What Are Albany City Public Records?
Albany City public records refer to all documents, photographs, films, tapes, maps, letters, and other materials created, gathered, received, or maintained by – or on behalf of – a government agency in the city. These records may be written, typewritten, recorded digitally, or stored electronically. However, while some records like crime statistics, sex offender information, and public court records are publicly available, the Act exempts certain information from public disclosure, such as:
- Medical or veterinary records
- Law enforcement records that may disclose a confidential investigative or prosecution material, confidential source’s identity, or a confidential investigation or surveillance
- Certain records of regulatory, prosecution, or law enforcement agencies concerning a pending investigation or prosecution
- Jury list data
- Trade secrets
- Social security numbers, bank account information, and other private or financial information
- Private information contained in a public employee’s record
- Information, communications, or data of a proprietary nature
- Sealed bids or sealed project proposals and contracts that are pending, rejected, or deferred.
- Confidential tax information or matters
- Other records expressly exempt from public inspection by law
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Albany City Crime Statistics
The Albany Police Department (APD) collects data on crimes committed in the city and publishes monthly and annual crime reports. According to the Annual Report of Crimes in 2020, there were 4,321 crimes committed in the city for that year, a 3.9% decrease in crimes compared to the 2019 total of 4,496.
The 2020 crime trend showed that violent crimes only comprised 18.5% (800) of the total crimes, whereas property crimes were 81.5% (3,521) of total offenses. Following the crime breakdown, violent crimes included 19 murders, 31 rape cases, 129 robberies, and 621 aggravated assaults. In contrast, property crimes consisted of 13 arson cases, 415 auto thefts, 577 burglaries, and 2,516 larceny offenses, which made up 58.2% of total crimes.
Within a year, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny, and aggravated assault cases had reduced by 23.1%, 22.3%, 13.3%, 4.4%, and 2.7%, respectively. On the other hand, auto theft, murder, and rape cases increased by 62.7%, 46.2%, and 10.7%, respectively.
Are Albany City Criminal Records Public?
Excluding juvenile, restricted, or sealed criminal records, Albany City criminal records are publicly available. Record subjects can obtain copies of their criminal records, and custodians may release Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) for government licensing or employment purposes.
Moreover, private individuals and businesses may also request the CHRI as long as these entities can provide a signed consent from the record subject. Furthermore, felony conviction records are publicly available and do not require signed consent. Albany City criminal records often contain information on arrests, criminal charges, prosecution, final judicial disposition, and incarceration details if the offender was incarcerated in a state-run facility.
Interested persons may obtain copies of local criminal records from the Albany Police Department for an $8 fee. Mail filled request forms or make requests in-person at:
Albany Police Department – Main Desk
201 West Oglethorpe Boulevard
Albany, GA 31702
For teaching or nursing employment purposes, request copies of criminal records from the Dougherty County Jail at 1302 Evelyn Avenue, Albany, during work hours or call (229) 430-6674. Requesters must provide a valid government-issued ID and pay $20 fees. At the state level, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also provides criminal history and felony conviction information through the Georgia Crime Information Center.
How to Obtain Albany City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Albany Police Department (APD) maintains records of arrests carried out by its officers, and reports of incidents and crimes within its jurisdiction. However, not all these records are publicly accessible under law. Some may be kept confidential to protect ongoing operations, investigations, or prosecution. For instance, information on juvenile arrests and arrest records expunged due to dismissed charges are not publicly available.
Nevertheless, interested persons may request copies of public police records in-person or by mailing request letters or forms to the APD at:
201 West Oglethorpe Boulevard,
Albany, GA 31702
Requesters may have to provide adequate record details and valid means of identification. Call the Records Section at (229) 431-3278 for further information on record requests.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Albany City
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the central repository of information concerning sexual offenders in the state. The GBI makes this information public through the Georgia Sex Offender Registry which it maintains. Interested parties may use the offender search tool on this website to find sex offenders according to the offender’s name, location, offender type, and other information. Available information on an offender may include:
- Full name and aliases
- Year of birth, race, and gender
- Primary or last known address
- Physical description (hair color, height, weight, and eye color)
- Registration details and offender classification
- Offense and conviction details
Interested persons may also view the Bi-monthly report, register for community notification, or download the GBI sex offender data. Furthermore, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office maintains a sex offender information portal where users may search for offenders and register for email alerts.
How to Find Albany City Inmate Records
Individuals arrested by the Albany Police Department or incarcerated for a City of Albany charge may be detained at the Dougherty County Jail located at 1302 Evelyn Avenue, Albany, Georgia. Persons interested in finding inmates or obtaining inmate records may view the inmate list provided by the Dougherty County Sheriff/Jail. Alternatively, make an open record request to DCJF@dougherty.ga.us or call (229) 431-2153. Requesters should include the inmate’s details like name, birth date, or inmate number to facilitate the record search.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Albany City Jail?
Only persons included in the visitation list may visit inmates in the Dougherty County Jail. The inmate fills the visitation form during booking, and after every two months, so interested persons who are listed should ask the inmate to be included in the list through phone calls or via mail using the inmate’s name, cell number, and system number.
