Background Checks

Background Checks - Criminal Histories

Do you need a background check for a prospective employee, tenant, or other individual? Georgia Law authorizes public access to Georgia Criminal History Records through local law enforcement agencies when certain criteria are met. The Chamblee Police Department has been providing this service to the public for over 20 years.

Criminal History Records

O.C.G.A. §35-3-34 (d.2) provides public access to felony conviction records without the consent of the person whose record is being checked. For these requests, the subject's full name, race, sex, and date of birth must be provided at the time of the request. A complete Georgia criminal history record may be obtained with the individual's consent. A signed consent form from the individual whose record is being sought must be provided at the time of request. This check will provide all arrests and convictions with the exception of completed first offender charges.

Information Contained in a Georgia Criminal History Record

The criminal history record includes:

• Arrest data (including arresting agency, date of arrest, and charges)
• The the subject's identification data (name, date of birth, social security number, sex, race, height, weight, etc.)
• Final judicial disposition data submitted by a court, prosecutor, or other criminal justice agency and custodial information if the offender was incarcerated in a Georgia correctional facility.

The Local Record Expungement

O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d) (1) allows for the expungement of arrest charges by a local law enforcement agency when certain conditions are met (as outlined in this statute). If approved by the local arresting agency, and the appropriate prosecutor, the arrest cycle is sealed on the Georgia criminal history report by GCIC. Access to that arrest information is restricted to criminal justice agencies only. The arrest is expunged in its entirety from the FBI criminal history record.

The following are examples of final court dispositions that may qualify: Dismissed: Not Presented to Grand Jury: No Further Action Anticipated; Nolle Prossed / Prosequi; Dead Docket; or No Record on File. All applications must be approved or denied by the appropriate prosecutor.

Request for Expungement

The request for expungement form is a three-part form. The arrested individual completes part one and returns the entire form to the arresting agency.

Additional Information

There is a $10 charge for each record check. Walk-in record check requests are processed by the Records Section staff during regular business hours. Results are usually available within minutes.

Volume customers can set up an account which will allow requests to be submitted by mail or fax with the results being mailed or faxed back. These results are usually returned the same day they are received. To set up a volume account please contact Tamila Bufford at (770) 986-1068.

Additional information regarding Georgia Criminal History Record Information is available from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website.