Dawson County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Dawson County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Dawson County, Georgia, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and authorized request channels. DawsonRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by Dawson County government agencies. The types of records that may be found through official channels include court filings, property documents, tax assessments, vital records, and meeting minutes, among others.

Records in Dawson County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Dawson County official website provides access to various county services and departmental resources.
Members of the public may conduct a property record search through the Dawson County Board of Tax Assessors online portal, which does not require registration.
Court-related records may be accessed through the Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court via the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may visit the Dawson County Clerk of the Court, located at 25 Justice Way, Dawsonville, GA 30534, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Upon arrival, requestors should identify the record type sought and provide sufficient identifying information to allow staff to locate the document.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail, including the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for response.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days.

Phone/Email:

Dawson County Clerk of the Court: (706) 344-3510
City of Dawsonville Open Records: requests may be submitted via the open records request portal maintained by the City Clerk.

What Are Public Records in Dawson County?

Public records in Dawson 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 Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records – deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments maintained by the Tax Assessors and Clerk of Court
Vital records – birth and death certificates (maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health); marriage and divorce records maintained by the Superior Court Clerk
Business records – licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax records – property tax and assessment records available through the Board of Tax Assessors
Voting and election records – maintained by the Dawson County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas – county commission and board records available through the Dawson County official website
Budget and financial documents – maintained by the County Finance Department
Law enforcement records – arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, maintained by the Dawson County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records – maintained by the Dawson County Planning and Development Department

Is Dawson County an Open Records County?

Dawson County fully complies with Georgia's open records laws, which mandate public access to government documents. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all state and local government agencies in Georgia are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. This statute, known as the Georgia Open Records Act, applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies operating within Dawson County.

As stated in the Georgia Open Records Act, "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 Act establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access, placing the burden on the agency to justify any withholding of records.

The City of Dawsonville, as a municipality within Dawson County, maintains its own open records process in compliance with state law. Members of the public may submit requests directly through the City of Dawsonville open records request page administered by the City Clerk.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Dawson County is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act and applicable county schedules. Standard fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certification of records	Varies by document type
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search/retrieval fees	Labor costs may apply for requests exceeding one hour

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Copy fees: Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, including staff time when the search exceeds one hour.
Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents, such as deeds or judgments, carry fees set by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Electronic format fees: Agencies may charge the actual cost of producing records in electronic format.
Fee waivers: Fee waivers are not mandated by state law but may be granted at agency discretion, particularly for indigent requestors or matters of significant public interest.

Accepted payment methods at the Clerk of Court's office include cash, check, and money order. Requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.

Does Dawson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Dawson County, as required by Georgia law. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours at the applicable county office. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following free resources are currently available:

Online property records: The Dawson County property record search tool, maintained by the Board of Tax Assessors, is accessible at no cost and does not require registration.
County website resources: Meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other public documents are posted at no charge on the Dawson County government website.
In-person inspection: Records held by the Clerk of Superior Court and other county offices may be inspected free of charge at public access terminals or counters during business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dawson County?

Any person may request public records in Dawson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or reason for the request. Specifically:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Georgia residents or Dawson County residents.
Identification: Agencies may ask for a requestor's name and contact information for administrative purposes, but identification is not a legal prerequisite for most record requests.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for the majority of public records.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as those involving ongoing criminal investigations or juvenile matters, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order.
Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or tax records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for sensitive personal information.

Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under the Georgia Open Records Act, consistent with the Act's broad public access mandate.

What Records Are Confidential in Dawson County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to state and local agencies, including those in Dawson County. The following records are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records – records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records – records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings
Ongoing investigation records – law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of an active criminal investigation
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 through court order
Child welfare and protective services records – maintained as confidential by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
Personnel records – employee records are exempt with limited exceptions, such as 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 – exempt to protect public safety

When an agency withholds a record, it is required to notify the requestor of the specific exemption being invoked and, where applicable, to provide any non-exempt portions of the document after redaction.

Dawson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dawson County Clerk of the Court
25 Justice Way, Suite 1222
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 344-3510
Clerk of the Court – Dawson County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Clerk of Superior Court, as noted by the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, "was established by the Constitution of the State of Georgia and is one of four constitutional officers," responsible for maintaining court records, real estate records, personal property records, and collecting intangible and transfer taxes.

City of Dawsonville City Clerk (Open Records)
415 Hwy 53 East, Suite 100
Dawsonville, GA 30534
City of Dawsonville – Open Records Request

Dawson County Board of Tax Assessors
25 Justice Way, Suite 1201
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 344-3590
Dawson County Property Record Search