---
title: O.C.G.A. § 7-1-63. Retention of records.
collection: code
id: 7-1-63
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 7-1-63 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/7-1-63
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/7-1-63.md
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source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t7-t8-(v5)-2024-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6386add7_0#page=61
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
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publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: BANKING AND FINANCE / FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS / DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GENERALLY / OPERATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 7-1-63. Retention of records.

(a) The department shall issue regulations classifying records kept by financial institutions and prescribing the period, if any, for which records of each class shall be retained and the form in which such records shall be maintained. Such periods may be permanent or for a lesser term of years. In issuing such regulations, consideration shall be given to the objectives of this chapter and to:

(1) Evidentiary effect in actions at law and administrative proceedings in which the production of records of financial institutions might be necessary or desirable;

(2) State and federal statutes of limitation applicable to such actions or proceedings;

(3) Availability of information contained in the records of the financial institution from other sources;

(4) Requirements of electronic systems of transferring funds; and

(5) Other pertinent matters;

so that financial institutions will be required to retain records for as short a period as is commensurate with interests of customers, shareholders, and the people of this state.

(b) The regulations of the department shall not require financial institutions to maintain originals of checks or items for the payment of money or original computer tapes or original records with respect to accounts which have been inactive for a period of 12 successive months. Where a financial institution employs computers, its records may consist of legible products of computer operations.

## History

Ga. L. 1953, p. 70, § 3; Ga. L. 1966, p. 692, §§ 45-47; Code 1933, § 41A-304, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 705, § 1; Ga. L. 1975, p. 445, § 4; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 4/HB 24.

## Cross References

Hearsay rule exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial, § 24-8-803.

Self authentication, § 24-9-902.

Public records, § 24-10-1005.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.

## Law Reviews

For article, “Evidence,” see 27 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 1 (2011).