Search Clay County Felony Records

Clay County felony records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Fort Gaines. One of Georgia's least populated counties with about 2,800 residents, Clay County sits in the southwest corner of the state along the Chattahoochee River. The county is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit. The clerk handles all court filings while the sheriff manages arrest and jail records. You can access these records in person at the Fort Gaines courthouse, by phone, or through state online databases.

Clay County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary source for felony records in Clay County. All criminal case filings pass through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and dispositions are stored here. Given the county's small population, the felony case volume is low compared to metro areas. The clerk maintains both paper and digital records.

The clerk's office is at 325 Washington Street, Fort Gaines, GA 39851. Visit in person with a valid ID and the name of the person you are looking for. A date of birth or case number makes the search faster. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies have a higher fee. Call (229) 768-2631 for questions about Clay County felony case records. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted.

Clay County is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit along with Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, and Terrell counties. This is one of the larger circuits by county count in Georgia, covering a rural stretch of the southwest part of the state. Judges rotate among all seven counties. All Clay County felony records stay filed at the Fort Gaines courthouse.

Clay County Sheriff's Office

The Clay County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and jail operations. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of every person held in the county jail. These records list the person's name, charges, booking date, and the issuing court.

The sheriff's office is at 325 Washington Street, Fort Gaines, GA 39851. Call (229) 768-2505 for inmate information or arrest record requests. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 allows local agencies to charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Clay County is one of the smallest counties in Georgia, so the jail has very limited capacity. Most serious felony inmates are transferred to larger facilities.

The Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query shown above is a free tool that lets you look up state inmates from Clay County and all other Georgia counties.

Online Searches for Clay County Felony Records

State databases are the best way to search Clay County felony records without driving to Fort Gaines. Given how remote the county is, online tools are especially useful.

The GDC Offender Query is free and shows current and former state prison inmates. If someone from Clay County went to state prison, they show up here. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results include charges, sentence length, facility assignment, and release information.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per query. It checks the GCIC database for all felony convictions statewide. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are returned instantly. A "no record found" still costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprint comparison. For Clay County, this is the most thorough paid option.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all county clerk offices. Clay County uses this shared platform for case management. You can search real estate records, liens, and some court documents through the GSCCCA portal.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Clay County are public. Court files, arrest records, and booking logs are open under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies must respond within three business days.

Some limits exist. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted if the case was never prosecuted. Arrests after July 1, 2013 follow updated rules where the district attorney handles restriction requests. Restricted records are removed from public view but remain available to law enforcement.

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, lets first-time offenders seal their records after completing probation. Violent felonies have a longer waiting period before any restriction can be applied. Most felony convictions in Clay County remain permanently public.

State Resources for Clay County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. Request a background check through the Clay County Sheriff or GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole data for offenders convicted in Clay County. The GSCCCA provides technology and data sharing support for the clerk's office.

State databases may not include the most recent filings from the Clay County Superior Court. Contact the clerk in Fort Gaines for the latest records.

Cities in Clay County

Clay County includes Fort Gaines, which is the county seat. No cities in Clay County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All felony cases are processed at the Clay County Superior Court in Fort Gaines.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clay County. Each has its own courthouse and felony records.