Search Towns County Background Check
Towns County background check records are available from the Sheriff's Office in Hiawassee. This mountain county sits in the far northeast corner of Georgia, bordering North Carolina. It is part of the Enotah Judicial Circuit. Criminal history records in Towns County come from local law enforcement, the court system, and the statewide database operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office in Hiawassee handles local background check requests, while state tools offer online access to Towns County criminal records.
Towns County Quick Facts
Towns County Sheriff Background Check
Sheriff Ken Henderson runs the Towns County Sheriff's Office at 48 River Street Suite F, Hiawassee, GA 30546. The phone number is 706-896-4444. The office processes name-based criminal history searches through local records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. To request a Towns County background check, bring a valid photo ID and the processing fee.
Hiawassee is a small mountain town with a seasonal population that swells during summer and fall. The sheriff's office serves a relatively small year-round population, so the number of background check requests tends to be low. Wait times are usually short when the office is open for this service. Call 706-896-4444 first to confirm hours. The office may have limited availability depending on other law enforcement duties. Simple name searches can return results the same day. Searches that pull from state databases may take a few extra business days.
The office also handles warrant checks and keeps booking records from the Towns County jail.
Criminal Records in Towns County
Towns County is part of the Enotah Judicial Circuit. The superior court processes felony cases, and the clerk of superior court in Hiawassee maintains those records. These files cover charges, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing. Magistrate court handles minor offenses and preliminary hearings. Both courts produce public records that can be reviewed at the Towns County courthouse.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, Georgia law lets private citizens request criminal history records from the GBI for certain purposes. Not all records will show up. The First Offender Act can keep certain convictions off the public record after the defendant completes their sentence. Sealed records and juvenile cases are also excluded from standard background check results. Felony convictions stay visible longer and are much harder to restrict.
State Search Tools for Towns County
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal records database. Towns County arrest and conviction data feeds into this central system. You can search it from anywhere without visiting Hiawassee.
The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 online tool that returns felony conviction records from all 159 counties. Enter a name and get instant results. Only felony convictions appear. Misdemeanor cases and arrests without convictions are not included. This is the fastest way to check for Towns County felony history.
For deeper results, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGo checks both state and FBI databases. Fingerprint-based searches give you state and national coverage. Processing takes one to two business days and costs more, but the results are much more complete. Towns County residents may need to travel to Gainesville or another city for the closest IdentoGo site, as Hiawassee is remote.
The GBI services page has details on all available search methods.
The GBI website stores statewide records including Towns County criminal data.
This statewide portal provides access to criminal history databases that include Towns County records.
Towns County Check Fees
Background check fees at the Towns County Sheriff's Office fall between $15 and $25. Call 706-896-4444 to verify the current fee before you make the trip to Hiawassee. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 online. GAPS fingerprint-based checks cost more because they process through both state and federal databases, and the IdentoGo location charges a separate fingerprinting fee.
Payment methods at rural mountain county offices are usually cash and money orders. Card acceptance is not guaranteed. Check before you go.
Mail Requests for Towns County
You can mail a background check request to the Towns County Sheriff's Office, 48 River Street Suite F, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Include your full name, date of birth, a photocopy of your ID, and a money order for the processing fee. Do not send cash. The office will process the search and mail the results. Allow one to two weeks for the full process.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 requires a lawful purpose for criminal record requests. State why you need the check. The sheriff's office may reject requests that do not comply with the law.
Contact Towns County Sheriff
Reach the Towns County Sheriff's Office for background check questions at the details below. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a directory of all county sheriffs in the state.
- Address: 48 River Street Suite F, Hiawassee, GA 30546
- Phone: 706-896-4444
- Sheriff: Ken Henderson
Hiawassee is in the Georgia mountains near the North Carolina line. The area is popular with visitors, but the sheriff's office stays focused on serving Towns County residents. Call ahead to plan your visit for a background check.
Nearby Counties
Towns County borders only a couple of other Georgia counties in the mountain region. These pages cover background check details for the area.