Approved visitors must not be younger than 16 years of age and should arrive at the front desk 30 minutes before the closing hour, along with a valid state-issued ID or driver's license. The visitation schedule is as follows:
- Inmates with last names starting from A – J: Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Inmates with last names starting from K – Z: Sundays 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Visitation hours are subject to changes, and visitors are encouraged to call ahead of visits. A visitor may only visit an inmate once a week, and each visit can last up to 15 minutes.
What Are Albany City Vital Records?
Albany City vital records refer to a public record category that marks significant life occurrences within the city, as generated or collated by government agencies in the city, county, or state. Examples of these records include birth certificates, divorce decrees, marriage records, adoption papers, and death certificates.
Generally, these records are considered public information. However, certified copies may be restricted to persons with direct claims or legitimate interest, such as the record subject, close relatives, and legal representatives. Albany City vital records are available at different agencies in the state and county.
Where and How to Obtain Albany City Divorce Records
The Dougherty County Superior Court serves Albany City and other municipalities in the county and has jurisdiction over divorce cases filed by residents. For records of divorces granted by this court, interested persons should direct requests to the Clerk of Court at:
Mail:
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
Walk-in
225 Pine Avenue,
Albany, GA 31701
Phone: (229) 431-2198
Fax: (229) 878-3165
Email: dococlerks@dougherty.ga.us
To request copies of the divorce decree, persons should provide specific divorce details like the divorce case/docket number, divorcees' names, and filling dates.
Alternatively, the Georgia Department of Public Health may search and confirm divorces that happened in the state from June 1952 to August 1996. Make requests by mailing a filled verification application form, copy of valid identification, and $10 fee per copy to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100,
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
For local requests, mail the completed form and requirements to the local Vital Records Office at:
Dougherty County (Probate Court)
225 Pine Avenue,
Albany, GA 31702
Where and How to Get Public Albany City Marriage Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health is the statewide depository of marriage records. Interested persons can get Albany City marriage certificates, marriage verification, and copies of marriage applications from the Office of Vital Records, depending on the filing year. For instance, verification letters are available for marriages from January 2014, while copies of certificates and applications are for marriages that happened from June 1952 to August 1996.
However, copies of marriage applications are only available to the married couple. Interested persons may access these documents by mailing completed application forms (search/verification), along with applicable fees and a copy of valid photo ID to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100,
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Requesters should include the party names, couple’s last names at birth, and marriage date in the application form and pay a non-refundable fee of $10 for the search and first copy. Additional copies cost $5 each. Make payments with money order or check made payable to the State Office of Vital Records and include it in the mailed application
Alternatively, persons may obtain copies of marriage records locally at the Dougherty County Probate Court located at 225 Pine Avenue, Albany. Make requests in person by providing record details, fees, and valid photo ID or mail requests and requirements to:
Probate Court of Dougherty County
P.O. Box 1827,
Albany, GA 31702
Where and How to Find Albany City Birth Records
Albany City birth records are available at the Dougherty County Probate Court and the State Department of Public Health. For local requests, make in-person by providing record details, $25 fees, and valid photo ID or mail written requests and requirements to:
Probate Court of Dougherty County
P.O. Box 1827,
Albany, GA 31702
Alternatively, the Georgia Department of Public Health maintains statewide birth records from 1919 to date. However, only the following persons may obtain copies of Albany City birth certificates:
- The registrant or record subject
- Parents named on the record and authorized legal guardians
- Attorneys and authorized legal representatives
- Grandparents
- Siblings and children of the record subject
- Spouse
- Federal or state government officials
Eligible applicants can get birth certificates by making requests in-person or by mailing completed application forms (downloadable), along with applicable fees and a copy of valid photo ID to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100,
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Requesters have to include the registrant’s information, parents’ names, and personal details in the application form. Also, pay a non-refundable fee of $25 for the search and first copy. Additional copies cost $5 each. Make payments with money order or check made payable to the State Office of Vital Records and include it in the mailed application.
Where and How to Find Albany City Death Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health is the statewide repository of death records since January 1919, but Albany City death records are also available locally at the Dougherty County Probate Court. However, these records are only accessible to persons who have a direct and tangible interest, including the decedent’s;
- Spouse
- Parents and legal guardians
- Family’s legal representatives
- Grandparents
- Siblings and children of the record subject
- Inheritor or estate manager
Eligible applicants can get death certificates by making requests in-person or by mailing completed application forms (downloadable), along with applicable fees and a copy of valid photo ID to:
State Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard
Suite 100,
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 679-4702
Requesters have to include the event details, decedent’s information, and personal information in the application form, and also pay a non-refundable fee of $25 for the search and first copy. Additional copies cost $5 each. Make payments with money order or check made payable to the State Office of Vital Records and include it in the mailed application.
Direct local requests to the Dougherty County Probate Court at:
Walk-in:
225 Pine Avenue,
Albany, GA 31702
Mail-in:
Probate Court of Dougherty County
P.O. Box 1827,
Albany, GA 31702
