Find Free Cobb County Public Records & Information About Residents

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Free Cobb County Public Records Search

Access Cobb County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Look up Cobb County public records for free through online search tools, in-person inquiries and background check reports.

Available information includes property details, court documents, and vital records outlining marriage, divorce, birth and death. For criminal records, an individual can find probation, warrant, arrest, and prisoner information on anyone at no cost.

Members of the public have a right to access and view these records thanks to the Georgia Open Records Act and the federal government’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These laws allow access to records in several formats, although knowing where to look and how to submit requests is key.

Read on to learn how to search various public records, with proven steps, tools and resources to assist you along the way.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

How To Look Up Free Arrest Records & Mugshots in Cobb County Georgia

Cobb County arrest records are a great resource for learning about an arrestee, the offense and where an offender is incarcerated. There are two primary ways to access arrest information, and they each serve a specific purpose.

At the county level, you can perform a free public records search of inmates who are or were incarcerated in Cobb County. By performing this type of search, you can get arrest and jail records covering multiple cities in Cobb County. This is a more encompassing search; however, the summaries provided are typically brief.

In addition, if the arrest occurred within the last 24 hours, the data may not yet be available at the county level.

For detailed information, a searcher should request a police or incident report from the local law enforcement responsible for making an arrest. A report from a local law enforcement agency can give you a greater amount of detail, whether to satisfy one’s curiosity or for a legal or business reason.

If you are not sure about specific details, to get an arrest report, first search at the county level and then use that information to contact the arresting agency. Below, a searcher will be able to view the steps and resources needed to conduct a search for arrest records using either option.

Determine if Someone Was Arrested & Taken to the Cobb County Jail

If a citizen is looking for an online public records repository of Cobb County bookings, they can use the Sheriff’s Office online inmate inquiry tool.¹ The Sheriff’s Office provides this tool to search for individuals who are incarcerated in the Cobb County Detention Center.

To use this tool, you can enter either an arrestee’s name or their Sheriff’s Office Identification Number (SOID). Then, a searcher has the option of selecting either “In Custody” (if you know the individual is currently incarcerated at the Cobb County Detention Center) or “Inquiry” if unsure. “Inquiry” will also include people who were already released.

Note: This search tool only provides results for individuals who were arrested in the past thirty (30) days. For older records, you may have to contact the Sheriff’s Office or jail for more information. 

Once you perform a successful search, the results of this online directory will be listed in alphabetical order. Here, you can view the arrestee’s name, identifying information (e.g., birth date, race, sex), custody status and SOID. To see detailed information about someone’s most recent arrest, click on the “last known booking” link.

Once you view a subject’s arrest record, information is separated into various sections. Below is a brief summary to help you navigate someone’s arrest record and find the information you are looking for.

Booking Information: Information on the date and time an individual was arrested and booked.

Personal Information: This section contains identifying information about a person (e.g., height, weight etc.), current custody status and how long they have been in custody. You can also view an arrestee’s complete home address.

Visible Scars and Marks: This information is provided in an itemized list with the type and description of the scar or mark.

Arrest Circumstances: Here, a record seeker can view information on the arresting agency, officer and location of the arrest.

Charges: This section contains information on the charges brought against someone (including the applicable statute), warrants, disposition and any costs or fines associated with their offenses.

Bond Amount: Information on any bonds, including the status and amount.

Release information: Here, you view data related to their release, such as the release date and attorney contact information.

If you need additional information or you have specific questions about inmate records, a citizen can contact the Cobb County Adult Detention Center by phone at 770-499-4200. A searcher can also go to the below address:

Cobb County Adult Detention Center
1825 County Services Pkwy
Marietta, Georgia 30008

You can also contact the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office for arrest record information at 770-499-4600 or at the following address:

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
185 Roswell Street NE
Marietta, Georgia 30060

Acquire Arrest Details & Reports From Municipal Police Departments in Cobb County

Whether it’s an urgent matter or you need more information, a record seeker may want a copy of a police or arrest report. To do so, you will need to know the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. A citizen may be able to find this information using information gathered from the county inmate search tool.

