Gilmer County Background Check

Gilmer County background check requests go through the Sheriff's Office in Ellijay. Sheriff Stacy Nicholson runs the office, which handles criminal history searches for this mountain county in north Georgia. Gilmer County is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, and the local courts process cases through the courthouse in Ellijay. The sheriff's office keeps arrest records, booking logs, and warrant files. It also connects to the Georgia Crime Information Center for statewide data. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains records from all 159 counties, so state-level searches cover Gilmer County as well. You can get results by walking in, sending a request by mail, or using online state tools.

Gilmer County Sheriff Background Check

The Gilmer County Sheriff's Office is located at 1062 Airport Drive in Ellijay. You can call them at 706-635-4462 to find out the current process for running a background check. Sheriff Stacy Nicholson's staff handles name-based searches by checking local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Walk-in visits are the standard way to request a check. Bring a valid photo ID and your full name and date of birth.

Gilmer County is not a large county, which usually means shorter wait times at the office. Simple local checks may come back the same day. Searches that reach into state databases can take a few business days. The office also looks up warrants and has booking information from the county jail. Staff will tell you what forms to fill out and what the fee is when you arrive. Calling ahead is still a good idea since office hours and availability can change.

Bring your ID and be ready to pay when you get there.

Gilmer County Criminal Records

Criminal records from Gilmer County courts are public records held by the Clerk of Superior Court. The county is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. Superior court handles felony cases in Ellijay, and the magistrate court takes care of misdemeanors. You can visit the courthouse to review case files, which include charges, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. The clerk's office can help you locate a specific case if you have a name or case number.

Not all records are open to the public. Georgia law has clear rules about this. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI shares criminal history information with private citizens under certain conditions. Juvenile records stay sealed. People who went through the First Offender Act can have their conviction restricted from public view after they finish their sentence. A Gilmer County background check might not capture every case that went through the local courts because of these protections.

State Tools for Gilmer County Searches

You can search Gilmer County records from anywhere using statewide tools from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and gives instant results on felony convictions. Just enter a name. This tool only shows felony convictions, though. Arrests, misdemeanors, and pending cases are left out.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo is the better choice for a thorough search. It pulls from both state and FBI databases and covers records from other states. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate because they match on prints, not names. Results take 24 to 48 hours. Gilmer County residents can find fingerprinting locations in nearby cities like Ellijay, Jasper, or Blue Ridge. The cost is higher than a name search, but the quality of results is much better.

Check the GBI services page for the full list of available search options.

The GBI portal connects to databases that include Gilmer County criminal records along with data from every other county in the state.

Gilmer County Background Check Fees

A local background check at the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office usually costs between $15 and $25. Call 706-635-4462 to confirm the current fee. The statewide felon search is $15 per search. Fingerprint checks through GAPS cost more and include a service fee from the IdentoGo location.

Cash and money orders are the typical payment methods at the sheriff's office. Ask about card acceptance before you go. Some rural offices still only take cash or money orders, and showing up without the right payment means a wasted trip.

Mail Requests for Gilmer County

If you cannot visit Ellijay, you may be able to request a Gilmer County background check by mail. Send your request to the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office at 1062 Airport Drive, Ellijay, GA 30540. Include your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not mail cash. The office processes the request and mails results back to your address. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, there are rules about how criminal history information can be used once you receive it. Make sure your request meets the requirements or it could be denied.

Mail requests take one to two weeks when you add up postal time and processing at the office.

Gilmer County Contact Details

Contact the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office using the details below. You can also find their listing through the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory.

• Address: 1062 Airport Drive, Ellijay, GA 30540
• Phone: 706-635-4462
• Sheriff: Stacy Nicholson
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Gilmer County sits in the north Georgia mountains, known for the apple orchards around Ellijay. The sheriff's office handles all county law enforcement duties, and background check requests are part of their daily work. Calling ahead helps you plan your visit and find out if they need any specific paperwork for your Gilmer County background check request.

Nearby Counties

Gilmer County borders several other mountain counties in north Georgia. These pages may help if your search covers a wider area.