Cobb County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cobb County?

Public records in Cobb County, Georgia are defined under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 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."

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

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, 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 and board meetings
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court maintains most official records, including property records, court documents, and business filings. Vital records are maintained by the Cobb County Health Department. Tax records are maintained by the Cobb County Tax Commissioner's Office, while voting records are managed by the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration.

Is Cobb County an Open Records County?

Yes, Cobb County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through 50-18-77), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(a), "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."

The law requires Cobb County agencies to respond to records requests within three business days, providing the requested records or a timeline for when they will be available. If access to a record is denied, the county must cite the specific legal authority exempting the record from disclosure.

Cobb County has established a Records Management Division that oversees compliance with state open records laws and maintains the county's records retention schedules. The county also adheres to Georgia's Open Meetings Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1), often called the "Sunshine Law," which requires that government meetings be open to the public.

The county has implemented specific procedures for handling records requests to ensure consistent compliance with state law. These procedures are outlined in the Cobb County Open Records Policy, which provides guidance to county departments and the public regarding records access.

How to Find Public Records in Cobb County in 2026

Members of the public may access Cobb County records through several methods:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Court records can be searched through the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's website
- Property records are accessible via the Cobb County Property Records Search
- Tax records can be found through the Cobb County Tax Commissioner's Property Search
Submit a Formal Open Records Request:
- Complete the county's Open Records Request Form
- Submit requests via email, mail, or in person to the specific department that maintains the records
- Clearly identify the records being requested with as much specificity as possible
Visit County Offices in Person:
- Superior Court Clerk's Office for court and property records
- Tax Commissioner's Office for tax records
- Health Department for vital records
- County Administration Building for meeting minutes, budgets, and other administrative records
Contact the Records Custodian:
- Each department has a designated records custodian
- The Records Management Division can direct requestors to the appropriate custodian

When requesting records, individuals should provide:

A clear description of the records sought
Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
Contact information for follow-up questions
Any date ranges or other parameters to narrow the search

County officials are required to respond within three business days, though complex requests may take longer to fulfill.

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

Cobb County charges fees for public records in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to collect "a reasonable charge 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: $2.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
Electronic Records: Actual cost of the media (CD, DVD, USB drive) used to provide the records
Staff Time: When requests require more than 15 minutes of search, retrieval, or redaction time, the county may charge the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task (typically starting at $15-20 per hour)

Additional specialized fees may apply for certain record types:

Property Records: $5-10 for deed copies
Marriage Licenses: $10 for a certified copy
Birth/Death Certificates: $25 for the first copy, $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Maps and Plats: $5-25 depending on size and complexity
Court Records: Varies by document type and length

Payment methods accepted include:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order
Credit/debit cards (in-person and for some online services)
Electronic payment for certain online services

The county must provide an estimate of costs exceeding $25 before proceeding with the request. Requestors have the option to narrow their request to reduce costs or proceed with the full request and associated fees.

Does Cobb County Have Free Public Records?

Yes, Cobb County provides free access to certain public records:

Free In-Person Inspection: Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b), all public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours at the office where such records are maintained. While copying may incur fees, viewing the records in person is free.
Free Online Resources:
Free Records at Public Libraries:
- The Cobb County Public Library System provides free access to certain county records and historical documents
Records Available Without Fees:
- The first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time for any record request
- Electronic records that do not require extensive redaction or programming
- Records specifically designated for free distribution by county ordinance

It should be noted that while inspection is free, requestors seeking copies (physical or electronic) may still incur the standard copying fees outlined in the county fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cobb County?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, any person may request access to public records in Cobb County. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70(b) states that "the public at large shall have access to all public records," with certain exceptions established by law.

Key eligibility information:

Residency Requirements: There is no residency requirement; non-Georgia residents have the same rights to access public records as Georgia residents
Identification: Basic identification may be required for certain records (particularly those containing restricted information), but anonymous requests are permitted for most general records
Purpose Statement: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records, as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d)
Special Considerations: Some records have additional requirements:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates) require proof of identity and legal right to access
- Criminal history information may require fingerprinting and specific authorization
- Juvenile court records have strict access limitations under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700
- Medical examiner reports may require proof of relationship to the deceased

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required to protect privacy. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the record type and applicable exemptions.

Business entities, media organizations, and legal representatives may also request records, subject to the same rules and procedures as individual requestors.

What Records Are Confidential in Cobb County?

While Cobb County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 establishes numerous exemptions to the Open Records Act, including:

Personal Privacy Protected Records:
- Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, bank account information
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Personal email addresses, cell phone numbers, and home addresses of public employees
- Motor vehicle accident reports (for first 30 days)
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active investigation materials
- Confidential informant identities
- Juvenile arrest and criminal records (with limited exceptions)
- 911 recordings containing personal information
- Body camera footage from within private residences, hospitals, or involving minors
Court and Legal Records:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal histories
- Records sealed by court order
- Grand jury proceedings
- Adoption records (sealed by O.C.G.A. § 19-8-23)
- Certain domestic violence and stalking protective orders
Government Operations Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Pending real estate transactions
- Security plans and vulnerability assessments
- Trade secrets and proprietary information
- Economic development project negotiations until approved
Personnel Records:
- Medical information of public employees
- Performance evaluations
- Background investigations
- Personal financial information

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

The county applies a balancing test when considering certain discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release.

Cobb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court
70 Haynes Street
Marietta, GA 30090
(770) 528-1300
Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court

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

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, liens, and property documents
Marriage license applications
Notary public commissions
Trade name/DBA registrations
Military discharge recording
Real estate records
UCC filings

Additional Locations:

Cobb County Tax Commissioner's Office
736 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 100
Marietta, GA 30064
(770) 528-8600
Cobb County Tax Commissioner

Cobb County Probate Court
32 Waddell Street
Marietta, GA 30090
(770) 528-1900
Cobb County Probate Court

Cobb County Health Department - Vital Records
1650 County Services Parkway
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 514-2300
Cobb & Douglas Public Health