BRYAN COUNTY, GEORGIA
   
   
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Courts

The Bryan County Courthouse is located at:

151 S. College St.
Pembroke, GA 31321 

Westbound on I-16, take 280 South/West Exit to city limits of Pembroke. Take first paved road on left (College St.). Go down 2 blocks. Courthouse will be on the left.

 


Clerk of Court

Rebecca G.  Crowe
Clerk of Superior Court

P.O. Drawer 670
Pembroke, GA 31321
Phone: 912/653-3872
Fax: 912/653-3870
Becky.Crowe@gsccca.org

 

Courts Managed:
  		Superior
State
Juvenile
Magistrate

 

Office Contacts:
 

 

Janice Brewton and Karen Webb
Superior and State Court Civil

Patricia Simmons and Tassey Jones
Real Estate Division

Deloris Joyner and Regina Curl
State Court Criminal, Traffic cases

Pat Hood
Superior Court Criminal and Juvenile Court

Wendy Mock                      Magistrate Court 

Other Information:
 

We also have a satellite office in Richmond Hill open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.  Closed for lunch 12-1:00 p.m.                   Richmond Hill Office contact:  Kathryn Smith Phone:  756-2066  Fax:  756-7958



 

Other Services:
 

 

Notary - $30.00                                                         Military Discharge Records - No charge to file
Trade Name Registration - $25.00

Passport Fees:

TO APPLY FOR A U.S. PASSPORT

YOU WILL NEED:

  • Completed passport application (DSP-11)
  • Certified copy of birth certificate or old passport or naturalization documents (children under 14: Both birth certificate and old passport is needed; Also both parents must appear in person to sign)
  • Two (2) passport photos (2" x 2") color preferred
  • Proof of identity (picture i.d., drivers license preferred)

ALL PASSPORT APPLICANTS MUST APPEAR IN PERSON

FEES:

For adults 16 and over a check or money order for $75.00 and $25.00 cash

For children under 16 a check or money order for $60.00 and $25.00 cash

EXPEDITE FEES: $149.85 CHECK/MONEY ORDER; $25.00 CASH; 1 STAMP FOR $17.50 EACH

Child's Expedited Fees: $134.85 check/money order; $25.00 cash; 1 stamp for $17.50 each

IF EXPEDITED, PASSPORT WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 2 WEEKS

*ALL CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

*PLEASE COMPLETE APPLICATION IN BLACK INK ONLY.

TO CHECK ON YOU PASSPORT APPLICATION AFTER 4 WEEKS: CALL 1-877-487-2778

CREDIT CARDS CALL: 1-888-362-8668 ($4.95 PER CALL). HEARING IMPAIRED NUMBER 1-888-498-3648

DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS AND OR OTHER FORMS AT www.travel.state.gov

 

SUPERIOR COURT

David L. Cavender, Chief Judge

(912) 368-2250

 

Jay Stewart

(912) 739-4922

 

Charles P. Rose, Jr.

(912) 877-4770

 

Robert L. Russell III

(912) 437-3033

 

The superior court, Georgia’s general jurisdiction trial court, has exclusive, constitutional authority to preside over felony cases and cases regarding title to land, divorce and equity. Their exclusive jurisdiction also covers such matters as declaratory judgments, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto and prohibition. The superior court corrects errors made by lower courts by issuing writs of certiorari; for some lower courts, the right to direct review by the superior court applies.

Superior courts are organized into 46 judicial circuits varying in size and population, as well as in the number of judges serving them. Each county has its own superior court, though judges may serve in more than one county. Numbers of superior court judges per circuit range from two judges in each of 21 circuits to 15 judges authorized for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. A chief judge handles the administrative tasks for each circuit.

State Court

Jack E. Carney, Jr

State Court Judge

Rebecca G. Crowe
Clerk

P. O. Box 787
Pembroke, GA 31321

Phone: 912-653-4500
 
 

State courts exercise jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations, including traffic cases, and all civil actions, regardless of the amount claimed, unless the superior court has exclusive jurisdiction (e.g., divorce, title to land, child custody, adoption, and legitimization).