When making a request with local law enforcement, be prepared with as much information as possible. Each police department will have its own process and require specific information to make a request. Some helpful information to have includes the following:

• Arrestee’s full name
• Date and time of arrest
• Type of offense
• Location of offense

When ready to make an inquiry for a police report, you can use the contact information below for some of the larger police departments in Cobb County:

Police Department	Address	Phone Number
Marietta Police Department	240 Lemon Street NE Marietta, Georgia 30060	770-794-5300
Smyrna Police Department	2646 Atlanta Rd. SE Smyrna, Georgia 30080	770-434-9481
Kennesaw Police Department	2539 J.O. Stephenson Avenue Kennesaw, Georgia 30144	770-429-4535
Powder Springs Police Department	1114 Richard D. Sailors Pkwy. Powder Springs, Georgia 30127	770-499-3911
Acworth Police Department	4440 Acworth Industrial Drive Acworth, Georgia 30101	770-974-1232
Austell Police Department	2721 Joe Jerkins Blvd. Austell, Georgia 30106	770-944-4331

Note: If you do not see the police department listed that you need a report from, perform an online search for arrest records by city and state (e.g., google “Marietta Georgia arrest records”).

How To Access Cobb County Criminal History Information

A record seeker can search Cobb County public records to access detailed criminal history about a convict.

A free criminal record check can reveal if and how many crimes an individual has been convicted of, along with specific details for each conviction. A criminal history can provide a record seeker with information from a person’s initial arrest all the way through to their sentencing.

A criminal record can be accessed by searching Cobb County judicial records and other resources provided by government agencies. Members of the public can perform a search to see what happened during a specific court date, learn more about the person’s sentence and search specific information on probation and warrants.

Below are options for searching and requesting criminal records in Cobb County.

Find Cobb County Criminal Records Through the Clerk of Superior Court’s Online Case Search Tool

If a citizen wants to look up someone’s criminal record, they can do so online with the Clerk of Superior Court’s online criminal record search tool.³

A record seeker can access one’s criminal history by searching an individual’s name, case number or case type. Case type allows you to narrow your search to a specific criminal offense (e.g., kidnapping, theft, murder etc.) but only allows you to search by a date range, not name.

To perform a name-based search for criminal records, enter the individual’s name followed by a date range to avoid excessive and unrelated search results.

Once you enter your search criteria, the results will provide a list of defendants with their primary offense listed, file date, case number and judge.

To access a criminal record for a particular offense, click the view button to the left of the defendant’s name. The top of the page will provide general case information, with the remainder of the criminal record divided into separate sections. To navigate these sometimes lengthy criminal records, below is a brief summary of what you can find in each section.

Defendants: List of all defendants, address, identifying information and warrant number (if applicable).

Pleadings: Here, you can view information on every filing with the court, who it was filed by and the date. This includes every filing from the indictment to sentencing with the option to view a PDF of the document.

Hearings: Chronological listing of every hearing in a criminal case.

Attorneys: Name, address and bar status for the attorneys of record for the criminal case.

Offenses: A list of all offenses, their severity (e.g., felony, misdemeanor) and the disposition date.

Appeals: Here, you can find any information if a criminal conviction was appealed.

Bond Information: If a defendant has a bond, you can view the amount, bondsman and its current status.

Sentences: This section provides detailed sentencing information for each criminal offense. This includes the sentencing date, type (imprisonment, probation etc.), length, fines and restitution.

View Prior Charges & Criminal Convictions Through Cobb County Courts

The alternative to online tools is going to the courthouse and searching the physical criminal records. This may be helpful as the physical records can fill in the gaps from what you were able to access online. Others just have a preference to search records in person.

Whatever your reason, below is a list of Cobb County Courthouses and which type of criminal cases they handle. For an efficient search, call the courthouse first to confirm their hours of availability and ask for information on how records may be accessed.

Cobb County Superior Court: Handles felony cases which are serious criminal offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, arson, and armed burglary, among others.

Cobb County Superior Court
70 Haynes St. 
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Phone: 770-528-1800

Cobb County State Court: Responsible for misdemeanor cases which are less serious offenses and usually result in probation and fines.

Cobb County State Court
12 E. Park Square
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Phone: 770-528-2622

Cobb County Magistrate Court: Adjudicates minor criminal offenses and handles preliminary hearings for criminal cases.

Cobb County Magistrate Court
32 Waddell St. SE
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Phone: 770-528-8900

How To See Who or if Someone Has a Warrant Out for Their Arrest in Cobb County Georgia

Individuals can use the Sheriff’s Office arrest records public index to find information on Cobb County warrants. Once you perform a search with this tool by an individual’s name or SOID, click on the “last known booking” option. Now, you are viewing the arrestee’s complete arrest record for a particular offense.

Under the “Charges” section, a record seeker can find warrant information, including the assigned number, the date it was issued and the related charges. In addition, you can view the case number tied to the warrant, which can be helpful when checking Cobb County criminal records for additional information.

You can also access warrant information by performing a criminal record search with the Clerk of Superior Courts online case search tool. To see if someone has or had a warrant out for their arrest, enter their name and date range.

