Dodge County Background Check

A Dodge County background check begins at the Sheriff's Office on Industrial Boulevard in Eastman. Sheriff Brian Robinson heads the office and manages criminal record requests for the county. Dodge County is in central Georgia and is part of the Oconee Judicial Circuit. Criminal history data here comes from local arrest logs, court case files, and the statewide databases run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Whether you go to the office in person or use online search tools from the state, there are several ways to access records tied to Dodge County.

Dodge County Sheriff Record Search

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office is at 85 Industrial Blvd in Eastman. Sheriff Brian Robinson and his staff handle background check requests by running name-based searches through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center. Call 478-559-1130 to find out what you need to bring and what the current hours are. Walk-in requests are how most people get a background check here. You will need a valid photo ID along with your full legal name and date of birth. The staff searches their databases and pulls up any criminal history tied to the name you provide.

Dodge County is a smaller county in the middle of the state. The sheriff's office handles a moderate volume of requests, so wait times are usually reasonable. A simple check may come back the same day. More involved searches that require state-level data can take a few business days. The office also keeps booking records from the Dodge County jail and can tell you about active warrants in the county.

Criminal Records in Dodge County

Dodge County falls under the Oconee Judicial Circuit, which also covers Bleckley, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler, and Wilcox counties. Criminal cases heard in the superior court become public record. The Dodge County Clerk of Superior Court in Eastman maintains files on felony charges, misdemeanor cases, plea deals, trial outcomes, and sentences. Visiting the courthouse is the best way to get detailed access to these records. Some basic case information might be available by phone, but the most complete review happens when you go in person and look at the actual case files.

Georgia law determines what is and is not open to the public. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can share criminal history records with private citizens under certain conditions. Not everything shows up in a standard search, though. Juvenile cases are protected. Sealed records stay hidden. The First Offender Act allows eligible people to restrict their conviction from public view after completing their sentence. A Dodge County background check might not catch every case that has moved through the court system for this reason.

Felony records are harder to seal than misdemeanors and typically remain on file for much longer.

Statewide Search Tools for Dodge County

You do not have to visit Eastman to run a Dodge County background check. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has online tools that pull data from all 159 Georgia counties. The Georgia Felon Search is the quickest option at $15 per search. Enter a name and find out if there are any felony convictions on record across the state. The tool only covers felony convictions. Arrests without convictions, misdemeanors, and pending charges will not appear in the results.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo provides more complete background check results. Fingerprint-based searches check both state and federal databases, which means you can find criminal history from other states too. Results are more accurate than name searches because fingerprints remove the chance of false matches from common names. Turnaround is usually 24 to 48 hours. Dodge County residents may need to travel to a nearby city for fingerprinting since IdentoGo does not have locations in every small town.

Check gbi.georgia.gov/services for the full list of available search options.

The GBI portal gives access to statewide criminal history databases that hold records from Dodge County and every other county in Georgia.

Dodge County Check Fees

A local name-based search at the Dodge County Sheriff's Office costs between $15 and $25. Call 478-559-1130 to verify the current amount before you go. The state felon search is a flat $15 online. Fingerprint checks through GAPS cost more because they cover both state and FBI records, and there is also a service fee at the fingerprinting location. Payment at the sheriff's office is usually cash or money order. Not every office takes cards, so check ahead of time.

Fees can change without notice. Always confirm before submitting a request.

How to Request Dodge County Records by Mail

If you can not make it to Eastman, you can send a background check request by mail. Write to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office at 85 Industrial Blvd, Eastman, GA 31023. Include a written request with your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not send cash. The office will process the search and send back the results. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia law restricts how criminal history data can be used once you receive it. Make sure your request is for an allowed purpose before submitting.

Plan for one to two weeks for a mail request, including mailing time in both directions and processing at the office.

Dodge County Contact Information

Reach the sheriff's office for background check questions at the details below. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association also has a full directory of county sheriffs.

• Address: 85 Industrial Blvd, Eastman, GA 31023
• Phone: 478-559-1130
• Sheriff: Brian Robinson
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Dodge County is centrally located in the state, which means neighboring counties are easy to reach if you need to extend your search. Starting with a phone call to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office is the simplest way to get your background check moving in the right direction.

Nearby Counties

Dodge County shares borders with several central Georgia counties. If you need records from a nearby area, these pages can help.