Records

The Records Section collects, processes, and stores offense, arrest, and traffic records. During 2024, the Records Section processed a total of 5,669 citations and 6,308 warrants. A total of 925 criminal history letters were obtained, 1,876 subpoenas were served, and 1,697 new civil papers were received. They also prepared 2,530 case files and had a total of 35,854 miscellaneous actions.

• For your convenience, download the Criminal History Consent Form (PDF).

To obtain a Criminal History report, you must come in person to the Sheriff's Office Records Section at 2269 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.

• Secondary Metals Recycler Registry Form (PDF)

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 that 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 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.