About Screven County
Screven County is located in east-central Georgia along the Savannah River, which forms the border with South Carolina. Established in 1793, the county was named in honor of General James Screven, a Revolutionary War hero who died in battle near the Midway Church. The county seat is Sylvania, situated approximately 65 miles northwest of Savannah. Screven County encompasses approximately 654 square miles and has a population of approximately 14,000 residents according to recent census estimates.
The county's landscape is characterized by agricultural lands, pine forests, and the scenic Savannah River corridor. Major landmarks include the Screven County Courthouse in downtown Sylvania, built in the early 20th century, and portions of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge which extends into the southern part of the county. The county's economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly cotton, soybeans, and timber production.
What makes Screven County unique is its rich Revolutionary War history and its role as a major agricultural producer in Georgia's coastal plain region. Public records in Screven County are maintained by several key agencies: the Screven County Clerk of Superior Court located at 216 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467, handles court filings, real estate records, and vital records; the Screven County Tax Assessor's Office at 118 Mims Road manages property assessments and tax records; and the Screven County Probate Court at 216 Mims Road oversees estates, guardianships, and weapons carry licenses. The county is served by several municipalities including Sylvania, Hiltonia, Newington, Oliver, and Rocky Ford.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Screven County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county's unincorporated areas. This office oversees the operation of the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community policing initiatives and works to ensure public safety through various programs. Notable divisions within the office include the patrol division, which handles routine law enforcement duties, and the investigations division, which focuses on solving crimes and gathering intelligence.
Police Departments
In addition to the Screven County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is supported by municipal police departments, including the Sylvania Police Department. These agencies have jurisdiction within their respective city limits and work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and public safety initiatives. The Sylvania Police Department handles local law enforcement duties, traffic control, and community policing efforts, ensuring the safety and security of residents within the city.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Screven County is primarily provided by the Screven County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 117 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (912) 564-2013 and maintains a website at screvenso.com where citizens can access information about services and programs. The Screven County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences.
- § 50-18-70 et seq.), arrest records and booking information are considered public records and can be requested from the Sheriff's Office or individual police departments.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
- The custodian of records has three business days to respond to requests, though some delays may occur for voluminous requests.
- Fees for copying records may apply, typically at $0.10 per page for standard documents plus any research time.
Inmate lookup services are available by contacting the detention center directly at (912) 564-7095 or through third-party inmate search databases that aggregate Georgia county jail rosters. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Sylvania Police Department serving the county seat. Under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.
Mugshots and booking photos are typically maintained as part of arrest records and can be obtained through public records requests to the Sheriff's Office, though some recent booking photos may be posted on the Sheriff's Office website or Facebook page. The county does not have tribal police jurisdictions. The Georgia State Patrol also maintains jurisdiction on state highways throughout Screven County and can be reached through Post 45 in Statesboro.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Screven County encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry records. The Sheriff's Office maintains local records, while the Georgia Bureau of Investigation provides statewide criminal history information. Residents can request background checks through the GBI, which includes a comprehensive review of an individual's criminal history. The sex offender registry is also maintained at the state level, providing information on registered offenders residing in Screven County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Screven County are maintained by the Screven County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information about the individual arrested. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the Georgia Open Records Act. An arrest record in Screven County typically includes the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency, providing a comprehensive overview of the incident.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Screven County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested or are serving short sentences in the county. The booking process at the detention center involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance.
- The bond and bail process in Georgia allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on this process can be obtained from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Screven County are taken and retained by the Screven County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are typically available for public viewing through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. While Georgia does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals can petition for removal or restriction of access under certain circumstances, such as expungement of records. Access to mugshots may also be subject to privacy considerations and legal guidelines.
Courts & Case Records
The judicial system in Screven County consists of several courts with different jurisdictions. The Superior Court of Screven County, part of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit (which also includes Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, and Tattnall counties), is located at 216 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467, and can be reached at (912) 564-2614. This court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts exceeding the magistrate court limit, divorce and family law matters, and equity cases.
- The Probate Court of Screven County, also at 216 Mims Road (phone: 912-564-2011), handles estates, wills, guardianships, involuntary commitments, and issues marriage licenses and weapons carry licenses.
- The Magistrate Court of Screven County addresses civil claims under $15,000, dispossessory (eviction) proceedings, county ordinance violations, and issues arrest warrants and holds preliminary hearings in criminal cases.
- There is no charge to search the index, though certified copies and detailed records require fees.
- The Clerk of Superior Court charges $0.25 per page for copies and $2.50 for certification.
Municipal courts in Sylvania and other incorporated areas handle traffic violations and city ordinance violations within their jurisdictions. Court records are accessible under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) and court case information can be searched through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority website at gsccca.org, which provides statewide access to real estate records and some court indexes for participating counties.
Case files may be reviewed in person at the courthouse during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Screven County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, serving as the ex-officio Register of Deeds, located at 216 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467 (phone: 912-564-2614). The Clerk's office maintains an extensive collection of real property records including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, security deeds (mortgages), deed modifications, liens (including tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens), easements, plat maps, and right-of-way documents. These records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and property description.
- The GSCCCA charges $0.25 per page for real estate document images.
- For certified copies needed for legal purposes, requests must be made directly to the Clerk's office at $2.50 per certification plus copying fees.
- Property tax records and assessments are maintained by the Screven County Tax Assessor's Office at 118 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467 (phone: 912-564-2055).
- The Tax Assessor provides property valuations, exemption information, and parcel data.
Screven County participates in the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) real estate database available at gsccca.org, which provides free online searching of land records indexes going back several decades. Users can search by name, date range, or document type, though viewing and printing actual document images requires payment. Screven County offers an online property tax search and GIS mapping system through qpublic.net where citizens can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to view current tax assessments, payment history, property characteristics, and aerial imagery.
