Tift County Background Check

Tift County background check requests are processed by the Sheriff's Office in Tifton. The county is in south-central Georgia and falls under the Tifton Judicial Circuit. Criminal records come from local law enforcement, superior court filings, and the statewide database managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Tifton is a regional hub in south Georgia with more services than many surrounding counties. The sheriff's office handles public background check requests, and state tools provide additional search options for Tift County criminal data.

Tift County Sheriff Background Check

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough runs the Tift County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 46, Tifton, GA 31793, and you can call 229-388-6054. The office processes name-based criminal history searches using local arrest records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Bring a valid photo ID and the processing fee to start a Tift County background check. The staff will run your name through local files and can access statewide data as well.

Tifton serves as a commercial center for the surrounding area. The sheriff's office processes a steady number of background check requests. Walk-in visits are the standard method. Call 229-388-6054 before you go to check hours and confirm what documents are needed. Most simple name searches return results the same day. Some checks take a few business days if state-level records need to be pulled. The office can also provide information about active warrants and recent bookings at the Tift County jail.

Tift County Criminal History Records

Tift County has its own judicial circuit. The superior court handles felony cases, and the clerk of superior court at the courthouse in Tifton keeps all case records. These include indictments, plea agreements, trial verdicts, and sentencing details. Magistrate court covers misdemeanor charges and preliminary hearings. Both sets of court records are part of the public file system and can be reviewed in person.

Georgia law controls access to criminal history. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, private citizens can request criminal records from the GBI under certain conditions. Some records in Tift County may not appear in a standard background check. Cases resolved under the First Offender Act can be restricted from public view. Sealed cases and juvenile records are also excluded. Felony convictions are harder to restrict and typically remain on the public record longer than misdemeanor charges.

Ask the clerk's office if you need more detail on any specific case file in Tift County.

Statewide Search Tools

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the central criminal records database. Tift County arrest and conviction data feeds into this system. You can search from anywhere without driving to Tifton.

The Georgia Felon Search is an online tool costing $15 per search. It returns felony convictions from all 159 Georgia counties, including Tift. Type in a name and get results right away. Only felony convictions appear. Misdemeanor charges and arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not included. This is the fastest option for a basic Tift County felony check.

A more thorough option is the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo. Fingerprint-based checks pull from both GBI and FBI databases for state and national coverage. Results take one to two business days. The cost is higher, but the search is much more complete. Tifton or a nearby area should have an IdentoGo fingerprinting location available.

The GBI services page explains each option in detail.

Use this portal to search statewide criminal databases that hold Tift County records.

Tift County Background Check Fees

The Tift County Sheriff's Office charges between $15 and $25 for a background check. Call 229-388-6054 to confirm the current amount. The Georgia Felon Search is $15 online. GAPS fingerprint checks cost more due to processing through both state and federal databases plus the fingerprinting service fee at the IdentoGo location.

Check what payment methods the Tift County office accepts before your visit. Cash and money orders are widely accepted at Georgia sheriff offices. Some offices take cards but may charge a processing fee. For mail requests, always use a money order.

Request Tift County Records by Mail

If visiting Tifton is not possible, mail your request to the Tift County Sheriff's Office, PO Box 46, Tifton, GA 31793. Include your full name, date of birth, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the fee. Do not send cash through the mail. The office will process the search and send results to your address. Expect one to two weeks for the complete process.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia law requires a lawful purpose for requesting criminal history records. Include your reason in the letter. The sheriff's office can deny requests that do not meet the legal requirements for disclosure.

Contact Tift County Sheriff

Reach the Tift County Sheriff's Office with background check questions. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a full directory of all county sheriffs in Georgia.

• Mailing Address: PO Box 46, Tifton, GA 31793
• Phone: 229-388-6054
• Sheriff: Gene Scarbrough

Tifton sits along Interstate 75 in south Georgia. The city is easy to reach and the sheriff's office is used to handling public requests. Call ahead to plan your visit for your Tift County background check.

Nearby Counties

Tift County shares borders with several south Georgia counties. These pages cover background check information for the surrounding area.