Find Henry County Background Check

Henry County background check records are handled by the Sheriff's Office in McDonough, south of Atlanta in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. The sheriff's office processes criminal history requests and keeps arrest logs, booking data, and warrant files for the county. Henry County is part of the Flint Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases go through the superior court in McDonough. The county also includes the city of Stockbridge, which has its own police force. State databases through the GBI hold Henry County data as well, giving you more than one way to search.

Henry County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff Reginald Scandrett leads the Henry County Sheriff's Office at 120 Henry Pkwy in McDonough. You can reach the office at 770-288-7101 to ask about background check procedures, hours, and required documents. Walk-in requests are the standard approach. Bring a valid photo ID and the processing fee. Staff runs a name-based search using local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. A Henry County background check turns up arrest data, booking records, and criminal history tied to the county. The search can also pull statewide hits if the GCIC system has matching records from other jurisdictions.

Henry County has grown fast over the past couple decades. The population increase means the sheriff's office handles a high volume of requests compared to many south metro counties. Wait times can vary, so going early in the day is a smart move. Some name-based checks come back the same day. Others need a few business days when the request involves state-level processing. The office also keeps jail booking data and information on active warrants. If you are looking for court documents rather than arrest records, the clerk of superior court may be a better resource for that part of your search.

Call ahead to check hours and avoid a wasted trip.

Criminal History Records in Henry County

Criminal records in Henry County come from the Flint Judicial Circuit, which serves Henry County and several surrounding areas. The superior court handles felony cases. State court and magistrate court process misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. The clerk of superior court in Henry County holds case files at the courthouse in McDonough. You can visit in person to review dockets, filings, and case outcomes. These records are part of the public record system, though access to some files may be limited by Georgia law.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history data can be released to private citizens under certain conditions. Georgia also has protections that keep some records out of public view. The First Offender Act lets eligible individuals restrict a conviction after completing their sentence. Juvenile records are sealed in nearly all cases. So a Henry County background check may not reveal every case that has gone through the court system. For detail on a specific case, the clerk of court in McDonough can help you figure out what is accessible.

State Background Check Tools for Henry County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal history database. All Henry County arrest and conviction data feeds into the GBI's system. You do not need to visit McDonough to use these tools. The GBI provides two main options for running a background check that covers Henry County records.

The Georgia Felon Search is an online tool that costs $15 per search. It returns felony convictions from all 159 Georgia counties. Misdemeanor cases, pending charges, and arrests without a conviction are not included. You enter a name and get immediate results if there is a match. For a basic Henry County background check focused on felony history, this is a fast place to start.

For a more complete search, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo pulls from both state and federal databases. Fingerprint-based checks take 24 to 48 hours and cost more than a name search. The trade-off is greater accuracy, since fingerprints prevent false matches from common names. Henry County residents can find IdentoGo fingerprinting locations throughout the south metro Atlanta area without much trouble.

More information on GBI services is available at gbi.georgia.gov/services.

The image above shows the Henry County Sheriff's Office portal where you can learn about local background check procedures and other services offered by the department.

Henry County Background Check Fees

The cost of a Henry County background check depends on the method you pick. A local name-based search at the sheriff's office usually runs between $15 and $25. Call 770-288-7101 to confirm the current fee before you go. The state felon search tool charges $15 per query. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS cost more because they cover both state and FBI records. There is also a service fee at the IdentoGo fingerprinting site.

Payment methods at the Henry County Sheriff's Office may include cash, money orders, and possibly cards. The office serves a large population and may have more payment options than smaller counties. Still, calling ahead is a good idea to confirm what they accept.

Fees change from time to time. Always verify the current cost before submitting your request.

Requesting Henry County Records by Mail

If you cannot visit McDonough in person, you may request a Henry County background check by mail. Send a written request to the Henry County Sheriff's Office at 120 Henry Pkwy, McDonough, GA 30253. Include your full name, date of birth, and a photocopy of your government-issued ID. Enclose a money order for the processing fee. Never send cash through the mail. The office will process the check and mail results to your return address. Plan for about one to two weeks total when you factor in transit time and office processing.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, specific rules govern access to criminal history records and the permitted uses of that data. Make sure your request meets Georgia's legal standards for disclosure. The sheriff's office can turn down requests that fall outside the permitted uses set by state law.

Henry County Sheriff Contact Info

Reach the Henry County Sheriff's Office for questions about background checks. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of all county sheriffs in the state for verification.

• Address: 120 Henry Pkwy, McDonough, GA 30253
• Phone: 770-288-7101
• Sheriff: Reginald Scandrett
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Henry County is one of the busier counties in the south Atlanta metro area. The sheriff's office serves a large and growing population, so plan your visit and get there early if you can. Calling first helps you avoid long waits and ensures you have everything needed for your Henry County background check. The staff can walk you through the steps over the phone.

Cities in Henry County

Henry County includes two cities with their own law enforcement operations. Background check records may be held by both the city police and the county sheriff depending on where the arrest took place. Check these city pages for more local detail.

Nearby Counties

Henry County borders several counties in the south Atlanta metro area. These pages have background check information for neighboring jurisdictions.