Criminal records in Bartow County, Georgia, are accessible through several channels. BartowCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information. You can also search through official state court portals, the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court, law enforcement agencies, and the Civil and Criminal Division of the clerk's office. Whether you need to look up a pending case, verify a disposition, or request certified copies, the resources below explain how to do it.
How to Search Criminal Records in Bartow
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Bartow County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official certified copy or just case details.
Online Search Options
- BartowCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available criminal court record information in Bartow County. You can look up cases using a defendant's name or case number.
- Georgia Courts E-Access — The statewide portal allows you to search court records across Georgia. You will need to create an account. Once logged in, you can search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query — If the person was sentenced to state prison, this tool lets you search for current and past inmates by name or GDC ID number.
In Person
Visit the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court at the Frank Moore Administration & Judicial Center. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you locate case files and request copies.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court for criminal case records. Include:
- The defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Your contact information and return address
- Payment for any applicable copy or certification fees
For a formal Georgia criminal history report, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This typically requires fingerprinting and a separate application.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Bartow Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. In Georgia, Superior Court case numbers typically follow a format like:
- SUCV2024-000123 — where "SU" indicates Superior Court, "CV" or "CR" indicates the case type (civil or criminal), the four-digit year follows, and the sequential number identifies the specific filing.
In Bartow County criminal cases, look for the "CR" designation, which marks a criminal filing. For example, a case number starting with SUCR2024 would be a 2024 criminal case filed in Bartow County Superior Court.
State Court criminal cases may use a slightly different prefix. Magistrate Court and Cartersville Municipal Court cases follow their own numbering systems. If you are unsure which court handled the case, try searching by defendant name first to identify the correct case number and court.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Bartow
Criminal case records in Bartow County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific section of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) the defendant is accused of violating |
| Felony | A serious offense carrying a potential sentence of one year or more in state prison |
| Misdemeanor | A less serious offense, typically punishable by up to 12 months in county jail and/or a fine |
| Amended charge | A charge that has been changed by the prosecution — often reduced as part of a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court actions, including sentencing and post-trial matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally told the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether there is probable cause to proceed
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss possible resolutions before trial
- Trial — The case is presented before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with probation or court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The prosecution dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case
- Nolle prosequi — The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case (common in Georgia)
- Dead docketed — The case is inactive but not formally dismissed; it can potentially be revived
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Bartow
Certified copies of criminal records carry the court's official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, or employment verification. In Bartow County, the Civil and Criminal Division of the Clerk of Superior Court handles these requests.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the address below. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
What You Need
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Case number or enough identifying information to locate the record
- Payment for copy and certification fees
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court — Civil and Criminal Division
For statewide criminal history reports (as opposed to individual case records), contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's GCIC division. These reports require fingerprint submission and a separate fee.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Bartow
Fees for criminal record copies in Bartow County are set by Georgia statute and the clerk's fee schedule. Below are the standard charges:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $2.50 |
| Search fee (clerk search of records) | Varies; contact the clerk's office |
| GBI criminal history report | Approximately $20.00 – $25.00 (submitted through GCIC) |
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77) governs fees charged by Superior Court clerks for copies and certifications. Actual amounts can vary slightly, so confirm current fees directly with the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court before submitting payment.
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day or within one to two business days, depending on the complexity of the search.
- Mail requests — Typically processed within five to ten business days after the clerk's office receives the request and payment.
- GBI criminal history reports — Processing times vary; electronic submissions are generally faster than paper applications.
If you need records urgently, visiting the clerk's office in person is usually the fastest option. Call ahead to confirm that the records you need are available at the courthouse and not archived off-site.