Whitfield County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Whitfield County?
Public records in Whitfield County are defined as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared, 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. This definition is established under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which governs public access to government records throughout the state.
Whitfield County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments)
- Vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees)
- Business records (business licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Commission, boards, committees)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, financial reports, audits)
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records (planning documents, zoning maps, permits)
The Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, property records, and other official documents. The Tax Commissioner's Office maintains property tax records, while the Probate Court handles vital records such as marriage licenses. The Board of Commissioners maintains meeting minutes, agendas, and county ordinances. Planning and zoning records are maintained by the Building and Development Services Department.
Is Whitfield County an Open Records County?
Whitfield County fully complies with the Georgia Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Georgia Code § 50-18-70(a), "the public at large shall have access to all public records of their state, county, and municipal governments unless specifically exempted from disclosure under this article."
The law specifically states that "agencies shall produce for inspection all records responsive to a request within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days of receipt of a request." If records cannot be produced within three business days, the agency must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for when they will be available.
Whitfield County has established specific procedures for handling open records requests in accordance with state law. The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners has adopted policies to ensure transparency and compliance with sunshine laws, which require government meetings to be open to the public.
The county maintains an Open Records Request Form that citizens can use to formally request public records from any county department. This standardized process helps ensure that all requests are handled consistently and in compliance with state law.
How to Find Public Records in Whitfield County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Whitfield County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Submit a formal open records request using the county's Open Records Request Form. This form may be submitted to the specific department that maintains the desired records.
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Visit the appropriate county office in person during regular business hours:
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court
- For property records: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court or Tax Commissioner
- For vital records: Visit the Probate Court
- For county ordinances and meeting minutes: Contact the County Clerk
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Access online resources through the Whitfield County website, which provides digital access to many public records including:
- Property tax information
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- County ordinances and regulations
- Voter information
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For court records, utilize the Georgia Courts Automated Information System, which provides online access to certain court records from participating counties.
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Contact the specific department directly by telephone to inquire about record availability and request procedures.
When making a request, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types. This specificity helps county staff locate the requested information efficiently. Pursuant to Georgia law, the county must respond to open records requests within three business days.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Whitfield County?
Whitfield County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
The current fee structure for Whitfield County public records includes:
- Standard document copies: $0.10 per page for letter or legal size documents
- Certified copies: Additional $2.50 per document certification
- Search and retrieval fees: $14.44 per hour (the hourly rate of the lowest-paid full-time employee with the necessary skill and training to perform the request, as permitted by state law)
- No charge for the first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time
- Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if readily available in electronic format
- Media costs: Actual cost of CDs, DVDs, or other media if records are provided in these formats
The county accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. Some departments may accept credit card payments, though a convenience fee may apply.
It is important to note that under Georgia law, fees may be reduced or waived if the disclosure of the requested information is determined to be in the public interest. Additionally, individuals who are indigent may request a fee waiver, though supporting documentation may be required.
For large or complex requests that may incur substantial fees, the county may provide a cost estimate before proceeding with the request. Payment may be required before records are produced.
Does Whitfield County Have Free Public Records?
Whitfield County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with Georgia law. The Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71(b) guarantees the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours.
Records available for free inspection or access include:
- In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record during regular business hours
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes available on the Whitfield County website
- Property tax information accessible through the county's online property database
- Voter registration status and polling place information through the Georgia Secretary of State's website
- County ordinances and regulations published on the county website
- Public notices and announcements posted on official county bulletin boards and the county website
The Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court maintains a public access terminal where citizens may search court records at no charge, though printing documents from this terminal may incur standard copy fees.
The Whitfield County Public Library also provides free public access to certain county records and resources, including historical documents and local government information.
Who Can Request Public Records in Whitfield 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 means that:
- Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records
- Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records
- Requestors are not required to identify themselves, though certain records may require verification of identity
- Corporate entities, organizations, and media outlets may also request records
For most general public records, requestors do not need to provide identification. However, certain sensitive or restricted records may require identity verification, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own records that contain personal information
- Seeking vital records such as birth or death certificates
- Requesting certain court records that may have restricted access
- Accessing records that require demonstration of a legitimate interest
When requesting vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or death certificates, the requestor must typically show identification and may need to demonstrate a familial relationship or legal interest in the record.
Law enforcement records may have additional restrictions, and access may depend on whether an investigation is active or closed, as well as the nature of the information contained in the records.
What Records Are Confidential in Whitfield County?
While Whitfield County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-72. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Confidential records include:
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Sealed court records and records under protective order
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and bank account information
- Motor vehicle accident reports (except to specific parties with legitimate interest)
- Records containing trade secrets or proprietary business information
- Attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product
- Records that would compromise security, including building security plans and infrastructure details
- Personal information of public employees including home addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information
- Records of child abuse investigations and reports
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings and records
- Certain tax information and returns
- Records that would invade personal privacy where the public interest in disclosure does not outweigh the privacy interest
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by § 50-18-72(b).
The county must cite the specific legal authority when denying access to records based on an exemption. Individuals whose request is denied may appeal the decision through administrative channels or seek judicial review.
Whitfield County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
205 N. Selvidge Street, Suite K
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-5120
Clerk of Superior Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Whitfield County Probate Court
205 N. Selvidge Street, Suite L
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 275-7400
Probate Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Whitfield County Tax Commissioner's Office
205 N. Selvidge Street, Suite H
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 275-7500
Tax Commissioner
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
301 W. Crawford Street
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 275-7500
Board of Commissioners
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Whitfield County
Whitfield County Official Website