Macon County Background Check

Macon County background check requests go through the Sheriff's Office in Oglethorpe, which is the county seat. This is a rural county in central Georgia, and the sheriff's department is the main source for criminal history data at the local level. A Macon County background check pulls from local arrest logs, court records, and statewide databases maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The county sits within the Macon Judicial Circuit. Both walk-in and mail requests are possible, and several online state tools also cover Macon County data.

Macon County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff Carlos Felton runs the Macon County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 345, Oglethorpe, GA 31068. You can call 478-472-6447 to ask about the background check process. The office handles name-based criminal history searches using local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. This search can show arrests, charges, and dispositions tied to Macon County as well as statewide hits. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. You will need to give your full legal name and date of birth for the search.

Macon County is a small jurisdiction. The sheriff's office handles a wide range of duties, and background check requests get processed along with everything else. Wait times can shift depending on the day. If you call first, the staff can let you know what to bring and when the best time to come in might be. Results for simple name-based checks usually come back within a few business days, though some may be faster.

The office keeps arrest logs and booking data for the county. These are separate from superior court records but still part of the broader criminal history picture in Macon County.

Macon County Criminal Court Records

Macon County falls under the Macon Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases handled in superior court are part of the public record. The Clerk of Superior Court in Oglethorpe maintains case files that include indictments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing information. You can visit the courthouse and request to review specific case files. Some records may be restricted or sealed by court order, so not everything is always available.

Georgia law sets the rules for accessing criminal records. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private citizens can request criminal history information for certain approved purposes. This does not mean every record is open. Cases processed under the First Offender Act may not show up in a standard Macon County background check. The First Offender Act lets eligible defendants avoid a formal conviction if they finish their sentence. Once completed, the record can be restricted from public view. This is one reason a background check might not show every past case in the county.

Magistrate court in Macon County handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. Those records are also public, though they may need to be requested separately.

State Background Check Tools for Macon County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal history system. All Macon County arrest and conviction data feeds into the GBI's central records. You do not need to go to Oglethorpe to search this information. The GBI offers two main paths for running a background check.

The Georgia Felon Search is a quick online tool. It costs $15 per search and returns felony conviction results from across all 159 Georgia counties, including Macon County. You type in a name and get results right away. The limit is that it only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanors, pending charges, and arrests without a conviction do not appear. It works well for a fast, basic Macon County background check when felony history is your only concern.

For a deeper search, the GAPS fingerprint-based system through IdentoGo is the way to go. Fingerprint checks match against both GBI and FBI databases. This means the results cover Georgia and federal records. The process takes 24 to 48 hours. You must go to an IdentoGo location to submit fingerprints. For Macon County residents, the nearest site may be in Warner Robins or another nearby city.

The GBI services page has full details on all available background check options.

The GBI statewide system holds criminal history data from Macon County and every other county in Georgia.

Macon County Background Check Fees

A local name-based search at the Macon County Sheriff's Office typically costs between $15 and $25. Call 478-472-6447 to confirm the exact amount before your visit. The statewide felon search is $15 per query. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS cost more because they include federal data and an IdentoGo service fee on top of the state charge.

Payment options at the Macon County Sheriff's Office may be limited. Many rural offices in Georgia accept cash and money orders but not always cards. Check ahead to make sure you bring the right form of payment. If you plan to submit a mail request, include a money order payable to the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Mail Requests for Macon County Records

You can request a Macon County background check by mail if you cannot visit in person. Send a written request to the Macon County Sheriff's Office at PO Box 345, Oglethorpe, GA 31068. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your government-issued ID, and a money order for the processing fee. State why you need the background check. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, criminal history records must be requested for a lawful purpose. The office will process your request and mail the results to the return address you provide. Expect it to take one to two weeks, including mail transit time.

Never send cash through the mail. A money order is the safest way to cover the fee for a mailed background check request.

Macon County Sheriff Contact Info

The Macon County Sheriff's Office is the starting point for local background check requests. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a statewide directory you can use to verify contact details.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 345, Oglethorpe, GA 31068
• Phone: 478-472-6447
• Sheriff: Carlos Felton
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Macon County is a small community, so the sheriff's office staff often handles multiple responsibilities. Calling before you visit ensures you get the help you need without a wasted trip. For anyone looking into a Macon County background check, starting with the sheriff's office is the most direct path to local records.

Nearby Counties

Macon County borders several counties in central Georgia. If your search goes beyond Macon County, these neighboring pages may help.