Applicant / Civilian Fingerprinting

There are two locations with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office where applicant/civilian fingerprinting is done. The substation at 650a Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA or at the Detention Center at 2273 County Camp Road, Appling, GA.

The location at the substation is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. This location has the ability to fingerprint individuals on cards provided by that person or on cards we provide. This location is not able to electronically submit fingerprints for background checks.

The Detention Center location is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Hours of high volume traffic are usually between the hours of 5 pm to 6:30 pm 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 at the Detention Center for the following reasons:

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

Effective July 1, 2009 - Electronic checks for firefighter and foster care incur a state and federal fee of $40. If you only require a State of Georgia check the cost is $20.75. If you are being fingerprinted for a firearms permit or a liquor license the fee is charged by the entity requiring the application for those services.

If your fingerprinting is for a reason that requires a fee to be paid to the Sheriff's Office 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 888-439-2512 or online to be fingerprinted.