Search Dade County Court Records
Dade County court records do not sit in one public countywide database. Superior Court calendars and the official docket link start on the Dade County Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts website. The calendar page is public and groups hearing PDFs by civil and criminal calendar type. The clerk's docket quick link points to an official Dade Superior Court docket site, but inspection found a certificate and redirect problem, so that channel should be treated as official but not always easy to reach.
The practical path is a channel map. Use the clerk for Superior Court and Juvenile Court files, certified copies, civil cases, felonies, divorces, domestic suits, real estate records, and older case material. Use Magistrate Court for small claims, county ordinance matters, arrest and search warrants, bad checks, dispossessory cases, and initial appearances. Use Probate Court for estates, marriage licenses, vital records, weapons-carry matters, and some traffic or game-law cases where Dade has no state court. Use Trenton Municipal Court for city citations.
- Start with the clerk website and open the Court Calendars link when a hearing date or calendar call is the main need.
- Try the official Court Docket quick link in a standard browser. If the link fails, call the clerk at 706-657-4778.
- For certified copies, visit or write the Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts at 255 W. Crabtree Street, Suite 103.
- For lower-court matters, contact Magistrate Court, Probate Court, or Trenton Municipal Court based on the citation, warrant, or petition.
- Use Dade County's open-records process for administrative or sheriff records that are not filed as court case documents.
The official Dade County government website is the broad entry point for county departments, public notices, open-records information, court offices, the jail, and public services.
That county site helps route Dade County court record users to the right office when the record is not in the Superior Court clerk's online tools.
Dade County Court System
Dade County's main trial court is Superior Court. It sits in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit and handles felonies, divorce, broad civil cases, real estate and domestic matters, and review of some lower-court decisions. Georgia also has appellate courts above the trial courts: the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia for cases within its direct jurisdiction.
Local records are divided by court role. Magistrate Court handles lower-dollar civil disputes and first-stage criminal matters. Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianship, marriage licenses, vital records, and some limited traffic or game-law matters. Juvenile Court covers youth cases. Trenton Municipal Court handles city municipal and traffic matters. That split matters because the court that creates the record is usually the court that can explain access, status, fees, and certified copies.
The Dade County departments and court offices page shows how compact the local court system is, with many court and public-safety offices clustered around Trenton.
The department list is useful for separating court records from sheriff, public defender, transit, emergency, and county administrative records.
| Court or office | Main role | Record channel |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | Felonies, divorce, broad civil, domestic, real estate litigation | Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts |
| Magistrate Court | Claims under $15,000, warrants, ordinance cases, initial appearances | Magistrate Court counter or phone |
| Probate Court | Estates, wills, guardianship, marriage, vital records | Probate Court counter and linked application portals |
| Trenton Municipal Court | City citations and municipal cases | Municipal Court and Government Window payment portal |
| Sheriff and Jail | Jail custody, law-enforcement records, warrant service | Jail phone line or sheriff open-records email |
Dade County Court Offices
The working court campus is centered on 255 West Crabtree Street in Trenton. The Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts, Superior Court judge contact, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court all publish the Crabtree Street address. Dade County Jail and the Sheriff's Office are nearby at 75 Case Avenue. The county's open-records officer is at 71 Case Avenue, Suite 243, while Trenton Municipal Court is at City Hall on North Main Street.
Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts
255 W. Crabtree Street, Suite 103
Trenton, GA 30752
706-657-4778
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dade County Magistrate Court
255 West Crabtree Street
Trenton, GA 30752
706-657-4113
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dade County Probate Court
255 W. Crabtree Street
Trenton, GA 30752
706-657-4414
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dade County Jail and Sheriff
75 Case Avenue
Trenton, GA 30752
706-657-2277 or 706-657-3233
Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dade County Court Record Types
Dade County court records include civil, criminal, domestic, probate, traffic, ordinance, juvenile, warrant, and real estate-related court material. Superior Court civil records can include complaints, answers, motions, judgments, garnishments, appeals from lower courts, liens, and related docket entries. Criminal court records cover felony charges, arraignments, pleas, motions, orders, dispositions, sentences, bond entries, and appeals once the case reaches the court file.
Not every court record is online. Probate records are kept by Probate Court as permanent minute-book records, but guardianship and mental-health details may be limited. Marriage licenses are Probate Court records, while divorce records are Superior Court domestic records. Traffic records may be at Trenton Municipal Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, or Superior Court depending on the citation and charge level. Inmate custody information is not the same as a court record, and Dade's official jail roster page says current inmate information is still coming soon.
- Civil and domestic files: Superior Court and Magistrate Court records, depending on amount and case type.
- Criminal case files: Superior Court records for felonies, with lower-court warrant or initial appearance records as needed.
- Probate and marriage: Probate Court estate files, marriage licenses, vital records, and guardianship matters.
- Traffic and ordinance: Trenton Municipal Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, or Superior Court depending on the case.
