Sumter County Background Information
Sumter County is found in the State of Georgia. Sumter County had a total population of 28,283 in 2021. Currently, the seat in Sumter County is Americus.
The county was founded on December 26, 1831.
The county was named for former General and the United States senator Thomas Sumter
(1734–1832) of South Carolina.
Sumter County is part of the Americus, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Sumter County Arrest Records
In Sumter County, arrest records are collected and maintained on each individual crime. Violent crime and property crime represent the two main classes in Sumter County. There were 132 violent and 743 property crimes in the year 2021 in Sumter County. Sumter County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at:
Sumter County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff: Eric D. Bryant
352 McMath Mill Road
P.O. Box 726
Americus, GA 31719
Phone: (229) 924-4094
Fax: (229) 924-3450
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sumter County Criminal Records
Sumter County records their criminal activity in the form of criminal records. These records cover murders, rapes, burglaries, arson, motor vehicle theft, assaults, and crimes of a sexual nature. Records on criminal activity such as inmates and jails are constantly updated in Sumter County. Criminal records can be accessed by members of the public using a search tool. Sumter County inmates and those released can be found using this search tool.
Just like across the whole of Georgia, the Sumter County police are required to keep an up-to-date list of all sex offenders within their jurisdiction. Any offender working, attending school, or incarcerated in the area is also included on the list if they are a registered sex offender. Members of the public in Sumter County have the fundamental right to view this registry. Residents of Sumter County can therefore search for any sex offenders within a certain distance of their homes. The search is performed after the user enters a zip code. The website will then list all sex offenders found within a given radius of this pin-pointed location in Sumter County. As well as location searches, the tool also allows people to search for specific offenders. These include any Sumter County incarcerated or non-compliant offender.
Sumter County Court Records
The county courthouse oversees all criminal, family, and civil cases in Sumter County. The court clerk maintains every last court record in Sumter County. Court records in Sumter County can be accessed by residents at:
Sumter County Courthouse
P.O. Box 333
Americus, GA 31709
Phone: (229) 928-4537
Fax: (229) 928-4539
In the State of Georgia, the Court of Appeals has the power to oversee any lower court case in which one party appeals. These lower courts often refer to one of the 159 superior or trial courts found across Georgia’s 159 counties, including Sumter County.
NOTE - Regular court records in Sumter County can usually be delivered by mail, email, or fax once payment is received. Conversely, official records in Sumter County can only be sent by mail.
Sumter County Public Records
The State of Georgia records vital documents on all residents, including those in Sumter County. A resident's key milestone life events are documented by these vital records. For example, these vital records usually involve births, marriages, deaths, and divorces. The vital record collection is assisted by Sumter County. Counties are often charged with collecting documents and passing on copies to the state government. Individual counties such as Sumter County are currently in charge of storing all relevant marriage records. Sumter County has also contributed to the collection of birth and death records throughout history. The records in question include birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, divorce certificates, marriage certificates, and more. One central registry holds all state vital records, including those from Sumter County. The vital records can be used further down the line for statistical analysis.
Sumter County residents can access and copy all public records. Residents are granted this right through the 1959 Open Records Act. The most recent amendment to the 1959 Open Records Act came in 2012. To purchase public records in Sumter County, requesters must visit the local office at:
Sumter County Clerk’s Office
County Clerk: Latoya McCants
500 W. Lamar St.
P.O. Box 295
Americus, GA 31709
Phone: 229-928-4500 ext. 1157
Fax: : (229) 928-4503
Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mail: lmccants@sumtercountyga.us
There are charges for Sumter County records. For example, birth certificates in Sumter County cost $25 for the first copy, and $5 for any extra copy ordered at the same time. The first death record copy costs $25, with each additional copy costing an extra $5 in Sumter County.
NOTE - Anyone looking to obtain records in-person should be aware that the office opens between 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Photo ID must also be shown if a person wants to request files. A driver's license or state ID would suffice. Applicants must also put their public record requests in writing in Sumter County.
