Jenkins County Background Check
Jenkins County background check records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Millen. The county is a small, rural area in east-central Georgia with a modest population. Sheriff Robert Oglesby heads the office and oversees criminal history requests. A Jenkins County background check draws from local arrest records, court case files, and statewide data held by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Whether you need to visit the sheriff's office in Millen or prefer to use an online tool, you have options for getting the records you need.
Jenkins County Quick Facts
Jenkins County Sheriff Background Check
The Jenkins County Sheriff's Office processes background check requests at their office in Millen. The mailing address is PO Box 857, Millen, GA 30442. Call 478-982-4211 to ask about the process, what to bring, and current hours. Sheriff Robert Oglesby and his staff handle walk-in requests, which is the most common way to get a check done in a small county like this. They run a name-based search through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Results show criminal history from Jenkins County and may include statewide data.
You need to bring a valid photo ID. Give your full legal name and date of birth to the staff. Jenkins County does not see the volume of requests that bigger counties deal with, so wait times tend to be short. Many simple checks finish the same day. If the search has to pull from state databases, it could take a few business days. The office also keeps booking records and warrant information.
Jenkins County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Jenkins County come from the local court system. The county is part of a judicial circuit that handles felonies in superior court and misdemeanors in state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Millen holds case files that include charges, pleas, outcomes, and sentencing details. You can visit the courthouse to review these records. Most case files are public, though some may be restricted under Georgia law.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can share criminal history information with private citizens when certain conditions are met. Not every record will be open to view. Juvenile cases are always sealed. The First Offender Act allows eligible people to restrict their conviction from public access after finishing their sentence. A Jenkins County background check may not show cases handled under that provision. Ask the clerk's office if you need more detail on a specific record that does not appear in the system.
Felony records generally stay on file longer than misdemeanor records do.
State Background Check for Jenkins County
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs statewide search tools that cover Jenkins County and every other county in the state. You do not have to be in Millen to use them. The Georgia Felon Search is a fast online option that costs $15 per search. It shows felony convictions tied to a name across all 159 Georgia counties. Results come back right away. This tool only covers felony convictions, so misdemeanor cases and arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not included.
For more detail, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo searches state and federal databases. Fingerprint-based results are more accurate because they avoid name mix-ups. Turnaround runs 24 to 48 hours. The cost is higher than a simple name search. Jenkins County residents may need to go to a nearby city to get fingerprinted, since rural areas have fewer IdentoGo sites.
All GBI background check services are listed at gbi.georgia.gov/services.
The GBI website provides access to statewide criminal records that include data from Jenkins County and all other Georgia counties.
Jenkins County Background Check Fees
What you pay for a Jenkins County background check depends on the method. A local name-based search at the sheriff's office usually costs between $15 and $25. Call 478-982-4211 to confirm. The state felon search runs $15 online. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more because they tap state and FBI databases, plus there is a fee at the fingerprinting location.
Cash and money orders are typical payment methods. Card payment may or may not be available in a county this size. Call the office before you visit so you know what to bring.
Fees can change at any time. Always check the current amount before making a request.
Mail Requests for Jenkins County
You can request a Jenkins County background check by mail if you cannot visit Millen. Write to the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office at PO Box 857, Millen, GA 30442. Include your full legal name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the processing fee. Do not mail cash. The office will run the check and mail results to your return address. The whole process takes longer than an in-person visit because of shipping time on both ends.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia law sets rules for who can access criminal records and how they may be used. Your request must fall within the permitted uses. The sheriff's office can reject requests that do not meet the legal standard for releasing criminal history data.
Jenkins County Sheriff Contact
Reach the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of all Georgia sheriffs for verification.
- Mailing Address: PO Box 857, Millen, GA 30442
- Phone: 478-982-4211
- Sheriff: Robert Oglesby
- Hours: Call to confirm current office hours
The staff at the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office can help with background check questions and point you in the right direction if you need records from another agency. Call ahead to make your visit go smoothly.
Nearby Counties
Jenkins County sits near several east Georgia counties. These links can help if you need background check data from a neighboring area.