Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 13087

Decatur County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Decatur County, Georgia. Serving a population of 29.087 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Bainbridge • Land Area: 597,239 sq mi • State: Georgia (GA)

Call: (404) 779-6197 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Decatur County Courthouse / Recording Office, Bainbridge, GA 31717

Seat of government for Decatur County in Bainbridge, GA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(404) 779-6197

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 13087 • Coordinates: 30.8806° N, -84.5839° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Decatur County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Decatur County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 & § 48-6-1

First Page Base Fee

$25.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$5.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$1.00 for the first $1,000 + $0.10 for each additional $100 (Georgia Real Estate Transfer Tax)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Georgia:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Decatur County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Decatur County, Georgia. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Decatur County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Decatur County

License Fee $56 - $76 ($16 - $36 with qualifying premarital education)

Waiting Period 0 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 180 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Decatur County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Obtained from the County Probate Court. No waiting period.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00

Death Cert $25.00

Marriage Cert $10.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through Georgia Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records and the local Decatur County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Decatur County

Filing Fee: $162.00

1. Filing Authority

In Decatur County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Clerk of Superior Court.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Georgia.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name registration filed with the Clerk of Superior Court and published in the county legal organ for two weeks.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Decatur County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Georgia.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

Georgia Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Georgia Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Georgia county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get Georgia Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Georgia

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Georgia recording offices:

Seminole County Seat: Donalsonville

~17.2 mi →

Grady County Seat: Cairo

~20.1 mi →

Miller County Seat: Colquitt

~21.3 mi →

Baker County Seat: Newton

~31.3 mi →

Mitchell County Seat: Camilla

~33.4 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Decatur County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Decatur County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Decatur County office is located at Decatur County Courthouse / Recording Office, Bainbridge, GA 31717. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (404) 779-6197.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Decatur County?

Under Georgia statute (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 & § 48-6-1), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Decatur County costs $25.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 for the first $1,000 + $0.10 for each additional $100 (Georgia Real Estate Transfer Tax).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Decatur County, GA?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Decatur County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $56 - $76 ($16 - $36 with qualifying premarital education). Georgia requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Decatur County?

In Decatur County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Clerk of Superior Court with a standard statutory filing fee of $162.00. Trade name registration filed with the Clerk of Superior Court and published in the county legal organ for two weeks.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Decatur County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the Georgia Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records or directly at the Decatur County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.