Access Stephens County Background Check
Stephens County background check records are available through the Sheriff's Office in Toccoa. The county is in northeast Georgia, close to the South Carolina border, and falls under the Northern Judicial Circuit. Criminal records come from local law enforcement files, court proceedings, and the statewide database managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Whether you need to check your own record or look into someone else's history, the sheriff's office and state-level tools both offer paths to search Stephens County criminal data.
Stephens County Quick Facts
Stephens County Sheriff Background Check
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright runs the Stephens County Sheriff's Office at 70 N Alexander Street Suite 205, Toccoa, GA 30577. Call 706-886-2525 for questions about the background check process. The office does name-based criminal history searches using local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. To request a Stephens County background check, you need a valid photo ID and the processing fee.
Walk-in visits are the typical way to get a check done. Toccoa is a small city, and the sheriff's office handles a modest number of requests. Wait times are usually reasonable. Still, calling ahead is a good move so you know the office is open and staffed for background check processing. Some name searches return results the same day, while others take a few business days if state-level data needs to be pulled. The office also maintains booking records from the county jail and can tell you about active warrants in Stephens County.
Court Records in Stephens County
Stephens County is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit. The superior court in Toccoa handles felony cases, and the clerk of superior court stores those records at the courthouse. These include indictments, plea deals, trial verdicts, and sentencing details. Magistrate court covers misdemeanor offenses and preliminary hearings. All court records are part of the public file system unless they have been sealed by order of the court.
Access to criminal history is covered by Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private individuals can request criminal records from the GBI under certain conditions. Not all records will appear in a standard background check. The First Offender Act allows some defendants to complete their sentence without a formal conviction on their public record. Juvenile cases are also excluded. Felony convictions tend to stay visible longer and are harder to get restricted than misdemeanor charges.
Ask the clerk's office if you need more detail about a specific case file.
Statewide Search Options
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the central criminal records database for all Georgia counties. Stephens County arrest and conviction records feed into this system. You can access these records without going to Toccoa.
The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 online tool that returns felony convictions statewide. Type in a name and get instant results. Only felony convictions show up. Misdemeanors, pending charges, and arrests that did not result in a conviction are not included. This is a quick way to check Stephens County felony history from anywhere with an internet connection.
For a more thorough check, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo matches fingerprints against both GBI and FBI databases. Results cover state and national records. Processing takes one to two business days and costs more than a name search. Stephens County residents can look for the nearest IdentoGo site in the Toccoa area or in nearby cities like Gainesville. This is the best option when you need a complete background check that goes beyond just Georgia data.
The GBI services page has a full breakdown of every background check method available.
The GBI website provides statewide records that include Stephens County criminal history.
Use this portal to search statewide databases that hold Stephens County arrest and conviction data.
Background Check Fees
The Stephens County Sheriff's Office charges between $15 and $25 for a background check. Call 706-886-2525 to confirm the current amount. The Georgia Felon Search is $15 per search. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more due to processing through both state and FBI databases plus the fingerprinting fee at the IdentoGo location.
Payment methods vary by office. Cash and money orders are usually accepted. Some offices take cards but may add a processing fee. Confirm what the Stephens County office accepts before you visit. For mail-in requests, always use a money order.
Request Stephens County Records by Mail
If visiting Toccoa is not an option, you can mail your request to the Stephens County Sheriff's Office, 70 N Alexander Street Suite 205, Toccoa, GA 30577. Include your full legal name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not send cash. The office will process the search and mail results to your address. Expect one to two weeks for the full mail process.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 governs who can request criminal records and for what purposes. Include the reason for your request in your letter. The office can reject requests that do not meet the legal requirements.
Contact Stephens County Sheriff
You can reach the Stephens County Sheriff's Office for background check questions at the details below. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of all county sheriffs across Georgia.
- Address: 70 N Alexander Street Suite 205, Toccoa, GA 30577
- Phone: 706-886-2525
- Sheriff: Rusty Fulbright
Toccoa is in the foothills of northeast Georgia. The area draws visitors, but the sheriff's office stays focused on county business. Call ahead to plan your trip for your Stephens County background check.
Nearby Counties
Stephens County shares borders with several northeast Georgia counties. These pages cover background check details for the surrounding area.