Burke County Background Check Search

Background check records in Burke County are processed by the Sheriff's Office in Waynesboro, Georgia. Burke County is the largest county in Georgia by land area and sits in the eastern part of the state near Augusta. A Burke County background check covers local arrest records, jail bookings, warrants, and criminal case data from the Augusta Judicial Circuit. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also holds Burke County criminal history records in its statewide system. You can search through the sheriff's office locally or use state-level databases. This page explains the steps, costs, and options for getting a Burke County background check.

Burke County Sheriff Background Check Office

Sheriff Alfonzo Williams oversees the Burke County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 702, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Call 706-554-2133 for background check information. The office performs name-based criminal history searches using local Burke County records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. A valid photo ID is required to make a request. You also need to provide your full legal name and date of birth.

Burke County covers a large geographic area but has a relatively small population. The sheriff's office in Waynesboro handles all background check requests for the county. Walk-in visits are the standard method. Because the county is not densely populated, the office typically has shorter wait times than urban agencies. Basic name searches can sometimes produce same-day results. Searches that require pulling records from state databases may take a few business days. Calling ahead at 706-554-2133 is always a good idea to find out what to bring and when the office can process your request.

Criminal Records in Burke County

Burke County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases heard in the superior court are public records kept by the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court. The courthouse in Waynesboro stores these files, including indictments, plea agreements, trial results, and sentencing documents. You can visit the clerk's office to review case records in person. Magistrate court records for minor offenses are stored separately at the county level.

Georgia law sets limits on what criminal records can be accessed by the public. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can share criminal history data with private citizens under defined conditions. A Burke County background check may not show all cases that went through the court. Sealed records are restricted from public view. Juvenile cases are protected. The First Offender Act lets eligible defendants complete their sentence without a public conviction record. These rules affect what you will find in a Burke County background check.

If you need a specific case file, the clerk's office can provide copies for a fee.

State Background Check Tools for Burke County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the central criminal history database for all of Georgia. Burke County records are part of this system. Two statewide tools let you search from anywhere.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search. Enter a name and the system checks for felony convictions across all 159 counties. Burke County felony records show up if there is a match. Results are immediate. The tool only covers felony convictions, which means misdemeanors, pending charges, and arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not included. For a fast Burke County background check when felony history is your main focus, this tool works well.

For the most thorough results, the GAPS fingerprint check through IdentoGo is the best option. Fingerprints are matched against both GBI and FBI databases. This covers Georgia and nationwide records. Results come back in 24 to 48 hours. You need to visit an IdentoGo site to get fingerprinted. Burke County residents may find a location in Augusta in neighboring Richmond County. The cost is higher than a name search, but a fingerprint-based Burke County background check gives the most complete and reliable results.

Check the GBI services page for detailed information on these options.

Burke County criminal history records are accessible through this GBI system that covers every county in the state.

Burke County Background Check Fees

Background check fees at the Burke County Sheriff's Office range from $15 to $25. The state felon search is $15 per query. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more. Call 706-554-2133 to verify the exact current fee before submitting a request.

Cash and money orders are the most common payment methods at the Burke County Sheriff's Office. Card payments may or may not be accepted. Confirm payment options before your visit to Waynesboro. For mail requests, always include a money order.

Note: Fees may change without notice, so check with the Burke County Sheriff's Office for current pricing.

Requesting Burke County Records by Mail

Mail-in requests for a Burke County background check go to the Sheriff's Office at PO Box 702, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Include a written request with your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the processing fee. State the purpose of your background check. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, criminal history requests must be for a lawful purpose. The office will process your request and mail the results back. Allow one to two weeks for the complete process.

Burke County's large size means some residents live far from Waynesboro. Mail requests are a practical option for those who can't easily get to the county seat for a background check.

Burke County Sheriff Contact Information

Contact the Burke County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory is another way to verify current sheriff contact details statewide.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 702, Waynesboro, GA 30830
• Phone: 706-554-2133
• Sheriff: Alfonzo Williams

Burke County borders Richmond County, home to Augusta. Residents on the western side of Burke County are close to Augusta and its services. For Burke County records specifically, the sheriff's office in Waynesboro is the local authority. Call first to get started on your background check.

Nearby Counties

Burke County neighbors these counties in eastern Georgia. Each county has its own sheriff's office that handles background check requests.