Access Banks County Background Checks

Background check searches in Banks County start with the Sheriff's Office at 160 Windmill Farm Road in Homer. The office maintains local criminal history files and processes background check requests for the public. Banks County sits in northeast Georgia and is part of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. Criminal records from the county include arrest data, booking information, and court case outcomes. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also holds Banks County records in its statewide database. This page explains the different ways to run a Banks County background check, including local options at the sheriff's office and state-level tools that can be used from anywhere.

Banks County Sheriff Background Check Process

Sheriff Carlton Speed runs the Banks County Sheriff's Office at 160 Windmill Farm Road, Homer, GA 30547. Call 706-677-2248 to check on office hours and background check requirements. The office performs name-based criminal history searches. They search local Banks County records and query the Georgia Crime Information Center for statewide matches. Bring a photo ID and be ready to provide your full name and date of birth.

Walk-in requests are the main way people get a Banks County background check done locally. Homer is a small town, so the office usually is not as busy as metro-area agencies. This can mean faster service. Simple name searches sometimes come back the same day. When the search needs to include state records or extra verification steps, it takes a bit longer. The staff can give you an estimate when you make your request.

Banks County Criminal History Records

Criminal cases in Banks County go through the Piedmont Judicial Circuit superior court. Records from these cases are stored by the Banks County Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Homer. You can look at felony case files, plea records, and sentencing documents by visiting the clerk's office. These are public records under Georgia law, with some exceptions. Magistrate court handles minor criminal cases and those records are kept separately at the county level.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history information can be disclosed to private citizens under specific conditions. There are records in Banks County that a standard background check will not show. Sealed cases stay hidden from public searches. The First Offender Act allows certain defendants to avoid a public conviction record once they finish their sentence. Juvenile records are also restricted from public access. These limits mean a Banks County background check gives a picture of publicly available criminal history, but it may not be the full story.

For the most accurate results, a fingerprint-based check is better than a name search alone.

State Background Check Options for Banks County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation stores criminal records from all 159 counties, including Banks County. You can search these records from home using state tools.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and shows felony convictions statewide. Enter a name and check for matches across the whole state. Banks County felony convictions will show up here. This tool does not include misdemeanors or arrests without a conviction. It is fast and works well as a starting point for a Banks County background check when you just need to know about felony history.

The GAPS fingerprint check through IdentoGo goes deeper. Fingerprints are matched against both GBI and FBI databases. This gives results from Georgia and other states. Processing takes 24 to 48 hours. You must visit an IdentoGo location to be fingerprinted. Banks County residents can find a site in Gainesville or other nearby cities in the northeast Georgia area. The cost is higher than a name search, but the results are far more reliable.

The GBI services page provides more information on all the background check options available through the state.

State records from Banks County flow into this GBI system, making it a key resource for background check searches.

Fees for Banks County Background Checks

A name-based background check at the Banks County Sheriff's Office runs $15 to $25. The Georgia Felon Search is $15 per search online. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more. Call 706-677-2248 to confirm the exact current fee at the sheriff's office before you visit Homer.

Payment options at smaller sheriff's offices in Georgia can be limited. Cash and money orders are usually accepted. Card payments depend on the office. It is a good idea to call and ask about payment methods before your visit so you come prepared. For mail requests, a money order is the safest way to pay.

Note: Background check fees can change at any time, so always confirm the current amount directly with the Banks County Sheriff's Office.

Banks County Background Check by Mail

If you cannot make the trip to Homer, send a mail request to the Banks County Sheriff's Office at 160 Windmill Farm Road, Homer, GA 30547. Include a written request with your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order covering the processing fee. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 sets rules on who can access criminal records and for what reasons. State your purpose clearly in your letter. The sheriff's office will run the Banks County background check and mail the results back to you. Allow one to two weeks for the whole process including postal delivery.

Banks County Sheriff Contact Information

Here is how to reach the Banks County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory is another way to look up current contact details.

• Address: 160 Windmill Farm Road, Homer, GA 30547
• Phone: 706-677-2248
• Sheriff: Carlton Speed
• Hours: Call ahead to confirm

Banks County is located near Gainesville in Hall County, which provides additional resources for residents looking to complete a background check. The sheriff's office in Homer remains the primary local source for Banks County background check records. Getting started with a phone call is the easiest way to find out what to expect.

Nearby Counties

Banks County is in northeast Georgia near these neighboring counties. Each has its own sheriff's office where background check records can be requested.