State courts are authorized by statute to hold hearings regarding applications for and issuance of search and arrest warrants and to hold preliminary hearings. These courts may also punish contempt by imposing a fine and/or a jail sentence. By constitutional provision, the state courts have the authority to review lower court decisions, if the power is provided by statute.

State court judges may practice part-time, except in their own courts. They are elected to four-year terms in non-partisan, countywide elections. Candidates must be 25 years old, have practiced law for at least five years, and have lived in the county for at least three years. State court judges can serve as superior court judges upon appointment by the chief judge of the superior court.

JUVENILE COURT

 

Jean Bolin

Juvenile Judge

P. O. Box 726

208-B West 5th St.
Darien, GA 31305

Phone: 912-437-4402

Fax: 912-437-4024
 
 

Juvenile court exercises jurisdiction in cases involving delinquent, unruly, and deprived children under 17. Juvenile court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior courts involving capital offenses, custody, child support cases, and termination of parental rights.

Jury Duty

If you register to vote, you will not automatically be called for jury duty.  Voter registration is not the primary source for jury selection.

General Information
The jury summons you receive in the mail will tell you the time and location to report. On the day before you are summoned to report for jury duty, you should call the jury call-in number (912) 653-3872 option # 7 for any final instructions or changes to the number of jurors needing to report. 

Telephone Numbers
Superior Court Jury Clerk (912) 653-3871

Juror Compensation
For each day you serve or are required to report, you will be paid $25.00.                                                                      
Proper Attire
Court participation is a serious responsibility. Your behavior and attire should reflect the decorum and respect due the legal system at this county. You should dress comfortably and appropriately. Examples of inappropriate attire include tank tops, shirts with messages, slogans or advertisements, shorts, torn denims, bare midriff, and bare feet.


Exemptions
OCGA Section 15-12-1 provides

(a) Any person who shows that he will be engaged during his term of jury duty in work necessary to the public health, safety, or good order or who shows other good cause why he should be exempt from jury duty may be excused by the judge of the court to which he or she has been summoned or by some other person who has been duly appointed by order of the chief judge to excuse jurors. Such a person may exercise such authority only after the establishment by court order of guidelines governing excuses. Any order of appointment shall provide that, except for permanently mentally or physically disabled persons, all excuses shall be deferred to a date and time certain within that term or the next succeeding term or shall be deferred as set forth in the court order.

(b) Any person who is 70 years of age or older shall be entitled to request the board of jury commissioners to remove such person's name from the jury list of the county. Upon such request the board of jury commissioners shall be authorized and directed to remove the person's name from the jury list. The request shall be made to the board or its clerk in writing and shall be accompanied by an affidavit giving the person's name, age, and such other information as the board may require. The board of jury commissioners of each county shall make available affidavit forms for the purposes of this subsection.

Deferrals
Deferrals are permitted only under extreme circumstances.  All deferrals will be post-poned to a date within the next term of court.  To request a deferral, please refer to the summons instructions and follow them carefully.

Jury lists are compiled by the jury commission of the county. The jury commission is composed of six persons who are appointed for six-year terms by the chief judge of the circuit. Jury commissioners serve staggered terms, with two commissioners rotating off the commission each year.

Federal and Georgia laws require that the jury pool of the county must be in alignment with the latest decennial census of the county. The most recent decennial census was occurred in 2000. There cannot be greater than five percent disparity between the number of females, males, blacks and whites in the county and the percentage in the jury pool for each category. The clerk of superior court is required by statute to maintain the jury lists of the superior court. A court rule of the circuit requires the clerk to manage juries and confers upon the clerk the power to defer and excuse jurors selected for jury duty.

All jurors, once summoned for jury duty, are required to serve. The only reasons for excusal from jury service provided for by law are:

(1) death;
(2) a permanent physical or mental disability (in which case an affidavit must be provided by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist);
(3) a felony conviction;
(4) residency (that is, the juror no longer resides in the county); and
(5) active military duty.

