Taylor County Background Check Search

Taylor County background check records are available through the Sheriff's Office in Butler. Located in central Georgia, Taylor County is part of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Criminal history data here comes from local arrests, court filings, and the statewide criminal records system run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office in Butler processes public requests, and state databases also hold Taylor County records for online searching. This page covers the methods for running a check and what you should know before you start.

Taylor County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff John Sawyer runs the Taylor County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 606, Butler, GA 31006. Call 478-862-2544 to ask about hours and what you need for a background check. The office handles name-based searches through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Bring your photo ID and the fee to start the process.

Butler is a small town, and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office is a lean operation. Background check services may not be available at all hours. Calling ahead is important so you know when the staff can process your request. Walk-in visits are how most people get a background check done here. The lower volume of requests can mean less waiting once you are at the office. Simple name searches may return results the same day. If the check needs to go through state databases, expect a few extra business days.

The office also handles active warrant inquiries and keeps booking records from the county jail.

Taylor County Criminal Records

Taylor County falls under the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Felony cases go through the superior court, and the clerk of superior court in Butler keeps those case files. Records include grand jury indictments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. Magistrate court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. All these records are part of the public file system. You can visit the Taylor County courthouse to review them in person.

Access to criminal history is governed by Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private individuals can get criminal history records from the GBI for certain purposes. Some records may be restricted. The First Offender Act allows qualified defendants to serve their sentence without a conviction on their public record. Sealed cases and juvenile records are also excluded from standard background check results.

State Background Check Tools

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history database. Taylor County arrest and conviction records feed into this system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. You can search without going to Butler.

The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 online lookup. It returns felony convictions from all 159 Georgia counties. Enter a name and get results right away. Only felony convictions appear. This is the fastest way to check for serious criminal history tied to Taylor County. Misdemeanors and arrests without a conviction are not included in the results.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo offers fingerprint-based checks that pull from both GBI and FBI databases. State and national records are covered. Results take one to two business days. The cost is higher but you get much deeper coverage. Taylor County residents may need to drive to Columbus, Macon, or another larger city for the nearest IdentoGo location.

Visit the GBI services page for a full list of search options.

This statewide portal connects to databases where Taylor County criminal history records can be searched.

Taylor County Check Fees

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office charges between $15 and $25 for a background check. Call 478-862-2544 to confirm the current amount. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 online. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more because they process through both state and federal databases plus the fingerprinting service fee.

Small Georgia sheriff offices usually accept cash and money orders. Card payments are not always an option in rural areas. Check with the Taylor County office about accepted payment methods before your trip.

Mail-In Background Check Requests

If you cannot visit Butler in person, mail your request to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, PO Box 606, Butler, GA 31006. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not send cash. The office will process the search and mail the results back to you. Allow one to two weeks for the complete process because of mailing time in both directions.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 requires a lawful purpose for criminal record requests. Include the reason for your request in the letter. The sheriff's office can reject requests that do not meet the legal requirements for disclosure.

Contact Taylor County Sheriff

Reach the Taylor County Sheriff's Office with the details below. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a statewide directory of all county sheriffs.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 606, Butler, GA 31006
• Phone: 478-862-2544
• Sheriff: John Sawyer

Butler is a small community in central Georgia. The sheriff's office serves a rural area. Call first so you know the office is ready for your Taylor County background check request when you get there.

Nearby Counties

Taylor County shares borders with several central Georgia counties. These pages cover background check resources in nearby areas.