Dougherty County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dougherty County?

Public records in Dougherty County, Georgia are defined according to the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which states that public records include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency or by a private person or entity in the performance of a service or function for or on behalf of an agency or when such documents have been transferred to a private person or entity by an agency for storage or future governmental use."

Dougherty County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
Land use and zoning records

The Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, real estate records, and other legal documents. Property records and tax information are maintained by the Dougherty County Tax Assessor's Office. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Dougherty County Health Department, while marriage licenses and business licenses are processed through the Dougherty County Probate Court.

County commission meeting minutes, agendas, and other administrative records are maintained by the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners. Voting and election records are maintained by the Dougherty County Board of Elections and Registration.

Is Dougherty County an Open Records County?

Dougherty County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this law, all public records are presumed to be open and available for inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Georgia Open Records 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." This provision ensures transparency and accountability in government operations throughout Georgia, including Dougherty County.

Dougherty County also adheres to Georgia's Open Meetings Act § 50-14-1, often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that proper notice be given for such meetings.

The county has established procedures for responding to open records requests in accordance with state law, which requires that agencies respond to requests within three business days. If records cannot be provided within this timeframe, the county must provide a timeline for when the records will be available.

How to Find Public Records in Dougherty County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Dougherty County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:

Identify the specific records needed and the department likely to maintain them.
Submit a written request to the appropriate county department. While verbal requests are permitted under Georgia law, written requests help ensure accuracy and create a record of the request. The county accepts requests via:
- Email
- Regular mail
- In-person submission
- Fax
Include specific details in the request:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
- Date range of records, if applicable
For court records, contact the Clerk of Superior Court:

Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
(229) 431-2152
Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court

For property records, contact the Tax Assessor's Office:

Dougherty County Tax Assessor's Office
240 Pine Avenue, Suite 200
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-2130
Dougherty County Tax Assessor

For vital records, contact the Dougherty County Health Department:

Dougherty County Health Department
1710 South Slappey Boulevard
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 430-6200
Dougherty County Health Department

For business licenses and marriage licenses, contact the Probate Court:

Dougherty County Probate Court
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
(229) 431-2102
Dougherty County Probate Court

For voting records, contact the Board of Elections:

Dougherty County Board of Elections and Registration
222 Pine Avenue, Suite 220
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-3247
Dougherty County Elections

Track the request. Under Georgia law, agencies must respond within three business days, either by providing the records, stating a timeline for production, or citing legal exemptions for denial.
If records are available online, they can be accessed through the respective department websites or through Georgia's statewide public records portal.

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

Dougherty County charges fees for public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge "a reasonable fee for the search, retrieval, redaction, and production or copying costs for the production of records."

Current standard fees include:

Photocopies: $0.10 per page for letter or legal size documents
Certified copies: Additional $2.50 per document
Search and retrieval: $14.44 per hour (the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the search, after the first 15 minutes which are free)
Electronic records: Actual cost of the media on which records are produced
Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed

Specific departments may have different fee schedules for specialized records:

Court records: $1.00-$5.00 per page depending on document type
Deeds and property records: $5.00-$10.00 per document
Birth certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
Death certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
Marriage licenses: $56.00 for issuance

Payment methods accepted include:

Cash (in-person only)
Money orders
Certified checks
Credit/debit cards (in some departments, with processing fees)
Personal checks (at some departments)

The county may waive fees if disclosure of the records is determined to be in the public interest. Additionally, under Georgia law, agencies cannot charge for inspection of records when no copies are requested.

Does Dougherty County Have Free Public Records?

Dougherty County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Georgia law. The Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(b) specifically states that "an agency shall utilize the most economical means reasonably calculated to identify and produce responsive, nonexempted documents."

Free public records services in Dougherty County include:

In-person inspection of records during regular business hours (no copying)
The first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time
Certain online records accessible through county websites
County Commission meeting agendas and minutes available on the county website
Property tax records searchable online through the Tax Assessor's website
Court case information available through the Georgia Courts Automated Information System

The following county departments offer free online access to certain records:

Dougherty County Tax Assessor
Property records and tax information are available through the Dougherty County Tax Assessor's website.

Dougherty County Board of Commissioners
Meeting agendas, minutes, and county ordinances are available on the Dougherty County website.

Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court
Basic case information can be accessed through the Georgia Courts Automated Information System.

Members of the public may visit these offices during regular business hours to inspect records without charge, though fees apply for copies or certified documents.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dougherty County?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70(b), "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any person." This means that any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records in Dougherty County.

Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:

Requestors do not need to be Georgia residents
Requestors do not need to provide identification for most records
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records
Requestors may remain anonymous for certain records, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are requested

However, certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

Vital records (birth, death certificates): Only qualified individuals may obtain these records, including the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest
Adoption records: Access is restricted to parties to the adoption, with court approval
Criminal history information: Complete criminal histories are available only to the subject of the record or authorized representatives
Juvenile court records: Generally confidential except to parties to the proceedings

Government agencies, businesses, and organizations may also request public records through authorized representatives. Non-citizens and foreign entities have the same rights to access public records as U.S. citizens under Georgia law.

What Records Are Confidential in Dougherty County?

While Georgia law presumes that public records should be accessible, Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-72 establishes numerous exemptions for records that are confidential or restricted from public disclosure. In Dougherty County, the following record types are generally not available for public inspection:

Medical records protected under HIPAA
Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, bank account information, debit card information, financial data, insurance or medical information
Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
Adoption records
Records of child abuse investigations
Ongoing law enforcement investigations
Grand jury proceedings and records
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records that would compromise security, including:
- Security plans for public buildings
- Infrastructure maps and specifications
- Emergency response plans
Personal information of public employees including home addresses, telephone numbers, and personal email addresses
Records of the Department of Family and Children Services concerning child welfare
Certain tax information and returns
Academic records protected under FERPA
Certain economic development records

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. The county must cite the specific legal authority when denying access to records based on an exemption.

Georgia law also provides for a balancing test in some cases, where agencies must determine if the public interest in disclosure outweighs privacy interests or potential harm from release.

Dougherty County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court
(Real Estate Division/Recording Office)
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
(229) 431-2152
Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the county recorder and is responsible for recording, filing, and maintaining various legal documents including:

Deeds and property transfers
Mortgages and security deeds
Liens (tax, mechanic's, materialman's)
Plats and surveys
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Financing statements (UCC filings)
Trade names/DBA registrations
Notary public commissions

Documents for recording may be submitted in person, by mail, or through electronic filing for certain document types. The office accepts cash, certified checks, and money orders for payment of recording fees. Credit card payments are accepted for in-person transactions with an additional processing fee.

For property research, the office maintains public access terminals during regular business hours. Some records are also available online through the Clerk's website, though complete access may require an in-person visit.