Applicant/civilian fingerprinting is done at the Detention Center at any time. Hours of high volume traffic are usually between the hours of 5:00pm to 6:30pm which could cause a significant delay.

Columbia County residents needing their fingerprints taken and only want them printed on cards that they supply or by using ours incurs no cost. The person printed will take the cards with them when the fingerprinting is completed.

Both Columbia County residents and non-residents can be fingerprinted for electronic submission for the following reasons:

• Employment in Columbia County in the areas of law enforcement or firefighter.
• Columbia County firearms permits, liquor licenses.
• Columbia County adoptions or foster care.

Effective July 1, 2009 - If you are required to have a federal and state check for reasons stated above through electronic submission of your fingerprints the cost is $40.00. If you only require a State of Georgia check the cost is $20.75. These are state and federal fees.

If your fingerprinting is for a reason that requires a fee you must obtain a money order for the correct amount payable to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office before you can be fingerprinted.

If you need to be fingerprinted for any other reason than those listed above you should contact the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) at 1-888-439-2512 or online at https://www.ga.cogentid.com/index.htm to be fingerprinted.