Once you access their criminal record, there are two places where you can find warrant information. In the “Defendants” tab, there is a specific section where any warrant numbers are displayed. In addition, you can go to the “Pleadings” section.

If a warrant was issued, it will be noted here with the date it was issued. You can then click on the PDF of the filing to get more information about the warrant.

If you need additional information, you can contact the Magistrate Court, as they are responsible for managing warrants. You can call the Magistrate Court’s Warrant Office at 770-528-8900. You can also go to the courthouse to talk to someone at the address below:

Cobb County Magistrate Court
32 Waddell St.
Marietta, Georgia 30090

How To Perform a Probation Search in Cobb County Georgia

A citizen can use this online case record tool to check a person’s criminal record for probation information. To look for criminal information, check for criminal records with misdemeanor cases. Misdemeanor convictions often result in probation sentences, unlike felony convictions which result in prison time.

Once you perform a search, click on the view button for the criminal record you want to search. Then, go to the Sentences section. If a defendant was sentenced to probation, it will be listed in this section.

In addition, you can see when the sentence was issued and the length to determine whether someone is still on probation.

For Cobb County probation information, you may also want to contact the Sentence Enforcement Unit.⁶ They are responsible for probation for misdemeanor criminal cases in Cobb County. They are open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

You can call them at 770-427-2952 or go to the below address:

Sentence Enforcement Unit
Cobb County State Court Building
12 E. Park Square, 3rd Floor
Marietta, Georgia 30090

How To Execute a Cobb County Background Check

Many times, people can find the information they need by performing a personal background check. Essentially, this entails using the tools and resources provided in this article to conduct your own independent search. This is a great option if you want to learn more about someone.

However, in some circumstances, you will need to execute a Cobb County professional background check. A professional background check is used in various circumstances when requested by businesses or required by state and federal laws. Businesses may execute a professional background check to verify information from a potential employee or tenant.

Examples of when state or federal law may require a professional background check include the following:

• Employees or volunteers working with vulnerable people groups (e.g., elderly, children)
• Firearm license
• Security clearance
• Various state license requirements

A citizen can request a professional criminal background check through the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.

A background check from the Sheriff’s Office costs $20.00 per page for a statewide search and $0.25 per page for a local county check. A criminal background check can only be requested in person at the below address:

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
185 Roswell St. 
Marietta, Georgia 30060

To make a request, you must provide a government-issued picture ID. In addition, you must provide them with your name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, race and sex. For additional information, you can call them at 770-499-4696.

For additional assistance with requesting a background check, you can also contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.⁷ Their Crime Information Center is a great resource for information on requesting a Georgia background check and fingerprinting. You can call them at 404-244-2639 or go to the address below:

Georgia Crime Information Center
3121 Panthersville Rd. 
Decatur, Georgia 30034

How To Conduct a Georgia Criminal Record Search Utilizing State & Federal Agencies

Upon concluding a search of Cobb County public records, a searcher may have more questions about an individual’s criminal history; if that’s the case, one option is to search Georgia public records for someone’s criminal history throughout the state.

In addition, there are federal resources that can also fill in unknown gaps in a subject’s criminal record.

These tools can provide a record seeker with a complete picture of an individual’s criminal record. It can also be used to search for specific offenses (e.g., convictions for sex offenses).

Listed below are resources for searching Georgia criminal records.

Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search Tool: This tool can be used by a record seeker who wants to search individuals incarcerated in Georgia state prisons.

Georgia State Board of Pardon & Paroles Search: Here you can search for individuals who are no longer incarcerated in prison but are still under parole in Georgia (state supervision for convicts released from jail).

Judicial Council of Georgia Case Search Tool: This unified case search tool allows a citizen to check public records for criminal history information in every county in Georgia.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry: A citizen can use this search tool to find people who have been convicted of certain sex offenses. This tool allows you to search by name or address and find someone’s mugshot along with detailed criminal information. In addition, you can search by offender type (sexual offenders, sexually dangerous predators and absconders) and the type of offense committed.

The following are federal resources that can be used to get additional criminal information.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): This inmate search tool allows you to search for people who were incarcerated for federal crimes. This online tool can be used to find past or currently incarcerated federal inmates.

U.S. National Sex Offender Registry: This nationwide search tool provided by the Department of Justice allows a citizen to find criminal information on convicted sex offenders. Offenders can be searched using an address (with multiple radius options) or name.

How To Track Down Cobb County Public Court Records & Documents

If a citizen wants to search for court records and documents, they can perform a Cobb County case search using the online case search tool provided by the Clerk of Superior Court.⁹ This online tool can be used to search cases by a subject’s name, case number, case type, pleading or attorney.