- Real estate and liens: Clerk records, property index links, deeds, plats, UCC filings, liens, and general executions.
Dade County Court Record Fields
A Dade County court record may show the case venue, case type, party names, filing date, docket entries, hearing dates, judge, courtroom, charge data, disposition, sentence, bond, fines, fees, or appeal status. The exact fields depend on the court and the public system. Calendar pages show event categories and PDF links. A full case file or certified copy request may require a direct clerk search.
| Field | What it may show in Dade County |
|---|---|
| Case venue | Superior Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, or Trenton Municipal Court. |
| Case type | Civil, criminal, divorce, probate estate, guardianship, traffic, warrant, ordinance, or appeal. |
| Docket entry | Calendar call, hearing, order, judgment, arraignment, plea, sentence, continuance, or appeal event. |
| Disposition | Dismissed, pled guilty, convicted, acquitted, transferred, dead docket, probation, sentence, or closed. |
| Fees and costs | Filing fees, copy costs, sheriff service fees, fines, bond, restitution, or court costs when entered. |
- Docket
- A chronological record of filings, hearings, orders, and case events.
- Disposition
- The current or final result of a charge, claim, or case.
- Certified copy
- A copy authenticated by the clerk as a true official court record.
- Dead docket
- A Georgia criminal case status showing the case is inactive and not being prosecuted at that time.
Dade County Court Records Law
Georgia public-record law favors open access, but the law does not make every Dade County court record online or unrestricted. O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 states the public policy of open government. O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 covers inspection, copying, timing, and lawful fees. Criminal-history restriction and court sealing issues are handled under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37.
Dade County's own open-records page tells requesters to submit the county form to the administrative office at 71 Case Avenue, Suite 243, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, Georgia 30752, or email info@dadecounty-ga.gov. Sheriff requests are routed to Info@dadesheriff.com. For a filed court case, the better first step is still the record custodian: the clerk for Superior and Juvenile files, Probate Court for probate and marriage records, Magistrate Court for warrants and small claims, and Municipal Court for Trenton citations.
Key access rule: Georgia public access usually gives a way to inspect or request a record, not a promise that the full file is searchable online.
The Georgia open-records request page explains the statewide public-record request framework used by many agencies.
The state page supports the Dade County open-records process, but court-file requests still work best through the office that keeps the file.
Restricted Dade County Court Records
Some Dade County court records are not ordinary public files. Juvenile matters involve children under 18 and are generally limited to parties, counsel, agencies, and court-approved persons. Adoption records are sensitive and commonly sealed or restricted. Probate Court mental-health or involuntary hospitalization matters can involve protected medical information. Public copies may also redact Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, minor identifiers, and protected addresses.
Criminal record restriction is separate from a normal copy request. The GBI FAQ explains that Georgia criminal history can include identification data, arrest charges, final judicial disposition data, and custody information. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37, eligible information may be restricted, and eligible clerk-held court records may be sealed by petition in the court with original jurisdiction. In Dade, that means the petition may need to be filed in Superior Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, or Municipal Court depending on where the case started.
Dade County Court Dockets
Dade County docket access is strongest for calendars. The clerk calendar page lists public PDF calendars for civil hearings, civil pretrial, civil trials, non-jury civil calendars, arraignments, felony calendar calls, and misdemeanor calendar calls. The landing page itself shows calendar categories, dates, event types, amended status when noted, judge names when embedded in the title, and PDF links. It does not show a full party-name search form on the landing page.
| Calendar field | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Video Conference Hearings | Category list | Shows whether any video conferences are scheduled. |
| Civil Calendar | PDF list | Links civil circuit, hearing, trial, pretrial, and non-jury calendars. |
| Criminal Calendar | PDF list | Links arraignment, felony calendar call, and misdemeanor calendar call PDFs. |
| Calendar PDF link | Hyperlink | Opens the dated calendar document when posted. |
Dade County Sheriff and Jail Records
The Dade County Sheriff's Office and jail records are separate from court case files. The sheriff divisions page identifies Sheriff Ray Cross and describes divisions for administration, records, court services, investigations, jail, warrants, road patrol, training, and K-9. Court Services maintains court security, serves warrants and civil papers, transports people in custody, and provides bailiffs for the courts.
The jail at 75 Case Avenue receives, processes, and houses people charged with felony or misdemeanor criminal violations and also houses sentenced inmates. The official jail resources page lists phone/video service through NCIC Inmate Communications, commissary and messaging through The Store Call, standard mail through a JailATM.com Atlanta processing address, legal mail through the jail's Trenton P.O. Box, and the detention phone number. The current inmate list is marked "Info coming soon," so an online Dade County jail roster should not be assumed.
Dade County Marriage and Probate
Marriage licenses and probate files are handled by Dade County Probate Court. Both marriage applicants must appear in person to sign the completed application and provide required documents, including state-issued identification or certified birth certificate, Social Security numbers, and proof of the end of any prior marriage. The application may be started online through Georgia Probate Records, but the in-person signature step remains part of Dade's process.
