White County Record Search

A White County background check is processed through the Sheriff's Office in Cleveland. White County is a mountain county in northeast Georgia, known for its outdoor attractions and growing residential population. Sheriff Rick Kelley runs the department. The sheriff's office handles public requests for criminal history searches using local records and the state database from the Georgia Crime Information Center. State-level tools from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also cover White County records for those who need broader search results or a fingerprint-based check.

White County Sheriff Background Check

The White County Sheriff's Office is located at 1210 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528. Sheriff Rick Kelley leads the office. The phone number is 706-865-5177. Walk-in visits are the standard method to request a background check. You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or state ID card will work. Social Security cards are not accepted as the sole form of identification. You need to provide your full name, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security number for the check to be processed.

The staff searches White County files and queries the Georgia Crime Information Center for statewide criminal history. Name-based results can come back the same day for clean records. Hits or complicated cases may need more time. White County has been growing in population, and the sheriff's office handles an increasing number of requests. Arriving early helps avoid long waits. Always call ahead to check on hours and confirm the fee amount and payment methods accepted.

Criminal Records in White County

White County criminal records originate from cases processed in the Enotah Judicial Circuit. The superior court in Cleveland handles felony cases. State court deals with misdemeanors. Magistrate court covers preliminary hearings and minor offenses. Each court feeds records into the public system. The clerk of superior court at the White County courthouse keeps case files open for public inspection. Walk in during business hours to search dockets and read court documents.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, Georgia citizens can request criminal history records. The fee cap is $20 for a name-based search. A White County background check may not show all records. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 allows some individuals to seal their conviction records after completing their sentence. Sealed records are invisible in a standard check. Felonies are much harder to seal.

Georgia's record restriction law under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 may hide additional records. This replaced the old expungement system. Cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal can sometimes be restricted. The same statute caps the personal record inspection fee at $15.

Note: White County shares the Enotah Judicial Circuit with Union County and Towns County, so cases from the same circuit may appear in related background checks.

State Background Check Tools

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the central criminal history database. White County arrests and convictions are part of this system. You do not need to visit Cleveland to use these tools.

The Georgia Felon Search is a fast online option. Pay $15, enter a name, and get results by email right away. Only felony convictions show up. No misdemeanors. No pending cases. No arrests that did not lead to convictions. It covers White County and all 159 Georgia counties. The Georgia Felon Search FAQ explains what the tool covers and its limitations.

The GAPS fingerprint system through IdentoGO gives the most thorough results. It searches state and federal databases using biometric data. Results take one to two business days. The cost is higher than name-based checks. Fingerprint matching is more accurate because it does not depend on names alone. White County residents can look for IdentoGO locations in Dahlonega, Gainesville, or other nearby cities.

The GBI homepage shown here connects White County residents to state criminal history search services and background check resources.

White County Check Fees

The White County Sheriff's Office charges for background checks. Georgia law sets the cap at $20 per name-based search under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34(d.3). Call 706-865-5177 for the current fee and accepted payment methods. The statewide felon search costs $15 online. Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS have a separate fee that includes the IdentoGO fingerprinting service charge.

Personal record inspection costs up to $15 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Use this if you want to review your own criminal record for accuracy. It is a separate process from a standard background check with different requirements.

How to Request White County Records

Here is what you need for a White County background check:

• 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 check fee

Walk in to the office at 1210 Hulsey Road in Cleveland during business hours. Hand over your information and ID. Staff processes the search and returns results. Clean records come back quickly. Complicated histories take more time. Mail requests might be an option if you call to confirm. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory verifies Sheriff Kelley's contact information.

White County Contact

• White County Sheriff's Office: 1210 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528
• Phone: 706-865-5177
• Sheriff: Rick Kelley
• County Seat: Cleveland
• Judicial Circuit: Enotah

White County is in the north Georgia mountains. The sheriff's office handles both law enforcement and public record services. Cleveland is the county seat and where all background check requests are processed. The courthouse also has the clerk of superior court for court record research.

Cities in White County

White County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a separate page. Cleveland is the county seat and the main community. All White County background check requests are handled at the sheriff's office in Cleveland.

Nearby Counties

White County borders several north Georgia mountain counties. If your search extends beyond White County, these nearby pages may help.