Open Records Requests

Banks County residents have a statutory right to inspect a vast number of Georgia's public records using the state's Open Records Act (ORA). Under this law, you can inspect the public records of all county and municipal government entities as well as state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions and authorities and regional authorities.  

You have the right to inspect all public records of the government bodies subject to the ORA. The term "public records" is broadly defined to include all written documents, maps, books, tapes, photographs and electronic information, prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a government body.

Please note that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies.  The FOIA does not require agencies, outside of federal agencies, to do research for you, answer written questions, or in any other way create records in order to respond to a request.  Banks County is only responsible for providing documents that are eligible to be released to the public pursuant to O.C.G.A. §50-18-71.

NOTICE: Certain records, and information contained in records, are exempt from disclosure by law. You will be notified within three business days if the record requested is indeed a public record available for inspection, and you will be notified as to when the record will be available. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. excluding holidays.

Banks County will work diligently in fulfilling your request for documents in accordance with the Open Records Act as authorized by O.C.G.A. §50-18-71(b)(2), 

Banks County Board of Commissioners Open Records Requests under the Georgia Open Records Act shall be made to the County Clerk who is the Open Records Officer.  In the absence of the County Clerk, requests may be directed to the Assistant County Clerk who is the Alternate Open Records Officer.  Requests may be mailed to the Banks County Board of Commissioners at 150 Hudson Ridge, Suite 1, Homer, GA 30547 - ATTN:  Open Records Officer.

-OR-

Requests may be submitted online at the following link: COUNTY GOVERNMENT OPEN RECORDS REQUEST FORM

Please note that the Open Records Officer is only for the Banks County Board of Commissioners, which excludes the Banks County Sheriff’s Office and any other elected official’s office such as the Clerk of Court, Judges, and Tax Commissioner. 

Sheriff's Department Open Records Requests may be submitted online at the following link: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS

Open Records Request Costs:

-Printed Page:   $.10 per page
-Administrative Fee:  Hourly rate of the lowest full-time employee with the necessary skill and training to respond to the request, with no charge for the first 15 minutes
        * If costs are estimated to exceed $25,00, notification will be provided within 3 business days
        * Advance payment is required if costs will exceed $500.00

For other information on open government, you may want to review the Office of the Attorney General’s Frequently Asked Questions on Open Government below.