Upson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Upson County in 2026
UpsonRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Upson County, Georgia. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital statistics, and other official records may access these materials through a combination of county offices, state repositories, and authorized online portals. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Online Access: The Upson County Superior Court Clerk maintains an online portal where members of the public may search certain court filings. Georgia's statewide judiciary also provides access to case information through the Georgia Courts e-filing and records system, which requires account registration for full search functionality. Property records and tax assessments are accessible through the Upson County Tax Assessor's online database.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Upson County Courthouse. The Superior Court Clerk's Office, located at 116 West Main Street, Thomaston, Georgia 30286, accepts walk-in requests Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and a written description of the records sought.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the custodian must respond within three business days of receiving a written request, either by producing the record, denying access with a written explanation, or providing a timeline for production.
Phone/Email:
- Superior Court Clerk: (706) 647-7835
- Tax Assessor's Office: (706) 647-8176
- County Administration: (706) 647-7012
What Are Public Records in Upson County?
Public records in Upson County are defined under Georgia's Open Records Act as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the performance of a service or function by or on behalf of a public agency. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Superior Court Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | Probate Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Superior Court Clerk / Deed Room |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Georgia Department of Public Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | Probate Court / Superior Court Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Assessor / Tax Commissioner |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / City of Thomaston |
| Voting and election records | Upson County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Upson County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
The Upson County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian for deed records, court filings, and related instruments. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains certified vital records at the state level, while local probate courts issue certified copies of marriage licenses.
Is Upson County an Open Records County?
Upson County operates in full compliance with Georgia's Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., which mandates that all public records be open for personal inspection and copying by any member of the public at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions. The Act applies to all agencies, authorities, departments, and offices of state and local government, including Upson County and its subdivisions.
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. The Act should be broadly construed in favor of open access, and its exemptions should be narrowly construed."
The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that restricts or expands upon the state Open Records Act. All requests are processed in accordance with state law, and the county's custodians of records are obligated to acknowledge receipt of a written request within three business days. The Georgia Attorney General's Office publishes guidance documents and model policies to assist local governments in administering the Act consistently.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Upson County?
The current fee structure for public records in Upson County is governed by state law and the policies of each individual custodial office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, provided those charges do not exceed the rates established by the Act.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies of court documents | $2.50 per document (plus $0.50 per page) |
| Certified copies of deeds | $2.50 per instrument |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Actual cost of production |
| Search fees | Actual cost if search exceeds 15 minutes |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at most county offices; some offices accept credit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly available under Georgia law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated public interest or indigency.
Fees for certified vital records obtained through the Georgia Department of Public Health are set separately by state regulation and are subject to change.
Does Upson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the relevant custodian during regular business hours. Georgia law requires that records be made available for personal inspection without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain Upson County records:
- Upson County Tax Assessor's Online Database: Property assessment records, parcel data, and ownership information are searchable at no cost through the county's online portal.
- Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority: The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority provides free online access to deed indexes, UCC filings, and plat records statewide, including Upson County.
- Georgia Courts E-Access Portal: Basic case index information is available through the Georgia Courts e-access system for registered users.
- Upson County Board of Elections: Voter registration records and election results are available for public inspection at no charge.
- Georgia Sex Offender Registry: Members of the public may search the statewide sex offender registry maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records without charge, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Upson County?
Any person may request public records in Upson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-restricted records.
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Georgia retain full rights under the Act.
- Identification: Not required for inspection of most records, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice for copy requests.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as criminal history background checks, require the subject's written consent or a lawful purpose. Juvenile records and sealed court files are accessible only to authorized parties.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
As the Georgia Attorney General's Office notes: "Any person may inspect public records. There is no requirement that the person be a Georgia resident or that the person state a reason for the request."
What Records Are Confidential in Upson 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, which include but are not limited to:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors 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 publicly 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 or specific statutory procedures.
- 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 infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and produce the remainder of the document.
Upson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Upson County Superior Court Clerk
116 West Main Street
Thomaston, GA 30286
(706) 647-7835
Upson County Superior Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Upson County Probate Court
116 West Main Street
Thomaston, GA 30286
(706) 647-7835
Upson County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Upson County Tax Assessor's Office
116 West Main Street, Suite 100
Thomaston, GA 30286
(706) 647-8176
Upson County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Upson County Sheriff's Office
347 Yatesville Road
Thomaston, GA 30286
(706) 647-7331
Upson County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Administrative); Dispatch available 24 hours
Upson County Board of Elections
116 West Main Street
Thomaston, GA 30286
(706) 647-7012
Upson County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM