Lamar County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Lamar County in 2026
LamarCountyRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Lamar County, Georgia. Members of the public seeking official records may find references to court filings, property documents, vital records, and other government-generated materials through this resource. The information presented reflects data sourced from public agencies and may not capture the most current filings or complete record sets.
Records in Lamar County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains an online portal for real estate records, Uniform Commercial Code filings, and related documents statewide, including Lamar County.
- Court case information may be accessed through the Georgia Courts e-access portal, which requires account registration to search case records.
- Property tax and assessment records are available through the Lamar County Tax Assessor's online search tool.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Lamar County Superior Court Clerk's Office, located at 326 Thomaston Street, Barnesville, Georgia 30204. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a request.
Phone/Email:
- Lamar County Superior Court Clerk: (770) 358-5145
- Lamar County Tax Assessor: (770) 358-5161
What Are Public Records in Lamar County?
Public records in Lamar County are defined under Georgia law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a public office or agency. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, these records are presumed open to inspection by any member of the public unless a specific exemption applies.
The following categories of records are maintained by Lamar County agencies:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Superior Court Clerk and Probate Court
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats recorded with the Superior Court Clerk; assessment records held by the Tax Assessor
- Vital records — birth and death certificates issued through the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage licenses issued by the Probate Court
- Business records — occupational tax certificates and business licenses maintained by the county and City of Barnesville
- Tax records — property tax bills and assessment notices maintained by the Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Lamar County Board of Elections and Registration
- Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Commissioners meeting records available through the county administration office
- Budget and financial documents — annual budgets and audit reports maintained by the county Finance Department
- Law enforcement records — incident reports and arrest logs available through the Lamar County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Lamar County Planning and Zoning Department
The Lamar County Superior Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian for recorded land documents and court filings.
Is Lamar County an Open Records County?
Lamar County operates in full compliance with Georgia's open records framework. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public records maintained by county agencies are presumed open and accessible to any person upon request. The Act applies to every state and local government body, including Lamar County offices, boards, and authorities.
As stated by the Georgia Attorney General's office, "The Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's intent that public records be open to the public." This principle governs how Lamar County agencies respond to records requests and establishes the legal baseline for access.
The Act requires agencies to make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. Agencies may not require requestors to explain the purpose of their request as a condition of access. County-specific policies align with state law and do not impose additional barriers beyond those permitted by statute. The Georgia Attorney General's Open Government resources provide further guidance on the application of the Act to local agencies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lamar County?
The current fee structure for public records in Lamar County is governed by state law and the policies of individual custodial offices. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, but fees must not exceed the actual cost incurred.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Photocopies (per page) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Certified copies (deeds, court records) | $2.50 – $5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of production |
| Search fees | Actual staff time, where applicable |
| Inspection (viewing only) | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Certification fees for vital records obtained through the Georgia Department of Public Health are set at the state level. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.
Does Lamar County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Lamar County government offices during regular business hours. Georgia law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for allowing a member of the public to view records on-site; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain public records:
- The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority offers free online access to real estate index data, including grantor/grantee indexes for Lamar County recorded documents.
- Property assessment records may be viewed at no cost through the Lamar County Tax Assessor's public access terminal located at the county courthouse.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted on the Lamar County Board of Commissioners' official website are available at no charge.
- Court case status information accessible through the Georgia Courts e-access system may require account registration but provides case lookup at no cost for basic searches.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public retain the right to inspect records without charge, while reproduction of those records is subject to applicable copy fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lamar County?
Any person may request public records in Lamar County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Agencies may not require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a precondition to access, except in limited circumstances involving records subject to specific statutory restrictions.
Non-residents of Georgia retain the same rights of access as Georgia residents under state law. Corporations, nonprofit organizations, members of the media, and private individuals are all entitled to submit records requests on equal terms.
Certain record types carry additional requirements. Access to records containing sensitive personal information — such as records pertaining to minors, sealed court files, or law enforcement investigative materials — may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access or obtain a court order. Individuals requesting their own records from law enforcement or court systems may be required to provide identification to verify identity before records are released.
What Records Are Confidential in Lamar County?
Not all government records in Lamar County are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court directive
- 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 active investigations are exempt until the investigation is closed
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
- 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 petition
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
- Personnel records — employee performance evaluations and certain disciplinary records are exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
As noted in the Georgia Attorney General's guidance, "The Open Records Act contains numerous specific exemptions that must be narrowly construed." Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding responsive records.
Lamar County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lamar County Superior Court Clerk
326 Thomaston Street
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5145
Lamar County Superior Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Lamar County Probate Court
326 Thomaston Street
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5155
Lamar County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lamar County Tax Assessor
408 Thomaston Street
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5161
Lamar County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lamar County Tax Commissioner
408 Thomaston Street
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5162
Lamar County Tax Commissioner
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lamar County Sheriff's Office
144 Thomaston Street
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5177
Lamar County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (administrative); patrol operations are continuous