Find Terrell County Background Check
Terrell County background check records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Dawson. The county is in southwest Georgia and belongs to the Pataula Judicial Circuit. Criminal history data comes from local law enforcement, the superior court system, and statewide databases maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Dawson is the county seat and the center of county government. The sheriff's office processes public requests for background checks, and state-level tools let you search Terrell County criminal records without making the trip to Dawson.
Terrell County Quick Facts
Terrell County Sheriff Background Check
Sheriff Vernon Jessie leads the Terrell County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 463, Dawson, GA 39842. Call 229-995-4482 for questions about the background check process and what documents you need. The office runs name-based criminal history searches using local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. You need a valid photo ID and the processing fee to request a check.
Dawson is a small community in rural southwest Georgia. The sheriff's office handles a low volume of background check requests. This means shorter waits when the office is open for this service, but it also means hours and staffing can be limited. Call 229-995-4482 before you drive out to confirm the office can take your request. Walk-in visits are the standard approach. Simple name searches may come back the same day, while more involved checks that pull state data can take a few business days.
The office also keeps warrant information and booking records from the Terrell County jail.
Criminal Records in Terrell County
Terrell County is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit. The superior court in Dawson handles felony cases, and the clerk of superior court keeps all case files. These records include charges, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing. Magistrate court takes care of misdemeanor offenses and preliminary hearings. Both sets of records are public and can be reviewed at the Terrell County courthouse.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, Georgia law lets private citizens request criminal history information from the GBI for certain lawful purposes. Not all records show in a standard check. The First Offender Act allows some defendants to avoid a public conviction after finishing their sentence. Juvenile records and sealed cases are excluded from background check results. Felony convictions are much harder to restrict and tend to stay on the record for a long time.
State Background Check Resources
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history database. Terrell County records feed into this system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. You can search without visiting Dawson.
The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It shows felony convictions from all 159 Georgia counties, including Terrell. Enter a name and get instant results. Only felony convictions show up. Misdemeanor charges and arrests without a conviction are excluded. For a fast check of Terrell County felony history, this is the simplest tool.
The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo provides a more thorough search. Fingerprints are matched against GBI and FBI databases for state and national results. Processing takes one to two business days. The cost is higher but the results cover far more ground. Terrell County residents will likely need to travel to Albany or another city for the nearest IdentoGo fingerprinting location.
The GBI services page lists all available search options.
The GBI website is the statewide hub for records that include Terrell County criminal history.
This statewide portal connects to databases that hold Terrell County criminal records.
Terrell County Background Check Fees
A background check at the Terrell County Sheriff's Office typically costs between $15 and $25. Call 229-995-4482 to confirm the current fee. The state felon search is $15. Fingerprint-based GAPS checks cost more because of dual processing through state and federal databases plus the fingerprinting fee at the IdentoGo site.
Cash and money orders are standard payment methods at small Georgia sheriff offices. Card acceptance varies. Always check before you visit so you have the right payment method ready.
Request Records by Mail
Mail-in requests can be sent to the Terrell County Sheriff's Office, PO Box 463, Dawson, GA 39842. 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 run the search and mail results to your address. Allow one to two weeks for the entire process.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 sets rules on who can request criminal records and for what reasons. Include the purpose of your request in the letter. The office has the right to deny requests that do not meet the requirements.
Contact Terrell County Sheriff
Reach the Terrell County Sheriff's Office for background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of county sheriffs across the state.
- Mailing Address: PO Box 463, Dawson, GA 39842
- Phone: 229-995-4482
- Sheriff: Vernon Jessie
Dawson is in rural southwest Georgia near the Dougherty County line. The sheriff's office is a small operation. Call ahead to confirm hours and prepare for your Terrell County background check visit.
Nearby Counties
Terrell County borders several other counties in southwest Georgia. These pages have background check information for the surrounding area.