Lowndes County Background Check

Lowndes County background check records are managed through the Sheriff's Office in Valdosta. This south Georgia county is the largest in the region by population and serves as a hub for the surrounding area. Sheriff Ashley Paulk runs the office and oversees criminal history requests. A Lowndes County background check pulls from local arrest records, court files from the Southern Judicial Circuit, and statewide data held by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Valdosta Police Department also keeps records for incidents inside the city. There are multiple ways to search for these records.

Lowndes County Sheriff Background Check

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office handles background check requests from the public. The mailing address is PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603. Sheriff Ashley Paulk leads the department. Call 229-671-2900 to ask about the process, what to bring, and office hours. Walk-in requests are the most common way to get a check done here. Staff runs a name-based search through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This returns criminal history from Lowndes County and can pull statewide data too.

Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to give your full legal name and date of birth. Lowndes County is the busiest jurisdiction in south Georgia, so the sheriff's office handles more requests than the smaller surrounding counties. Wait times can vary depending on the day. Try to go early if you can. Simple name checks may come back the same day. More involved searches that reach into state databases could take a few business days. The office also maintains jail booking records and warrant information for the county.

Valdosta Police Department Records

The Valdosta Police Department handles incidents that occur within the city limits of Valdosta. Their office is at 500 North Toombs Street, Valdosta, GA 31601. Call 229-293-3091 for general questions or 229-293-3144 for the records division. If the matter you are looking into happened inside the city, the police department likely holds those records instead of the sheriff's office. Arrests made by Valdosta PD feed into the city system before going to the state database.

For incidents outside the city limits but still within Lowndes County, the sheriff's office is the right contact. People sometimes mix up which agency has the records they need. If you are not sure where something happened, call both offices to find out. Either way, both agencies report data to the GBI's statewide system, so a state-level search will catch results from both. The key is knowing which local office to go to if you want the original arrest report or specific case details.

Criminal History in Lowndes County

Lowndes County is part of the Southern Judicial Circuit. Criminal records from the circuit include felony cases in superior court and misdemeanors in state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Valdosta keeps case files with charges, plea information, trial results, and sentencing data. You can visit the courthouse to look through the records. Most court documents are public, though access to some files may be limited.

Georgia law determines what criminal records the public can access. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can release criminal history data to private citizens under certain conditions. Juvenile records are sealed and will not appear. The First Offender Act allows some people to restrict their conviction from public view after their sentence is done. A Lowndes County background check may not show those cases. Talk to the clerk's office if you cannot find a record you expected to see.

State Background Check for Lowndes County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains databases that cover all 159 counties, including Lowndes. The Georgia Felon Search is a fast online tool at $15 per search. Enter a name and see felony convictions right away. It only shows felony convictions, so misdemeanors and arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not included. This is a quick way to run a basic Lowndes County background check from any computer.

For a deeper look, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo searches state and federal databases. Fingerprint checks avoid false matches and provide a more complete picture. Results take 24 to 48 hours. The cost is higher. Lowndes County residents should be able to find IdentoGo fingerprinting locations in the Valdosta area.

All GBI services are listed at gbi.georgia.gov/services.

The GBI website provides access to statewide criminal records that include Lowndes County data.

Lowndes County Background Check Fees

What you pay depends on the method. A local name-based search at the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office runs $15 to $25. Call 229-671-2900 to confirm the current fee. The Valdosta Police Department may have a separate fee for records requests. The statewide felon search is $15 online. GAPS fingerprint-based checks cost more and include a service fee at the fingerprinting location.

Cash and money orders are common payment options. Some offices now accept cards. Always call ahead to verify what forms of payment are accepted at the specific office you plan to visit.

Fees can change. Check the current amount before you go.

Mail Requests for Lowndes County

You can send a Lowndes County background check request by mail. Write to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office at PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603. 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 search and mail results to your return address. The process takes at least a week when you include shipping time on both ends.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia law sets rules about who can access criminal records and what the data can be used for. Your request needs to meet the legal requirements. The sheriff's office may turn down requests that do not comply with the permitted uses.

Lowndes County Sheriff Contact

Reach the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association also has a directory of all Georgia county sheriffs.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603
• Phone: 229-671-2900
• Sheriff: Ashley Paulk
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Lowndes County is the largest jurisdiction in south Georgia and serves as the regional center for several surrounding counties. The sheriff's office and the Valdosta Police Department both handle records in this area. Knowing which one to call first saves time on your Lowndes County background check.

Nearby Counties

Lowndes County shares borders with several south Georgia counties. If you need background check information from a neighboring area, check these pages.