A juror may be deferred for one term of court if the juror is:

(1) temporarily physically or mentally unable to serve (an affidavit from a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist must be provided);
(2) the sole provider of care for a child or children under the age of five and no one else is available to provide such care;
(3) the provider of care for an ill or disabled family member; or
(4) employed in a job necessary to the public well-being (such as a police officer, medical doctor, or nurse) and no one is available on the date the juror has been summoned for court to take the juror’s place.

Land Records

Telephone:  (912) 653-3873 or (912) 653-5256

 

REAL ESTATE DIVISION

The real estate office records and files documents such as warrranty, quit claim and security deeds, liens and plats. Fifa's and hospital liens along with military discharge records are also recorded and filed here.

When recording documents, the original must be brought or mailed in with a self addressed stamped envelope in order to mail to the proper destination after recording. All documents must have a three-inch top margin where the recording book and page number will be easily seen after recording. On the first page of the document the party and their address to which the document is being returned must appear. A transfer tax declaratiion (PT61) must accompany any deed transferring ownership of property from one party to another. To optain a PT61 form, go to www.gsccca.org

Any recording fees & transfer tax are to be made payable to the

Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court.

Any questions regarding recording information you may call 912-653-5256.

Intagible tax is to be made payable to the

Bryan County Tax Commissioner.

Any questions regarding intagible tax you may call 912-653-3880.

Any questions regarding property map & parcel numbers or information on a particular parcel of land you may call the

Bryan County Assessors Office 912-653-3889.

www.qpublic.net/bryan

The clerk office is not allowed to give out information that is on a document over the telephone or do a search. However, if you mail in a request with the recording (book & page) information, the cost of copies, and a self-addressed stamped envelope the office will be glad to mail you the document. To find out the cost, you may call and ask us to pull the book that your document is in for the number of pages of your document. (Fax: $2.00 1st page & 1.00 each additional page; to be mailed : $0.25 per page/copy). Certified copies can only be mailed which is an additional $2.50 per document.

 

Regular Mail:

Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court

P.O. Box 670

Pembroke, GA 31321

Special Delivery/Physical Address:

Bryan County Clerk of Superior Court

151 South College Street

Courthouse-Room 108

Pembroke, GA 31321

As of July 1, 1995 the costs for filing-

A. $10.00 first page/$2.00 each additional page

1) Deeds (all kinds of types by any name or description)

2) Quit-Claim Deeds/Release

3) Deeds of Trust

4) Security Deeds/Mortgage Deeds/Deeds to Secure Debt

5) Modification /Additional Loan Agreements

6) Cancellation of Deeds

7) Affidavits

8) Certificates

9) Power of Attorney (That may in any way relate to real estate)

10) Notice (Such as to payment of intagible tax on previously recorded security deed, etc.)

11) UCC's

B. $5.00 first page/$2.00 each additional page

1) Liens on real property ( such as Materialman Lien)

2) Tax Liens

3) Hospital Liens

4) Writs of Fieri Facias (Fifa's)

5) Assignments (per deed assigned)

6) Lis Pendens

7) Cancellation of Writs of Fieri Facias (Fifa's)

8) Cancellation of Liens (such as Materialman Lien)

C. Plat Recordings are $8.00 per sheet.

D. Notaries are $30.00. Notary applications are done online at www.gsccca.org.

E. Tade Names are $25.00. Trade name applications can be mailed, faxed, or downloaded HERE. Only the original document will be accepted for recording.

Rule of Thumb - Anything that's not in Section "B" will be $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page (except for plats and notaries).

PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS FOR RECORDING DOCUMENTS & NOTARIES FEES PAYABLE TO THE "BRYAN COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS"

-AND-

ALL CHECKS FOR INTANGIBLE TAX PAYABLE TO THE "BRYAN COUNTY TAX COMMISSIONER".

Notary Public

Notary Public applications must be completed online at www.gsccca.org.

Any questions please contact the Real Estate division:

Telephone:  (912) 653-3873 or (912) 653-5256

Traffic Tickets

Traffic tickets are to be paid in full before the assigned court date on the ticket.  A $100.00 late fee will be added if not paid by 5:00 pm on court date.  NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Only Money Orders or Cashier Checks will be accepted.  If you choose to mail in your payment, please include your citation number, and full name as listed on your citation. 

