Clay County Booking Reports and Jail Records
Clay County booking reports are kept by the Clay County Sheriff's Office in Fort Gaines and are part of the public record under Georgia law. If you need to find someone held at the Clay County Jail, check on a recent arrest, or request booking data from the county detention facility, this page explains your options using local sheriff resources and statewide Georgia tools.
Clay County Quick Facts
How Booking Records Work in Clay County
Clay County is one of Georgia's smallest counties by population, located in the southwestern corner of the state near the Alabama and Florida borders. When someone is arrested in Clay County, they are processed at the county detention facility in Fort Gaines. The booking intake records their name, date of birth, charges, arresting agency, and the date and time of arrest. That information becomes part of the jail docket, which is a public document.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7 requires every county sheriff to maintain a jail log and provide public access to it. Clay County's sheriff is bound by that same rule. The physical docket is kept at the sheriff's office in Fort Gaines and is open to the public during normal business hours. You don't need to state a reason to view it.
A booking record is not a conviction. It shows someone was detained and charged. Legal outcomes depend on the court process, and many people in booking logs are released without conviction.
How to Search Clay County Jail Records
Clay County does not appear to maintain a public online inmate roster. The most direct way to check on someone's custody status is to contact the Clay County Sheriff's Office in Fort Gaines. Call ahead with the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can check the jail docket and tell you if that person is in custody and what charges they face.
You can also visit in person. The physical docket book is available for public review at the sheriff's office. This is the most reliable way to see the full current record, including handwritten notes or updates that may not be available by phone. Bring identification if you plan to request copies.
For a formal written record, file an Open Records Act request with the Clay County Sheriff's Office or the county government. 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. After that, the county may charge a fee for staff time and copying.
Note: Clay County's small size means the jail population is much lower than urban counties. Staff may be able to help faster than at larger facilities, but call ahead to confirm hours.
GBI and Statewide Criminal History Records
The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) holds criminal history records for all counties in Georgia, including Clay County. If you need records that cover more than just the local jail — for example, if a person has been arrested in multiple counties — GCIC is the right source. You can reach GCIC by phone at 404-244-2639 or visit their office at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
Visit the GBI Georgia Crime Information Center for statewide arrest and criminal history records covering Clay County.
GCIC maintains statewide arrest and criminal history data that covers all Georgia counties, including Clay County cases.
The GBI also has a frequently asked questions page covering how to request a criminal history record, what the process involves, and what fees may apply. This is useful if you need a formal record rather than just an informal check.
Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search
If a person was convicted and transferred from the Clay County Jail to a state prison, their records move into the Georgia Department of Corrections system. The GDC maintains an online offender search for state inmates. County jail records stay with the sheriff's office; state prison records live in the GDC database.
These are two separate systems. Someone could appear in the Clay County booking log but not in the GDC database if they haven't been convicted and sentenced to state prison. And someone in the GDC system may have started in Clay County but moved on to state custody. Check both if you're not sure which system applies.
For written verification of a state offender's record, you can send a written request to: Inmate Records and Information, PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.
VINE Victim Notification Service
The VINE service offers automated alerts for victims and family members monitoring someone's custody status in Clay County. VINE connects to county jail systems and sends notifications when an offender is released, transferred, or has a custody status change. You can sign up online at no cost. The service runs around the clock and covers most Georgia counties.
VINE is useful in small counties like Clay because you don't have to call the jail repeatedly to check on someone. Once you register, the system handles the tracking and sends you alerts automatically. This is especially helpful for victims who need to know when someone is released.
Court Records and Case Lookup
Booking records from the Clay County Jail are separate from court case records. A booking shows an arrest. A court record shows the legal outcome: charges filed, hearings, pleas, verdicts. For court records in Clay County, the Superior Court clerk in Fort Gaines maintains criminal and civil case filings. You can also search state court records through Georgia Courts.
If someone's case was resolved and they believe their record should be restricted, O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 provides a process for requesting that through the GBI. The First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) is another path for eligible individuals who completed a qualifying program. Both require working through the courts and are best handled with legal counsel. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association publishes statewide jail data that provides broader context on how Georgia county jails operate.
Note: Booking photos are generally available as public records in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, certain commercial uses of mugshots are restricted, but access for public records purposes remains available in most situations.
Nearby Counties
Clay County borders several other southwest Georgia counties. Check these pages for records that may cross county lines: