Search Dougherty County Booking Releases

Dougherty County booking releases come from the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office based in Albany, Georgia. As the main law enforcement hub for southwest Georgia, this county handles a steady flow of bookings and releases each year. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and maintains records for all inmates who pass through its facility. Albany is the county seat and the largest city in the area, which means the jail sees more activity than most surrounding counties. Public access to booking release records is available through formal requests and some online tools.

Sheriff's Office and Booking Records

The Dougherty County Sheriff's Office manages all jail operations and booking release records for the county. The office is at 1401 Evelyn Avenue in Albany. You can call (229) 431-2196 for questions about inmates and booking releases. The jail operates around the clock, and staff can check the system for you during business hours.

Georgia law requires every sheriff to keep records of all people held in the county jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, these records must include the inmate's name, booking date, charges, and release date. Dougherty County follows this law strictly. The jail management system stores records going back several years, covering every person who has been booked and released from the facility.

The Sheriff's Office also works with the Albany Police Department and other local agencies that bring people into the county jail. No matter which agency made the arrest, the booking release record is kept by the Sheriff's Office. This is how it works across all of Georgia.

How to Search Booking Releases

There are several ways to find Dougherty County booking releases. The county may offer an online inmate lookup tool through its sheriff's office website. Check the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office site for the most current search options. Online tools typically let you search by name or booking number and show current inmates along with recent releases.

If the online tool does not have what you need, call the jail at (229) 431-2196. Staff can look up anyone currently held or recently released. They can also tell you if a record exists for a specific person. For official copies, you will need to file an open records request.

You can search the statewide VINE system for alerts about Dougherty County inmates.

VINE lets you track inmates across Georgia and get alerts when their custody status changes.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act gives the public the right to request booking release records. Dougherty County must respond within three business days. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Put your request in writing and send it to the Sheriff's Office.

Include the person's full name, date of birth if you have it, and any other details that can help staff find the right record. The more info you give, the faster they can process your request.

Open Records Process

Formal open records requests for Dougherty County booking releases go through the Sheriff's Office. You can drop off a written request at the office on Evelyn Avenue or mail it in. Some agencies also accept requests by email. Check with the Sheriff's Office for their preferred method.

The law at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 says you do not have to explain why you want the records. You just need to describe what records you want clearly enough so the staff can find them. The county cannot deny your request simply because you did not give a reason.

Costs are standard across Georgia. Copies run $0.10 per page. The county cannot charge for the first 15 minutes of search time. If your request takes longer to fill, the county may charge for extra staff time at a reasonable rate.

What Booking Releases Show

Dougherty County booking release records contain key details about each person's time in the jail. You will see the inmate's full name, date of birth, physical description, charges, booking date, arresting agency, and release date. The method of release is also noted, whether it was bond, time served, transfer, or another reason.

Booking photos are handled under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-18, which sets rules for when and how these images can be released. Some booking records may be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 if they involve sealed cases, juvenile matters, or ongoing investigations. Most adult booking releases in Dougherty County are public records and can be obtained without issue.

Statewide Booking Release Resources

Beyond Dougherty County records, you can search several state databases for more information. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search covers people serving state sentences. If someone was booked in Dougherty County and later transferred to a state facility, this is where you can track them.

The VINE notification system works for all Georgia counties including Dougherty. You can sign up for free alerts and get notified when an inmate is released or moved. The GDC Open Records portal and the GBI Open Records portal handle state-level records requests that go beyond what the county holds.

Cities in Dougherty County

Albany is the largest city in Dougherty County and the only city with a dedicated page on this site. All jail bookings in the county route through the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office, regardless of which city the arrest occurred in.

Nearby Counties

Dougherty County sits in southwest Georgia and borders several counties. If you need booking releases from a neighboring area, make sure you contact the correct county sheriff's office.