Jeff Davis County Background Check

Jeff Davis County background check information is handled by the Sheriff's Office in Hazlehurst. This southeast Georgia county is rural and not heavily populated, but criminal history records still flow into the state system run by the GBI. Sheriff Preston Bohannon leads the office and his team processes requests from the public. You can search for Jeff Davis County background check records by visiting the sheriff's office in person, contacting the clerk of court, or using statewide search tools from any location. Each method has its own steps and costs.

Jeff Davis County Sheriff Background Check

The Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office handles local background check requests. The mailing address is PO Box 237, Hazlehurst, GA 31539. Sheriff Preston Bohannon runs the department. Call 912-375-6600 to find out about hours and what documents you need. Walk-in visits are the standard method for getting a check done here. Staff runs a name-based search through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This pulls up any criminal history connected to Jeff Davis County and may return statewide results too.

You will need a valid photo ID. Provide your full legal name and date of birth so the search can be done properly. Because Jeff Davis County is small, the office is usually less crowded than what you would see in a bigger county. Most name-based checks come back quickly. If the search has to reach into state-level databases, expect a few business days. The office also has booking records from the county jail and can share information about outstanding warrants.

Criminal History in Jeff Davis County

Jeff Davis County is part of a judicial circuit that covers this section of southeast Georgia. Criminal cases from the circuit include felony matters in superior court and misdemeanor charges in state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Hazlehurst keeps case records on file. These include charges, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing data. You can go to the courthouse and review these files. Most are open to the public, but some may have restricted access.

Georgia law governs who can see criminal records and under what conditions. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 gives the GBI the authority to release criminal history data to the public when certain rules are followed. Not all records show up in a standard search. Juvenile records are sealed. People who went through the First Offender Act and completed their sentence can have their conviction restricted. A Jeff Davis County background check could miss those entries entirely.

Felony cases are harder to restrict than misdemeanor cases. Serious offenses tend to stay on record longer.

State Search Tools for Jeff Davis County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide databases that include Jeff Davis County. You can search from anywhere without going to Hazlehurst. The Georgia Felon Search is a quick online option at $15 per search. Enter a name and you get results right away if there is a felony conviction on file. The tool only covers felony convictions, so misdemeanors and arrests without a conviction will not show up.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives a more thorough result. Fingerprint-based checks search both state and federal databases and avoid the mix-ups that happen with common names. Turnaround is usually 24 to 48 hours. The cost is higher than a name search. Jeff Davis County residents may need to travel to a nearby area to find a fingerprinting location.

Visit gbi.georgia.gov/services for the full list of background check services from the GBI.

The GBI portal gives access to statewide criminal records, including data from Jeff Davis County.

Jeff Davis County Check Fees

A name-based search at the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office runs between $15 and $25. Call 912-375-6600 to verify the exact amount before you visit. The statewide felon search costs $15 online. Fingerprint-based GAPS checks cost more and come with a separate fingerprinting service fee at the IdentoGo location.

Cash and money orders are the most common forms of payment at rural sheriff's offices. Check before you go to make sure you bring the right payment method. Some offices have started accepting cards, but it is not guaranteed in smaller counties like Jeff Davis.

Mail Requests for Jeff Davis County

If you cannot make it to Hazlehurst, a mail request may work. Send your written request to the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office at PO Box 237, Hazlehurst, GA 31539. Include your full legal 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 mail results to the address you provide. Expect the full process to take at least a week or two, since mailing adds time on both ends.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 controls who can request criminal history records and what the data can be used for. Make sure your request falls within the allowed purposes before sending it in. The sheriff's office can decline requests that do not meet the legal standard for disclosure.

Jeff Davis County Sheriff Contact

Contact the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a statewide directory of all county sheriffs.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 237, Hazlehurst, GA 31539
• Phone: 912-375-6600
• Sheriff: Preston Bohannon
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

The sheriff's office handles many responsibilities beyond background checks. Calling first is the best approach so you know what to expect. A quick phone call can save you a trip if you are missing any documents or need to confirm the fee for your Jeff Davis County background check.

Nearby Counties

Jeff Davis County is surrounded by several southeast Georgia counties. If you need records from a nearby area, these pages may be useful.