Look Up Cook County Background Check

A Cook County background check starts at the Sheriff's Office in Adel, a small city in south Georgia. The office keeps criminal history records for the county and handles public requests for background check information. Cook County is part of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit. The county has a population of about 17,000 and covers a rural stretch between Tifton and Valdosta. Court records, arrest data, and warrant information are all tied to the local system. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also maintains Cook County criminal records in its statewide database, providing an alternative path for those who want to search from outside the area.

Cook County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff Douglas Hanks runs the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 1000 County Farm Road in Adel. Call 229-896-7471 for background check questions. Walk-in requests are the most common way to get a check done here. You need to bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to pay the processing fee. The staff runs your name through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This returns Cook County criminal history and may include statewide results.

Adel is a small town. The sheriff's office is not as busy as offices in metro Atlanta, which usually means shorter wait times. Some checks come back the same day. If the search has to go through state-level channels, it could take a couple of business days. The office handles warrant information and jail booking data for Cook County as well. Staff members can answer general questions about what records are on file and how you can get copies if needed.

Note: Small county offices sometimes have limited hours, so a phone call before your visit is always a smart move.

Cook County Criminal History Records

Criminal records in Cook County include arrests, charges, and case outcomes from the Alapaha Judicial Circuit. Superior court handles felonies. State court and magistrate court process misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. The clerk of superior court in Cook County maintains case files at the courthouse in Adel. Most of these records are open to the public, and you can go in person to review dockets and case documents.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, Georgia law allows members of the public to request criminal history information for certain allowed purposes. Some records may be restricted. The First Offender Act provides a way for individuals to have their conviction sealed from public view after they complete their sentence. That means a Cook County background check may not show every case that has been processed through the local courts. Felony convictions are harder to restrict and generally stay visible for a much longer time in the system.

State-Level Cook County Background Checks

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history database. Cook County arrest and conviction records feed into this system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. You do not have to visit Adel to run these searches.

The Georgia Felon Search tool is an online option that costs $15. It pulls felony convictions from all 159 Georgia counties, including Cook County. Enter a name and the system returns results instantly if there is a match. Only felony convictions are shown. Misdemeanors, arrests without convictions, and pending charges do not appear in this database. It is a fast and simple way to do a basic Cook County background check online.

For deeper results, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo runs a check against both state and federal databases. Fingerprint-based searches take one to two business days. The cost is higher, but you get a far more complete picture. Cook County residents likely need to drive to Valdosta or Tifton for the nearest IdentoGo fingerprinting site.

See all background check services at gbi.georgia.gov/services.

The GBI portal above is used to search statewide criminal records that include Cook County history.

Cook County Background Check Fees

What you pay for a Cook County background check depends on how you search. A local check at the sheriff's office runs between $15 and $25. Call 229-896-7471 to verify. The statewide felon search is $15 per query. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS cost more due to federal database access, and a separate fee applies at the IdentoGo fingerprinting location.

Cash and money orders tend to be the safest bet at smaller sheriff's offices. Card payment is not guaranteed. Always confirm ahead of time what payment types are accepted so you do not have to make a second trip.

Requesting Cook County Records by Mail

You may be able to get a Cook County background check through the mail if visiting Adel is not possible. Write to the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 1000 County Farm Road, Adel, GA 31620. Include your full name, date of birth, and a photocopy of your ID. Enclose a money order for the processing fee. Do not mail cash. The office will process the request and send results to your return address. Expect longer turnaround because of postal transit time both ways.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 limits who can access criminal history records and what those records can be used for. Your request needs to meet the legal standards. The sheriff's office can decline any request that does not fit within the allowed purposes under the statute.

Note: If you are unsure whether your request qualifies, call the office first to ask before mailing anything.

Cook County Sheriff Contact

Contact the Cook County Sheriff's Office for background check help. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association also has a directory of all Georgia sheriffs for reference.

• Address: 1000 County Farm Road, Adel, GA 31620
• Phone: 229-896-7471
• Sheriff: Douglas Hanks
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Cook County is a small, rural county. The sheriff's office staff wear many hats and may not always be immediately available for background check processing. Calling ahead gives you the best chance of a smooth visit. The office can let you know what documents to bring and when they expect to have someone free to handle your Cook County background check request.

Nearby Counties

Cook County borders several counties in south Georgia. If your search goes beyond Cook County, these neighboring pages may help.