There are a variety of cases you can search using this tool. Here are some examples:

• Alimony
• Appeals
• Child Support
• Civil Complaints
• Contempt
• Criminal
• Custody
• Foreclosure
• Insurance Fraud
• Workers’ Compensation
• Writ of Possession

Another search tool for estate records is the Cobb County Probate Court Search Tool. This online tool can be used to access court documents on estates, conservatorships, trusts, wills and more.

A citizen may also want to access the physical copies of Cobb County court records. A person may choose this option, for instance, if they cannot find what they are looking for online. Electronic records are limited, and more detailed court record information can often be found directly with the custodian.

To search court records or documents in person, you should understand the type of cases each handles.

Cobb County Superior Court: Responsible for felony cases, civil actions and divorce cases.¹¹ They can also handle cases appealed from lower courts.

Cobb County Superior Court
70 Haynes St. 
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Cobb County State Court: Handles civil cases not under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations.

Cobb County State Court
12 E. Park Square
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Cobb County Magistrate Court: Hears minor criminal offenses and civil actions valued at $15,000 or less. They are also responsible for county ordinance violations, landlord and tenant cases and preliminary hearings for criminal cases.

Cobb County Magistrate Court
32 Waddell St. SE
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Cobb County Probate Court: This court primarily handles the probate of wills, administration of estates and functions related to guardianships and conservatorships.

Cobb County Probate Court
32 Waddell St.
Marietta, Georgia 30090

How To Look Up Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death) in Cobb County

Cobb County vital records can be a great tool to find information about major events in an individual’s life. Vital records are government-issued documents that record major life milestones, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce records.

For some, accessing vital records allows them to satisfy a curiosity or learn more about a person. A citizen can request these records to check if someone is married or as part of a genealogy search.

A citizen may also be in a situation where they need a certified copy of a vital record. These instances occur when someone must prove a person’s identity (e.g., passport application), marital status (e.g., insurance claim) or death (e.g., to administer an estate).

Unlike other documents, vital records are not completely available to the public. The below sections will inform searchers as to what records are publicly available, how to find and request them and what restrictions are in place.

Check Someone’s Marital Status (Divorced or Married) via the Probate Court & Clerk of the Superior Court

A record seeker can access Cobb County marriage records online by using the Probate Court’s Search Tool. Marriage information is considered public record in Cobb County and throughout Georgia. To begin your search, select “Marriage license” under the Court Types option. You can then search for a marriage record by a subject’s name.

The search will provide you with a brief summary of the party’s names and case numbers. Select the plus icon to expand the information and then click “View Case” to access the complete electronic record.

From here, detailed information can be found, most notably the date of the marriage and information on both parties. In the docket section, you can click on the link next to when the marriage license was issued to view a PDF of the original document.

A certified copy of a marriage license can be obtained through the Cobb County Probate Court.¹² Requests can be made either online (for marriage licenses from May 1973 to the present) or by sending a written request to the below address:

Cobb County Probate Court
32 Waddell St.
Marietta, Georgia 30060

A certified marriage record costs $10.00 per copy, plus an additional $2.50 service fee for online requests. For additional questions, a record seeker can contact the probate court by email at [email protected] or by phone at 770-528-1900.

To access Cobb County divorce records, a searcher can use the Clerk of Superior Court’s case search tool.¹³ To search for divorce records, if you do not have the case number, there are two primary options. First, you can search by case type.

To do so, select civil cases and then choose “divorce” from the case type. Next, enter a date range for when you believe the divorce occurred and search.

For a name-based search, select civil cases and enter the individual’s name. You can also select the party type for the subject you are searching and enter a date range. Unfortunately, the case type search does not allow you to enter someone’s name, and the name-based search does not allow you to select a particular case type.

Once you get your search results, a searcher can see the party’s names, date filed, case number and judge. You can then click on the “View” button on the far left-hand side to access the complete case details. From here, you can find out when the divorce was issued and other related information.

One unique function is the ability to view a PDF of any of the pleadings from the initial complaint to the issuance of the divorce decree.

To request a certified divorce decree, contact the Cobb County Superior Clerk of Court. Requests can be made by mail or at the Clerk’s Office located at the address below:

Clerk of Superior Court
70 Haynes St., P.O. Box 370
Marietta, Georgia 30061

Both marriage certificates and divorce decrees can also be requested online with VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor in Cobb County.

