Publics Records & Documents

Open Meetings Act

The Georgia Open Meetings Act, which governs which governmental meetings are open to the public, can be found at O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 through 50-14-6. These code sections can be accessed through the Georgia Attorney General website.

Open Records Act

The Georgia Open Records Act, which governs which government records are to be open for public inspection, can be found at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through 50-18-76. These code sections can be accessed through the Georgia Secretary of State website.

To request Open Records from Gordon County Government

What Are Open Records?

  • Open records include a wide range of documents, such as materials created or received by government entities in the course of their official duties. However, not all records are open to the public; certain documents may be exempt for reasons such as privacy, security, or ongoing investigations.

Where Can I Get a Vital Record?

(Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate)

  • Vital records, such as birth, death, or marriage certificates, are not considered public records under the Open Records Act. You will contact the Probate Court to file a separate request for these documents. Contact the Probate Court here.

Why Open Records Matter

  • Open records are vital for promoting transparency and accountability in government. They inform the public in understanding how their government operates, and foster trust between the community and its leaders.

The County Clerk of Gordon County is appointed as the official County Records Custodian for purposes under Georgia law including, but not limited to the Georgia Open Records Act O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. and specifically including, but not limited to § 50-71(b)(1)(B) and for records management under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-99. Current County Clerk, Hollis Barton, shall fill that role until or unless a substitute is appointed. The retention policy is adopted for the County subject to changes or additions as required by law which will be considered as part of the policy de facto.