Criminal records in Chatham County, Georgia, can be accessed through several channels. ChathamCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Chatham County. Beyond that, the official court system, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Superior Court each maintain records that the public can search online, request in person, or obtain by mail. The sections below explain how each method works and what to expect.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chatham
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Chatham County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Through ChathamCourt.us
Start at ChathamCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Chatham County. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
Online — Court and Law Enforcement Portals
- Chatham County Court System re:Search — The Chatham County Court System offers a public portal called re:Search, which provides access to view cases and eFiled documents per O.C.G.A. §§ 15-6-11 and 15-7-5.
- Clerk of Superior Court — The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court scans all documents recorded and filed in the office, making them accessible electronically.
- State Court Criminal Division — The Criminal Division of Chatham County State Court is the office of record for all criminal matters addressed in State Court.
- Georgia Courts E-Access — The statewide E-Access to Court Records portal lets you search court cases across Georgia. An account may be required.
- Sheriff's Office Booking Search — View recent jail bookings through the 24-hour or 72-hour booking reports on the Chatham County Sheriff's Office website.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court office at the Chatham County Courthouse in Savannah. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. You can also visit the Criminal History & Fingerprint Unit at the Sheriff's Office for Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) background checks.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court for copies of court records.
- For police reports, submit a request through the Chatham County Police Department Records Request portal or contact the Records Unit directly. Requests are handled under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.).
- For a statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- For GCIC background checks: fingerprints and valid government-issued photo ID
Search Chatham Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Georgia case numbers generally follow a format that encodes the court type, year, and sequence. In Chatham County, a typical Superior Court criminal case number may look like this:
- Court prefix or code — identifies whether the case is in Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, etc.
- Year — the two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Case type indicator — a letter or abbreviation indicating criminal (e.g., "CR") versus civil
- Sequential number — assigned in the order the case was filed that year
For example, a case number like SUCR2024-001234 would indicate a Superior Court criminal case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number into the re:Search portal on the Chatham County Court System website or provide it to the Clerk's office for a direct lookup. Case numbers from State Court criminal matters can be searched through the Criminal Division.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chatham
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The O.C.G.A. section the defendant is charged under (e.g., O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2 for theft by taking) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion |
| Count number | Each separate offense is listed as a distinct count |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting action
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; the case file is complete
Hearing Types
- First appearance / arraignment — Defendant is informed of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — In felony cases, a judge determines whether probable cause exists
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and scheduling
- Motions hearing — The court rules on legal motions filed by either side
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up to check compliance with probation or court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted at trial or by plea |
| Not guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the prosecution or the court |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor declines to pursue the case further |
| Dead docketed | Case is inactive but not formally dismissed — may be revived |
| First Offender | Sentenced under Georgia's First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60); successful completion may result in discharge without a conviction on record |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chatham
Court Records — Clerk of Superior Court
Certified copies of criminal case documents filed in Superior Court are available from the Clerk of Superior Court. You can request them in person, by mail, or by phone.
Bring or include a valid government-issued photo ID with your request. Specify the case number or provide the defendant's full name and approximate case date. The Clerk's office will locate the file and prepare certified copies.
Police Records — Chatham County Police Department
Incident reports, arrest reports, and other law enforcement records can be requested through the Chatham County Police Department's online records request portal. Requests are processed under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Criminal History Background Checks — Sheriff's Office
The Criminal History & Fingerprint Unit of the Chatham County Sheriff's Office processes GCIC background checks. These require fingerprinting and a valid photo ID. Contact the unit for current scheduling and procedures.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Georgia criminal history record, submit a request to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's GCIC. This is a fingerprint-based search and provides records from across the state.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chatham
Fees are set by Georgia statute and local fee schedules. The table below lists commonly applicable charges.
| Service | Fee | Authority / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | Per O.C.G.A. § 15-6-96; standard rate for Clerk of Superior Court |
| Certified copies | $2.50 for first page, $0.25 each additional page | Per O.C.G.A. § 15-6-96 |
| GCIC criminal history background check | Varies; typically around $20–$35 | Set by GCIC / GBI; confirm with the Sheriff's Criminal History & Fingerprint Unit |
| Police report copies (Open Records request) | $0.25 per page (may vary) | Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) |
| Search fee (Clerk of Superior Court) | Varies | Contact the Clerk's office for the current schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Often available the same day for records that are already scanned and indexed.
- Mail requests to the Clerk: Allow 5–10 business days, depending on volume.
- Open Records requests (police reports): Georgia law requires a response within three business days, though the actual production of records may take longer if extensive.
- GCIC background checks: Fingerprint-based checks processed through the Sheriff's Office may take several business days. Contact the Criminal History & Fingerprint Unit for current turnaround estimates.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office and Sheriff's Office may include cash, money order, or certified check. Confirm accepted payment types before visiting or mailing a request.