Probate Court also handles wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, involuntary hospitalization, vital records, and weapons-carry licenses. The court says it is a court of record and that filed Probate Court documents must be recorded in minute books and kept permanently available to the public, subject to confidentiality limits for some matters. Divorce records are different: Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, and divorce copies should be requested from the Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts.
Dade County Traffic Records
Dade County traffic records are split by issuing court and record type. A Trenton city citation starts with Trenton Municipal Court and its Government Window payment link. A Probate Court traffic or game-law matter should be checked with Probate Court. County ordinance cases and related warrants may be in Magistrate Court. Serious or felony-level traffic-related criminal matters may move to Superior Court.
The court traffic record is not the same as a Georgia Department of Driver Services motor vehicle report. The court record shows citation, charge, court date, plea, disposition, fines, costs, and failure-to-appear status if entered by the court. The DDS record shows driving history, convictions reported by courts, license status, points, suspensions, and revocations. DDS provides MVR access online, by mail, or in person, while points and status can be checked through DDS Online Services or the DDS 2 GO app.
Dade County Court Records Fees
Dade Superior Court's cost schedule effective July 1, 2024 gives the most concrete local fee data for copies and filings. General civil, modification, and garnishment filings are listed at $213.50 plus applicable service fees. The schedule also lists real estate recording fees, UCC fees, sheriff service fees, appeal-preparation costs, and copy charges. Dade's open-records form separately follows O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 for search, retrieval, copy, and supervision costs, with no charge for the first 15 minutes and notice if estimates exceed $25.
| Item | Published amount or rule |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy, no assistance required | $0.50 per page |
| Uncertified copy, assistance required | $1.00 per page |
| Certified or exemplified copy | $2.50 first page; $0.50 each additional page |
| Seal or certification | $2.00 in addition to other costs |
| Marriage license | $77 cash, debit, or credit; card vendor fees apply |
| Certified marriage copy | $10 |
The Dade County privacy and public-record notice also reminds users that many county documents and records are public under Georgia law.
That county notice reinforces why public access and privacy limits both matter when Dade County court records include personal identifiers.
Dade County Court History
Dade County's courthouse history is unusually useful for record users because "courthouse" can mean a historic landmark or the current court-record campus. The county says an early courthouse was believed to have been built before 1849, burned in April 1853, and was followed by another structure burned by Union troops in November 1863 during the Chattanooga Campaign. A new courthouse built in 1869 remained in use until it was demolished in 1925 to make way for the current structure.
The present courthouse was completed in 1926, designed by Polish immigrant architect George Szymanski, and built by Barrett Construction Company. The historic courthouse and museum is now a restored landmark at 12345 Main Street, while today's active record counters for Superior, Probate, and Magistrate matters are at the Crabtree Street court campus. That distinction helps prevent a wasted trip.
The Dade County Historic Courthouse and Museum page gives the county's official courthouse history.
The historic courthouse material adds local context, but current court record requests still go to the working court offices.
Georgia Court Access Context
Georgia court structure explains why Dade County records are divided by court level. The Georgia Courts self-help court classes page describes the statewide court classes and their broad roles.
That state-level court map helps Dade County users understand why Superior Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, and Municipal Court each keep different records.
Dade County Court Records FAQ
Is there one Dade County court records search?
No. Dade County uses a mix of clerk calendars, an official docket link, direct clerk requests, lower-court counters, state systems, and open-records requests. The right channel depends on whether the record is a Superior Court case, warrant, probate file, traffic citation, inmate record, marriage record, or sheriff record.
Who keeps Dade County Superior Court records?
The Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts keeps Dade Superior and Juvenile Court records. Kathy D. Page is the published clerk. The office is the main source for Superior Court civil, criminal, domestic, adoption, jury, appeal, real estate, and certified copy records.
Can Dade County warrant records be searched online?
No official public Dade active warrant search was found in the research. Magistrate Court issues arrest and search warrants, the Sheriff's Office serves warrants and civil papers, and Trenton Municipal Court may handle city failure-to-appear issues. Verify directly before relying on online claims.
Does Dade County publish an inmate roster?
The official Dade County Jail resources page has a current inmate list heading, but it says information is coming soon. Current custody questions should be directed to detention at 706-657-2277 or the Sheriff's Office at 706-657-3233.
Where are Dade County marriage records?
Dade County Probate Court handles marriage licenses and certified marriage copies. Divorce records are not Probate Court records; they are Superior Court domestic records requested through the Clerk of Superior and Juvenile Courts.
Are Dade County traffic records the same as a DDS driving history?
No. The court traffic record belongs to the court that handled the citation. A Georgia DDS driving history or MVR is a state driver record that reflects reported convictions, points, license status, suspensions, and revocations.