If you need to look up arrest records in Atlanta, Georgia, there are several local agencies and tools you can use. This guide walks you through where records are kept, how to search them, what they contain, and what your rights and limits are when using this information in Atlanta.
Before you start searching, it helps to know what you’re actually looking for.
Arrest records generally include information about:
In Atlanta, an arrest record is not the same as a conviction. It only shows that someone was taken into custody and charged, not necessarily found guilty in court.
Several agencies in and around Atlanta maintain arrest-related information:
For most everyday searches, you will be dealing with APD, Fulton County, or DeKalb County depending on where the arrest happened.
Atlanta’s city limits cross county lines. Parts of Atlanta sit in Fulton County, and parts are in DeKalb County. The county where the person was booked or the case was filed determines which systems you’ll use.
If you’re unsure:
Most people arrested in Atlanta are taken to a county jail, not held by the city long term. Jail and inmate lookup tools are typically the easiest way to see recent arrests.
Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
185 Central Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (main): (404) 612-5100
Commonly available information through Fulton County systems includes:
If the person was arrested by APD in central or west Atlanta, this is a good starting point.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
4415 Memorial Dr
Decatur, GA 30032
Phone (main): (404) 298-8145
This jail covers DeKalb County, including parts of east Atlanta located in DeKalb. Their inmate lookup typically shows:
For arrest reports, incident reports, and police reports connected to an arrest that occurred inside city limits, you’ll usually deal with the Atlanta Police Department (APD).
Atlanta Police Department – Headquarters
226 Peachtree St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Non-emergency: (404) 614-6544
APD handles:
Many records can be requested as public records under Georgia’s open records law. You can request:
When you contact APD or submit a request, it helps to have:
An arrest in Atlanta usually leads to a court case, unless the charges are dropped. Court records often provide more detail on the charges, status, and outcome.
Here’s how it typically breaks down:
Handles many city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and some misdemeanors that start as arrests within Atlanta city limits.
Municipal Court of Atlanta
150 Garnett St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Clerk’s Office: (404) 658-6940
You can usually obtain:
If the arrest was for state-level offenses in the Fulton part of Atlanta (including many felonies and more serious misdemeanors), records may be in:
Fulton County Courthouse
136 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
From the Clerk of Superior/State Court, you can usually request:
If the arrest occurred in the DeKalb County portion of Atlanta, look to:
DeKalb County Courthouse
556 N McDonough St
Decatur, GA 30030
Court clerks can help you locate:
If you’re trying to view overall arrest and criminal history for someone in Atlanta, not just a single incident, you’re dealing with statewide records managed by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).
In Georgia, individuals typically access their own criminal history through:
For someone living in Atlanta, a common route is:
Be prepared for:
Employers, landlords, and other organizations may have different rules and channels for obtaining criminal background information, often requiring consent forms.
Georgia law treats many arrest-related records as public, but there are limits.
Typically publicly accessible in Atlanta:
Common restrictions or protections include:
If an arrest record is sealed or restricted, you may not be able to see it through usual public channels, even if you know it happened.
Arrest records can affect jobs, housing, relationships, and reputation, so it’s important to understand some key points:
Arrest ≠ guilt
An arrest only shows that someone was taken into custody and accused of a crime. Charges can be reduced, dismissed, or resolved without a conviction.
Employer and landlord rules vary
Many employers and housing providers in Atlanta use background checks, but their ability to consider certain records is shaped by federal and state laws and, in some cases, local policies.
Accuracy matters
Names can be common, and records may have incomplete information. It’s possible to mistake one person for another if you rely only on name and city.
Privacy and fairness
Even when records are public, sharing them widely or using them to harass, threaten, or defame someone can create legal problems.
In Georgia, what used to be known as “expungement” is now usually called “record restriction.” This doesn’t destroy the record but limits public access to it.
Someone with an arrest in Atlanta might be able to seek record restriction if, for example:
The process generally involves:
People often contact:
Below is a simple overview to help you decide which office or source to contact first:
| Situation / Need | Likely Starting Point in Atlanta Area |
|---|---|
| Someone was just arrested in downtown Atlanta | Fulton County Sheriff’s Office / Fulton County Jail |
| You want a police incident report for an Atlanta arrest | Atlanta Police Department Records / Open Records request |
| You want case details after felony charges in Fulton | Fulton County Superior Court Clerk |
| You want case details after a misdemeanor in DeKalb | DeKalb County State Court Clerk |
| You want your own full Georgia criminal history | Local law enforcement agency (e.g., APD or Fulton Sheriff) for GCIC |
| You want to see if someone is currently in jail | Fulton County Jail or DeKalb County Jail inmate lookup |
By focusing on the correct Atlanta-area agency and understanding what each one maintains—police reports, jail bookings, or court files—you can usually track down the arrest information you need in a clear, lawful way.
