Georgia Open Records Act Case Law Guide

The Georgia First Amendment Foundation’s Open Records Act Case Law Guide collects over 200 Georgia appellate decisions interpreting the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). It is designed for journalists, attorneys, records custodians, and members of the public who need to find what the courts have said about a specific open records question.

The guide has two parts. Part I is a topical index that groups decisions by issue, including what counts as an agency or a public record, the three-business-day response requirement, statutory exemptions, and attorney’s fees and penalties. Part II contains alphabetical summaries of each case with full citations. This edition is current through 2025.

The guide was compiled by Joy Ramsingh and the First Amendment Clinic at the University of Georgia School of Law, with assistance from Kathy Brister and Gerry Weber.

Search the guide online here or download the PDF.

This guide is a research aid and does not constitute legal advice. To suggest a correction or a case for inclusion, email info@gfaf.org.

Last updated: September 21, 2026