Dade County Booking Reports and Jail Records
Dade County booking reports are maintained by the Dade County Sheriff's Office in Trenton and are available to the public under Georgia's open records laws. Dade County sits in the far northwest corner of Georgia, bordered by Tennessee and Alabama, and all arrests processed at the county detention facility result in public booking records. This page explains how to access those records and what statewide tools can help supplement a local search.
Dade County Quick Facts
Booking Records in Dade County
Dade County is unusual in that it shares borders with Tennessee to the north and Alabama to the west — making it the most geographically isolated of Georgia's counties. Despite that, it operates under the same state laws as every other Georgia county. When someone is arrested in Dade County, the Dade County Sheriff processes the booking at the detention facility in Trenton. The booking record captures the person's name, date of birth, charges, arresting agency, and booking date and time.
Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must maintain the jail docket and make it available for public viewing. The physical log at the Dade County Sheriff's Office is open to anyone during business hours. No reason or identification is required to view the public docket. If you need copies, ask at the front desk about the fee for reproduction.
Booking records show that an arrest took place. They don't determine guilt. A person in the booking log may have been released on bond, may have had charges dropped, or may still be waiting for a hearing. Court records hold the final outcome of any criminal case.
How to Search Dade County Jail Records
Dade County does not appear to maintain a public online inmate search portal. The most direct path to current booking information is a phone call to the Dade County Sheriff's Office in Trenton. Give the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can check the current jail log and tell you whether the person is in custody and what charges are listed. Call during regular business hours for the best chance of reaching someone who can help.
For in-person access, visit the sheriff's office during business hours. The physical docket is open to public viewing. This is the most up-to-date source for booking information and may include details not yet entered into any digital system. Bring identifying information about the person you are looking for.
For written records, submit an Open Records Act request to the Dade County Sheriff's Office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., the office must respond within three business days. The first 15 minutes of staff time is free. Additional fees may apply for longer searches. Be specific about what you're requesting: include the person's name, date of arrest if known, or a date range.
Note: Dade County's location on state borders means some arrests near county lines may involve Tennessee or Alabama authorities. If the person was arrested near a state line, the arresting state may hold the record rather than Georgia.
GBI and Statewide Criminal History Records
The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) holds statewide criminal history records for all Georgia counties, including Dade County. GCIC is the right tool when you need a complete criminal history or records covering more than one county. Reach GCIC at 404-244-2639 or at their office at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
View the Georgia Sheriffs' Association jail report for statewide inmate statistics that include Dade County data.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association tracks statewide county jail populations, with Dade County included in northwest Georgia's regional data.
The GBI's GCIC FAQ covers how to request criminal history records, what authorization is needed for third-party requests, and what fees apply. If you need a formal record from the state level, this is a good starting point.
Georgia Department of Corrections for State Inmates
If a person from Dade County was convicted and sentenced to state prison, their records move into the Georgia Department of Corrections system. The county jail only holds people in local custody. State prisoners are tracked in the GDC offender search, which is separate from county jail records. If someone is no longer in the local jail and you suspect a state sentence, the GDC database is the next step.
For written record verification from GDC, send your request to Inmate Records and Information, PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. A written response gives you something more official than an online search result, which is useful for formal purposes or when online data is unclear or incomplete.
VINE, Open Records Rights, and Court Information
The VINE victim notification service covers Dade County. If you want to be notified automatically when an inmate is released or transferred from the county jail, register on the VINE website. The service is free and runs continuously. Alerts go out by phone, email, or text depending on your preferences when you sign up. VINE is especially useful for ongoing monitoring without having to call the jail repeatedly.
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, you have the right to access most booking and jail records from the Dade County Sheriff. Most records qualify as public. Exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 cover specific circumstances like active investigations or juvenile records. If a request is denied, ask for a written explanation. Booking photos are public records in Georgia with commercial use limits under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19.
The Dade County Superior Court clerk in Trenton handles criminal case filings. Search case outcomes through Georgia Courts online. Court records and booking records are separate systems. Together, they give you the full story of any case from arrest to legal outcome. If someone wants to restrict their record after a case is resolved, Georgia law provides options under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Legal advice is recommended for navigating that process.
Nearby Counties
Dade County is at the far northwest tip of Georgia. These nearby Georgia counties also have booking report pages: