CourtCaseFinder.com
  1. Home
  2. Georgia
  3. Union

Union County Court Records Lookup

Start Here
Start Here

The following is for information purposes only

Union County Court Records Lookup

Table of Contents

Union County Courts, GA *

Union County Courts, GA

Union County has an elaborate court system with various chambers mandated by Georgia law to maintain jurisdiction over the cases in the region. Landlords, employers, attorneys, companies, and other parties benefit from the system in several ways. They seek resolution to daily disputes, for major and minor cases. This includes criminal and civil matters, from felonies and serious lawsuits to evictions and small claims. The courts work together to help parties file their cases or access court records.

How to Access Union County Court Records

How to Access Union County Court Records

Online Access

As one of the counties that participates in the re:SearchGA system, inquirers can electronically access court records from the various courts in Union County. The system is statewide, which means that it is quite massive, so to make searches easier, parties must filter the searches by entering unique details like the case number and the names of anyone mentioned in the case, including the case filers, judges, and attorneys.

Alternative Online Options

There is a more convenient way for inquirers to access court records in Union County. CourtCaseFinder makes searches faster and easier, since the information on various cases is aggregated into a single database. It helps parties save time and effort. They don't have to search through so many systems, especially when they are not sure which office keeps the records in question.

In-Person Requests

In-person requests come in handy when the inquiry is about physical, older records, or certified copies of records. The Union County Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of criminal, civil, and other filings from the Superior Court. Alternatively, if some records are missing, inquirers can search at the various court offices where the cases may have been filed. For any in-person requests, they should always carry the identifying details of the case, like the case number and the parties' names.

Archived Records

If searching for older records that are missing from the Clerk or Superior Court and the various relevant court offices, chances are that the records are in the state archives. The Georgia Archives is a system that keeps historical records and details of genealogical filings, so it is the best place to start for paper or hard copy records, or other records that are not available through any of the other methods.

Overview of the Union County Court System

Overview of the Union County Court System

Union County is under the unified court system of Georgia. Its county seat is in Blairsville, which is also home to the county's courthouse and the location of most of the county's courts. The first and highest trial court in the region is the Supreme Court. It handles most cases, especially the high-stakes ones like major civil lawsuits and felonies.

The Magistrate Court hears minor civil and criminal cases, with its limited jurisdiction, especially over matters not exclusively handled by the Superior Court. The Juvenile Court, on the other hand, specializes in cases involving children and minors, while the Probate Court is specifically for matters like wills, estates, and guardianships. Last on the list is the Municipal Court, also located in Blairsville, tasked with cases involving violations of traffic and city codes.

Types of Courts in Union County, Georgia

Superior Court

The Superior Court is the only court in Union County with general jurisdiction. It is the highest-level court, handles the largest number of cases, takes on the high-stakes matters, and reviews appeals from the lower courts.

Primary location: Union County Courthouse

The following cases are within its jurisdiction:

  • Felonies
  • Land disputes
  • Equity cases
  • Massive civil lawsuits
  • Family law
  • Divorces
  • Appeals from other county courts

Magistrate Court

The Magistrate Court is generally referred to as the “People's Court.” It often handles minor cases, especially the ones that can be filed by individuals or without a legal professional.

Primary location: Union County Courthouse

It has limited jurisdiction to handle the following cases:

  • Small claims
  • Landlord-tenant disputes
  • Petty theft
  • Bad checks
  • Garnishments
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Violation of county ordinances
  • Preliminary hearings of felonies

Probate Court

The Probate Court is known to exclusively handle estates and wills. Since there is no State Court, sometimes this court also hears cases like traffic violations and misdemeanors.

Primary location: Union County Court

The Probate Court hears the following cases:

  • Administration of estates
  • Probate of wills
  • Appointment of guardians
  • Some misdemeanors and traffic violations
  • Violations of fish laws and state game laws

Juvenile Court

Like in other counties in Georgia, the Juvenile Court is an independent court, tasked with hearing cases involving minors. The only difference is that the court functions alongside the Union County Superior Court, which lends administrative and facilities support.

Primary location: Union County Courthouse

It has specialized jurisdiction to solve matters such as:

  • Juvenile delinquency and dependency
  • Juvenile traffic violations
  • Children in Need of Services (CHINS)
  • Parental rights

Municipal Court

The Municipal Court processes citations that are issued within the limits of the city of Blairsville. Its jurisdiction has geographical limits, but the goal is to enforce traffic and city codes.

It hears the following cases:

  • Violations of city ordinances
  • Traffic offenses
  • Misdemeanors within the city limits

How to File a Case in Union County

How to File a Case in Union County

Whether the parties are representing themselves or are legal professionals filing cases on behalf of their clients, the process is pretty straightforward. As long as they pay close attention to details like where they are filing and follow the steps below, their cases will proceed without a hitch.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Each of the active courts in Union County has its jurisdiction, so when filing cases, the first step is to ensure the case is properly filed under the right chambers. While the major civil, family relations, and criminal matters go to the Superior Court, the minor issues are handled at the Magistrate's Court. The Juvenile Court hears cases involving minors, while the Probate Court handles guardianships, wills, and estates.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

For any case being submitted to any of the courts in Union County, there are forms to be filled out. These can be obtained directly from the office of the Clerk of Superior Court or the relevant courts where the cases will be filed. This is an important step because, unless all the required fields are completed and the details provided are accurate, it could lead to misfiling and rejections, which means more time and effort in the filing process.

Step 3: File the Case

When it comes to the actual filing of the case, it can be done in person at the respective court offices or online. The more convenient option is online filing through the system eFileGA, which connects most of the courts in Georgia. Filers set up their accounts, and using their credentials, they can log into the system and file their cases. When accepted in person or online, the case will receive a unique case number.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Court fees are charged when filers present their cases to the courts in Union County, but these fees are not all the same. Instead, they vary according to the case and its nature, so high-stakes matters often attract heavier court fees. If the filer cannot afford the required fees, they can appeal for a waiver or reduction through the Affidavit of Eligibility to Proceed in Forma Pauperis. If found eligible, they get the waiver or reduction, and the case can proceed.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

The courts cannot hear the case unless they confirm that the “Service of Process” is complete. This is a mandatory procedure in which the filer must notify the opposing side or the party they are filing against about the case. It can be handled by a non-partisan third party, and Georgia laws allow the sheriff, a certified mailer, or a licensed process server to serve on behalf of the filer. When complete, the filer will retain the proof of service and show it to the court to allow the case to proceed.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

To avoid being blindsided and always stay informed about the progress of the case, the filer should monitor the behind-the-scenes activities. After successfully filing, they can use their case number to track their case in person at the courthouses or online through the system eFileGA. This notifies them about upcoming trials, pending matters, and court dates, so they are always ready for their cases.

Union County Courthouse Directory

Union County Courthouse (Superior and Juvenile Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court)

Blairsville

Address: 65 Courthouse Street, Blairsville, GA 30512

Superior Court & Juvenile Court: (706) 439-6022

Magistrate Court: (706) 439-6008

Probate Court: (706) 439-6006

Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center (Blairsville Municipal Court)

Blairsville

Address: 165 Wellborn Street, Blairsville, GA 30512

Phone: (706) 835-1692

Website: Blairsville Municipal Court

Legal and Self-Help Resources

Low-income and marginalized communities struggling with access to legal information can find self-help resources from Atlanta Legal Aid Society. It provides statewide online access to important legal guides so parties can understand what is expected and even represent themselves in court. Vulnerable residents with civil issues that need free legal representation can reach out to the Georgia Legal Services Program. It helps with issues like housing, education, family law, employment, elder law, and other civil disputes. Local county clerks can also assist residents who need access to court records, legal forms, filing guides, and other materials that can help them file their case.

FAQs

Are all Georgia Courts active in Union County?

Most of the courts provided by Georgia law serve the people of Union County. There are the Superior, Magistrate, Juvenile, Probate, and Municipal Courts, each with its own jurisdiction, making sure that all types of cases are handled. However, courts like the State Court and County Court that are active in other Georgia counties don't operate in Union County.

What do I do if I cannot find court records online?

Sometimes court records are not accessible online because they are not incorporated online, or they are older, and therefore only accessible in hard copy or paper form. For such cases, the inquirers can check at the Clerk of Superior Court or the various clerks' offices, and if still unavailable, they can find them at the state archives if they are older records.

What is the most convenient way to access court records in Union County?

The fastest and simplest way to access court records in Union County is through online searches. CourtCaseFinder is a database that compiles records from reliable sources into a single database, saving the inquirer a lot of time and effort. They don't have to check multiple sites or visit multiple offices to find what they need.

Are all court records accessible to the public in Union County?

Most court filing records can be accessed in Union County as long as Georgia law mandates it. However, some cases are not accessible to members of the public. Only authorized parties can view them. These records include juvenile, probate, and adoption cases, as well as other records that are sealed by court order.

Other Counties in Georgia

Table of Contents