Chatham County

Chatham County is bounded by the Savannah River to the north, forming the Georgia-South Carolina border, and includes Tybee Island, a popular beach destination. Major landmarks include the Port of Savannah, one of the nation's busiest container ports, the historic Savannah Historic District with its famous squares, Fort Pulaski National Monument, and Bonaventure Cemetery. Chatham County was established in 1777, named after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

Chatham County's unique character stems from its deep colonial history, preserved antebellum architecture, thriving maritime commerce, and diverse cultural heritage including significant Gullah Geechee influence. Key agencies serving the public include Chatham Clerk of Superior Court's Office located at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401, which maintains land records; the Clerk of Superior Court at 133 Montgomery Street handling court filings and marriage licenses; and Chatham County Board of Assessors at 124 Bull Street, Suite 330, Savannah, GA 31401, managing property tax assessments. Chatham County operates under a commission-manager government structure with administrative offices in Chatham County Courthouse complex downtown.

Inmates housed at Chatham County Detention Center can be searched through the online Inmate Information System available on the Sheriff's website, which provides booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and expected release dates. This database is updated continuously and accessible 24/7 to the public at no charge. Within Chatham County, the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department serves the city of Savannah and has jurisdiction throughout much of Chatham County through consolidated government agreements; their headquarters is at 2900 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31405.

Smaller municipalities including Pooler, Garden City, Tybee Island, Port Wentworth, Bloomingdale, and Thunderbolt maintain their own police departments with jurisdiction within city limits. Under Georgia's Open Records Act (§ 50-18-70 et seq.), arrest records and booking information are public records. Mugshots and booking photos are publicly accessible through the Sheriff's online inmate lookup system and are considered public records unless sealed by court order.

Case records can be searched online through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority website at gsccca.org, which provides statewide access to civil, criminal, and real estate filings for a modest search fee (typically $2.50 per search). Chatham County Probate Court, located at 133 Montgomery Street, has jurisdiction over wills, estates, guardianships, involuntary commitments, and issues marriage licenses and firearm licenses. The Magistrate Court handles small claims up to $15,000, dispossessory (eviction) actions, county ordinance violations, and issues arrest and search warrants; this court is located at 1001 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.

Municipal courts in Savannah, Pooler, Tybee Island, and other incorporated cities handle city ordinance violations and traffic citations within their jurisdictions. Public access to court records is governed by Georgia law § 50-18-70 and Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rule 21, which presume court records are open unless specifically exempted.

Chatham County participates in the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) real estate database, providing online access to recorded documents dating back to the early 1900s at gsccca.org. Chatham County Board of Assessors, located at 124 Bull Street, Suite 330, Savannah, GA 31401, phone, maintains property tax records, assessment valuations, ownership information, and property characteristics. Their website at chathamtax.org offers a free online property search tool where users can look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number to view current assessments, tax digest information, sales history, and property characteristics.

Chatham County provides a sophisticated GIS mapping system through Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission at sagis.org, offering interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and aerial photography. Property tax bills and payment history are available through the Tax Commissioner's office at chathamtaxcommissioner.org.

Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship to the registrant (immediate family members only). Death certificates cost $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy, available to immediate family, legal representatives, and others with tangible interest as defined by Georgia law § 31-10-1 et seq. The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Atlanta is the state repository for all Georgia vital records and can be contacted at or online at dph.georgia.gov/vital records for records when Chatham County of event is unknown or for older records.

Marriage licenses are issued by Chatham County Probate Court, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401, phone, with both parties required to appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers.

For formal business entity formation and registration (corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships), the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division maintains the central registry. Professional licenses (medical, legal, real estate, contractors) are issued by their respective Georgia state licensing boards, not at Chatham County level. Chatham County requires business licenses for most commercial activities operating within unincorporated areas; these are issued by Chatham County License and Inspections Department at 112 West Bryan Street, Suite 300, Savannah, GA 31401

The City of Savannah operates a separate business licensing system for businesses within city limits through the Revenue Department for Sales tax permits and certificates are issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue, not county offices. Building permits, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are handled by Chatham County Development Services Department for unincorporated areas, while municipalities issue their own permits. The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 101 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401, phone, website savannahchamber.com, provides business development resources, networking opportunities, and economic data for Chatham County.

Georgia law requires voter registration applications to be submitted at least 29 days before an election. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, residents of Georgia and Chatham County, at least 18 years old by election day, and not serving a sentence for a felony conviction.

In-person registration is available at the Board of Elections office, Georgia Department of Driver Services locations, and designated voter registration drives. To find your polling place in Chatham County, voters can use the My Voter Page, call the elections office, or check their voter registration card which lists the assigned precinct. Chatham County operates numerous polling locations throughout Chatham County on election days from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Early voting is available at multiple locations typically beginning three weeks before election day, including weekends. Public election records include voter registration lists (without social security numbers or birth dates), campaign disclosure reports filed by candidates and committees, precinct-level election results, absentee ballot applications and statistics, and candidate qualifying paperwork. These records are accessible under Georgia's Open Records Act.

The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races (Georgia's 1st Congressional District covers Chatham County), potential U.S. Senate seats depending on the cycle, Georgia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and state legislative seats.

Absentee ballots by mail are available to any registered Georgia voter without excuse required; applications can be submitted online through the My Voter Page, by mail, by fax, or in person beginning 180 days before an election and must be received by the Friday before election day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day. Chatham County provides transparent election administration with public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment, partisan poll watchers allowed, and full results reporting by precinct available shortly after polls close on the Georgia Secretary of State website at sos.ga.gov and Chatham County elections website.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, headquartered in Savannah, employs approximately 11,000 people designing and manufacturing business jets and represents Chatham County's largest private employer. Memorial Health University Medical Center and St. Joseph's/Candler Health System are major healthcare employers.

The Savannah-Chatham County public school system employs several thousand education professionals. The unemployment rate typically tracks close to state and national averages, ranging between 3-5% in recent years. Tourism represents a significant economic driver with over 14 million annual visitors to Savannah's Historic District, Tybee Island beaches, and cultural attractions generating substantial hospitality employment.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) contributes economically through employment, student spending, and creative industry development. Recent economic development projects include massive distribution center construction by major retailers and logistics companies capitalizing on port access, expansion of aerospace manufacturing facilities, and continued development of technology and film production sectors. Chatham County-Savannah Economic Development Authority actively recruits business investment and manages industrial parks and opportunity zones.