What shows up on a Georgia background check
Last updated: May 2026
Georgia criminal-history records are maintained by Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) via Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Whether you are about to apply for a job, an apartment, or a professional license, the most useful thing you can do is understand exactly what an employer or landlord will see — and what changes if you successfully clear your record.
FCRA notice
The background-check services we link to are not consumer reporting agencies as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Reports generated by these services may not be used in whole or in part to make decisions about employment, tenant screening, insurance, credit, or any other purpose that requires FCRA compliance.
ExpungeReady earns a commission on some links on this page. We only recommend services we believe are useful for personal-records research. Always verify your own records directly with the state repository or the FBI before relying on any third-party report.
What Georgia employers actually see
On a standard private background check ordered through a consumer-reporting agency, a Georgia employer typically sees:
- Felony and misdemeanor convictions
- First Offender Act sentences during the probation period (these become invisible after successful completion)
- Pending charges
- Non-conviction arrests within the FCRA reporting window
Georgia follows the federal 7-year FCRA limit on arrests not leading to conviction. Convictions are reportable indefinitely.
How to see your own Georgia record
Official source: Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) via Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Cost: $15 at a local law-enforcement agency
Turnaround: Same day if pulled in person; 2–4 weeks by mail
Where to start: https://gbi.georgia.gov/services/criminal-history-record-information-chri
The official Georgia record only covers in-state arrests and convictions. If you have lived in multiple states, or want to see what private aggregators have collected about you, run a personal records check first — it shows the same data an out-of-state employer's consumer-reporting agency would pull.
What changes after expungement in Georgia
Georgia does not technically "expunge" most records — it restricts access. A successful record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 removes the entry from public background checks but keeps it visible to law enforcement and certain licensed professions. First Offender completion seals the record and treats the case as if there was no conviction.
Frequently asked questions
Does First Offender show up on a Georgia background check?
During the First Offender probation period, the case still appears on Georgia background checks with a notation. After successful completion of the sentence, the record is sealed under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62 and no longer appears on public background checks, and the person can lawfully state they have not been convicted of the offense.
How do I check my own Georgia criminal record?
Georgia maintains its criminal-history records through Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) via Georgia Bureau of Investigation. You can request your own record for $15 at a local law-enforcement agency; results typically arrive in Same day if pulled in person; 2–4 weeks by mail. Pulling your own record before applying for a job is the single most useful step you can take.
Do private background checks show Georgia sealed or expunged records?
Private consumer-reporting agencies are required to remove sealed or expunged records once notified, but they often retain old copies and may continue to report them by mistake. After your order is granted, request a free annual personal-records report from each major reporting agency and dispute any entries that still show the old data.