Records

The Records Section collects, processes and stores offense, arrest, and traffic records. During 2022, the Records Section processed a total of 6,684 citations and 6,144 warrants. A total of 1,113 criminal history letters were obtained, 1,377 subpoenas were served, and 1,631 new civil papers were received. They also prepared 636 case files and had a total of 33,789 miscellaneous actions.

To obtain a Criminal History report you must come in person to the Sheriff's Office Records Section at 2273 County Camp Road, Appling, GA, or to the Evans Substation at 650A Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA. A signed criminal history consent form and a picture identification are required. Persons requesting criminal histories must be at least 17 years of age. There is a $10 (cash only) fee and requests can normally be processed while you wait. Criminal Histories may be obtained Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Lieutenant Bobby Williams is the point of contact at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office for the Georgia Sheriff's Association Secondary Metals Recyclers Registry. You can download the registration form, complete it and bring it along with the $200 registration fee and a $39.75 background check fee to the Sheriff's Office Records in Appling. If you have any other questions Lt Williams can be reached by calling 706-541-3990 or by emailing Bobby Williams.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 10-1-359.1, secondary metals recyclers who purchase regulated metal property in any quantity must register with the sheriff's office(s) in the county(s) that they operate within. An individual or business who purchases any amount of regulated metal must register annually as a secondary metal recycler. If the individual or business collects, hauls, or obtains metal without paying for it, registration is not required.

A secondary metals recycler is defined as any person who is engaged, from a fixed location or otherwise, in the business in this state of paying compensation for regulated metal property that has served its original economic purpose, whether or not engaged in the business of performing the manufacturing process by which regulated metal property is converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an existing or potential economic value.

Each sheriff's office is mandated by law to register secondary metals recyclers annually who conduct business within the county. The sheriff's office registers the recycler, maintains a record of each, and enters the registration information into a statewide database searchable by law enforcement and the public.

Use the Secondary Metals Recycler Registry database to search for registered secondary metals recyclers in Georgia.

This is not a permit or license process, only a registry database so law enforcement and others will know who is buying and/or selling metal in the county and state.

Public Record Requests

Request for Public Records Information should be received in writing during the business hours of 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Request for Public Records Information should be directed to Major Steve Morris.

Copies of Accident and Incident reports may be requested by calling the Records Section. The first copy is free and there is a $1 fee for any additional copies. Accident Reports may also be accessed through the Police 2 Citizen portal.

Our fees for Civil Processing are:

  • Civil Subpoena: $10
  • Summons or Complaints: $50
  • Nulla Bona: $20
  • Levy: $50

Note: Civil rates are current as of July 2, 2015.

Civil process fees are due at time of service. Please send separate checks for each defendant. If you need any further assistance from our Civil Section, please feel free to call 706-541-3904.

Our mailing address for civil service is as follows:

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
Civil Section
Post Office Box 310 (or)
2273 County Camp Road
Appling, GA 30802-310