Atlanta Jail Mugshots

Atlanta jail mugshots are processed through multiple facilities in the metro area. As Georgia's state capital and largest city, Atlanta has more than 520,000 residents and sees a high number of arrests each year. Most of the city sits in Fulton County, though parts of east Atlanta fall in DeKalb County. That means booking photos can end up at either the Fulton County Jail or the DeKalb County Jail, depending on where the arrest took place. The Atlanta Police Department handles most city arrests, but county sheriff deputies and state officers also make arrests within city limits.

Where Atlanta Bookings Go

Atlanta straddles two counties. This creates a split in how jail bookings work. If the Atlanta Police Department makes an arrest in the Fulton County part of the city, the person goes to the Fulton County Jail. If the arrest happens in the DeKalb County portion, the booking goes through the DeKalb County Jail. Most of Atlanta sits in Fulton County, so that is where the bulk of bookings end up.

The Fulton County Jail system has three facilities. The main jail is at 901 Rice St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Call 404-613-2024 to reach the main facility. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office runs all three locations and processes thousands of bookings each year. When someone is booked, the jail takes a mugshot, records personal details, and logs all charges. That data goes into the county's inmate database.

Atlanta also has the City Detention Center at 254 Peachtree St SW. You can call 404-865-8001 for info. This facility has been used on and off for city-level holds. Its role has shifted over the years, but it still processes some arrests made by Atlanta police. Check with both the city and county to find the right booking record.

Atlanta Police Department

The Atlanta Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. The department is at 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Call 404-614-6544 for general questions. The APD covers all of Atlanta, including areas in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. You can learn more at atlantapd.org.

APD officers patrol six zones across the city. Each zone has its own precinct. When an officer makes an arrest, the person is taken to the county jail for booking. The officer files a report, and the jail creates the mugshot and booking record. APD does not run its own jail roster site. You need to check the county system to find booking photos from Atlanta arrests.

How to Search Atlanta Jail Mugshots

There are two main ways to search for jail mugshots from Atlanta arrests. Each county runs its own inmate search tool. Start with the county where the arrest happened.

For Fulton County bookings, go to fcsoga.org/inmate-search. This is the Fulton County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup. You can search by name to find current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond info. It covers the main jail and other Fulton County facilities. Most Atlanta arrests show up here.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia Department of Corrections search form, which covers state inmates from all counties including Fulton and DeKalb.

This GDC search tool is useful when someone has been convicted and moved from county jail to state prison.

For DeKalb County bookings, visit dekalbcountysheriff.org/roster.php. This shows the DeKalb County jail roster. If someone was arrested in the east Atlanta area that falls in DeKalb, their mugshot will be here instead of on the Fulton site.

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search covers state prison inmates. If someone was convicted in Atlanta and sent to a state facility, their mugshot and custody info will be in the GDC system. The county jail sites only show current local inmates. GDC shows people who are serving state time. You can also check the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for statewide criminal history records that may include arrest data from Atlanta.

Georgia Mugshot Law and Atlanta

Georgia law puts rules on how mugshots can be used. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, law enforcement agencies in Georgia cannot post booking photos on websites unless certain conditions are met. Anyone who asks for a mugshot from the Atlanta Police Department or the Fulton County Jail must sign a written statement. That statement says they will not put the photo on a website that charges money to take it down.

This law was passed to stop mugshot exploitation sites. Before the law, some websites would grab booking photos from county jails across Georgia and charge people hundreds of dollars to remove them. The statute makes it illegal for law enforcement to hand over mugshots to people who plan to use them that way. It applies to all agencies in Atlanta and across the state.

If your Atlanta mugshot shows up on one of these sites, the Georgia Consumer Protection Division handles complaints. You can send a written request to the site asking them to take down your photo. If they do not remove it within 30 days, file a complaint with consumer protection. The state can take action against sites that break this rule.

Open Records Requests in Atlanta

Georgia's Open Records Act gives the public a right to inspect most government records. This includes booking records, arrest reports, and incident reports from the Atlanta Police Department. You can submit an open records request to APD or to the county sheriff's office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, agencies must respond within three business days.

There are limits to what you can get. Mugshot access follows the rules in O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, which means you need to sign that statement about not misusing the photo. Copy fees are capped at 10 cents per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Some records may be withheld if an investigation is still open. The clerk at the police department can tell you what is available.

If your arrest was dismissed or you qualify for record restriction, you may apply under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Once your record is restricted, the mugshot and booking data from your Atlanta arrest will no longer show up in public searches. Talk to a lawyer or legal aid group to find out if you qualify for this option in Atlanta.

Mugshot Removal and Consumer Rights

People arrested in Atlanta sometimes find their booking photos posted on third-party websites. Georgia law gives you tools to deal with this. The first step is to send a written request to the website asking for removal. Keep a copy of your letter or email. If the site does not take the photo down within 30 days, file a complaint with the Georgia Consumer Protection Division.

Some sites charge fees to remove mugshots. Under Georgia law, that practice can be penalized. You do not have to pay a website to take down your booking photo. If a site demands payment, report it to consumer protection. The state tracks these complaints and can take enforcement action. Legal aid groups in Atlanta can also help if you need guidance on getting a mugshot removed from the internet.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Atlanta also route bookings through Fulton County or DeKalb County jails. Check these pages for local details on jail mugshots in the metro area.