Search Forsyth County Arrest Records

Forsyth County arrest records are available through the Sheriff's Office in Cumming. With a population of about 251,000, Forsyth County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia and a major Atlanta suburb. The Sheriff's Office Records Unit maintains arrest records, booking databases, and report archives for public access. You can search for Forsyth County arrest records by visiting the sheriff's office, using their online resources, or going through state-level databases. This page covers every option in detail.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Records Unit

Sheriff Ron Freeman runs the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office at 100 East Courthouse Square in Cumming, GA 30040. The main phone number is 770-781-2222. The Records Unit is located in the lobby of the Forsyth County Jail. This unit maintains extensive databases, report archives, and other documentation of the sheriff's office activities.

The Records Unit provides incident and accident reports to both the public and the media. Reports are provided to Forsyth County residents at no charge. That is a big benefit for people who live here. Some reports may also be available at the North and South precincts, but you should call ahead to check what is available at those locations. For most arrest record requests, the main office in the jail lobby is the best place to go.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office also has a GCIC Unit that links the office with the Georgia Crime Information Center and the National Crime Information Center. This gives agency staff access to nationwide law enforcement records and information around the clock. The GCIC serves as the main provider of criminal justice information in Georgia. It works by connecting local offices like Forsyth County to state and federal databases through a computer network.

Note: Reports are free for Forsyth County residents, but call ahead to confirm availability at precinct locations.

Forsyth County Arrest Record Forms

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Records/GCIC page has several forms you may need when requesting arrest records. The available forms include a Booking Photo Agreement, an Accident Report Request Form, a HIPPA Release of Information form, and a Statement of Need specific to Forsyth County. These forms help streamline the records request process.

The screenshot below shows the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Records/GCIC page where you can learn more about their arrest records services and find forms.

This page from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website explains how their Records Unit works and what forms you need. It is the best starting point for anyone looking for Forsyth County arrest records online.

When you request a booking photo, you will need to fill out the Booking Photo Agreement form. The Statement of Need form is required for certain types of record requests in Forsyth County. These forms are available at the jail lobby or on the sheriff's website. If you need an accident report tied to an arrest in Forsyth County, use the Accident Report Request Form.

Georgia State Resources for Forsyth County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps the central criminal history database that covers all 159 counties. Every arrest in Forsyth County is reported to the GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center. You can request your own criminal history record through the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. The state fee is up to $15 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, though Forsyth County provides reports to residents for free.

The Georgia Felon Search is a statewide tool costing $15 per search. It checks felony convictions tied to a person's name and date of birth. The GDC offender search is free and shows people in the state prison system. Both cover Forsyth County cases that resulted in convictions or prison time.

For questions about your own criminal history, call the GBI at (404) 244-2639. You can also email gacriminalhistory@gbi.state.ga.us. The GBI criminal history FAQ page walks you through the entire process. This applies whether the arrest was in Forsyth County or anywhere else in Georgia.

Forsyth County Record Restrictions

Georgia law allows certain arrest records to be restricted from public view. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, charges that were dismissed, not presented to a grand jury, or ended in a not guilty verdict qualify. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office processes these requests with approval from the prosecutor. Once restricted, the arrest record is only visible to courts and law enforcement agencies.

Arrests from before July 1, 2013 require a written request and a fee of up to $50 for restriction in Forsyth County. Guilty verdicts and plea deals are never eligible. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, obtaining records through false pretenses is a crime carrying fines up to $5,000 and jail time of up to two years. Even negligent sharing of criminal history info can bring a $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail.

What Forsyth County Arrest Records Include

An arrest record from Forsyth County has all the standard booking data. This means the full name, date of birth, and physical description of the person arrested. The record shows all charges filed at booking, the date and time of arrest, the arresting officer, and bond information. If the case has moved through court, the disposition may also appear on the record.

Because of the GCIC/NCIC connection, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has access to a broader dataset than just local records. The state criminal history record combines arrest data from every county in Georgia. If someone was arrested in Forsyth County and also in Gwinnett County, both arrests appear on one state report. The GCIC keeps this system running for all law enforcement in the state.

A Forsyth County arrest record typically shows:

• Full name and date of birth
• Physical description including height, weight, race, and sex
• All charges at the time of booking
• Arresting officer and agency
• Bond amount and release conditions
• Court disposition if the case is closed

Note: The NCIC connection means Forsyth County officers can also access nationwide arrest data from federal law enforcement databases.

Forsyth County Open Records Access

Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), arrest records from Forsyth County are open to the public. Anyone can request them without giving a reason. Initial police arrest reports are always available, even during active investigations. Submit your written request to the sheriff's office. They have three business days to respond.

Forsyth County residents get reports at no charge from the sheriff's office. Non-residents may need to pay a copy fee. The agency cannot deny a request without a legal basis. Violations of the Open Records Act can result in fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for additional violations within 12 months.

Cities in Forsyth County

Cumming is the county seat of Forsyth County. It is the main city in the county and where the sheriff's office and jail are located. All arrest records for communities in Forsyth County are handled through the sheriff's office. No cities in Forsyth County currently meet the population threshold for separate pages.

Nearby Counties

Forsyth County is part of the north Atlanta metro area. These neighboring counties each have their own sheriff and arrest records.