Paulding County Background Checks

Paulding County background check records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Dallas, Georgia. This fast-growing county sits in the northwest part of the state and falls within the Paulding Judicial Circuit. Criminal history data from Paulding County comes from local law enforcement files, superior court records, and the statewide system run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office handles most requests for background check information at the county level. State databases also hold Paulding County records and can be searched through separate tools. This page covers the main ways to run a Paulding County background check and what to expect from each one.

Paulding County Sheriff Background Services

Sheriff Ashley Henson leads the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. The office sits at 180 Constitution Blvd in Dallas, GA 30132. You can call 770-443-3010 to ask about background check steps or what to bring with you. The sheriff's office runs name-based criminal history searches through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Walk-in requests are the most common method. Bring a valid photo ID along with your full legal name and date of birth. Staff will use this to pull records from county and state systems. Same-day results are typical for basic name searches, but more detailed checks may take a few days to complete.

Paulding County has seen strong growth in its population over the past two decades. That growth means the sheriff's office handles more requests now than it did years ago. Calling ahead is a good idea, especially during busy times. The staff can tell you what the current wait looks like and if there are any changes to normal procedures. Walk-ins work, but you save time by being prepared. Bring your ID, know your full legal name as it appears on official documents, and have your date of birth ready. These small steps help the process go faster for everyone.

The office also handles warrant checks and can confirm if there are active warrants in Paulding County.

Paulding County Criminal Records and Courts

Paulding County is part of the Paulding Judicial Circuit. Superior court cases form a major part of the public criminal record in the county. The Clerk of Superior Court in Dallas keeps records of felony charges, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing details. These files are open to the public and can be reviewed at the courthouse. Magistrate court records cover minor criminal offenses and are stored at the county level too. Both court systems feed into the background check data available through local and state searches.

Georgia law shapes how criminal records are accessed and shared. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private citizens can get criminal history data from the GBI when they have a proper purpose. Not all Paulding County records will show up in every search, though. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and cases handled under the First Offender Act are often left out of standard results. The First Offender Act allows certain defendants to complete their sentence without a formal conviction on their record. Keep this in mind when you review Paulding County background check results. A clean report does not always mean there is no history at all.

Court records can also be checked at the clerk's office in person. Staff can help you find specific case files if you have a case number or the full name of the person you are looking into.

State Background Check Tools for Paulding County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps criminal records from all 159 counties, including Paulding. Two main tools let you search these records from anywhere.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search. It pulls felony conviction data from every county in the state. Type in a name and get results right away. The catch is that it only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanor charges, pending cases, and arrests that did not lead to a conviction will not appear. For a quick Paulding County background check focused on serious offenses, this tool works well. It is fast and does not require a trip to Dallas.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives more complete results. Fingerprints are matched against both GBI and FBI records, covering Georgia and the rest of the country. Processing takes one to two days. You will need to visit an IdentoGo location to get fingerprinted. This method is the most thorough way to run a Paulding County background check because it catches records that a simple name search might miss.

The GBI services page has details on both options and how to get started.

This portal connects to the statewide databases where Paulding County criminal history records are stored and can be accessed online.

Paulding County Background Check Fees

A background check at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office typically costs between $15 and $25. The Georgia Felon Search is $15 per name. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more because they process through both state and federal databases plus the fingerprinting service itself. Call 770-443-3010 to confirm the current fee at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office before you visit.

Payment options vary from one Georgia sheriff's office to the next. Some have started accepting credit or debit cards, while others still take cash or money orders only. It is worth asking about this when you call. For any request sent by mail, use a money order. Never put cash in an envelope for a Paulding County background check request.

Requesting Paulding County Records by Mail

If you cannot visit Dallas in person, you can send a mail request to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office at 180 Constitution Blvd, Dallas, GA 30132. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. State why you need the background check. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 requires a lawful purpose for requesting criminal history records. Spelling out your purpose in the letter can help move things along. Allow one to two weeks for the full mail process, including delivery time both ways and the time the office needs to process your request.

Paulding County Sheriff Contact Info

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a directory of every county sheriff in the state. Below is the contact info for the Paulding County Sheriff's Office for background check requests.

• Address: 180 Constitution Blvd, Dallas, GA 30132
• Phone: 770-443-3010
• Sheriff: Ashley Henson

Dallas is the county seat and the main hub for Paulding County government services. The sheriff's office is well-equipped to handle background check requests. Still, calling first is always a smart move to confirm hours and requirements before making the trip.

Nearby Counties

Paulding County borders several other Georgia counties. You may want to search background check records in these neighboring areas as well.