Access Lumpkin County Background Check

Lumpkin County background check records go through the Sheriff's Office in Dahlonega. The county is in the north Georgia mountains and has a mix of long-time residents and seasonal visitors. Sheriff Stacy Jarrard heads the department and staff processes criminal record requests from the public. A Lumpkin County background check draws from local arrest data, court records from the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, and statewide databases managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Whether you visit Dahlonega in person or use a state tool online, there are several ways to run a search.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Background Check

The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office is at 385 East Main Street in Dahlonega. Sheriff Stacy Jarrard runs the department. Call 706-864-0414 to ask about background check procedures, hours, and what documents to bring. Walk-in requests are the most common method for getting a check done in this county. Staff runs a name-based search through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This pulls up criminal history linked to Lumpkin County and may also return statewide results.

You will need a valid photo ID and your full legal name and date of birth. Lumpkin County is a popular spot for tourism and outdoor activities, which means the population swells at certain times of the year. The sheriff's office stays busy. Going early in the day is a good strategy if you want to avoid a long wait. Most name-based checks come back quickly for simple requests. Searches that pull from state-level databases might take a few business days. The office also keeps booking records from the county jail and can provide warrant information.

Criminal Records in Lumpkin County

Lumpkin County is part of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Dawson County and several other north Georgia counties. Criminal cases from this circuit include felonies in superior court and misdemeanors in state and magistrate courts. The Clerk of Superior Court in Dahlonega keeps case files on record. These include charges, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. You can go to the courthouse to look through the files. Most court records are available to the public, although some may be restricted.

Georgia law sets the boundaries on what criminal records you can see. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GBI can share criminal history data with the public when certain conditions are met. Juvenile cases are always sealed. The First Offender Act gives some people the option to restrict their conviction from public view once they complete their sentence. That means a Lumpkin County background check could miss cases handled under that law. If you need detail on a specific case, contact the clerk's office in Dahlonega.

Felony convictions stay on the public record longer and are harder to restrict than misdemeanor records.

State Search Options for Lumpkin County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates statewide databases covering all 159 counties, including Lumpkin. You do not need to be in Dahlonega to access these. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and lets you look up felony convictions by name across the entire state. Results come back right away. The tool only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanors, pending charges, and non-conviction arrests will not appear.

For a more complete search, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo pulls from both state and federal databases. Fingerprint searches avoid false matches from common names and provide a fuller picture. Results take 24 to 48 hours. The cost is higher. Lumpkin County residents can find IdentoGo fingerprinting locations in Gainesville or other nearby cities in the north Georgia area.

Visit gbi.georgia.gov/services for the full breakdown of GBI background check options and fees.

The GBI portal provides access to statewide criminal records that include data from Lumpkin County and every other Georgia county.

Lumpkin County Background Check Fees

The cost of a Lumpkin County background check depends on which method you use. A name-based search at the sheriff's office typically runs $15 to $25. Call 706-864-0414 to confirm the current amount. The statewide felon search costs $15 online. Fingerprint checks through GAPS are higher because they search both state and FBI databases, and there is a separate service fee at the fingerprinting site.

Cash and money orders are standard at most Georgia sheriff's offices. Some locations accept cards now. Call ahead to find out what payment methods the office takes so you do not show up unprepared.

Fees can change at any time. Always confirm before submitting a request.

Requesting Lumpkin County Records by Mail

If you cannot visit Dahlonega in person, a mail request is an option. Write to the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office at 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Your letter should include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the processing fee. Never mail cash. The office runs the check and sends the results to your return address. Mail requests add time to the process. Plan for at least a week or more for the full round trip.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 governs who can access criminal history records and how the data may be used. Your request has to fit within the legal guidelines. The sheriff's office can decline requests that do not meet the requirements for disclosure.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Contact

Get in touch with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association also has a directory of all Georgia county sheriffs.

• Address: 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533
• Phone: 706-864-0414
• Sheriff: Stacy Jarrard
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Lumpkin County draws a lot of visitors to the Dahlonega area. The sheriff's office handles a wide range of duties for the county, and background checks are one piece of the workload. Starting with a phone call is the simplest way to make sure you have everything in order for your Lumpkin County background check.

Nearby Counties

Lumpkin County shares borders with several north Georgia mountain counties. These pages can help if you need background check records from a nearby area.