Georgia is not a common-law state in the sense that a common-law marriage can no longer be created in this state. Since January 1, 1997, no one can create or form a common law marriage in Georgia. Any such marriages created in Georgia before January 1, 1997, will be recognized as common-law marriages.
Access Georgia Code Georgia's official code is called the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The O.C.G.A., including annotations, is available online at NexisUni. The Georgia Code is the compilation of the currently enforcable laws of the state of Georgia.
The Georgia Archives, many libraries, and all Georgia courthouses have the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) and it is available online at: . From the reference(s) in OCGA, check the published laws to determine the Act number and Bill number.
50-18-71. (a) All public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure. Records shall be maintained by agencies to the extent and in the manner required by Article 5 of this chapter.
Georgia's legal system is based on common law, which is interpreted by case law through the decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, which are published in the Georgia Reports and Georgia Appeals Reports, respectively.
Laws governing entities regulated by the Department are primarily found in Title 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated ("Code"). Access to the entire Code is provided by LexisNexis from the Georgia General Assembly's website. Go to Code.
The law of the case rule is abolished; but generally judgments and orders shall not be set aside or modified without just cause and, in setting aside or otherwise modifying judgments and orders, the court shall consider whether rights have vested thereunder and whether or not innocent parties would be injured thereby; ...
The legal system of Georgia is based on the common law. Like all U.S. states except Louisiana, Georgia has a reception statute providing for the "reception" of English law. All statutes, regulations, and ordinances are subject to judicial review.