Evans Background Check

An Evans background check goes through the Columbia County Sheriff's Office because Evans does not have its own city police force. Columbia County handles all law enforcement for Evans. Sheriff Clay Whittle oversees the office, which is the sole local agency for criminal history searches in the Evans area. With close to 38,000 residents, Evans is the largest community in Columbia County. All arrest records and criminal filings from Evans feed into the Columbia County system and then up to the state database managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Columbia County Sheriff Background Check

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is the only local agency that handles an Evans background check. Sheriff Clay Whittle runs the office. The mailing address is PO Box 310 in Appling, GA 30802. You can call 706-541-1043 for details on the process. Because Evans is an unincorporated community served entirely by the county sheriff, there is no separate city police option here. Every criminal incident, arrest, and case in Evans goes through Columbia County.

To get a background check, you need to visit the sheriff's office in person. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name and date of birth of the person you want to search. The fee falls under the state cap of $20 set by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34. Call ahead to confirm the exact fee and which payment methods they accept. Some sheriff's offices take cash while others require money orders. The staff searches local Columbia County records and the statewide criminal history system.

Columbia County also serves Martinez, which is the other large community in the county. If someone lived in both Evans and Martinez, the same sheriff's office holds records for both areas. There is no need to check two different agencies. One search at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office covers the whole county.

Note: Evans does not have its own police department, so the Columbia County Sheriff is the only local option for a background check.

Evans Background Check Process

The process for an Evans background check is similar to what you find in other Georgia counties. You go to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, fill out a request form, provide identification, and pay the fee. The sheriff's staff then runs the name through the county database and the state crime information system. Results may be available the same day or within a few business days depending on how busy the office is. The search pulls up arrests, charges, convictions, and other criminal records tied to that name and date of birth.

Name-based checks have a limitation you should know about. They rely on the name and date of birth being accurate and matching what is in the system. Common names can sometimes pull up records for the wrong person. Fingerprint-based checks are more reliable because they match physical prints to records. If you want a fingerprint check for an Evans background check, the GAPS system through IdentoGO handles that. IdentoGO has locations across Georgia where you can schedule an appointment, get fingerprinted, and have your prints checked against both GBI and FBI databases.

State Resources for Evans

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history database through the Georgia Crime Information Center. All Evans arrest records flow from the Columbia County Sheriff into this central system. The GCIC holds records from every county in Georgia. However, the GCIC does not provide name-based searches to the public directly. You must go through a local agency or use one of the state's online tools.

The Georgia Felon Search tool costs $15 and gives instant results by email. It only shows felony convictions though. You enter a name, pay online, and get the results sent to your inbox. For an Evans background check, this tool will show any felony convictions on record in Georgia. It will not show misdemeanor cases, arrests without convictions, or pending charges. It also will not show records from other states. For a broader search, the GAPS fingerprint system is the best option because it checks both state and federal databases.

Note: The Georgia Crime Information Center does not do name-based searches for the public, so you must use a local agency or the Felon Search tool.

Evans Background Check Image

The Columbia County Government website provides information about county services available to Evans residents.

Columbia County Government handles all law enforcement services for Evans, including processing background check requests through the sheriff's office.

Georgia Laws on Evans Records

Georgia law sets the rules for how background checks work in Evans and across the state. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI shares criminal history data with authorized parties, and the fee is capped at $20 per record. This cap applies to what the Columbia County Sheriff can charge for an Evans background check. The law spells out who can access what level of information and what rules they must follow when handling the data.

Record restriction matters for Evans background checks too. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain records can be restricted from public view. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and cases that meet specific criteria may be hidden from standard background check results. A restricted record still exists in the state system, but it does not show up when someone runs a check. This means the results you get may not include every interaction a person has had with law enforcement in Evans.

The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 affects results as well. Someone who finished a sentence under this act will not show a conviction on a standard Evans background check. The record still exists but it appears differently. This is a common situation in Georgia courts. Understanding these laws helps you read the results of a background check more accurately.

Evans Background Check Fees

• Columbia County Sheriff: up to $20, call 706-541-1043 to confirm
• Georgia Felon Search: $15 per search, online, felony convictions only
• GAPS fingerprint check: varies, covers state and FBI records

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office fee may vary, so call ahead. The state cap is $20 under Georgia law. Payment methods differ by office. Some take cash, some require money orders. The Felon Search is the cheapest option at $15, but it only covers felony convictions. For a thorough Evans background check that includes misdemeanors and arrest records, the in-person visit to the sheriff's office is the way to go. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more but they are the most complete option available.

Contact Info for Evans Check

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office handles all Evans background check requests. Here is the contact information you need. Call before you visit to confirm hours and payment methods. The sheriff's office in Appling is the main office, but there may be satellite locations closer to Evans. Ask when you call.

• Columbia County Sheriff: PO Box 310, Appling, GA 30802
• Sheriff phone: 706-541-1043
• Sheriff: Clay Whittle
• Georgia Sheriffs Directory: georgiasheriffs.org/resources/sheriffs-by-county/

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps an updated list of every sheriff in the state. This can be useful if you need to run background checks in other counties beyond Columbia. Each county has its own process and fees. For Evans specifically, the Columbia County Sheriff is your one stop. There is no city police to serve as a second option here.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Evans and have their own background check pages with local details.