Access Thomas County Arrest Records
Thomas County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Thomasville, Georgia. With about 45,000 residents, Thomas County is one of the larger counties in south Georgia. The sheriff's office processes all local arrests and keeps records on file for public access. You can search for arrest reports, booking data, and inmate information through the office or use state tools from the GBI. Thomas County arrest data feeds into Georgia's statewide criminal history system, so there are multiple paths to find the records you are looking for.
Thomas County Quick Facts
Thomas County Sheriff Arrest Records
Sheriff Tim Watkins leads the Thomas County Sheriff's Office at 921 Smith Avenue, Thomasville, GA 31792. The phone number is (229) 225-3300. This office is the main source for arrest records in Thomas County. The staff handles current inmate lookups, recent booking information, and copies of arrest reports going back years.
Thomas County has a bigger population than many south Georgia counties, so the sheriff's office handles a higher volume of arrests and record requests. Give the staff a full name and date of birth for whoever you want to look up. Walk-in requests work during business hours. Phone calls are good for quick checks on whether someone is in custody. For formal written copies, mail your request to the Thomasville address. Most requests get a response within a few business days, but complex cases or old files could take longer.
The Thomasville Police Department also makes arrests within city limits. If the arrest happened inside the city, you may need to check with them as well. But the sheriff's office covers the rest of Thomas County and manages the county jail.
| Sheriff | Tim Watkins |
|---|---|
| Address | 921 Smith Ave, Thomasville, GA 31792 |
| Phone | (229) 225-3300 |
How to Look Up Thomas County Records
Start with the sheriff's office for local records. Call (229) 225-3300 or go to 921 Smith Avenue in Thomasville. You can also mail a written request.
At the state level, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs a central criminal history system. The Georgia Crime Information Center collects arrest records from all 159 counties, Thomas County included. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own criminal history for up to $15. Send your request to CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Processing runs 5 to 10 business days.
The GBI criminal history FAQ page spells out how to submit your request and what to expect.
Note: GBI walk-in appointments in Decatur must be booked ahead of time.
Georgia State Arrest Data for Thomas County
Thomas County deputies report every arrest to the statewide Criminal Justice Information System. The GCIC network includes more than 600 agencies. When someone is arrested in Thomas County, that data enters the state database alongside records from every other county in Georgia. This makes it possible to search for Thomas County arrests through state tools without contacting the local office at all.
The GBI website connects you to criminal history services, the sex offender registry, and crime stats that may include Thomas County data. The Rapid ID fingerprint system also helps officers in the field confirm identities using handheld devices tied to state and federal databases.
Thomas County Jail Bookings
The Thomas County jail is run by the sheriff's office. All local arrests go through booking here. The booking record has the person's name, charges, arrest date, and mugshot. These are public under Georgia law. Call (229) 225-3300 to check on inmates.
If someone arrested in Thomas County was later moved to a state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search can locate them. The GDC tool lets you search by name or ID number but only covers state facilities. People still held in the Thomas County jail are not in the GDC system.
Arrest Record Laws in Thomas County
Under Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, arrest reports are public. The Thomas County Sheriff's Office must release initial arrest reports on request. Pending investigations may be exempt, but the basic arrest data is always available.
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38 makes it a crime to request records under false pretenses. The penalty includes fines up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows certain arrest charges to be sealed when the case was dismissed or not presented to a grand jury. Guilty outcomes are never eligible for restriction.
More Thomas County Record Resources
The Georgia Felon Search checks felony convictions for $15. Another $15 gets the details. Only felonies are in this tool. You need first name, last name, date of birth, and sex. Use the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory to find contact info for Thomas County or nearby counties. Fees for state record checks go through the GBI Payment Portal.
Nearby Counties
Thomas County shares borders with these counties. Confirm the arrest location before requesting records from any office.