Find Newton County Background Check

Newton County background check records are managed through the Sheriff's Office in Covington, a growing community east of Atlanta. The sheriff's department is the primary local office for criminal history requests in Newton County. Background checks pull from local arrest data, court records from the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, and statewide databases run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Newton County has seen significant growth in recent years, and the sheriff's office processes a steady flow of background check requests alongside its other duties.

Newton County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff Ezell Brown runs the Newton County Sheriff's Office at 15151 Alcovy Road NE, Covington, GA 30014. Call 678-625-1400 for background check questions. The office handles name-based criminal history searches using local Newton County records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Results can include arrests, charges, convictions, and case outcomes from the county. Statewide data may also appear through the GCIC link. You need a valid photo ID to submit a request.

Newton County is one of the faster-growing counties on the east side of metro Atlanta. The sheriff's office handles a larger volume of requests than you might expect for a county outside the city core. The staff is busy, so turnaround on a name-based search can take a few business days. Simple searches sometimes get done quicker. Calling ahead helps. The office can confirm the fee, tell you what to bring, and give you a sense of how long the process is taking at that time. The sheriff's office also runs the Newton County detention center, which is a source of booking and arrest data.

Newton County Criminal Court Records

Newton County is part of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit. Superior court criminal cases are public records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Covington. Case files include indictments, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing. The courthouse is open to the public for record review, though some files may be sealed or restricted by a judge.

Georgia statutes control access to criminal records. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private citizens can request criminal history information for specific lawful purposes. Not everything shows up. The First Offender Act allows eligible defendants to finish their sentence without a formal conviction. Once complete, the record can be restricted from public access. A Newton County background check might not reflect these cases. Magistrate court records covering misdemeanors and local ordinance violations are kept separately at the courthouse and available for review.

The clerk's office in Covington can help you find specific case records if you have a name or case number.

State Tools for Newton County Background Checks

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the state criminal history system that includes Newton County records. Every arrest and conviction in the county is part of this database. Two public search tools are available.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and returns felony conviction results from across all 159 Georgia counties instantly. Newton County felony convictions are included. The limitation is that only felony convictions appear. Misdemeanors, pending cases, and arrests without conviction are not shown. For a quick Newton County background check focused on felony records, this tool gets the job done fast.

The GAPS fingerprint-based check through IdentoGo pulls from both GBI and FBI databases. Fingerprint matching covers state and federal records in a single search. Results take 24 to 48 hours. You have to go to an IdentoGo site for fingerprinting. Newton County residents can find locations in the greater Atlanta metro area without much trouble. The cost is more than a name-based search, but you get a much fuller picture.

Full details on both tools are on the GBI services page.

The GBI's statewide system stores criminal history data from Newton County alongside records from every other county in Georgia.

Newton County Background Check Costs

A local name-based search at the Newton County Sheriff's Office generally runs between $15 and $25. Call 678-625-1400 to confirm the current amount. The state felon search is $15 per query. GAPS fingerprint checks carry a higher cost that includes the state processing fee and a service charge at the IdentoGo fingerprinting site.

Newton County is a larger office that may accept card payments along with cash and money orders. Still, it is best to call and confirm before you visit. For mail-in requests, send a money order payable to the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Do not send cash.

Mail Requests for Newton County

You can submit a Newton County background check request by mail if visiting Covington is not practical. Write to the Newton County Sheriff's Office at 15151 Alcovy Road NE, Covington, GA 30014. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. State the reason for the check. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 requires that criminal history requests serve a lawful purpose. The office will process your request and mail the results to the return address you provide. Plan on one to two weeks for the full process including postal transit.

Newton County Sheriff Contact Info

For any background check questions, the Newton County Sheriff's Office is the local starting point. You can also check the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory to confirm contact details.

• Address: 15151 Alcovy Road NE, Covington, GA 30014
• Phone: 678-625-1400
• Sheriff: Ezell Brown
• Hours: Call to confirm current office hours

Newton County is part of the metro Atlanta area's eastern growth corridor. Neighboring DeKalb County and Rockdale County offer additional resources for residents who need services beyond what the Newton County office provides. For Newton County-specific background check records, the sheriff's office in Covington is where to start.

Nearby Counties

Newton County borders several counties east of Atlanta. If your background check search extends beyond Newton County, these neighboring pages may help.