Savannah Phone Directory Search

The Savannah phone directory covers the City of Savannah government offices and the Chatham County departments that serve city residents. Savannah has a population of 148,808 and is the county seat of Chatham County. Unlike Columbus or Macon, Savannah has not consolidated with its county, so city and county offices operate separately. This page lists the phone numbers, addresses, and hours you need to contact the right office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, the public has a right to access most government records held by both city and county agencies.

City of Savannah Phone Directory Contacts

The City of Savannah main office is at 2 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401. The general phone number is 912-651-6410. This line connects you to the city switchboard, which can transfer you to most city departments. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The city runs its own set of departments that handle municipal services, code enforcement, public works, and city permits.

One thing to keep in mind is that Savannah's city government does not maintain certain records that people often ask about. The city does not keep birth records, death records, marriage records, or divorce records. Those are handled by Chatham County or the state. If you call the city looking for vital records or court filings, they will direct you to the county clerk's office instead. The city FAQ page makes this clear.

The City of Savannah FAQ at savannahga.gov answers common questions about what records the city holds and where to go for records it does not keep. This is a helpful page to check before you call, since it can save you a step.

The FAQ page shown above lists the types of records the city can provide and points you to the right agency for records it does not handle. It is a quick read and worth checking before making a call.

Savannah Phone Directory for Open Records

The City of Savannah is bound by the Georgia Open Records Act and must make public records available when asked. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the city has three business days to respond to a records request. The response can be the records, a timeline for when they will be ready, or a denial with a legal reason.

The city's open records information page at savannahga.gov explains the process. An open records request should be made directly to the custodian of the records, according to the city. That means you send your request to the specific department that holds the files you want. If you are not sure which department that is, call the main line at 912-651-6410 and ask.

Savannah also uses a JustFOIA portal at savannahga.justfoia.com for online open records requests. This portal lets you submit a request, describe the records you need, and track the status of your request. It creates a written record of the exchange, which is useful if there is ever a question about what was asked or when. The portal is free to use. Fees only apply when the city produces copies or spends staff time on the search.

Copy fees in Savannah follow the state rates set out in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d). Standard copies run 10 cents per page. The first quarter hour of search time is free. After that, the city can charge based on the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. Electronic records delivered by email may cost less since there is no printing involved.

Chatham County Clerk in the Savannah Phone Directory

The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court handles court records, deed recordings, and other filings that cover Savannah and the rest of the county. The office is at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401. The phone number is (912) 652-7175. This is the office to call for land records, civil case files, criminal case files, marriage licenses, and other court-related documents.

The Chatham County Superior Court Clerk website at superiorcourtclerk.chathamcountyga.gov has information on services, fees, and how to access records. You can find forms, filing instructions, and contact info for specific divisions on the site. The office is open during normal business hours, and walk-in visits are welcome for record lookups and copy requests.

The GSCCCA clerk page for Chatham County at gsccca.org lists the clerk's contact info and provides access to the statewide search tool. The GSCCCA database lets you search deed indexes, lien records, and other recorded documents for Chatham County online. Basic index searches are free, and you need an account to view document images.

The GSCCCA homepage shown above is the gateway to searching recorded documents for Chatham County and every other county in the state. For Savannah residents, this tool often saves a trip to the courthouse when you just need to verify a deed or check a lien status.

Police Records in the Savannah Phone Directory

The Savannah Police Department handles its own records requests separately from the city clerk. To get a police report, incident record, or accident report, you need to contact the police records division directly. The phone number for police records is 912-651-3617. You can also send requests by email to SPDrecords@savannahga.gov. This is often the fastest way to submit a request if you have the details ready.

Police records in Savannah fall under the Georgia Open Records Act just like other public records. However, some law enforcement records have exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. Active investigation files, for instance, may be withheld until the investigation closes. Arrest records and incident reports for closed cases are generally available. When you call or email, include as much detail as you can: the date, location, case number if you have one, and the names of people involved. That helps the records staff find your file faster.

Response times vary based on the complexity of the request. Simple requests for a single report often come back within a few days. Larger requests that involve pulling multiple files or redacting exempt information can take longer. The department will let you know if there will be a delay. Fees for police record copies follow the same state schedule as other open records: 10 cents per page and free search time for the first quarter hour.

How to Use the Savannah Phone Directory

Because Savannah has separate city and county governments, you need to know which one holds the records you want. Here is a quick guide to help you pick the right phone number.

Call the city at 912-651-6410 for city permits, code enforcement, public works, city council records, and municipal services. Use the JustFOIA portal for formal open records requests from any city department. For police reports, call 912-651-3617 or email SPDrecords@savannahga.gov.

Call Chatham County at (912) 652-7175 for court records, deed recordings, marriage licenses, civil case files, and criminal case files. For online record searches, use the GSCCCA tool or the Chatham County clerk website. The county courthouse at 133 Montgomery Street is the main location for in-person visits related to court filings and recorded documents.

When visiting any office in Savannah, bring a valid photo ID. Most offices accept cash, checks, and sometimes credit cards for fees. Call ahead to confirm payment methods and current hours, since they can change around holidays or due to staffing. The numbers on this page are current as of the latest update, but a quick call never hurts if you are making a special trip.

Savannah Phone Directory and Georgia Statutes

The Georgia Open Records Act applies to every office listed on this page. The full text of the act runs from O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through 50-18-77, and you can read it at law.justia.com. The act gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records. It does not matter if you are a Georgia resident or not. The right extends to everyone.

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 sets out the exemptions. Records that are exempt from disclosure include certain personnel files, active law enforcement investigations, medical records, and records protected by attorney-client privilege. If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific code section that allows the denial. You can challenge a denial in Chatham County Superior Court if you believe the exemption does not apply. The court can order the records released and may award attorney fees if the denial was not in good faith.

Savannah city officials and Chatham County employees are both trained on these laws. Most requests are handled without any problems. The JustFOIA portal and the direct phone numbers listed here give you multiple ways to reach the right person quickly.

Nearby Cities in the Savannah Phone Directory

Savannah is on the coast in the southeast corner of the state. Nearby cities with phone directory pages on this site include Pooler, Hinesville, and Statesboro. Pooler is just west of Savannah in Chatham County. Hinesville is about 40 miles to the southwest in Liberty County, home to Fort Stewart. Statesboro is roughly 60 miles to the northwest in Bulloch County.

Pooler Phone Directory Hinesville Phone Directory Statesboro Phone Directory

Chatham County Phone Directory

Savannah is the county seat of Chatham County. The county page has a full listing of Chatham County departments, boards, and offices that serve Savannah and the surrounding area. For county-level agencies not covered on this page, visit the Chatham County phone directory.

View Chatham County Phone Directory