Lumpkin County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lumpkin County?

Public records in Lumpkin County are defined under the Georgia Open Records Act 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 a government agency in the performance of its official duties. Under current law, any record created or received by a public agency in Georgia is presumed to be open and accessible to the public unless a specific exemption applies.

Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of the following categories of records maintained by Lumpkin County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Lumpkin County Superior Court Clerk and Magistrate Court
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court and the Tax Assessor's Office
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Probate Court
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and trade name registrations maintained by the Lumpkin County Probate Court and the Georgia Secretary of State
Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment records, and payment histories maintained by the Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner's Office
Voting and election records — Voter registration rolls and election results maintained by the Lumpkin County Board of Elections and Registration
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, agendas, and board records maintained by the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the Lumpkin County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits maintained by the Lumpkin County Planning and Zoning Department

The Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary custodian for many official county records, including real property documents and court filings.

Is Lumpkin County an Open Records County?

Lumpkin County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy records maintained by state and local government agencies. Under this statute, all public records are to be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of Georgia, and the law broadly extends access to any person regardless of residency.

Key provisions of the Act include the requirement that agencies respond to open records requests within three business days of receipt. If records cannot be produced within that period, the agency must provide written notification explaining the reason for the delay and an estimated date of production. The Act also mandates that agencies designate an open records officer responsible for coordinating responses to public records requests.

Lumpkin County operates in compliance with Georgia's Sunshine Laws, which govern open meetings under O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1, ensuring that meetings of the Board of Commissioners and other public bodies are open to the public. The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners maintains official records of all public meetings, including agendas and minutes, in accordance with state law.

How to Find Public Records in Lumpkin County in 2026

Members of the public may access Lumpkin County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for obtaining records:

Identify the custodial office — Determine which county department or agency maintains the records being sought. Property records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records by the Tax Commissioner; vital records by the Probate Court or the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Submit a written request — Although oral requests are permitted under Georgia law, submitting a written request ensures a clear record of the transaction. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate office.
Use online portals — The Lumpkin County property records search tool allows members of the public to search assessment and ownership data online at no cost.
Visit the office in person — Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at the relevant county office without submitting a formal written request in many cases.
Contact the open records officer — Each county agency designates an open records officer. Directing requests to this individual ensures timely processing under the three-business-day response requirement.
Request certified copies when needed — For legal purposes, certified copies of deeds, court orders, or vital records must be obtained directly from the custodial office, often for a nominal fee.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains a statewide online portal through which members of the public may search real estate records, UCC filings, and other documents recorded by the Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court.

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

Current fees for public records in Lumpkin County are governed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Standard fees applicable to Lumpkin County records requests include:

Photocopies — $0.10 per page for standard letter- or legal-size copies, as permitted under state statute
Certified copies — Fees vary by record type; certified copies of deeds and court documents typically range from $2.50 to $5.00 per document at the Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates issued through the Georgia Department of Public Health are subject to state-established fees
Search fees — Agencies may charge for the cost of staff time required to search for and retrieve records when the search exceeds a reasonable threshold
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies may reflect the actual cost of duplication, including the cost of the storage medium

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does Lumpkin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Georgia law, which provides that no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records in person at the custodial office. The following resources provide free access to Lumpkin County public records:

In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect records at the Clerk of Superior Court, Tax Commissioner's Office, and other county offices during regular business hours at no charge
Online property search — The Lumpkin County Tax Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps
GSCCCA real estate index — The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers free index searches of recorded real estate documents, including deeds and liens, through its online portal
Board of Commissioners records — Meeting agendas, minutes, and budget documents are posted at no cost on the Lumpkin County official website
Georgia Secretary of State — Business entity filings and registered agent information are searchable at no cost through the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division

Who Can Request Public Records in Lumpkin County?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, any person may submit a public records request to a Lumpkin County agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Act does not require requestors to:

Be a resident of Georgia or Lumpkin County
Provide government-issued identification in most circumstances
State the reason or purpose for the records request

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court documents, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal criminal history or tax account information — may be required to provide identification to verify identity before records are released.

Non-residents retain the same rights as Georgia residents under the Open Records Act for most categories of public records. Law enforcement agencies may apply additional procedures for requests involving active investigations or sensitive personal data. Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are not granted preferential access under state law, though agencies may exercise discretion in prioritizing requests.

What Records Are Confidential in Lumpkin County?

Not all records maintained by Lumpkin County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law establishes specific categories of exempt records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which enumerates the following types of records that agencies are authorized or required to withhold:

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 investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly disclosed records
Medical records — Health information protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is exempt from disclosure
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only by court order
Child welfare records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law
Personnel records — Employee performance evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though basic employment information such as name, position, and salary is generally public
Trade secrets — Proprietary business information submitted to a government agency in confidence is protected from disclosure
Security and infrastructure plans — Records detailing security systems, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure vulnerabilities are exempt to protect public safety

When an agency withholds records or redacts portions of a document, it is required under current law to notify the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the exemption. Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek review through the Georgia Attorney General's Office or pursue legal remedies in superior court.

Lumpkin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the official recorder of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property instruments, as well as the custodian of civil and criminal court records. The following principal offices handle public records requests in Lumpkin County:

Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court 99 Courthouse Hill, Suite C, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-3736 Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lumpkin County Tax Assessor's Office 25 Justice Center Drive, Suite 1200, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-2433 Lumpkin County Tax Assessors Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner's Office 25 Justice Center Drive, Suite 1300, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-2489 Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lumpkin County Probate Court 99 Courthouse Hill, Suite A, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-3736 Lumpkin County Probate Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office 71 Justice Center Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-3276 Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners 99 Courthouse Hill, Suite B, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Phone: (706) 864-3742 Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.