How to Search Georgia Criminal Records (Start Here)
Georgia criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Georgia state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Statewide criminal-history agency
Public name-based search
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Fingerprint-based screening
Sex offender registry
Open records statute
Number of counties
159 counties
Population
11,180,878
Households
4,055,200
Median Income
$74,664
Median Home Value
$280,800
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Georgia repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Georgia Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) for arrest, disposition, and custodial data.
$15 in person
Public access fee
Per state-only check
In-person at GCIC Lobby
Primary method
How to submit
Georgia Bureau of Invest
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
O.C.G.A. §35-3-30
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — Georgia Criminal Records
2026
Georgia state-only check active
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC continues to process state criminal history checks via gbi.georgia.gov.
2026
Georgia background check fee structure
Current fee for a Georgia state-only check: $15 in person. Method: In-person at GCIC Lobby Office or local law enforcement.
2026
Georgia statutory framework
Georgia criminal history records are governed by O.C.G.A. §35-3-30 and disseminated through Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Georgia, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.
The 4-Step Georgia Criminal Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a Georgia state-only check from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
In-person at GCIC Lobby Office or local law enforcement. Current fee: $15 in person.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at gbi.georgia.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Georgia Criminal Records
❌ Myth: "Georgia background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC check covers ONLY Georgia arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only gbi.georgia.gov (the official Georgia repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Georgia law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Georgia public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Georgia state check shows Georgia-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- gbi.georgia.gov — Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC — Official Georgia criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
📍 Other Georgia records:
- Georgia Court Records →
- Georgia Property Records →
- Georgia Vital Records →
- Georgia Voter Records →
- Georgia Wants & Warrants →
- Georgia Licenses →
- Georgia Recorded Documents →
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National: U.S. Criminal Records hub →
Related Public Records
More Georgia records: Court records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Criminal Records Databases
56 official Georgia criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Georgia background check?▼
Georgia's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC. Begin the request at gbi.georgia.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Georgia statute.
Are Georgia criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Georgia is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC explains who can request what at gbi.georgia.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Georgia?▼
A state check from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC (gbi.georgia.gov) covers only criminal activity within Georgia. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Georgia criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC documentation at gbi.georgia.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Georgia criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Georgia criminal history, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) - GCIC offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at gbi.georgia.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.