Savannah Booking Releases
Savannah booking releases are held by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, which runs the county detention center. The Savannah Police Department makes arrests in the city, but all arrested individuals are transported to the Chatham County jail for booking and processing. The sheriff keeps every booking release record as required by Georgia law. Savannah is the county seat of Chatham County and the largest city on the Georgia coast, so the jail handles a steady flow of bookings throughout the year.
Savannah Quick Facts
Chatham County Keeps Savannah Booking Records
In Georgia, city police make arrests but the county sheriff runs the jail. This is how it works in Savannah. The Savannah Police Department patrols the city, responds to calls, and arrests people. Once an arrest is made, the officer takes the person to the Chatham County Detention Center. The sheriff's staff processes the booking from there. They log the name, charges, and personal details into the jail system.
Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7 says the sheriff must keep a record of each person held in the jail. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office follows this rule and stores all booking release data in its management system. These records cover arrests made by SPD, Chatham County Police, and other agencies in the area.
You can search Chatham County booking releases through the sheriff's online lookup or file a request for older records. The county page has more details on how to do that.
Savannah Police Department
The Savannah Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the city. Their headquarters is at 201 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA 31401. The phone number is (912) 651-6675. SPD covers the city limits and handles everything from patrol to major investigations.
After an arrest, SPD officers transport the person to the Chatham County jail. The officer completes an arrest report, which stays with the police department. The booking release record is a different document that the jail creates. If you need the arrest report, ask SPD. If you need the booking release, go to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. They are two separate records from two separate agencies.
Chatham County also has its own police department, which is separate from both SPD and the sheriff. The Chatham County Police handle unincorporated parts of the county. All three agencies send their arrestees to the same jail, so all booking releases are in one system. This makes searching easier since you only need to check one place for any Chatham County arrest.
How to Search Savannah Booking Releases
The Chatham County Sheriff's Office runs an online inmate search. Type in a name and the system pulls up matching bookings. Results show the person's name, charges, booking date, bond amount, and release status. The tool is free and runs around the clock. This is the fastest way to check on a recent booking.
If you need older records, file an open records request. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, you have the right to request booking release records from the county. The sheriff's office must respond within three business days. Include the person's full name and date of birth in your request. Copies cost $0.10 per page.
The request process is laid out in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. You can submit a request in writing, by email, or in person at the sheriff's office. No reason is needed. The county handles these requests regularly and staff know the process well.
For phone inquiries, call the Chatham County jail and ask about a specific inmate. Staff can give basic status info over the phone, though they may refer you to the open records process for detailed documents.
What Savannah Booking Releases Include
A booking release record from the Chatham County jail shows the inmate's name, date of birth, physical description, and booking photo. It lists every charge filed, the arresting agency (SPD for Savannah arrests), the booking date and time, and bond information. When the person is released, the record adds the release date, method of release, and any conditions.
Booking photos are governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-1-18. This law sets rules for when mugshots can be shared publicly. Chatham County follows these rules for all Savannah bookings. Some records may be partially redacted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 if they fall under one of the exemptions to the Open Records Act, such as active investigations or sealed court orders.
Statewide Booking Release Resources
The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows anyone serving a state prison sentence. If a person arrested in Savannah was later sent to state prison, this tool will have their current status. It covers all state facilities across Georgia.
Georgia's sheriffs are required to maintain detailed jail records under state law, as shown in this statute page.
This statute ensures the Chatham County Sheriff keeps a complete record for every person booked into the jail on a Savannah arrest.
The VINE system lets you track inmates in the Chatham County jail and get alerts when they are released or moved. It is free and works for all Georgia counties. For state-level records, the GDC Open Records portal and the GBI Open Records portal handle requests that go beyond county boundaries.
Nearby Cities
Savannah is the main city in the Chatham County area. Pooler, a smaller city west of Savannah, also falls in Chatham County and uses the same jail system. Other nearby communities include Garden City, Bloomingdale, and Tybee Island, all within Chatham County.