Grady County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Grady County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Grady County, Georgia, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. GradyRecords.org aggregates publicly available data to assist individuals in locating records maintained by Grady County agencies. The types of records that may be found include court filings, property documents, vital records, law enforcement logs, and administrative files, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.

Records in Grady County can be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at county facilities, and authorized online tools.

Online Access:

The Grady County official government portal provides access to county department contacts, public notices, and select administrative records.
The Georgia Courts e-access system allows members of the public to search court case records statewide; an account may be required depending on the record type sought.
Property records and tax assessment data are accessible through the Grady County Tax Assessor's online database.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Grady County Clerk of Superior Court, located at 250 North Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought and may be asked to complete a request form at the counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the relevant custodial office and must include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written open records request.

Phone/Email:

Grady County Clerk of Superior Court: (229) 377-2912
Grady County Sheriff's Office: (229) 377-5200 | sheriff@gradycountyga.gov

What Are Public Records in Grady County?

Public records in Grady 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 the operation of a public office or agency. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, public records are presumed to be open and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific exemption applies.

The following categories of records are maintained by Grady County agencies:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters): Maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Grady County Magistrate Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats): Maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates): Maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage licenses are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court
Business records (licenses, permits, and trade name registrations): Maintained by the County Clerk and applicable municipal offices
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records): Maintained by the Grady County Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor
Voting and election records: Maintained by the Grady County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas: Maintained by the Grady County Board of Commissioners
Budget and financial documents: Available through the Grady County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted): Maintained by the Grady County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Grady County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Grady County an Open Records County?

Grady County fully complies with Georgia's open records framework. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public agencies in the state, including county governments, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the agency to justify any withholding of records.

As stated in the Georgia Attorney General's guidance on open government: "The Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's intent that public records be open to the public as a general rule, and that the exceptions to openness be narrowly construed."

Grady County agencies are bound by this statute and do not maintain separate county-level open records ordinances that supersede state law. The county's compliance with Georgia's Sunshine Laws extends to all boards, commissions, and authorities operating under county jurisdiction. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General's Office or seek relief in the Superior Court of Grady County.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Grady County?

The current fee structure for public records in Grady County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, but fees must not exceed the cost of providing access.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (court documents)	$2.50 per document + $0.50 per page
Electronic records (CD/DVD)	Actual cost of media
Inspection of records	No charge
Search and retrieval (clerical time)	Charged only when retrieval requires more than 15 minutes

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does Grady County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Grady County. Georgia law requires that agencies permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to receive free copies; copying fees apply as described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain Grady County records:

The Grady County government website provides free access to meeting agendas, public notices, budget summaries, and department contact information.
The Georgia Courts e-access portal for court records offers free case lookup tools for certain court filings.
Public access terminals are available at the Clerk of Superior Court's office, allowing in-person inspection of court and property records at no cost.
The Georgia Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity registration records through its online corporations database.

Who Can Request Public Records in Grady County?

Any person may request public records in Grady County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Georgia Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or the reason for the request. Members of the public are not required to provide identification or explain why they are seeking records in order to inspect documents that are presumed open under state law.

Specific provisions apply in limited circumstances:

Certain law enforcement records may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest or may be subject to redaction of exempt information.
Requests for records containing personal identifying information about third parties may result in partial disclosure, with exempt data redacted prior to release.
Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to present government-issued identification to verify identity before release.
Non-residents of Georgia retain the same rights of access as residents under the Open Records Act.

Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public all hold equal standing to submit records requests under current Georgia law.

What Records Are Confidential in Grady County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 enumerates the specific exemptions to the Open Records Act and identifies the types of information that agencies are authorized or required to withhold.

Records that are currently exempt from disclosure in Grady County include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Georgia law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or prosecution is complete.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.
Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though basic employment information such as name, position, and salary is public.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder of the document.

Grady County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Grady County Clerk of Superior Court

Physical Address: 250 North Broad Street Cairo, GA 39828

Phone: (229) 377-2912 Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Additional Offices:

Grady County Tax Assessor's Office 114 First Street NE Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-3325 Grady County, GA

Grady County Tax Commissioner 114 First Street NE Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-3322 Grady County, GA

Grady County Sheriff's Office 115 16th Ave NE Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-5200 sheriff@gradycountyga.gov Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Grady County Sheriff's Office

Grady County Magistrate Court 250 North Broad Street Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-5120 Grady County Magistrate Court

As stated in the Grady County government's public information policy: "Grady County is committed to providing open and transparent access to public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act."