Glynn County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Glynn County?
Public records in Glynn County are defined according to the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which states that 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 are considered public records. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.
Glynn County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed by law)
- Land use and zoning records
The Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, property records, and other official documents. Property records are maintained by the Glynn County Property Appraiser's Office, while vital records are primarily held by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Business licenses and permits are managed by the Glynn County Community Development Department, and tax records are maintained by the Glynn County Tax Commissioner's Office.
Is Glynn County an Open Records County?
Glynn County adheres to the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this law, all public records are open for personal inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by state or federal law.
The Act specifically states: "The General Assembly finds and declares that the strong public policy of this state is in favor of open government; that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society; and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government and so that the public can evaluate the expenditure of public funds and the efficient and proper functioning of its institutions."
Glynn County government operates in compliance with this statute and has established procedures for responding to open records requests. The county also adheres to Georgia's Open Meetings Act, often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that government meetings be open to the public.
The Glynn County Open Records Policy outlines specific procedures for requesting and obtaining public records from county departments and agencies.
How to Find Public Records in Glynn County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Glynn County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain these documents. The county provides both in-person and online options for accessing various types of public records.
For court records, individuals may:
- Visit the Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court office in person
- Access the Georgia Courts E-Access portal for electronic court records
- Submit a written request using the county's Open Records Request Form
For property records, requestors may:
- Search the Glynn County Property Records database online
- Visit the Glynn County Property Appraiser's Office in person
- Submit a written request to the appropriate department
For vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates), individuals should:
- Contact the Glynn County Health Department
- Visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records office
- Submit an application with proper identification and applicable fees
For business records, zoning information, and permits:
- Visit the Glynn County Community Development Department
- Search the county's online permit and business license database
- Submit a written open records request
When submitting formal open records requests, requestors must provide sufficient information to identify the desired records. Pursuant to § 50-18-71(b)(3) of the Georgia Open Records Act, agencies must respond to requests within three business days, either providing the records or a timeline for when they will be available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Glynn County?
Glynn County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 50-18-71(c) of the Georgia Open Records Act, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
The current fee structure for Glynn County public records includes:
- Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page
- Certified copies: $2.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Search and retrieval fees: $15.00 per hour (first 15 minutes free)
- Electronic records: Actual cost of the media (CD, DVD, USB drive)
- Specialized documents (maps, plats, etc.): Varies based on size and complexity
The county accepts payment in the form of cash, check, money order, and in some departments, credit/debit cards. Checks should be made payable to "Glynn County."
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the disclosure of the information is determined to be in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the waiver.
For vital records, the Georgia Department of Public Health currently charges:
- Birth certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Death certificates: $25.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage certificates: $10.00
- Divorce certificates: $10.00
Additional fees may apply for expedited service or special handling.
Does Glynn County Have Free Public Records?
Glynn County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at no charge, though fees apply for copies or extensive searches as outlined in the previous section.
The following records are currently available at no cost:
- Online property records through the Glynn County Property Search portal
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes on the Glynn County website
- Basic court case information through the Georgia Courts E-Access system
- County budget documents and financial reports published online
- Public notices and announcements
The Glynn County Public Library also provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records without charge. Additionally, many departments maintain public terminals where visitors can search for records electronically without incurring search fees.
It should be noted that while inspection is free, certification, copying, or extensive search and retrieval services do incur the standard fees outlined by county policy and state law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Glynn County?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70(b), "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any person." This means that any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Glynn County government agencies.
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Be a resident of Glynn County or Georgia
- Provide a reason for wanting the records
However, certain exceptions apply for specific record types:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) require proper identification and may be restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
- Law enforcement records involving ongoing investigations may have restricted access
- Records containing personal identifying information may be redacted before release
- Medical records are protected under HIPAA and require authorization
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests involving another individual's records, access may be limited based on privacy laws and the type of record requested.
Government agencies in Glynn County may ask for contact information to communicate about the request, but this information is not used to determine eligibility to receive records.
What Records Are Confidential in Glynn County?
While Georgia's Open Records Act promotes transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under § 50-18-72 and other applicable laws. Glynn County maintains confidentiality for the following record types:
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal information including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account information
- Motor vehicle accident reports (for first 30 days, with exceptions)
- Records that would compromise security, including building security plans
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Adoption records
- Child abuse and neglect records
- Certain personnel records and evaluations
- Records that would invade personal privacy where the public interest does not outweigh privacy concerns
- Records specifically exempted by federal law
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Glynn County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the document. The agency must cite the specific legal authority for any denial or redaction of records.
The Georgia Open Records Act provides for a balancing test in certain cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from release. Each request involving potentially confidential information is evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws.
Glynn County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court
701 H Street, 2nd Floor
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 554-7272
Clerk of Superior Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Glynn County Probate Court
701 H Street, Room 108
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 554-7231
Probate Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Glynn County Tax Commissioner's Office
1725 Reynolds Street, Suite 100
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 554-7000
Tax Commissioner
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Glynn County Health Department (Vital Records)
2747 Fourth Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 264-3961
Glynn County Health Department
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays