Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County, Georgia, may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, court offices, and third-party aggregators such as UnionGARecords.us. Criminal records in Union County may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, disposition data, sentencing information, and warrant status. Access to these records is governed by Georgia's open records framework, and not all records are available to the general public without restriction.
Relevant record categories that may be accessible include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office
- Superior and Magistrate Court case filings and dispositions
- State criminal history reports maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
- Sex offender registry entries
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Warrant records and protective orders
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary pathways for obtaining criminal records in Union County.
1. County Court Records
The Superior Court of Union County serves as the court of general jurisdiction for felony criminal matters, while the Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Union County Courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Union County Superior Court Clerk
114 Courthouse Street, Suite 4
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6022
Union County Superior Court Clerk
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail roster information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Union County Sheriff's Office
65 Courthouse Street
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 745-2931
Union County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority operates the Georgia Consolidated Court Index, which allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case filings statewide. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date. The portal reflects case-level data and may not include all case details or sealed records.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the state's criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit formal requests for criminal history background checks through the GBI's Applicant Processing Services. Fingerprint-based submissions are required for certified background checks. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, the standard fee for a name-based search is $20, and fingerprint-based checks are $25.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2639
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Union County Superior Court Clerk's Office at 114 Courthouse Street, Suite 4, Blairsville, GA 30512. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, agencies are required to respond to records requests within three business days.
What Is Union County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Union County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Georgia law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documentation generated at each stage of the criminal justice process.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Georgia law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more in a state facility; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are treated separately and are sealed from public access under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union County include the Union County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Union County Superior and Magistrate Courts (case filings and dispositions), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history repository), and local law enforcement agencies. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union County are subject to public disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, which establishes a presumption of openness for government records. The Act provides that "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure."
Records that are at present open to public inspection include:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records
- Court case filings, dockets, and hearing schedules
- Sex offender registry information
Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed under state law
- Expunged or restricted records, which are removed from public view pursuant to a court order
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
The Georgia Attorney General's office provides guidance on the application of the Open Records Act through its Open Government resources. Federal records, including those maintained by the FBI, are governed separately under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) and are not subject to Georgia's open records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online portal for Union County court records is the Georgia Consolidated Court Index, maintained by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. This system allows name-based and case-number-based searches of Superior Court filings statewide, including Union County. The portal does not require registration for basic searches. Jail roster and inmate information may be available through the Union County Sheriff's Office website.
State-Level Resources
- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation criminal history background check portal provides access to statewide criminal history reports for authorized requestors.
- The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable by name, county, or ZIP code.
- The Georgia Courts website provides links to individual court systems and case management resources.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Case number searches yield the most precise results and eliminate false matches.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records.
- Note that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Georgia law mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, agencies may not charge a fee solely for the act of inspection. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Union County Superior Court Clerk's Office and review arrest logs at the Union County Sheriff's Office without charge. Copying fees apply to reproduced documents.
2. Free Online Databases
- Georgia Consolidated Court Index — free name and case number searches of court filings
- Georgia Sex Offender Registry — free public search
- Union County Sheriff's Office jail roster — available at no charge on the agency's website
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office are public records and may be inspected at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $2.50 per page (Superior Court) |
| Official GBI name-based background check | $20.00 |
| Official GBI fingerprint-based background check | $25.00 |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
Georgia law permits agencies to charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and copying under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances; requestors should inquire directly with the relevant agency.
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Union County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants and bench warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable via the Georgia Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or restricted records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs
- Ongoing investigation materials
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain clerical errors or outdated information. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their Georgia criminal history record may submit a challenge through the GBI's Record Challenge process. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Georgia's retention requirements for criminal records are governed by the Georgia Secretary of State's records retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to these schedules, which are published by the Georgia Archives.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the GBI state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; GBI retains indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; eligible for restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records retained permanently to reflect the disposition; arrest records may be eligible for restriction
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 21 or upon petition; destruction timelines governed by O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently under Georgia court records retention rules
- The Union County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records per the applicable local government retention schedule
- The GBI state repository retains conviction records permanently
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record persists in the state repository.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Under Georgia law, "restriction" (the functional equivalent of expungement in many states) removes a record from public view but does not destroy it; the record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies. Sealing applies primarily to juvenile records. Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record following the expiration of its retention period.
Expungement and Record Restriction
Georgia's record restriction process is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which permits eligible individuals to petition for restriction of certain arrest records that did not result in conviction. Restricted records are removed from public-facing databases but remain accessible to law enforcement. Petition forms and eligibility criteria are available through the GBI's Record Restriction resources.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records exist independently of Georgia state records and are not subject to state restriction orders.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that remain unrestricted will appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present reflect criminal convictions without a standard time limit, though many consumer reporting agencies apply a seven-to-ten-year lookback period for non-conviction records. Professional licensing boards in Georgia may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even if the Union County court destroys physical case files following the retention period, electronic copies may persist in the GBI state repository unless the record has been legally restricted.