Lee County Background Check

Lee County background check records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Leesburg. The county is in southwest Georgia, next to Dougherty County and the city of Albany. Sheriff Reggie Rachals heads the office and his staff processes criminal history requests from the public. Lee County background check searches pull from local arrest data, court case records, and statewide databases run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. You have several ways to search, whether you visit the sheriff's office in Leesburg or use an online state search tool from home.

Lee County Sheriff Background Check

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is at 119 Pinewood Road in Leesburg. Sheriff Reggie Rachals runs the department. You can call 229-759-6052 to ask about the background check process, hours, and what to bring. Walk-in requests are the typical way to start a check. Staff runs a name-based search through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This covers criminal history from Lee County and may also pull statewide results.

Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to give your full name and date of birth. Lee County is a growing area thanks to its closeness to Albany, but the sheriff's office is still less busy than offices in the biggest metro areas. Most name-based searches come back the same day. Searches that need to reach state-level databases might take a few extra business days. The office also keeps jail booking records and active warrant data for the county.

Criminal Records in Lee County

Lee County criminal records come through the local court system. Felony cases are heard in superior court, and misdemeanors go to state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Leesburg keeps case files that show charges, pleas, outcomes, and sentencing details. You can visit the courthouse to look through these records. Most court documents are open to the public, but some may be restricted or sealed.

Georgia law sets the rules on criminal record access. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 allows the GBI to share criminal history data with the public under certain conditions. Juvenile cases are sealed. The First Offender Act lets some people restrict their conviction from public access after they complete their sentence. A Lee County background check could miss cases handled under this provision. The clerk can help if you need details on a specific case that does not appear in search results.

Felony convictions tend to stay visible for much longer than misdemeanor records.

State Background Check for Lee County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates statewide search tools that include Lee County. You do not need to drive to Leesburg to use them. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search and returns felony conviction data tied to a name across all 159 counties. Results are instant. This tool only shows felony convictions, though. Misdemeanor cases and non-conviction arrests are excluded.

If you need a deeper search, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo pulls from state and federal databases. Fingerprint searches avoid false matches and give a more complete picture. Results come in 24 to 48 hours. The fee is higher than a name-based search. Lee County residents can find fingerprinting locations in Albany or nearby cities.

The full list of GBI services is at gbi.georgia.gov/services.

The GBI website gives you access to statewide records that cover Lee County criminal history.

Lee County Background Check Fees

A name-based search at the Lee County Sheriff's Office typically costs between $15 and $25. Call 229-759-6052 to confirm the current amount before your visit. The state felon search runs $15. Fingerprint checks through GAPS cost more and include a separate fingerprinting fee at the IdentoGo site.

Cash and money orders are standard payment methods. Some offices accept cards, but this varies. Call the office to check on accepted payment forms so you are not caught unprepared.

Fees are subject to change. Verify before submitting a request.

Mail Requests for Lee County

If you cannot go to Leesburg in person, you can mail a request to the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 119 Pinewood Road, Leesburg, GA 31763. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not send cash through the mail. The office will process the search and send results to your address. Mail requests take longer because of transit time, usually a week or more from start to finish.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 limits who can access criminal records and how the data may be used. Make sure your request meets the requirements before mailing it. The sheriff's office can decline requests that do not fit within the allowed purposes.

Lee County Sheriff Contact

Reach the Lee County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. You can also find all Georgia sheriffs through the Georgia Sheriffs' Association website.

• Address: 119 Pinewood Road, Leesburg, GA 31763
• Phone: 229-759-6052
• Sheriff: Reggie Rachals
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Lee County sits right next to Albany, so people in the Albany metro area may have records in either Lee or Dougherty County. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, call both offices. Starting your Lee County background check with a phone call makes the whole process easier.

Nearby Counties

Lee County borders several southwest Georgia counties. Use these links if you need background check records from a nearby area.