Tax bills and payment information are handled by the Screven County Tax Commissioner's office.
Vital Records
Vital records for Screven County, Georgia, are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Screven County can be requested from the Screven County Probate Court at 216 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467 (phone: 912-564-2011), which maintains records as the local custodian. However, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office in Atlanta is the state registrar and maintains the comprehensive statewide database of vital records.
- Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates also cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies.
- Processing time at the county level is typically immediate to 3 business days if the record is readily available.
- Online ordering is available through the Georgia Department of Public Health's website at dph.georgia.gov/vital-records or through VitalChek at vitalchek.com with additional convenience fees.
- Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and prove direct and tangible interest in the record as required by O.C.G.A.
§ 31-10-1 et seq., Georgia's vital records statute. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders can obtain certified copies. Marriage licenses are issued by the Screven County Probate Court; couples must apply in person with identification and pay the current fee (approximately $56-76 depending on whether premarital education was completed).
Marriage certificates documenting the completed ceremony are also available from the Probate Court. Divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court at 216 Mims Road and can be searched through court records. For records older than 100 years, researchers may contact the Georgia Archives in Morrow for historical vital records.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Screven County are maintained by various local and state agencies depending on the type of business activity. Local business licenses and occupational taxes are administered by the Screven County Commission offices and by individual municipalities for businesses operating within city limits. The Sylvania City Hall handles business licenses for businesses within the city. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) and trade name registrations can be filed with the Clerk of Superior Court at 216 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467.
- This database includes entity name, registration date, registered agent, principal office address, and status (active, dissolved, administratively dissolved).
The primary resource for business entity information is the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division, which maintains a free searchable database at ecorp.sos.ga.gov where users can look up corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, real estate agents, healthcare providers, and others are issued by various Georgia state licensing boards, not at the county level. Sales tax permits and certificates are issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue and can be verified through their website.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by the Screven County Building and Zoning Department, which can be reached through the County Commission offices at 118 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467 (phone: 912-564-2444). The Screven County Chamber of Commerce, which can provide business directory information and economic development resources, is located in Sylvania and maintains a web presence at screvencounty.com, offering information about starting and operating businesses in the county.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Screven County are administered by the Screven County Board of Elections and Registration, located at 118 Mims Road, Sylvania, GA 30467. The office can be reached at (912) 564-2055 for voter registration questions and election information. Voter registration in Georgia can be completed online through the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov, in person at the Board of Elections office, at the Department of Driver Services when obtaining or renewing a license, or by mailing a completed voter registration application.
- Absentee ballots in Georgia can be requested online through the My Voter Page, by mail, by fax, or in person at the Board of Elections office.
- Absentee ballot requests must be received by the Friday before Election Day, though earlier application is strongly recommended.
The voter registration deadline in Georgia is 28 days before any election. Registered voters in Screven County can find their polling place, check registration status, and view sample ballots by visiting the My Voter Page and entering their name and date of birth or by contacting the Elections Office directly. Public election records in Screven County include the voter registration list (available for purchase for legitimate purposes under O.C.G.A.
§ 21-2-225), candidate qualifying information, campaign disclosure reports filed with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission for state candidates, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot application records. Historical election results are published on the Secretary of State's website at sos.ga.gov/elections. In the November 2024 general election, Screven County voter turnout was approximately 55-60%, consistent with typical turnout for rural Georgia counties in presidential election years.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, which will include U.S. House of Representatives races, potential U.S. Senate races if applicable, Georgia statewide constitutional offices including Governor (if a gubernatorial election year), Georgia General Assembly seats, and local county offices.
No excuse is required for absentee voting in Georgia. Screven County provides relatively transparent election administration with results posted on the county website and reported to the Secretary of State for public access, though detailed precinct data and election materials require specific requests under Georgia's Open Records Act.
Economy & Demographics
Screven County's economy is predominantly agricultural, with farming and forestry serving as the foundation of economic activity. Major agricultural products include row crops such as soybeans, cotton, corn, and peanuts, along with significant timber production from the county's extensive pine forests. Livestock operations, particularly cattle and poultry, also contribute to the agricultural economy.
- According to recent economic data, the median household income in Screven County is approximately $41,000 to $45,000, which is below both the state and national averages, reflecting the county's rural character.
- Manufacturing has a limited presence compared to Georgia's more urbanized counties, though wood products and agricultural processing facilities operate in the area.
The unemployment rate has historically tracked slightly above state averages, fluctuating between 3.5% and 5.5% depending on seasonal agricultural employment. Major employers in the county include the Screven County School System, which is typically the largest public employer, Screven County government, local healthcare facilities, and agricultural services companies. The Georgia Department of Corrections operates facilities that provide employment in the region.
Economic development efforts have focused on attracting light manufacturing, logistics operations taking advantage of proximity to Interstate 16 and the Port of Savannah, and agribusiness expansion. The Screven County Development Authority works to recruit new businesses and support existing employers. Retail and service sectors are concentrated in Sylvania, serving local residents and the surrounding agricultural community.
Tourism is a minor economic factor, though outdoor recreation along the Savannah River and hunting on private lands attract some visitors. The county's location between Augusta and Savannah positions it for potential growth as those metropolitan areas expand.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online Index (GSCCCA) | Property: ✅ Free Search (GSCCCA & qpublic) | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Website | Business: ✅ Online (GA SOS) | Elections: ✅ Online (GA SOS MVP) | Overall Score: 7/10 — Screven County provides good digital access to property and business records through state systems, though some local records require direct contact with county offices.
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Cities & Towns in Screven County
Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Screven County, Georgia.
Nearby Counties
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