Find Macon Background Check

Macon background check records are processed through Bibb County, which operates as a consolidated city-county government called Macon-Bibb County. Sheriff David J. Davis oversees the Bibb County Sheriff's Office from PO Box 930 in Macon. The Macon-Bibb police department also keeps records from cases its officers handle. A Macon background check can pull data from the sheriff, the police department, and statewide databases run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. With over 157,000 residents, Macon is a mid-sized Georgia city with a steady volume of criminal record requests.

Bibb County Sheriff Background Check

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is the main source for a Macon background check. Sheriff David J. Davis runs the office. The mailing address is PO Box 930, Macon, GA 31202. Call 478-621-5629 for questions about background check services. Since Macon and Bibb County are consolidated into one government, all records fall under the same jurisdiction. There is no separate "city" versus "county" distinction when it comes to where records are filed.

Visit the sheriff's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the full legal name and date of birth of the person being checked. The staff runs a name-based search through local records and the state system. Georgia law caps background check fees at $20 per O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34. Processing time depends on how many requests are in the queue. Macon handles a good number of cases, but it is not as backed up as the much larger metro Atlanta offices. Most requests clear within a few business days.

Macon Police Department

The Macon-Bibb County Police Department is at 682 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. The non-emergency line is 478-751-7500. This department handles law enforcement for the entire consolidated area. Officers respond to calls, make arrests, and file reports that go into the police department's records system. For a Macon background check, these records are another source of information beyond what the sheriff holds.

The police department keeps incident reports, arrest records, and case files from its own investigations. These overlap with the sheriff's records in some ways but not completely. Different agencies respond to different calls. If you want to be thorough with a Macon background check, checking with both the police department and the sheriff's office gives you the widest view of what is on file locally. Both agencies also report their data to the Georgia Crime Information Center at the state level.

Note: Macon-Bibb County is a consolidated government, so city and county background check records go through one unified system.

Macon Background Check Image

The Georgia Crime Information Center is the central state database where all Macon criminal records are stored.

The GCIC collects criminal history data from all Georgia agencies including the Bibb County Sheriff's Office and Macon-Bibb police.

State Resources for Macon

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history system that includes all Macon records. You do not have to visit the GBI in person. They provide online tools for searches. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search and shows felony convictions only. Enter a name and get results by email right away. This is a quick option for a basic Macon background check, but it leaves out arrests, misdemeanors, and pending cases.

For a more complete picture, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGO searches both GBI and FBI databases. Fingerprint-based checks are the gold standard for accuracy. They avoid false matches from common names. They also pick up records from other states. There are IdentoGO locations in the Macon area. The GBI services page lists all available search options and explains the differences between name-based and fingerprint-based checks.

Macon Background Check Laws

Georgia statutes set the rules for background checks in Macon. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI shares criminal history information with authorized parties. The fee is capped at $20 per record. This applies to all agencies in the state, including the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. The law also defines what types of records can be shared and with whom.

Record restriction is possible under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If charges were dismissed or the person was acquitted, they may be able to have the arrest record restricted from public view. This means a Macon background check would not show that record. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 is relevant too. People who finished their sentence under this act do not have a conviction appear on standard background checks. The record is still in the system, but it is treated as if the person was not convicted.

Macon Background Check Fees

The cost of a Macon background check depends on which method you use. At the local level, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office charges a fee that falls under the state cap of $20. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search online. GAPS fingerprint checks through IdentoGO cost more and vary by location because there is a service fee on top of the state processing fee. Ask the specific IdentoGO site for current pricing before you go.

Payment methods vary by agency. Check with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office about what they accept before your visit. For the state Felon Search, you pay with a card online. GAPS fees are paid at the IdentoGO location. Having the right payment ready saves you time and avoids wasted trips.

Note: Georgia law caps the background check fee at $20 per record under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.3).

Macon Contact Details

• Bibb County Sheriff: PO Box 930, Macon, GA 31202
• Sheriff Phone: 478-621-5629
• Sheriff: David J. Davis
• Macon-Bibb Police: 682 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201
• Police Non-Emergency: 478-751-7500
• Georgia Sheriffs Directory: georgiasheriffs.org

For a Macon background check, start with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. If you need a specific incident report, try the police department at 478-751-7500. Both agencies serve the consolidated Macon-Bibb County area and can point you to the right records.

Nearby Cities

Warner Robins is the nearest major city to Macon, located about 20 miles south in Houston County.