Search Washington County Records

A Washington County background check is processed at the Sheriff's Office in Sandersville. Washington County is located in central Georgia, and Sheriff Joel Cochran leads the department. The office handles criminal history requests for the public, running searches through local files and the state database. Washington County falls within the Middle Judicial Circuit. For people seeking results beyond what the local office can provide, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide and federal search tools that include Washington County records in their coverage.

Washington County Sheriff

The Washington County Sheriff's Office mailing address is PO Drawer 30, Sandersville, GA 31082. Sheriff Joel Cochran oversees operations. Call 478-552-4795 for background check details. Walk-in requests are the normal process for a Washington County background check. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses and state ID cards work. Social Security cards by themselves will not be accepted. You need to give staff your full name, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number.

Staff runs name-based searches through Washington County records and the Georgia Crime Information Center database. Results for clean records may come back the same day. If your search has hits or needs more review, it takes longer. Washington County is a mid-size rural county. The office handles a moderate volume of requests. Calling before your visit is a good habit. Staff can confirm business hours, current fees, and what forms of payment they take.

Washington County's court system is part of the Middle Judicial Circuit. Cases from superior court, state court, and magistrate court all end up in the record system. The clerk of superior court at the Washington County courthouse in Sandersville keeps public files you can search in person.

Note: Small and mid-size county offices may not accept credit cards, so bring cash or a money order as a backup.

Washington County Criminal History

Criminal records in Washington County come from cases processed through the Middle Judicial Circuit courts. The superior court handles felonies. State court manages misdemeanors. Magistrate court oversees preliminary hearings and minor offenses. All of these courts feed into the public record system accessible through background checks. The courthouse in Sandersville is where you go if you want to look up case files directly through the clerk of superior court.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 lets private citizens request criminal history records. The maximum fee for a name-based check is $20. But not every record shows up in a Washington County background check. The First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) permits certain offenders to seal their conviction after their sentence is done. Sealed records will not appear in results. Felony convictions are much harder to seal and usually remain visible.

Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 can also remove some Washington County records from public view. Cases dismissed or ending in acquittal may qualify for restriction. If a record has been restricted, it will not show in a standard background check.

State Background Check Options

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the central criminal history system. Washington County arrests and convictions are included. You can access state tools without being in Sandersville.

The Georgia Felon Search is a quick online tool. It costs $15 per search. Enter a name and get instant email results. Only felony convictions appear. No misdemeanors, no pending charges, no arrest-only records. It covers all Georgia counties, including Washington County. This tool is useful if you only care about serious felony history.

For a more thorough search, the GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGO pulls records from state and federal databases using fingerprints. Results come back in one to two business days. The cost is higher. Fingerprint checks are more reliable than name-based ones because they use biometric matching. Washington County residents may need to travel to Macon or Dublin for a fingerprinting site.

The GBI services page has full details on every type of check available. The GBI FAQ page answers common questions about turnaround time, fees, and what shows up on each search.

This screenshot shows the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory where you can verify Washington County sheriff contact information for background check requests.

Washington County Fees

The Washington County Sheriff's Office charges for background checks under the state cap of $20 per O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.3). Call 478-552-4795 to get the exact amount and learn which payment forms the office accepts. The Georgia Felon Search is $15. Fingerprint-based GAPS checks have their own fee that includes the IdentoGO service cost.

To inspect your own criminal record for errors, the fee is up to $15 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This is separate from a regular background check. The process has its own requirements and paperwork.

Note: Fees can change, so verify costs before making the trip to Sandersville.

How to Request a Check

Go to the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Sandersville with your photo ID and the required personal information. Staff will run the search through local and state databases. Clean records tend to come back the same day. Records with hits need more processing time. If you cannot visit in person, call to ask about mail-in options. Send a money order if they accept mail requests. Never send cash through the mail.

Expect a straightforward process. Washington County does not have the heavy volume that metro counties deal with. The staff should be able to walk you through each step. If the sheriff's office is unable to help for any reason, state tools like the Georgia Felon Search or GAPS fingerprint system are always available as alternatives.

Washington County Contact

• Washington County Sheriff's Office: PO Drawer 30, Sandersville, GA 31082
• Phone: 478-552-4795
• Sheriff: Joel Cochran
• County Seat: Sandersville
• Judicial Circuit: Middle

Washington County is a rural county in central Georgia. The sheriff's office handles record requests for the entire county. The courthouse in Sandersville also houses the clerk of superior court for court record research.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County does not have any cities that qualify for a separate page on this site. Sandersville is the county seat and the largest town. All background check requests for Washington County go through the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders several central Georgia counties. These nearby pages may help if your search extends past Washington County.