Georgia Recent Bookings and Arrest Records
Georgia recent bookings are public records you can search through county Sheriff's Offices and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Each of the 159 counties maintains its own jail and booking records. You can find inmate information online through various county portals or by contacting Sheriff's Offices directly. Recent bookings show who was arrested, what charges they face, and their current custody status.
Georgia Jail Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Georgia Recent Bookings
There are two main ways to find recent bookings in Georgia. County Sheriff's Offices maintain jail records for all arrests in their area. These offices keep detailed records of who was booked, when they were arrested, and what charges they face. The Georgia Department of Corrections provides an online offender search for state prison inmates.
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) maintains an online offender search tool at gdc.georgia.gov. This database includes individuals currently incarcerated in GDC facilities across Georgia. The search covers state prisons but does not include county jail inmates. You can search by name, GDC ID, physical description, or alias.
Note: The GDC offender search only covers state prison inmates, not county jail bookings.
County Sheriff's Office Booking Records
Each of Georgia's 159 counties has an elected Sheriff who serves as the chief law enforcement officer. County jails are operated by the Sheriff's Office and maintain booking records for all individuals arrested and detained in that county. You can contact your local Sheriff's Office to request recent booking information.
Many Georgia counties now offer online inmate search portals. These systems let you search recent bookings by name, booking number, or date range. Some counties update their databases every 30 minutes. Others require you to call or visit in person to get booking information.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association provides a complete directory of all 159 sheriffs at georgiasheriffs.org. This resource helps you find contact information for any county in Georgia. You can locate phone numbers, addresses, and website links for each Sheriff's Office.
Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, sheriffs are required to keep a record of all persons committed to jail. These records include the name, age, sex, race, process under which committed, crime charged, date of commitment, date of discharge, and order of discharge.
What Information is in Georgia Booking Records
Georgia booking records contain specific details about each arrest. The booking process creates a permanent record that follows the case through the court system. You can find the arrestee's full name and year of birth in these records. Most bookings also include a photograph taken at the time of arrest.
Recent bookings typically show the following details:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Physical descriptors (race, gender, height, weight)
- Booking date, time, and number
- Charges and statute violations
- Bond amount and type
- Arresting agency
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in Georgia. You can obtain a copy of your Georgia criminal history record from most Sheriff's Offices or Police Departments. The GCIC is located at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
Georgia Open Records Act and Booking Records
The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) provides for public access to government records. This law applies to arrest and booking records with certain exemptions. You have the right to inspect and copy most booking records in Georgia.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4), arrest and booking records of an individual are subject to the Act's disclosure requirements. However, booking photographs have special rules. Any person requesting mug shots must first affirm in writing that the photographs will not be placed in a publication or on a website that charges for removal or deletion of the photograph.
Key points about accessing booking records in Georgia:
- Requests can be made orally or in writing
- Agencies must respond within 3 business days
- No fee for the first 30 minutes of search time
- Fees may apply for copying and extensive searches
- Prepayment may be required for estimates over $500
Penalties for non-compliance include criminal misdemeanor fines up to $1,000 for first violations. Civil penalties can reach $1,000 for first violations and $2,500 for additional violations within 12 months.
How to Search Recent Bookings in Georgia
You can search Georgia recent bookings through several methods. Online search is the fastest way to find current inmate information. Many counties provide free online databases. Phone calls work when online search is not available. In-person visits let you speak directly with jail staff.
The Georgia Department of Corrections offers a direct search portal at services.gdc.ga.gov. This system lets you search by name, description, ID number, or physical characteristics. Results include incarceration details, offense information, institution location, and release dates.
For county jail records, start with the Sheriff's Office website for the county where the arrest occurred. Look for links labeled "Inmate Search," "Jail Roster," or "Recent Bookings." If no online search is available, call the jail directly during business hours. Major counties like Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Chatham offer robust online booking search tools.
State Prison vs County Jail Records
Georgia maintains two separate systems for inmate records. Understanding the difference helps you search the right database. State prison records cover felony convictions with longer sentences. County jail records cover recent arrests, pre-trial detention, and shorter sentences.
The Georgia Department of Corrections manages state prisons. Their online offender search covers inmates serving time in GDC facilities. Use this search for felony convictions and sentences over one year. The GDC Inmate Records and Information can be reached at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.
County jails hold inmates awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Each county maintains its own booking records. Sheriff's Offices operate these facilities. Recent bookings at the county level show who was arrested in the last 24 to 48 hours.
Note: Always check both state and county systems if you cannot locate an inmate record.
Browse Georgia Recent Bookings by County
Each of Georgia's 159 counties maintains its own booking records through the Sheriff's Office. Select a county below to find local contact information and inmate search resources.
Recent Bookings in Major Georgia Cities
City police departments work with county Sheriff's Offices to process arrests. Select a city below to learn about recent booking records in that area.