Floyd County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Floyd County?

Public records in Floyd County, Georgia, are defined under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a public office or agency. The Floyd County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of county government records, maintaining retention schedules in accordance with guidelines established by the Georgia Department of Archives and History.

Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of the following categories of records maintained by Floyd County agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court of Floyd County
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Floyd County Tax Assessor and Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records — Marriage licenses and wills maintained by the Floyd County Probate Court; birth and death certificates are issued through the Georgia Department of Public Health
Business records — Occupational tax certificates, business licenses, and permits issued through Floyd County Planning and Zoning
Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment notices, and payment histories maintained by the Floyd County Tax Commissioner
Voting and election records — Voter registration rolls, election results, and precinct maps maintained by the Floyd County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions available through the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and expenditure records maintained by the Floyd County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs, incident reports, and police reports available through the Floyd County Police Department and Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits maintained by the Planning and Development Department

Is Floyd County an Open Records County?

Floyd County fully complies with Georgia's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, all public agencies are required to respond to open records requests within three business days of receipt, either by providing the requested records or by notifying the requester of the estimated time and cost to fulfill the request. The law further provides that no agency may require a requester to state a reason or purpose for seeking access to public records.

Floyd County operates in compliance with Georgia's Sunshine Laws, which govern both open records and open meetings. The Floyd County Georgia official government portal provides access to county ordinances, public notices, and departmental resources. County records are retained and managed in accordance with schedules approved by the Georgia Department of Archives and History, ensuring systematic preservation and accessibility of government documents across all departments.

How to Find Public Records in Floyd County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Floyd County public records through several official channels. The county maintains a centralized online records request system, and requests may also be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant custodial office.

Step 1 — Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the respective court clerk; property and deed records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; law enforcement records are held by the Police Department or Sheriff's Office.

Step 2 — Submit an Open Records Request. Members of the public may submit requests through the Floyd County open records request portal, available at floydcountyga.gov/orr. Requests may also be submitted in writing directly to the custodial office.

Step 3 — Access court records online. Georgia Courts currently provides electronic access to court case records through its statewide e-access portal. Users must create an account to search case information.

Step 4 — Request police reports. Incident reports and police records may be requested through the Floyd County Police Department records portal, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act.

Step 5 — Contact the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office Administrative Services division processes open records requests related to sheriff's office operations and inmate records.

Step 6 — Allow the statutory response period. Under current law, agencies must respond within three business days. Complex requests involving voluminous records may require additional time, with written notice provided to the requester.

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

Floyd County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which limits charges to the actual cost of search, retrieval, redaction, and reproduction. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices include:

Paper copies — $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents
Certified copies — Fees vary by record type; certified copies of deeds and court documents typically range from $2.50 to $5.00 per document, plus a per-page reproduction fee
Electronic records — Provided at no charge or at the actual cost of the electronic medium used, such as a USB drive or CD
Staff research time — Agencies may charge for the cost of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request when search and retrieval exceed a reasonable threshold
Redaction costs — Agencies may assess fees for time spent redacting exempt information from otherwise disclosable records

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests determined to serve a significant public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency. Requesters are encouraged to specify whether electronic delivery is acceptable, as this may reduce or eliminate reproduction costs.

Does Floyd County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled under Georgia law to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested. Several categories of Floyd County records are currently available at no cost through official online portals:

Probate court records — Estate files, guardianship records, marriage records, traffic records, and wills are available through the Floyd County Probate Court online records system via Georgia Probate Records
Court case information — Basic case status and docket information is accessible through the Georgia Courts e-access court records system at no charge for registered users
County government documents — Meeting agendas, adopted budgets, ordinances, and commission minutes are published on the Floyd County government website and available for free download
Police reports summary information — General records-at-a-glance information is accessible through the Floyd County Police Department's online portal

In-person inspection of records at any county office is available at no cost during public counter hours, consistent with the requirements of Georgia's Open Records Act.

Who Can Request Public Records in Floyd County?

Any person may request public records from Floyd County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency — Non-residents of Floyd County and non-residents of Georgia retain full rights to request public records under current law
Identification — Agencies may not require requesters to provide identification as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain sensitive personal information about the requester
Purpose — Requesters are not required to state a reason for seeking records; agencies may not condition access on the disclosure of intended use
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as arrest records or tax account information, follow the same process as any other requester, though additional verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal data
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents, are restricted by statute regardless of the requester's identity

Organizations, businesses, attorneys, journalists, and members of the general public all possess equal standing to submit open records requests to Floyd County offices under the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.

What Records Are Confidential in Floyd County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law enumerates specific categories of exempt records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which agencies in Floyd County are required to apply when responding to open records requests. The following categories of records are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Georgia law
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or prosecution is complete
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from otherwise disclosable records
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both Georgia law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential
Personnel records — Employee performance evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though basic employment information such as name, position, and salary is generally disclosable
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to the county in connection with licensing or procurement may be exempt
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records describing vulnerabilities or security measures for public facilities are exempt from disclosure

When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, rather than withholding the entire document.

Floyd County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary recorder of deeds, liens, and land records. The County Clerk's Office maintains general government records and supports the Board of Commissioners. Both offices are located in Rome, Georgia, the county seat of Floyd County.

Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court 3 Government Plaza, Suite 101, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 291-5190 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. County Clerk | Floyd County Georgia

Floyd County Probate Court 3 Government Plaza, Suite 108, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 291-5190 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Probate Court | Floyd County Georgia

Floyd County Police Department — Records Division 12 East 12th Street, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 291-4357 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Police Reports | Floyd County Georgia

Floyd County Sheriff's Office 12 East 12th Street, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 291-5160 Public Contact: FCSO@floydcountyga.org Admin Services — Floyd County Sheriff's Office

Floyd County Board of Commissioners — General Inquiries 12 East 12th Street, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 291-5110 Contact Us | Floyd County Georgia