Georgia Warrant Search
Are Warrants Public Record in Georgia
Warrants are public record in Georgia pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access governmental records, including judicial documents such as warrants. The state of Georgia upholds principles of transparency and accountability in its judicial processes, considering public access to warrant records a critical component of public oversight of law enforcement and judicial functions.
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically provides that all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state, except those records that are expressly exempted from being open to inspection by the general public. Warrant records, unless sealed by court order or otherwise classified for specific legal reasons as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, remain accessible to the public through appropriate channels.
Citizens seeking warrant information may access these records through various governmental agencies, including:
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington Street SW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5171
Georgia Courts
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Georgia?
Warrant records in Georgia contain comprehensive information as mandated by O.C.G.A. § 17-4-41, which establishes the required content for arrest warrants. These records typically include several key components that provide detailed information about the warrant and the individual against whom it has been issued:
- Subject identification information: Full legal name of the person against whom the warrant is issued, along with identifying information such as date of birth, physical description, and last known address
- Date of issuance: The specific date on which the warrant was officially authorized and entered into the system
- Case number: A unique identifier assigned to the warrant for tracking purposes within the judicial system
- Issuing authority: Details of the judge or magistrate who authorized the warrant, including their name and jurisdiction
- Nature of the offense: A description of the alleged crime or legal violation, including the specific Georgia Code section that has been allegedly violated
- Bail amount: If applicable, the amount of bail set by the court or notation that the subject is to be held without bail
- Warrant status: Information indicating whether the warrant is active, served, or recalled
The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains records of individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system, which may include information related to warrant execution.
How to Check For Warrants in Georgia For Free
Members of the public may check for warrants in Georgia without incurring costs through several official channels. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operating under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, maintains a centralized database of warrant information that can be accessed through authorized agencies.
Individuals seeking to verify warrant status may utilize the following no-cost methods:
- Visit the local sheriff's office: County sheriff's departments maintain records of active warrants within their jurisdiction and can provide this information upon in-person request with proper identification.
Fulton County Sheriff's Office
185 Central Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 612-5100
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Contact the county clerk of court: Many county courthouses provide public access terminals where individuals can search court records, including warrant information.
Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court
133 Montgomery Street, Room 304
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 652-7175
Chatham County Court System
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Utilize county-specific online portals: Some counties offer free online access to court records through their official websites, allowing for remote warrant checks.
The Clayton County Court Case Inquiry system provides online access to court records, which may include information about outstanding warrants.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Georgia in 2025
To determine if a warrant exists in one's name in Georgia in 2025, individuals may access information through the state's enhanced digital infrastructure for judicial records. The Georgia Courts E-Access system provides a centralized portal for accessing court records across multiple jurisdictions.
Individuals seeking warrant information should consider the following official channels:
- Georgia Judicial Gateway: This comprehensive online system allows for searches across multiple counties and court systems.
Judicial Council of Georgia/Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington Street SW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5171
Georgia Judicial Gateway
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- County Sheriff's Office: Direct contact with the sheriff's office in the county where a warrant may have been issued remains an effective method for verification.
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
(404) 298-8100
Hours of Operation: 24 hours daily
- Legal representation: Consulting with an attorney who can access court records on behalf of a client provides a confidential means of checking warrant status.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-4-40, warrants in Georgia must be entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center database within 24 hours of issuance, ensuring that current information is available through official channels.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Georgia
The verification of outstanding warrants in Georgia requires accessing official records maintained by law enforcement and judicial agencies. The Supreme Court of Georgia provides access to case information that may include warrant status for cases that have reached the appellate level.
Individuals seeking to check for outstanding warrants should utilize the following authorized resources:
- Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): This division of the GBI maintains the state's central repository of criminal history record information, including outstanding warrants.
Georgia Crime Information Center
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2639
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- County Probation Offices: For individuals concerned about warrants related to probation violations, direct contact with the county probation office can provide verification.
Gwinnett County Probation Services
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 822-8300
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Municipal Court Clerk's Office: For warrants issued at the city level, the municipal court clerk can provide information on outstanding warrants.
The Paulding County Warrants Division executes criminal arrest warrants and can provide information about outstanding warrants within their jurisdiction.
How to Find Federal Warrant Search
Federal warrants represent a distinct category of judicial orders that fall under the jurisdiction of the federal court system rather than state or local authorities. These warrants are typically issued for violations of federal law and are executed by federal law enforcement agencies.
To conduct a search for federal warrants, individuals should contact the following federal agencies:
United States Marshals Service - Northern District of Georgia
Richard B. Russell Federal Building
2211 United States Courthouse
75 Ted Turner Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 331-6833
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Atlanta Field Office
3000 Flowers Road South
Atlanta, GA 30341
(770) 216-3000
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
United States District Court - Northern District of Georgia
Richard B. Russell Federal Building
2211 United States Courthouse
75 Ted Turner Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 215-1600
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Federal warrant information is governed by different regulations than state warrants, as outlined in Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Access to federal warrant information may be more restricted than state-level records and often requires formal requests through the appropriate federal court clerk's office.
Search Warrant Records in Georgia
Appling County Arrest Warrants
Chatham County Georgia Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Registry
Clayton County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Search
Columbia Country Sheriff's Office Wanted List
Savannah-Chatham County Crimestoppers Most Wanted
Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search
Clayton County Court Case Inquiry
Georgia Courts E-Access Records
Supreme Court of Georgia Docket Search
