Search Fulton County Background Check

Fulton County background check records are handled by the Sheriff's Office and the Fulton County Police Department in Atlanta. Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat oversees sheriff operations from 185 Central Ave SW. Fulton County is the most populated county in Georgia and home to Atlanta, the state capital. The Atlanta Judicial Circuit serves the county. With so many people and agencies involved, there are multiple paths to run a Fulton County background check. The sheriff's office, the county police, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation all maintain records that cover this county. Court files from superior, state, and magistrate courts add even more data to the picture.

Fulton County Sheriff Background Check

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office at 185 Central Ave SW in Atlanta processes background check requests. Call 404-612-5100 for questions about the process. Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat runs the office, which handles a massive volume of cases given the county's size. A background check at this office costs $15. You must pay with cash or a US postal money order. No other payment forms are accepted for background checks at the sheriff's office.

Walk-in requests are how most people start a Fulton County background check at this office. Bring a valid photo ID and your full name and date of birth. The staff runs a name-based search through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Results can take a few business days because of the high volume of requests this office handles. Fulton County processes more cases than any other county in the state, so expect some wait time both at the counter and for results to come back.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office website has details on services they provide.

The sheriff's site lists contact information, office locations, and details about requesting records from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

Fulton County Record Restrictions

Record restriction in Fulton County costs $25 per arrest. This fee applies when someone wants to have an arrest record restricted from public view under Georgia law. The restriction process goes through the court system, and once granted, the record will not appear in most standard background checks. This is worth knowing because it means a Fulton County background check may not show every arrest or case that went through the system.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can share criminal history data with private citizens under certain conditions. But restricted records are pulled from public results. The First Offender Act gives another path for people to keep a conviction out of public searches. Juvenile cases are sealed as well. If you need more detail about a specific record in Fulton County, the clerk of superior court can help you figure out what is available and what has been restricted.

Fulton County Police Department

The Fulton County Police Department is a separate agency from the sheriff's office. It handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county. The police department keeps its own records for incidents, arrests, and cases that its officers handled. If you are running a Fulton County background check and the person lived in an unincorporated part of the county, the police department may have records that the sheriff's office does not hold in its local files.

The Fulton County Police Department page has information about their services and how to contact them for records.

The police department is one of several agencies in Fulton County that maintains criminal records and can assist with background check requests.

Fulton County Sheriff Services

Beyond standard background checks, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office offers several related services. The Sex Offender Unit can be reached at 404-612-9130 for questions about registered sex offenders in the county. This unit tracks offenders who live, work, or attend school in Fulton County and can share information from the state registry.

The sheriff's services page provides a full list of what the office handles, from warrant checks to inmate information.

This page breaks down the different services offered by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, including background checks and record requests.

State Search Tools for Fulton County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system that includes all Fulton County records. You do not have to go to Atlanta to run a search. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and shows felony convictions across the state. Enter a name and get results right away. This tool only shows felony convictions. Arrests, pending cases, and misdemeanors are not included.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives the deepest results. It pulls from GBI and FBI databases and covers out-of-state records too. Fingerprint searches are more accurate than name checks. Results come in 24 to 48 hours. There are many IdentoGo locations throughout Fulton County and the greater Atlanta area. Visit the GBI services page for a complete rundown of all search options.

Fulton County Background Check Fees

A background check at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office costs $15. You must pay with cash or a US postal money order. No checks, credit cards, or debit cards are accepted for this service. Record restriction costs $25 per arrest. The state felon search is $15 online. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS cost more and include a service fee from the IdentoGo location where you get fingerprinted.

The payment rules are strict at this office. If you show up with only a credit card, you will not be able to pay. Bring cash or get a postal money order before your visit to avoid a wasted trip.

Fulton County Contact Details

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of all county sheriff contacts. Here are the details for Fulton County.

• Sheriff's Office: 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: 404-612-5100
• Sheriff: Patrick "Pat" Labat
• Background Check Fee: $15 (cash or US postal money order only)
• Record Restriction: $25 per arrest
• Sex Offender Unit: 404-612-9130

Fulton County is the heart of metro Atlanta and the busiest county in Georgia for law enforcement and court activity. The volume of cases passing through the system here is much higher than anywhere else in the state. Plan accordingly when you visit. Expect some wait time, and make sure you have the right payment method before you go.

Fulton County Cities

Fulton County includes Atlanta and many other cities. Background check records for residents of these cities go through the Fulton County courts and sheriff's office, though some cities have their own police departments that maintain separate records.

Nearby Counties

Fulton County borders many counties in the metro Atlanta region. These pages cover background check details for surrounding areas.