 

Make payable to: 

Bryan County State Court

P.O. Box 670

151 South College St.

Pembroke, GA 31321

 

Payments may be made online using Visa or Mastercard at: www.bryantickets.com

(There will be a small processing fee if paid online)

 

If you have any questions, please call Regina at (912) 653-3832.

PROBATE COURT

Sam C. Davis, Jr.
Probate Judge

Carole H. Groover
Chief Clerk

          

                  

E-mail: samdavis@bryan-county.org

                                  

P. O. Box 418
Pembroke, GA 31321

 

Phone: 912-653-3856 or

912-756-8559  

Fax: 912-653-3845

 

 

 

Probate court exercises jurisdiction in the probate of wills, the administration of estates, the appointment of guardians, and the involuntary hospitalization of incapacitated adults and other dependent individuals. This court also administers oaths of office and issues marriage licenses, and gun permits.

 

www.georgiacourts.org/counties/bryan

              Sam C. Davis, Jr.                         Carole H. Groover

Marriage
Steps to Obtaining a Marriage License

Obtaining a marriage license is simple. The first thing the prospective couple should do is obtain premarital blood tests from the Health Department or private physician. The results of the blood tests must be presented on the Georgia Department of Human Resources Form No. 3411. The premarital blood test is mandatory under Georgia law. The couple must apply for a marriage license application within 30 days of the blood tests. There are no time restraints once a marriage license has been issued by the Probate Judge's office.

For ages 18 and up, a marriage license may be obtained at the Probate Court between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sixteen-and seventeen-year old applicants may receive a license if both parents appear, present identification and consent in writing to the marriage. Both the bride and the groom must appear in person for the license. A marriage license cannot, by law, be issued to anyone under the age of 16 with or without parental consent, unless there is a pregnancy verified by a licensed physician.

Items to be brought to the Probate Judge's office when applying for a marriage license:

Proof of identity (driver's license or birth certificate)

Social Security numbers

Blood test results

A copy of the final decree of the last divorce, if applicable

The application process takes approximately 30 minutes

Firearm Permit

To apply for a firearms license in Bryan County:

You must reside in Bryan County.
You must be age 21 or over.
You must have a photo I.D. and proof of your present Bryan County address.

FIRST PERMITS

In order to obtain a firearms license in Georgia, you are required to be fingerprinted and must undergo a criminal background investigation by the GBI and FBI and undergo a mental health background check by the Department of Human Resources. In Bryan County, the Bryan County Sheriff's Department will fingerprint you. Upon receipt of the background investigations, if there is nothing that may prohibit the issuance of your license, we will mail your license to you. The background investigations may take as long as four months for first time applicants. The license is for five years.

RENEWALS:

If you have a firearms license issued from any county in Georgia and it has been issued since 1972, you may renew it. You must be able to present I.D. with the previous firearms license and you must have proof of your correct Bryan County address. You will not be fingerprinted again, but a background check will be conducted through the Georgia Crime Information Center. If your license has been expired longer than 30 days, you may be required to apply as a first time applicant.

REPLACEMENT PERMITS:

If your license is lost, damaged, or stolen, you must notify the Bryan County Probate Court within 48 hours of the loss in order to obtain a replacement license. If the Court is not informed within 48 hours you will be required to reapply. If your license was damaged you must bring the damaged license with you. Cost of replacement is $5.

SOME LIMITATIONS:

A firearms license cannot be issued to a person who has been convicted of a felony unless you have received a pardon and it expressly authorizes you to receive, possess, or transport a firearm.

A firearms license may not be issued to a person who has been convicted of a forcible misdemeanor, crime of domestic violence, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a weapon at a public gathering or at school functions and convictions relating to controlled substances.

A firearms license may not be issued to a person who has been hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental hospital of alcohol or drug treatment center within the past five years. This does not necessarily disqualify the applicant; however, the Probate Court Judge shall use discretion in the issuance of the license.

 

 


Bryan County
 912 653-3839
116 Lanier Street
Pembroke, GA 31321