Upon motion by any party to any civil or criminal action, or upon the court’s own motion, after hearing, the court may limit access to court files respecting that action. The order of limitation shall specify the part of the file to which access is limited, the nature and duration of the limitation, and the reason for limitation.
Rule 21.1.Motions and Orders
Rule 21. LIMITATION OF ACCESS TO COURT FILES · Last amended 2010 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceA party to a civil or criminal case, or the court on its own motion, can ask to limit access to the court file, but only after a hearing, and any resulting order must specify exactly which part of the file is restricted, how and for how long, and why.
Full Text of Rule 21.1
Plain-English Summary
Restricting access to a court file is not a matter of quietly pulling a document off the public record. Rule 21.1 requires a motion first — from any party to a civil or criminal case, or from the court acting on its own — and then a hearing before any limitation can take effect.
The order that comes out of that hearing has to do real work. It cannot just say the file is sealed; it has to specify which part of the file the limitation covers, describe the nature and duration of the restriction, and state the reason for imposing it. That level of detail keeps the record clear about exactly what has been shielded from public view and why, so both the parties and any later reviewing court can understand the scope of what was ordered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can move to limit access to a court file?
Any party to a civil or criminal action, or the court itself, acting on its own motion.
Is a hearing required before the court can limit access to a file?
Yes, the rule requires the motion to be considered after a hearing.
What must an order limiting access specify?
The part of the file to which access is limited, the nature and duration of the limitation, and the reason for the limitation.
Can a limitation order apply to the entire court file?
The order must specify the part of the file to which access is limited, so the limitation is defined by whatever scope the order states rather than assumed to cover the whole file automatically.
Does Rule 21.1 apply only to civil cases?
No, it applies to both civil and criminal actions.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 7, 2010.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: Georgia motion to seal court fileUSCR 21.1order limiting access court records Georgiahow to seal court records Georgia superior courtRule 21.1 Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rules