Union County Background Check

A Union County background check starts at the Sheriff's Office in Blairsville. Union County sits in the north Georgia mountains, and the sheriff's office is the main local agency for criminal record requests. Sheriff Shawn Dyer runs the department. Because Union County is a smaller, rural county, the process tends to be more straightforward than in metro areas. The office handles name-based checks using local files and the state criminal history system. State-level tools from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also cover Union County records for those who want a broader search or need fingerprint-based results.

Union County Sheriff's Office

The Union County Sheriff's Office is at 378 Beasley Street in Blairsville, GA 30512. Sheriff Shawn Dyer leads the office. You can call them at 706-439-6066 to ask about background check availability and fees. Walk-in requests are the standard method. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A Social Security card alone is not enough. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number so the staff can run the check. The office searches local Union County records and queries the Georgia Crime Information Center database for statewide results.

Name-based checks at the Union County Sheriff's Office pull criminal history tied to the person's name and identifying details. Results can come back the same day for simple searches. More complex requests may take a few business days. The sheriff's office is typically less crowded than offices in larger counties, so wait times are usually shorter. Still, it helps to call ahead and confirm hours before driving out. Rural offices sometimes adjust their schedules.

Note: The GCIC does not process name-based checks directly from the public, so you must go through a local agency like the Union County Sheriff's Office.

Criminal Records in Union County

Union County criminal records include arrests, charges, court outcomes, and sentencing information from the Enotah Judicial Circuit. The Superior Court in Blairsville handles felony cases. State court covers misdemeanors. Both courts contribute to the public record. The clerk of superior court at the Union County courthouse keeps case files open for public inspection. You can go in person to review dockets and read case documents on file.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 allows private citizens to request criminal history records. There is a cap of $20 per search under this statute. Not every record will appear in a background check result, though. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 lets some individuals have their conviction sealed once they finish their sentence. If a Union County case was resolved under this act, it may not show up. Felonies are harder to restrict and usually stay visible in a background check for much longer.

Record restriction (which replaced the old expungement process) is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Some Union County records may have been restricted under this law. If you believe a record has been incorrectly included in your check, the statute explains how to dispute it.

State Background Check Resources

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the state's central criminal history system. Every arrest and conviction logged in Union County goes into this database through the Georgia Crime Information Center. You do not need to visit Blairsville to access state-level records.

The Georgia Felon Search is one quick option. It costs $15 per search. You type in a name and get instant results by email. Only felony convictions show up. Misdemeanors, pending charges, and arrests that did not lead to a conviction are left out. It is a fast way to check for serious criminal history in Union County or anywhere in Georgia. The Georgia Felon Search FAQ page explains what the tool does and does not cover.

For a more thorough check, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGO pulls from both state and federal databases. This costs more and takes one to two business days for results. Fingerprint-based checks are more accurate because they match on biometric data, not just a name. Union County residents may need to travel to the nearest IdentoGO location, which could be in Dahlonega or Gainesville depending on current site availability.

The GBI lists all background check options on its services page. The GBI FAQ page answers common questions about fees, turnaround, and what shows up on each type of check.

This screenshot shows the GBI homepage where Union County residents can find links to criminal history request services and background check information.

Union County Background Check Fees

The Union County Sheriff's Office charges a fee for background checks. Georgia law caps this at $20 per name-based search under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.3). Call 706-439-6066 to confirm the exact amount and what payment methods the office accepts. Smaller offices sometimes only take cash or money orders. Bring both forms of payment to be safe. The statewide felon search through the GBI costs $15. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS have a separate fee schedule that includes the fingerprinting service charge at the IdentoGO site.

The record inspection fee is set at up to $15 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This applies when you want to review your own criminal history record to check it for accuracy. It is a different process from a standard background check and has its own paperwork. The Union County Sheriff's Office can point you in the right direction if you need to inspect your own record.

Note: Fees change from time to time, so verify current costs with the sheriff's office before making a trip to Blairsville.

How to Request a Union County Check

Here is what you need for a background check through the Union County Sheriff's Office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
• Full legal name of the person being searched
• Date of birth, sex, and race
• Social Security number
• Payment for the fee (call ahead to confirm accepted methods)

Walk in to the office at 378 Beasley Street during business hours. Hand over your ID and the information listed above. The staff will process the request. Some results come back right away. Others take a few days. If the sheriff's office cannot fulfill your request for any reason, they should be able to direct you to another resource. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory confirms contact info for Sheriff Dyer and every other sheriff in the state.

Union County Contact Details

• Union County Sheriff's Office: 378 Beasley Street, Blairsville, GA 30512
• Phone: 706-439-6066
• Sheriff: Shawn Dyer
• County Seat: Blairsville
• Judicial Circuit: Enotah

Union County is a quiet area with a relatively low crime rate compared to urban parts of Georgia. The sheriff's office handles both law enforcement and public record requests. Because the staff is smaller, the office may have limited hours or close on certain days. Always call before visiting. The Union County courthouse in Blairsville also has the clerk of superior court for case file research.

Cities in Union County

Union County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. Blairsville is the county seat and the main town. Background checks for Union County residents are handled through the sheriff's office in Blairsville regardless of where you live in the county.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several other north Georgia counties. If your search extends beyond Union County, these neighboring county pages may help.