Bartow County Arrest Data and Booking Reports
Bartow County booking reports document every jail intake processed by the Bartow County Sheriff's Office in Cartersville. These are public records under Georgia law, showing the name, charges, and booking date for each person taken into custody. Bartow County sits northwest of Atlanta along I-75, and the sheriff's office handles a high volume of bookings each year. Whether you're searching for a current inmate or looking up a past arrest, the booking records kept in Cartersville are your primary source.
Bartow County Quick Facts
How to Find Bartow County Booking Reports
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office in Cartersville is the primary keeper of all county jail booking data. The jail docket is a public record and can be viewed in person at the sheriff's office during regular hours. Staff can look up entries by name or booking date. You don't need an attorney or a formal application to view the records. Just visit and ask.
The Bartow County Sheriff's website provides general information on the department and its services. For records requests, you can contact the office directly by phone at 770-382-5050 or submit a written Open Records request. Under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), the agency has three business days to respond. The first 15 minutes of search time is free.
Note: Bartow County's location along I-75 means the jail also processes some arrests from traffic stops and highway-related incidents in addition to local crime.
Bartow County Sheriff's Office website showing jail and records information
The Bartow County Sheriff's Office in Cartersville is the starting point for anyone searching local booking reports and jail records.
What Bartow County Booking Records Include
Every booking report in Bartow County includes the information required by O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7. The law requires the sheriff to document the arrested person's full name, age, sex, race, charges, and the dates of booking and release. These fields are consistent for every person booked into the jail, regardless of the charge or how long they stay in custody.
Records may also include the arresting agency, whether the person posted bond, any holds from other agencies such as probation or ICE, and transfer information if the person was moved to another facility. Booking photos may be on file. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, Georgia bars law enforcement from sharing booking photos with commercial mugshot websites. The Bartow County Sheriff follows this state law.
Georgia Department of Corrections for State-Level Records
Bartow County's local jail holds people who have been arrested and are either awaiting trial or serving short county sentences. Once someone is convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison, they leave the county jail and are transferred into state custody. The GDC system then takes over their records.
The GDC offender search is the right tool for finding people in Georgia state prisons. You can also use the GDC direct query form for more filter options. For official certified records, write to Inmate Records and Information, PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. These state and county records exist in parallel but independently of each other.
GBI GCIC for Comprehensive Criminal History
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation manages the Georgia Crime Information Center. GCIC compiles criminal history data from law enforcement and courts across all 159 Georgia counties. If you need more than a single county's jail records, GCIC gives you a statewide view of someone's arrest history, court outcomes, and any record restrictions.
GCIC access requires a scheduled appointment. The GBI office at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034 does not accept walk-ins. Phone: 404-244-2639. The GBI FAQ page explains what to bring, what the report covers, and how long the process takes. Visit the GCIC overview for background on the program before your visit.
VINE Alerts and Georgia Open Records in Bartow
VINE is a free notification service for tracking inmate status in the Bartow County Jail. Register at VINELink.com and set your preferred contact method. When the inmate is released, moved, or their status changes, VINE sends an alert automatically. The service runs around the clock and covers all Georgia counties including Bartow.
Georgia's Open Records Act provides broad access to Bartow County jail records. Any person has the right to inspect booking data. The sheriff cannot require you to explain your reason for looking. Denials must be in writing and must cite the specific legal exemption being applied. This law, found at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., applies uniformly to all Georgia counties regardless of size or location.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association releases monthly statewide jail statistics. The January 2026 report showed 25,487 inmates in Georgia county jails, with 67.9% awaiting trial. Bartow County's numbers fit within this statewide pattern. For court records after booking, the Georgia Courts website provides access to Superior Court information and case lookup resources.
Cities in Bartow County
Cartersville is the county seat and the largest city in Bartow County. Booking records for arrests made within Cartersville city limits are still processed through the Bartow County Jail and are part of the county's booking records.
Nearby Counties
Each neighboring county maintains its own sheriff's records. Use these links to find booking data for adjacent areas.