Lee County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Lee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to public records in Lee County, Georgia may access a range of documents through official government channels and third-party directory resources such as LeeGERecords.us. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax records, and other materials maintained by county and state agencies. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the maintaining office, the nature of the request, and applicable state law.
Record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Lee County, Georgia official website provides access to select county records and department contacts. Property records and tax information may be searched through the Lee County Tax Assessor's online portal. Court records for the Superior Court of Lee County are accessible through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), which maintains a statewide index of real estate and UCC filings. Some records require registration or payment of a fee to view full document images.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Lee County Clerk of Superior Court or the Lee County Tax Assessor's Office to inspect records in person. Requests are processed at the public counter during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant office. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Lee County Clerk of Superior Court: (229) 759-6018
- Lee County Tax Assessor's Office: (229) 759-6010
- Lee County Board of Commissioners: (229) 759-6000
What Are Public Records in Lee County?
Public records in Lee County are defined under Georgia state 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 operation of a public office or agency. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 establishes this definition and affirms the public's right of access to such materials.
The following record types are maintained by various Lee County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Probate and estate records | Probate Court |
| Property deeds and liens | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Assessor / Tax Commissioner |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Georgia Department of Public Health |
| Marriage and divorce records | Probate Court / Clerk of Superior Court |
| Business licenses and permits | County Board of Commissioners |
| Voting and election records | Lee County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of Commissioners |
| Law enforcement records | Lee County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
The GSCCCA real estate index provides online access to recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. The Lee County Tax Assessor maintains property assessment records accessible through the county's official web portal.
Is Lee County an Open Records County?
Lee County operates in full compliance with Georgia's statewide open records framework. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, all public records maintained by county agencies are presumed open and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-77, establishes the legal foundation for public access to government records in all Georgia counties, including Lee County.
As stated in the 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." This provision reflects Georgia's strong presumption in favor of transparency and open government.
The Georgia Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Open Records Act and publishes resources for both requestors and agencies. Lee County agencies are required to designate an open records officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lee County?
The current fee structure for public records in Lee County is governed by state law and individual office policies. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, but fees must not exceed the actual cost incurred.
Standard fees applicable to public records requests in Lee County include:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (standard rate) |
| Certification of documents | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of production |
| Search and retrieval (clerical) | Actual cost if search exceeds 15 minutes |
| Certified copies (vital records) | Set by state schedule |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of records that do not require staff retrieval beyond routine access.
- Copy fees: Paper copies are charged at the actual cost of reproduction, with $0.10 per page being the standard rate for standard-size documents.
- Certification fees: Fees for certified copies of court documents and vital records vary by office and document type.
- Electronic format fees: Agencies may charge the actual cost of producing records in electronic format, including media costs.
- Fee waivers: Agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Does Lee County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Lee County. Georgia law requires that public records be made available for personal inspection at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect records without cost is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which fees may apply.
Free access to public records is available through the following channels:
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Superior Court, Tax Assessor's Office, Probate Court, and other county offices during regular business hours
- Online databases maintained by the GSCCCA, which provides free index-level searches of recorded real estate documents
- Lee County Tax Assessor's online portal, which provides free access to property assessment and ownership information
- Georgia's My Voter Page, maintained by the Georgia Secretary of State, which provides free access to individual voter registration information
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records at no cost, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lee County?
Any person may request public records in Lee County, Georgia. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types. Non-residents of Georgia retain the same rights of access as residents.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though some offices may request identification as a matter of administrative practice.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the reason for their request for records that are presumed open under state law.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Lee County and Georgia retain full rights of access under the Open Records Act.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
Certain record types, such as juvenile records, sealed court files, and records containing protected personal information, are subject to restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity. Access to these records may require a court order or demonstration of a legally recognized interest.
What Records Are Confidential in Lee County?
Not all records maintained by Lee County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Georgia law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following categories are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- Sealed court records ordered closed by a court of competent jurisdiction
- Juvenile records protected under Georgia's juvenile justice statutes
- Records of ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and state law
- Adoption records, which are sealed by statute
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of public employees, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details
As provided under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, a comprehensive list of exemptions governs which records agencies may withhold. The statute requires agencies to identify the specific exemption relied upon when denying access to a requested record. Georgia courts apply a balancing test in certain cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the interest in confidentiality.
Lee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary offices responsible for maintaining public records in Lee County, Georgia are listed below.
Lee County Clerk of Superior Court 100 Leslie Highway, Suite 200, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6018 Lee County Clerk of Superior Court
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays
Lee County Tax Assessor's Office 109 Leslie Highway, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6010 Lee County Tax Assessor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lee County Probate Court 100 Leslie Highway, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6020 Lee County Probate Court
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lee County Board of Commissioners 100 Leslie Highway, Suite 100, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6000 Lee County Board of Commissioners
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lee County Sheriff's Office 105 Starksville Avenue North, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6012 Lee County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (administrative); law enforcement operations are conducted 24 hours per day
Lee County Board of Elections and Registration 109 Leslie Highway, Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 759-6000 Lee County Board of Elections
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM