Putnam County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Putnam County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to public records in Putnam County, Georgia may access a range of documents through official government channels. PutnamGERecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to individuals and properties within the county. Records that may be located through official sources include court filings, property deeds, vital records, tax assessments, business licenses, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Online Access:
Several official portals support remote access to Putnam County records. The Georgia Courts e-access portal allows members of the public to search court case records statewide; an account is required to conduct searches. The Putnam County Tax Assessor maintains an online property search tool through the county's official website at putnam.georgia.gov. Voter registration and election records are accessible through the Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration, which also accepts open records requests online.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant custodial office. The Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court, located at 100 S. Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA 31024, maintains civil, criminal, and probate court records. The Tax Assessor's Office, located at 706 Harmony Road, Eatonton, GA 31024, holds property assessment records. Standard business hours for county offices are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the custodial office holding the records sought. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records, and the preferred format for production. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the agency must respond within three business days, either producing the records, providing a timeline for production, or citing a lawful exemption.
Phone/Email:
- Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court: (706) 485-4501
- Putnam County Tax Assessor: (706) 485-6376
- Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration: (706) 485-8683
What Are Public Records in Putnam County?
Public records in Putnam 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. The following record types are maintained by county offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court; assessments held by the Tax Assessor
- Vital records — birth and death certificates issued through the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage licenses recorded by the Probate Court
- Business records — occupational tax certificates and business licenses issued by the county
- Tax records — property tax records and assessment data maintained by the Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner
- Voting and election records — voter registration rolls and election results held by the Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration
- Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Board of Commissioners and other public bodies
- Budget and financial documents — annual budgets and expenditure reports
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports maintained by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records — permits and zoning decisions held by the Planning and Development Office
Is Putnam County an Open Records County?
Putnam County operates in full compliance with the Georgia Open Records Act. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public records maintained by state and local government agencies are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public. The statute establishes that "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 Georgia Attorney General's office has affirmed that the Open Records Act applies broadly to county governments, including Putnam County, and that custodians bear the burden of demonstrating that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access requests. The Georgia Attorney General's Open Government resources provide additional guidance on the application of the Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Putnam County?
The fee structure for public records in Putnam County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (court documents) | $2.50 per document + $0.50 per page |
| Deed copies | $1.00 per page |
| Electronic records (where available) | Actual cost of production |
| Search fees | Not permitted for routine requests |
Inspection of records is provided at no charge. Fees for copies are set pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which limits charges to the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production. Agencies may not charge for the first quarter-hour of staff time spent on a request. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards. Fee waivers are not formally codified at the county level but may be granted at the discretion of the custodian for requests serving a demonstrable public interest.
Does Putnam County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at each custodial office during regular business hours. Members of the public may review documents in person without charge at the Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor's Office, and the Board of Elections and Registration. No fee is assessed for the act of inspection itself; charges apply only when copies are requested.
Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online portals. Property assessment data is searchable without charge through the Putnam County Tax Assessor's online database. Voter registration status and election results are available through the Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration website. Court case information may be searched through the Georgia Courts e-access system, though an account registration is required. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is publicly accessible at no cost and is maintained as public information under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Who Can Request Public Records in Putnam County?
Any person may request public records in Putnam County regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia law does not require a requestor to be a Georgia resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request as a condition of access to non-exempt records. The Georgia Open Records Act extends the right of inspection to "any person," a term interpreted broadly by Georgia courts and the Attorney General.
Requestors seeking their own records — such as personal court filings or tax records — follow the same process as any other requester. Certain sensitive record categories, such as sealed court files, adoption records, and juvenile records, require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right of access, such as being the subject of the record or holding a court order. Non-residents retain the same access rights as residents for all records that are open under state law.
What Records Are Confidential in Putnam County?
Georgia law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order
- Juvenile records — records of proceedings involving minors in the juvenile court system
- Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public documents
- 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 by court order
- Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Division of Family and Children Services
- Personnel records — employee records exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records whose disclosure could endanger public safety
These exemptions are codified primarily under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which enumerates records that agencies are authorized or required to withhold. Agencies applying an exemption must identify the specific statutory basis for the denial. Georgia law does not provide a general balancing test; exemptions are applied as written unless a court orders otherwise.
Putnam County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court
100 S. Jefferson Avenue
Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-4501
Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Putnam County Tax Assessor's Office
706 Harmony Road
Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-6376
Putnam County Tax Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Putnam County Probate Court
100 S. Jefferson Avenue
Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-4895
Putnam County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
117 Putnam Drive
Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-8557
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Records Division)
Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration
117 Putnam Drive, Suite 200
Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-8683
Putnam County Board of Elections and Registration
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM