Search Jackson County Background Check

A Jackson County background check starts at the Sheriff's Office in Jefferson. The county has grown fast in recent years and sits in the northeast part of the state, not far from Athens. Sheriff Kevin McCook runs the office and his staff handles criminal history requests from the public. Jackson County background check records pull from local arrest data, court files in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, and statewide databases managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. There are several paths to search these records, whether you go in person to the sheriff's office or use one of the state's online tools.

Jackson County Sheriff Background Check

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is at 555 Stan Evans Drive in Jefferson. Sheriff Kevin McCook oversees the department. You can reach them at 706-387-8718 to ask about the background check process, hours, and what to bring. Walk-in requests are the most common way to get a check done. Staff runs a name-based search that pulls from local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This search returns criminal history tied to Jackson County and can sometimes show statewide data too.

Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to provide your full legal name and date of birth. The office also keeps booking records from the Jackson County detention center and can give you information about active warrants. Jackson County has seen a lot of growth lately, so the office may be busier than you would expect. Going early in the day helps cut down on wait time. Some checks come back the same day, while others take a few business days if the search has to go through state channels.

Criminal Records in Jackson County

Jackson County falls under the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases from this circuit include felony charges in superior court and misdemeanor matters in state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Jefferson holds case files with charges, plea details, trial outcomes, and sentencing information. You can visit the courthouse to look through these records. Most court documents are part of the public record, though some files may be sealed or restricted.

Georgia law controls access to criminal history data. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can release criminal records to private citizens under certain conditions. Some records are off limits. Juvenile cases stay sealed. People who finished their sentence under the First Offender Act may have their conviction restricted from public view. So a Jackson County background check might not show every case that went through the court system.

Serious felony convictions are harder to seal and stay on file longer than misdemeanor cases.

State Search Options for Jackson County

You do not have to drive to Jefferson to search for Jackson County records. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs statewide databases that include data from all 159 counties. The Georgia Felon Search portal costs $15 and lets you look up felony convictions tied to a specific name. It works from any computer. Results come back fast, but the tool only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanors and arrests that did not end in a conviction will not appear.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives a more thorough search. This fingerprint-based check pulls from both state and federal databases. Because it uses fingerprints, the results avoid false matches that sometimes happen with name-only searches. Turnaround runs 24 to 48 hours. Jackson County residents can find fingerprinting sites in nearby cities like Athens or Gainesville without much trouble.

Check gbi.georgia.gov/services to see the full list of background check options available through the GBI.

The GBI website links to statewide records that include Jackson County criminal history data along with data from every other Georgia county.

Jackson County Background Check Fees

Fees depend on how you run the check. A name-based search at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office runs between $15 and $25. Call 706-387-8718 to confirm the current amount before you make the trip. The state felon search is $15 per query. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS cost more because they cover both state and FBI databases. There is also a service fee at the IdentoGo fingerprinting location.

Most sheriff's offices accept cash and money orders. Some now take cards, but that varies. Always call ahead to make sure you can pay the way you plan to.

Fees can change without much notice. Verify the cost before submitting a request.

Mail Requests for Jackson County

If visiting Jefferson is not an option, you can try requesting a Jackson County background check by mail. Send your request to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 555 Stan Evans Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549. Include your full legal name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the processing fee. Do not mail cash. The office will run the search and send results to the address you provide. Mail requests take longer because of transit time on both ends, usually a week or more from start to finish.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia law spells out who can get criminal history records and how the data may be used. Make sure your request meets the legal requirements for disclosure before mailing it in.

Jackson County Sheriff Contact

Get in touch with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for questions about background checks. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association also lists contact details for all Georgia sheriffs.

• Address: 555 Stan Evans Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549
• Phone: 706-387-8718
• Sheriff: Kevin McCook
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Jackson County is one of the faster-growing counties in northeast Georgia. The sheriff's office stays busy, and background checks are just one part of what they do. A quick call before you visit helps make sure you have the right documents and payment ready for your Jackson County background check.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County borders several northeast Georgia counties. If you need records from a nearby jurisdiction, check these pages.