Obtain Death or Birth Records in Cobb County Through the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Department

Unlike other vital records, birth and death records (with the cause of death listed) are more restrictive. These types of records are not available to the public and are limited to the following:

• Registrant listed on a birth certificate
• Parents
• Legal guardian
• Spouse
• Next of kin
• Legal representative
• Person entitled through court order
• Governmental agency with need for official business

To request a certificate of birth or certificate of death (from 1919 to the present), complete the Cobb County Vital Records Application. The application can be either mailed or dropped off at the address below:

Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Vital Records Office
1650 County Services Pkwy.
Marietta, Georgia 30008

In addition to the application, a requester must provide valid government-issued photo identification and payment for the fee. Certified vital records cost $25.00 for the first copy (including a non-refundable search fee) and $5.00 for each additional copy.

If you are making a request at their office, an individual has the option of scheduling an appointment with the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Department.¹⁵ For additional questions, you can call their vital records office at 770-514-2337. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Birth and death certificates may also be requested online through VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor.

How To Figure Out Who Owns a Cobb County Property & if There Are Unpaid Taxes

Cobb County public records contain detailed property information (including taxes) and can be accessed online using the Board of Tax Assessors’ Property Search Tool. To perform a search, enter the owner’s name, property address or parcel number.

When you view a property record, information is separated into several sections. The following list is a brief summary of what an individual can find in each section.

Composite Summary: This section provides general information on the property, such as address, acreage, square footage and tax district (also includes a picture of the property).

Owner: Name and residential address.

Appraised Values: Provides the land, building and total appraised value for the past fifteen years.

Assessed Values: Provides the land, building and total assessed value for the past fifteen years.

Tax Information: Here, you can click on a link to view property tax information.

Residential Improvement Information: Details on various aspects of the property such as the style, number of stories, total rooms and the year built.

Permit: Details on any permits approved for the property.

Sales Information: Includes the sales date, price, and the name of the Grantor and Grantee.

The Board of Assessors also has a separate Sales Search Tool where you can search for this information by using various criteria.

For additional information on Cobb County property records, you can contact the Board of Tax Assessors by phone at 770-528-3100 or by going to the below address:

Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors
736 Whitlock Avenue, Ste. 200
Marietta, Georgia 30064

The Board of Assessors is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

For information on property taxes, you can perform a search with the Tax Commissioner’s Online Search Tool. A person can search property tax records by name, address or parcel number.

Here, you can find out if a property you are interested in is current on its taxes. You can also use this tool to get a general idea of how much property taxes cost for a particular property or neighborhood.

To contact the Cobb County Tax Commissioner, you can email them at [email protected] or by phone at 770-528-8600. A citizen can also go in person to the below address:

Cobb County Tax Commissioner
736 Whitlock Ave.
Marietta, Georgia 30064

One last tool you can use is the real property record search tool provided by the Clerk of the Superior Court. This search tool allows you to access various recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, easements and more.

Using Cobb County Public Records Ethically & Understanding Your Rights

Before accessing public records in Cobb County, it’s important to understand what your responsibilities are as a searcher.

In addition, it’s also helpful to know what your rights are if someone is searching your public records. The rights and responsibilities that come with access to public records will vary depending on whether you are using these records for personal or professional use.

Generally, personal is defined as a type of use when an individual is just trying to learn more about someone. For instance, if you are just curious and want to find out if someone is married or if your neighbor has a criminal record, this would be considered personal use.

When you are searching records for personal use, you have the right to access these records without asking for the individual’s consent. In addition, you have the right to submit a FOIA request if the public record you are searching for is not readily available.¹⁸

When a government agency receives a FOIA request, they must provide the requested documents, assuming they are not subject to any exceptions.

Personal use still requires responsibility. Most importantly, public records cannot be used for criminal purposes. In addition, a searcher must make sure that they are not using these records for professional reasons.

Professional use involves the access and evaluation of public records for official, business or legal reasons. Examples can include employment and tenant verification, firearm license, adoption and various requirements imposed by state and federal laws.

When an individual, business or agency is accessing public records for professional use, there is a prerequisite that written consent is obtained from the person being searched. In addition, if a review of those records results in adverse action, proper legal notices must be provided to the affected person. Failure to comply with either of these requirements may be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

If a search of someone’s public records includes consumer information, there are additional requirements imposed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).¹⁹ Some rights provided to individuals being searched include the ability to know what is in one’s file. A subject can also challenge the accuracy of information and seek damages if there are any violations of the FCRA.

The use of public records must also avoid discrimination. If discriminatory action is taken as a result of these records based on an individual’s criminal record or protected class status, a discrimination claim may be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Claims can be filed through the EEOC’s online portal.

As a citizen, you can search criminal, property, court records and more. You can look up this information with various online tools and other resources outlined in this article. Cobb County public records are an invaluable resource that you can now access and use in many diverse ways.