Ware County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Ware County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Ware County, Georgia, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. WareRecords.us aggregates publicly available data to assist individuals in locating records maintained by Ware County agencies. The types of records that may be found include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under Georgia law.

Records in Ware County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Ware County Government website provides an Open Records Request form that members of the public may use to inspect or obtain copies of county records.
The Georgia Courts system offers e-access to court records through a statewide portal; an account is required to search case information.
Property and tax records may be accessible through the Ware County Tax Assessor's online portal.
Some records are available without registration; others require account creation or written authorization.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Ware County Clerk of Superior Court or the relevant county department to inspect records in person.
The Ware County Courthouse is located at 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Requestors should identify the specific record sought, present a valid photo ID where required, and complete any applicable request form on-site.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the appropriate department at Ware County Government, 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501.
Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Main County Phone: (912) 287-4300
Specific department contact information is listed on the Ware County Government website.

What Are Public Records in Ware County?

Public records in Ware County are defined under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the performance of a service or function by or on behalf of a public agency. The following categories of records are maintained by Ware County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court; accessible through the Ware County court system
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Tax Assessor's Office
Vital records — birth and death certificates are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court
Business records — business licenses, permits, and trade name registrations maintained by the county and city licensing offices
Tax records — property tax records and assessment notices maintained by the Ware County Tax Commissioner's Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Ware County Board of Elections and Registration
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission meetings, board agendas, and official minutes maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports maintained by the Ware County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Ware County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Ware County an Open Records County?

Ware County operates in full compliance with the Georgia Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all state and local government agencies in Georgia are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act applies to all county departments, boards, authorities, and offices operating within Ware County.

As stated by the Georgia Attorney General's office, "The Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's intent that public records be open to the public as a general rule, with specific and limited exceptions." This principle governs how Ware County agencies respond to records requests. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Georgia Open Records Act serves as the controlling authority.

The Ware County Government website provides an official Open Records Request form, which members of the public may submit to inspect or obtain copies of county records. Agencies are required by state law to acknowledge requests within three business days and to produce responsive records promptly.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Ware County?

The fee structure for public records in Ware County is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act and applicable county fee schedules. Current standard fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certification of records	Varies by document type
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search and retrieval (clerical)	Actual cost if search exceeds 15 minutes
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection of public records is provided at no cost to the requestor.
Copy fees are assessed per page for paper reproductions.
Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
Electronic format fees reflect the actual cost of duplication, such as the cost of a disc or data transfer.
Under Georgia law, agencies may charge for the cost of search, retrieval, and redaction when the time required exceeds 15 minutes, billed at the salary rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task.
Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by state statute for general requestors, though individual agencies may exercise discretion.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; specific offices may also accept credit or debit cards.

Does Ware County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Ware County. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person is free, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Ware County Government website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and the Open Records Request form at no cost.
The Georgia Courts e-access portal allows registered users to search court case information; account registration is required.
The Ware County Tax Assessor's public access terminal allows in-person inspection of property assessment records at no charge.
Certain vital records, such as a person's own birth certificate, may be obtained at reduced cost through the Georgia Department of Public Health under specific eligibility criteria.

Who Can Request Public Records in Ware County?

Any person may request public records in Ware County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Georgia Open Records Act does not restrict access to Georgia residents; non-residents retain the same rights to inspect and copy public records as residents of the state.

Requestors are not required to:

Demonstrate Georgia residency
Provide a reason or purpose for the request
Obtain prior authorization from a court or agency head

Requestors may be required to:

Provide a name and contact address for written or mailed requests
Present valid photo identification when required by specific office policy for in-person requests
Complete an official Open Records Request form as provided by the relevant county office

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Juvenile court records, sealed court files, and records containing personal identifying information may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal criminal history or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity. As noted in guidance from the Georgia Attorney General, "A person does not have to explain why they want to see a public record."

What Records Are Confidential in Ware County?

Not all government records in Ware County are subject to public disclosure. The Georgia Open Records Act and related statutes identify specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are restricted under Georgia law
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
Personnel records — employee performance evaluations and certain disciplinary records are exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, Georgia law enumerates specific exemptions to the Open Records Act. Agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of access and to disclose any non-exempt portions of a partially exempt record after redaction.

Ware County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Ware County Clerk of Superior Court
800 Church Street
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-4340
Ware County Court System

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Ware County Tax Assessor's Office
305 Oak Street, Suite 154
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-4383
Ware County Government

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Ware County Tax Commissioner's Office
305 Oak Street, Suite 152
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 287-4305
Ware County Government