Find Union County Jail Mugshots

Union County jail mugshots are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Blairsville, Georgia. Nestled in the north Georgia mountains, Union County has a population of about 24,500. The county draws visitors year-round, but law enforcement stays focused on keeping the area safe and processing arrests through the local jail. Each arrest generates a mugshot and booking record that falls under Georgia's open records laws at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. This page covers the ways you can search for Union County jail mugshots and the legal framework around accessing them.

Union County Sheriff's Office

The Union County Sheriff's Office operates from Blairsville. It covers patrol, investigations, court services, and jail operations for the entire county. The sheriff is an elected official who answers to Union County voters. The office has grown over the years as the county's population increased, but it still functions as a relatively small operation compared to metro area agencies.

The jail in Blairsville processes all local arrests. When someone is brought in, the intake process includes photographing the individual, collecting personal details, and recording the charges. That mugshot stays in the system. Union County sees a mix of charges. DUI arrests are common given the mountain roads. Drug offenses, property crimes, and domestic incidents make up the rest of the typical booking log.

Contact the Sheriff's Office by calling their main number in Blairsville. For questions about inmates, the jail division can confirm custody status and share bond information. If you need more than a quick answer, the records department handles formal requests.

How to Search Union County Mugshots

Union County may or may not have an online inmate roster depending on the current system in use. Check the sheriff's website first. If no online tool is available, other options work just as well.

Call the jail. This is the fastest way to check if someone is in custody. Staff handle these calls regularly and can give you the basics over the phone. For a copy of the mugshot itself, you will probably need to submit a records request.

State databases extend your search beyond what the county offers. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search covers inmates who have been convicted and transferred to state prison.

Below is the GDC search portal that covers all Georgia counties, including Union County inmates who have moved to state custody.

The GDC tool is free. Enter a name and search. Results include photos, facility locations, and sentence details. It updates as inmates move between facilities or reach their release dates.

GBI Criminal History Searches

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records for the entire state through the GCIC. This database includes arrest records from Union County and every other Georgia county. A background check through the GBI is one of the most complete ways to find someone's criminal history.

You can request a name-based check or a fingerprint-based check. The fingerprint option costs more but catches records that might be filed under different names. Both come with fees set by the GBI. Results typically include arrest dates, charges, and case outcomes where that data is available. For Union County, a GBI check picks up local arrest records and combines them with any records from other counties in a single report.

Open Records in Union County

Georgia's Open Records Act is your legal tool for getting jail records. The Union County Sheriff's Office must respond to written requests within three business days. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 lays out the rules. You have the right to request mugshots, booking sheets, arrest reports, and incident logs.

Be precise with your request. Give the person's full name. Include date of birth if you know it. Mention the arrest date or a date range. This helps staff pull the right file fast. Fees are capped at 10 cents per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Labor charges may apply for requests that take a lot of time, but a simple booking record request should be cheap and quick.

You can send requests by mail to the Union County Sheriff's Office in Blairsville. Some offices accept email. Call first to confirm. In-person requests at the office are also an option if you are in the area.

Georgia Mugshot Regulations

O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 puts limits on mugshot sharing. The Union County Sheriff's Office cannot release booking photos to people who intend to post them on websites that charge for removal. A signed statement about the intended use is required before the office hands over a mugshot. This applies to all requestors.

If you were arrested in Union County and the case was dropped or resulted in not guilty, record restriction may help. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can apply to have your records sealed from public view. The process takes time but it removes the mugshot and booking data from standard searches once approved.

Commercial mugshot sites that charge removal fees fall under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5. Georgia law requires these sites to remove photos within 30 days of a written request. The Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints against sites that refuse. This law protects anyone whose booking photo from Union County or any other Georgia county ends up on one of these sites.

Union County Court System

Union County is in the Enotah Judicial Circuit. Superior Court sits in Blairsville and handles felony cases. Magistrate Court covers warrants, bond hearings, and lesser offenses. The State Court handles misdemeanor trials and some civil matters. After a booking at the county jail, the case enters the court system for resolution.

Court records supplement jail records. The mugshot tells you someone was arrested. Court records tell you what happened next. Was the case prosecuted? Did the person plead guilty? Was it dismissed? The Union County Clerk of Court maintains these records and can help you track down case outcomes. Checking both jail records and court records gives you the most complete picture of any arrest in Union County.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several other mountain counties in north Georgia. If you need to search jail records from a neighboring area, these links will help.