Polk County Booking Releases

Polk County booking releases are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Cedartown, located in northwest Georgia near the Alabama state line. The county jail processes all local arrests and the sheriff keeps a record of each person who passes through the facility. Polk County is a mid-size county with a steady level of law enforcement activity. You can access booking release records by calling the sheriff, visiting in person, or submitting a formal records request. State databases can also help if the person was transferred to a Georgia state prison after their booking in Polk County.

Sheriff and Jail Operations

The Polk County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Cedartown and maintains all booking release records. The office handles arrests from county deputies, the Cedartown Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies operating in the county. Each arrest results in a booking at the county jail, where staff create a record that stays with the sheriff.

Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7 requires the sheriff to keep records of each person in the jail. This covers names, booking dates, charges, and release dates. Polk County stores this info in its jail management system. The records go back years and cover every person who has been through the facility.

Contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (770) 749-2900 for questions about bookings and releases. Staff can search the system by name and give you basic details. For certified copies or detailed records, a written open records request is the standard process.

How to Search Booking Releases

Polk County may post recent booking info through the sheriff's website or on social media. Check those first for the latest arrests and releases. Some Georgia counties post booking lists on Facebook or on a page linked from the sheriff's site. This can save you a phone call if you are looking for something recent.

If online sources come up short, call the jail at (770) 749-2900. The staff can look up records by name or booking number. Walk-in requests are accepted at the Cedartown office during business hours. For records that are not recent or require detailed copies, submit a written request to ensure a complete response.

Georgia law requires sheriffs to maintain a log of all inmates held in county jails.

This state requirement means every booking and release in Polk County is documented and on file with the sheriff.

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is useful when someone has been moved from county jail to a state prison. The VINE notification system lets you track custody changes for Polk County inmates in real time. Both are free to use.

Open Records Process

The Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives you the legal right to request booking release records from the Polk County Sheriff. Write out your request with the person's name and any other identifying info. Send it to the Sheriff's Office. The county must respond within three business days.

Copies are $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of search time is free. Polk County handles a moderate volume of records requests, so staff is used to the process. Simple requests for individual booking releases get turned around fast. Requests covering many records or a wide date range may take longer.

If your request is denied, the county must tell you why. You have the right to appeal. Most booking release data is public and not covered by the exemptions in the law.

What Booking Releases Show

A Polk County booking release record lists the inmate's full name, date of birth, physical attributes, all charges, the arresting agency, and the booking date. The release date and method are added when the person leaves custody. Bond amounts and court information may also appear. These records paint a clear picture of the person's time in the Polk County jail.

Georgia law at O.C.G.A. § 35-1-18 covers booking photographs. Photos may or may not come with a booking release record depending on state rules. The Polk County Sheriff follows the law on this. Ask the office if you need a photo included with your records request.

Exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 can keep certain info private. Medical records, juvenile files, and info about active investigations are the most common. Basic booking and release data is public and available.

State Search Tools

State-level databases help round out your search for Polk County booking releases. The GDC offender search covers inmates in state prisons. The VINE system lets you set up alerts for custody changes. Both cover Polk County.

For formal requests at the state level, the GDC Open Records portal handles corrections records. The GBI Open Records portal manages criminal history and investigation files. These state portals are useful when the person has moved out of county custody.

Cities in Polk County

Polk County includes Cedartown, Rockmart, and Aragon. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a separate page. Cedartown is the county seat and the largest community. All arrests in Polk County flow through the county jail, and the sheriff handles all booking release records.

Nearby Counties

Neighboring counties each run their own jails with separate booking records. Make sure to search the right county based on where the arrest occurred.