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Coweta County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Coweta County?

Public records in Coweta County are defined under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 as "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."

Coweta County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1919), death certificates (from 1919), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
  • Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
  • Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Zoning maps, land use permits, and planning documents

The Coweta County Administration serves as the central repository for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by specific departments:

Is Coweta County an Open Records County?

Coweta 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 open for inspection by any person at a reasonable time and place, unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Georgia Open Records Act states: "The General Assembly finds and declares that the strong public policy of this state is in favor of open government; that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society; and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government and so that the public can evaluate the expenditure of public funds and the efficient and proper functioning of its institutions."

Coweta County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county maintains an Open Records Request Policy that outlines the process for submitting and fulfilling records requests.

Additionally, Coweta County complies with 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.

How to Find Public Records in Coweta County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Coweta County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for records access:

  1. Submit a Formal Open Records Request:

    • Complete the county's Open Records Request Form
    • Submit requests to the specific department that maintains the desired records
    • Provide a clear description of the records sought
    • Include contact information for follow-up

  2. Visit County Offices in Person:

    • Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
    • Staff can assist with locating specific records
    • Bring identification and be prepared to complete any required forms

  3. Access Online Records Systems:

  4. Contact the Records Custodian:

    • Each department has a designated records custodian
    • Call or email the appropriate department to inquire about specific records
    • The custodian can provide guidance on the most efficient way to access records

Coweta County Administration
22 East Broad Street
Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-2600
Coweta County Administration

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A), agencies must respond to records requests within three business days, either by providing the records, providing a timeline for when records will be available, or citing specific legal authority for denying access.

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

Coweta County assesses fees for public records in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee structure includes:

  • Standard Copying Fees: $0.10 per page for letter or legal-sized documents
  • Search and Retrieval Fees: 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 (CD, DVD, USB drive)
  • Specialized Documents: Maps, plats, and oversized documents have varying fees based on size and complexity
  • Certified Copies: Additional fees apply for certified copies of official records

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Check (made payable to Coweta County)
  • Money order
  • Credit/debit cards (for certain departments and online services)

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure of the requested information is determined to be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.

Specific record types have statutorily set fees:

  • Marriage licenses: $56.00
  • Certified copies of birth certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
  • Certified copies of death certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
  • Deed recordings: $9.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page

The county provides a fee estimate for requests exceeding $25.00, and payment may be required before records are produced.

Does Coweta County Have Free Public Records?

Coweta County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

The Coweta County Public Library System also provides free public access to many county records and resources, including internet access for online record searches.

Who Can Request Public Records in Coweta 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 broad eligibility extends to:

  • Georgia residents
  • Non-residents of Georgia
  • Business entities
  • Media organizations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Government agencies

Requestors are not required to:

  • State the purpose of their request
  • Provide identification (except for certain protected records)
  • Demonstrate a "legitimate interest" in the records
  • Be a citizen of the United States

However, certain record types have restricted access and additional requirements:

  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records may only be accessed by the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest as defined in O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26.

  • Criminal History Information: Complete criminal histories are restricted to the subject of the record or their attorney. Limited criminal history information is available to the public through court records.

  • Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and state law, accessible only to the patient or their authorized representative.

  • Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700, with limited exceptions.

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Coweta County?

While Coweta County operates under Georgia's presumption of openness for public records, certain records are exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. These confidential records include:

  • Personal Information: Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, bank account information, financial data, insurance and medical information
  • Medical Records: Individual medical records protected under HIPAA and state law
  • Juvenile Court Records: Records related to juvenile offenders and dependency cases
  • Adoption Records: Sealed adoption records and related documents
  • Child Abuse Records: Reports and investigations of child abuse
  • Ongoing Investigations: Records of law enforcement and prosecution agencies in pending investigations
  • Attorney-Client Communications: Records subject to attorney-client privilege
  • Real Estate Appraisals: Until property has been acquired or project abandoned
  • Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets
  • Security Information: Records that would compromise security against sabotage, criminal, or terrorist acts
  • Personal Privacy: Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
  • Confidential Evaluations: Employee hiring, promotion, or performance evaluations
  • Motor Vehicle Accident Reports: Personal information in accident reports
  • Economic Development Projects: Records related to pending economic development projects until publicly announced

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder, as required by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(b).

The county applies a balancing test when considering whether disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, weighing the public's interest in disclosure against the individual's privacy interest.

Coweta County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court
72 Greenville Street
Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-2650
Coweta County Clerk of Superior Court

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

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
  • Maintenance of real estate records
  • Processing of civil and criminal court filings
  • Passport application processing
  • Notary public commissions
  • Trade name registrations
  • Military discharge recordings
  • Plat recordings

Additional Recording Offices:

Coweta County Probate Court
22 East Broad Street
Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-2880
Coweta County Probate Court

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

Services Provided:

  • Marriage licenses
  • Vital records (birth and death certificates)
  • Probate of wills
  • Estate administration
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Weapons carry licenses

Coweta County Tax Commissioner's Office
22 East Broad Street
Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-2670
Coweta County Tax Commissioner

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

Services Provided:

  • Property tax records
  • Motor vehicle registrations and titles
  • Mobile home registrations
  • Business license tax records
  • Tax maps and property information

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