records
- Probate Records
The Georgia State Judiciary's re:SearchGA portal and the E-Access platform allow the public to search for nonconfidential public court records from Gilmer County's courts. In addition, record seekers can visit any of the courts in the county to inspect and request their public court records.
