Pooler Background Check Search

Pooler background check records are handled through Chatham County agencies in southeast Georgia. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office processes criminal history requests for Pooler and all communities across the county. Pooler has its own police department that keeps arrest records and incident reports from within city limits. With a population just over 31,000, Pooler is one of the fastest growing cities near Savannah. The sheriff's office in Savannah is the main source for a Pooler background check, and the city police department adds a second layer of local case data for incidents its officers handled directly.

Chatham County Sheriff Background Check

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for a Pooler background check. Sheriff Richard Coleman leads the office. The mailing address is PO Box 10026, Savannah, GA 31412. Call 912-652-3634 for details on the process. You need a valid photo ID to get started. Provide the full name and date of birth of the person you want to search. The staff runs the name through local Chatham County records and the state crime database.

Chatham County covers a large geographic area around Savannah. The sheriff's office handles requests for Pooler, Savannah, Garden City, Bloomingdale, Tybee Island, and all other parts of the county. Because Pooler sits on the west side of the county along Interstate 16, many residents drive into Savannah to visit the sheriff's office. The drive is about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. Results can take a few business days. Calling ahead to check turnaround times and accepted payment methods is a good idea before you make the trip. The fee falls within the $20 cap set by state law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.

Note: The Chatham County Sheriff's Office is in Savannah, so Pooler residents need to drive into the city to submit an in-person background check request.

Pooler Police Department Records

The Pooler Police Department keeps its own arrest records, incident reports, and case files. If a Pooler officer made an arrest or responded to a call within city limits, that record lives in the city police system. These records are separate from what the Chatham County Sheriff holds. The city police can provide incident reports and arrest data for cases they handled. For a thorough Pooler background check, checking both the police department and the sheriff's office covers more ground than using just one source.

The distinction between city and county records matters. An arrest made by a Pooler police officer shows up in the city system first. It will eventually feed into the county and state databases, but there can be a lag. Going directly to the Pooler Police Department can give you the most current data for recent incidents that happened within city limits. The sheriff's office has the broader county-wide picture. Using both sources together gives you the fullest view for a Pooler background check.

Pooler Background Check Image

The GCIC lobby office hours page shows when the state office is open for background check requests that cover Pooler and all Georgia cities.

The GCIC processes statewide criminal history records that include data from Pooler, Chatham County, and every other jurisdiction in Georgia.

State Tools for Pooler Records

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history database. All Pooler and Chatham County records feed into this system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. The GCIC is the central hub for criminal records across Georgia. It does not offer name-based public searches. You need to go through a local agency or use an online state tool to search for a Pooler background check by name.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search and shows felony convictions only. Enter a name and get results sent to your email right away. This tool will not show arrests, pending charges, or misdemeanor cases from Pooler or Chatham County. For a more thorough check, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGO searches both GBI and FBI databases. Fingerprint checks pick up out-of-state records and provide better accuracy than name searches. IdentoGO has locations in the Savannah and Chatham County area. The cost is higher than the Felon Search, but you get much deeper results for a Pooler background check.

Note: The Georgia Felon Search only covers felony convictions and will not show arrests or misdemeanor records from Pooler.

Georgia Law on Pooler Records

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI shares criminal history data with authorized parties. The state caps the fee at $20 per record. Most local agencies stay at or below this amount. The statute also governs who can access specific record types and how the data must be managed after it is received. These rules apply to every Pooler background check and every check done anywhere in Georgia.

Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 means certain records can be removed from public search results after a court order. If a restriction is granted, that record will not appear in a standard Pooler background check. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 offers additional protection. If someone completed their sentence under this act, the conviction does not show as a conviction on a standard check. These protections are statewide and affect results from any agency that processes a Pooler background check.

Pooler Background Check Fees

• Chatham County Sheriff background check: up to $20
• Georgia Felon Search: $15 per search (online, felony convictions only)
• GAPS fingerprint check: varies by IdentoGO location
• Maximum fee allowed by state law: $20 per O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.3)

The $15 state Felon Search is the cheapest and fastest option. You pay online with a card and get results by email. The sheriff's office fee is capped at $20 by state law. Always call the Chatham County Sheriff at 912-652-3634 to confirm the current fee and payment methods before visiting. Fees and payment rules can change without much notice. Showing up without the right payment wastes a trip. For GAPS fingerprint checks, you pay at the IdentoGO site when you get printed.

Pooler Contact Information

• Chatham County Sheriff: PO Box 10026, Savannah, GA 31412
• Sheriff Phone: 912-652-3634
• Sheriff: Richard Coleman
• Pooler Police: pooler-ga.gov/police
• Georgia Sheriffs Directory: georgiasheriffs.org

Start a Pooler background check at the Chatham County Sheriff's Office since it holds the primary criminal history records for the county. If you also want city-level records, contact the Pooler Police Department. Both agencies maintain different sets of data, and using both gives a more complete picture. The sheriff's office is in Savannah, about 15 minutes from Pooler. Call ahead to verify hours, fees, and what you need to bring.

Nearby Cities

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