Access Polk County Background Checks

Polk County background check records are available through the Sheriff's Office in Cedartown, Georgia. This northwest Georgia county is part of the Polk County Judicial Circuit. Criminal history information here comes from local law enforcement records, court filings maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's statewide database. The sheriff's office processes most background check requests at the local level. State tools also give access to Polk County data for people who prefer to search online or cannot make it to Cedartown. This page covers each method for running a Polk County background check.

Polk County Sheriff Check Services

Sheriff Johnny Moats leads the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 1676 Rockmart Hwy, Cedartown, GA 30125. The phone number is 770-749-2901. Call to ask about background check procedures or what you need to bring when you visit. The office conducts name-based criminal history searches through local files and the Georgia Crime Information Center system. For a Polk County background check in person, bring your photo ID along with your full legal name and date of birth. The staff will use this information to run the search. Same-day results are common for basic name searches.

Cedartown is a mid-size county seat for northwest Georgia. The sheriff's office sees a steady flow of requests but is not as overwhelmed as offices in the metro Atlanta area. Walk-in visits work, but calling ahead can save you time. The staff at 770-749-2901 can tell you about current wait times, office hours, and any changes to the normal background check process. Being prepared means bringing the right documents and knowing the fee before you arrive.

Warrant checks are also available through the sheriff's office. You can ask about outstanding warrants in Polk County while you are there for a background check request.

Polk County Criminal and Court Records

Polk County has its own judicial circuit. Criminal cases in the superior court become part of the public record held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Cedartown. These files include felony indictments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing records. The courthouse is open to the public for record reviews. Magistrate court records for lesser criminal charges are maintained separately at the county level.

Georgia law governs access to criminal history records. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 allows individuals to request criminal history data from the GBI with a proper purpose. Some Polk County records will not show up in a standard background check, though. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and dispositions under the First Offender Act are typically excluded from public search results. The First Offender Act permits eligible defendants to complete their sentence without a formal conviction appearing on their record. This is worth knowing when you review a Polk County background check. A result that shows no history does not necessarily mean there is none. Certain records simply do not appear in standard searches.

Statewide Tools for Polk County Records

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal records from all 159 counties in Georgia. Polk County records are in this system. Two main statewide search tools are available.

The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 online database. Enter a name and see felony conviction records from across the state instantly. The limitation is that only felony convictions are included. Misdemeanors, arrests that did not result in a conviction, and open cases do not show. For a basic Polk County background check focused on felonies, this is a fast and affordable tool that you can use from home.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo is the more thorough option. Fingerprints get matched against both GBI and FBI databases. This covers Georgia records and records from across the entire country. You need to visit an IdentoGo location to be fingerprinted. Processing takes one to two business days. If you need a complete Polk County background check that leaves no gaps, this is the method to use. Full details are on the GBI services page.

This portal connects to the state databases where Polk County criminal history records are stored and available for search.

Fees for Polk County Checks

The cost for a background check at the Polk County Sheriff's Office is usually $15 to $25. Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per name. GAPS fingerprint checks run higher because they process through state and federal databases and include the fingerprinting service. Call 770-749-2901 to confirm the current Polk County Sheriff's Office fee.

Ask about payment methods when you call. Card acceptance varies across Georgia sheriff offices. Some still only take cash or money orders. For mail-in requests, use a money order. Never send cash through the mail when requesting a Polk County background check.

Requesting Polk County Records by Mail

Mail-in background check requests are an option if you cannot visit Cedartown. Send your request to Polk County Sheriff's Office, 1676 Rockmart Hwy, Cedartown, GA 30125. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Write down 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. Including your purpose in the letter helps the office process your request faster. The mail process takes about one to two weeks from start to finish.

Contact the Polk County Sheriff

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a directory of all county sheriffs in Georgia. Here is the contact information for the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

• Address: 1676 Rockmart Hwy, Cedartown, GA 30125
• Phone: 770-749-2901
• Sheriff: Johnny Moats

Cedartown is the county seat of Polk County and serves as the center for county government services. The sheriff's office can answer questions about background check procedures, current fees, and what documents you need. Give them a call before you visit to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Nearby Counties

Polk County borders several northwest Georgia counties. You may want to search background check records in these nearby areas.