Search Clayton County Records

Clayton County lies just south of Atlanta and is home to more than 297,000 people. A people search in Clayton County taps into court records, estate files, property deeds, and open records from several county departments. The county seat is Jonesboro, where most offices and courts are based at 112 Smith Street. Clayton County puts a focus on transparency and gives residents multiple ways to request and view public records, both online and in person at the courthouse.

Clayton County Open Records

Clayton County uses an online system called GovQA for open records requests. You can submit a request and track it from start to finish. The county is committed to transparency under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Records from various departments are available through this portal. The main phone number is 770-477-3200 if you have questions about which department holds the records you need.

The Clayton County Public Records and Forms page is the starting point for any open records request.

There are some limits. Court records, police records, and school system records each have their own request process. The Clayton County Water Authority also runs a separate open records process. So if the general portal does not have what you need for your people search, try contacting the specific office. The first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. After that, the county can charge for staff time at the rate of the lowest-paid person who can do the work.

Court Records Search in Clayton County

Clayton County has several courts that keep their own records. The Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Court each handle different types of cases. For a people search through court files, knowing which court to check makes a big difference. The Superior Court handles felonies, divorces, and land disputes. State Court covers misdemeanors and civil claims. Magistrate Court deals with small claims and warrants.

The Clayton County Court Case Inquiry page links to each court's records.

All courts share the phone number 770-477-4565. The Superior Court is the main keeper of civil and criminal case files. You can also search the GSCCCA website for statewide court records that include Clayton County data. Under Georgia law, court records are generally public. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 lists the exemptions, but most case files are open to view.

Note: Each court in Clayton County maintains its own filing system, so you may need to check more than one.

Probate and Estate Records

The Clayton County Probate Court handles estate matters, marriage licenses, and firearms permits. Estate records are free to view online. The court website shows available documents with a red Adobe icon next to them. This is helpful for a people search because estate files list heirs, executors, and property tied to a deceased person. The Probate Court phone is 770-477-4401.

The Clayton County Probate Court online estate records portal lets you browse filings at no cost.

For marriage licenses, contact the Probate Court directly. Marriage records link two names and a date, which helps in a people search when trying to connect family members in Clayton County. Standard forms for estate matters can be downloaded from the Georgia Probate Court website.

Clayton County Sheriff Records

The Sheriff's Office in Clayton County manages law enforcement and jail operations. An online inmate search is available on the main county website. For arrest records or incident reports, you can submit an open records request through the county's general GovQA portal or contact the Sheriff's Office at 770-477-4400. Jail records and arrest files are part of the public record in Georgia, though some details may be withheld under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 if they involve ongoing investigations.

The Clayton County official website has links to all departments and courts.

A people search in Clayton County works best when you check multiple offices. The Sheriff keeps arrest data. The courts keep case files. The county clerk keeps deeds. Each one fills in a piece. Tax records from the Clayton County Tax Commissioner can also show property ownership and mailing addresses tied to residents.

Find People in Clayton County

To find someone in Clayton County, start with the court case inquiry tool or the open records portal. If you know a name, try the GSCCCA statewide search at gsccca.org to look up real estate records across Georgia counties, including Clayton. Property transfers show names, dates, and addresses. Voter records through the Georgia My Voter Page can also confirm if someone is registered in Clayton County.

Clayton County sits between Atlanta and Henry County. People who live here may have records in neighboring counties too. The main county address is 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236. In-person visits let you view records and get certified copies. Staff can help you with your search. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, you do not need to say why you want to see a public record in Georgia. The right to view belongs to everyone.

Nearby Georgia Counties

These counties border Clayton County and also have people search pages with court records and public records info.