Search Putnam County Background Check

Putnam County background check records go through the Sheriff's Office in Eatonton, Georgia. Situated in the central part of the state, Putnam County is part of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Criminal history records here are compiled from local law enforcement data, superior court case files, and the statewide records system run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office in Eatonton handles local background check requests directly. State databases also contain Putnam County records that can be accessed without visiting in person. This guide covers all the available options for running a Putnam County background check.

Putnam County Sheriff Records Services

Sheriff Howard Sills runs the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024. You can call 706-485-8557 for questions about background check requests. The office conducts name-based criminal history searches using local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center system. When visiting in person, bring a valid photo ID along with your full legal name and date of birth. Staff use this to search county and state records. Most basic name searches get completed the same day.

Eatonton is a quiet county seat in central Georgia. The sheriff's office sees fewer walk-ins than the larger metro counties, so wait times are usually short. That said, staffing can be thin in a smaller office. Calling ahead at 706-485-8557 is the best way to confirm the office is ready for your visit. Ask about hours, fees, and any paperwork they want you to fill out. Showing up prepared means you get your Putnam County background check handled without unnecessary trips back.

The sheriff's office can also check on active warrants in Putnam County if you need that information.

Putnam County Criminal Court Records

Putnam County is in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Superior court criminal cases are stored by the Clerk of Superior Court in the Eatonton courthouse. Felony indictments, plea agreements, trial results, and sentencing information are all part of the public record. You can go to the courthouse to review case files during normal hours. Magistrate court records for minor criminal offenses are maintained at the county level too and can be searched independently of the superior court files.

Georgia state law controls who can access criminal records and how. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 lets private individuals request criminal history information from the GBI under certain conditions. Not every record in Putnam County will show in a standard search. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and cases resolved under the First Offender Act are usually excluded from public results. The First Offender Act allows qualifying defendants to serve their sentence without a conviction being formally entered. This matters when reviewing a Putnam County background check because what appears to be a clean record might not show the full picture. Standard searches have limits that are set by law.

State Background Tools for Putnam County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps criminal records from every county in Georgia. Putnam County data is in those files. Two statewide search tools let you access this information.

The Georgia Felon Search runs $15 per search. It pulls felony conviction records from all 159 Georgia counties. Enter a name and get results instantly. The limitation is that it only returns felony convictions. Misdemeanor charges, non-conviction arrests, and pending cases are not included. For a quick Putnam County background check focused on serious offenses, this tool is effective and simple to use from any computer.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo gives a more complete picture. Fingerprints are matched against GBI and FBI databases, pulling records from Georgia and nationwide. You will need to go to an IdentoGo location for fingerprinting. Results take about 24 to 48 hours. This is the best option when you need a comprehensive Putnam County background check. Check the GBI services page for more information on how each tool works.

This portal provides access to the statewide databases that hold Putnam County criminal history records.

Putnam County Check Fees

A background check through the Putnam County Sheriff's Office costs roughly $15 to $25. Georgia Felon Search is $15. The GAPS fingerprint check costs more due to dual-database processing and the fingerprinting service. Call 706-485-8557 to check the current fee at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office before you make the trip to Eatonton.

Ask about accepted payment methods when you call. Some Georgia sheriff offices accept card payments now. Others still want cash or money orders only. For mail-in requests, always pay with a money order. Sending cash through the mail is a bad idea for any background check request in Putnam County or anywhere else.

Putnam County Records by Mail

You can request a Putnam County background check by mail if a visit to Eatonton is not possible. Mail your request to Putnam County Sheriff's Office, PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Explain the purpose of your request in the letter. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, a lawful purpose is required for criminal history record requests in Georgia. Being clear about why you need the check can help speed up the process. The full mail turnaround is usually one to two weeks.

Contact Putnam County Sheriff

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association provides a directory of every county sheriff in Georgia. Here is the Putnam County Sheriff's Office contact info.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024
• Phone: 706-485-8557
• Sheriff: Howard Sills

Eatonton is the Putnam County seat and the base for county government services. The sheriff's office is the best place to start for a local background check. Staff can answer your questions and point you toward the right approach for your specific needs. Call them first to make sure you have everything in order before your visit.

Nearby Counties

Putnam County borders several central Georgia counties. You may want to search background check records in these nearby areas too.