About Tattnall County
Tattnall County is located in southeastern Georgia, covering approximately 484 square miles in the coastal plain region of the state. Established in 1801 and named after Revolutionary War hero Josiah Tattnall, the county seat is Reidsville, which serves as the governmental and commercial hub. As of recent census estimates, Tattnall County has a population of approximately 25,000 residents. The county is bordered by Evans County to the northwest, Bulloch County to the north, Candler County to the northeast, Toombs County to the south, and Long County to the east.
Geographically, the county features flat to gently rolling terrain typical of Georgia's coastal plain, with agriculture and timber production historically dominating the landscape. Major landmarks include the Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park, which offers recreational opportunities along the Altamaha River, and the historic downtown Reidsville area. The county is also known for housing two state correctional facilities that significantly impact the local economy.
The Tattnall County Courthouse, located at 106 Main Street in Reidsville, serves as the center of county government. The County Clerk's office operates within the courthouse complex, maintaining official records and supporting the Superior Court. The Tattnall County Tax Assessor's office, responsible for property valuations and tax assessments, is located at 103 South Main Street in Reidsville.
The county's economy traditionally relied on agriculture, particularly cotton, soybeans, and timber, though it has diversified in recent decades to include manufacturing and services related to the correctional facilities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county. It provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of Tattnall County, operates the county jail, and processes arrests. The Sheriff's Office is also tasked with maintaining criminal records and ensuring public safety through various community programs. The office has specialized divisions that focus on investigations, patrol, and community outreach, aiming to foster a safe environment for all residents.
Police Departments
In addition to the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is provided by municipal police departments, including the Reidsville Police Department and the Glennville Police Department. These city departments handle law enforcement within their respective jurisdictions, focusing on local ordinances and community policing. The agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage and response across Tattnall County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Tattnall County is primarily provided by the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 129 Brazil Street in Reidsville, Georgia 30453. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (912) 557-6778 and maintains a website at tattnallsheriff.com where citizens can access information about office operations and services. The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office operates the Tattnall County Jail, which houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department.
- Most agencies charge a nominal fee for copying and processing public records requests.
- Processing times for records requests vary but agencies must respond within three business days under Georgia law.
Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at (912) 557-4444 or by visiting the facility during designated hours. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Reidsville Police Department, which serves the county seat, and the Cobbtown Police Department, serving the smaller county of Cobbtown. The Glennville Police Department also operates within a portion of Tattnall County, though Glennville straddles the border with neighboring Tattnall County.
Under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), arrest records, incident reports, and booking information are generally considered public records. Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail's booking system, and recent arrests may be posted on the Sheriff's Office social media accounts or website.
No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within Tattnall County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in this jurisdiction.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Tattnall County encompass a range of documentation, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses. The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Georgia Open Records Act. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provides additional resources for background checks, offering statewide criminal history information that includes data from Tattnall County. The GBI also manages the state's sex offender registry, which is available for public search.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Tattnall County are maintained by the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within the county, including the charges and booking information. Residents and legal representatives can request access to arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, these records are generally accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Tattnall County Jail, located in Reidsville, is the primary detention facility for the county. The jail handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate information can be accessed through the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office, which provides details on current detainees. Visitation at the jail is subject to specific rules, including scheduled times and visitor identification requirements.
- In Georgia, the bond or bail process allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail administration.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Tattnall County are taken and retained by the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Some third-party websites may also provide access to mugshots, although the accuracy and timeliness of such sources can vary. Georgia law does not have specific provisions for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal in certain circumstances, such as expungement of the underlying charge.
Courts & Case Records
The Tattnall County court system includes several judicial bodies serving different jurisdictions. The Tattnall County Superior Court, part of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $15,000, divorce proceedings, and real property disputes. The Superior Court is located at 106 Main Street in Reidsville and can be reached at (912) 557-4335. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, case files, and land records for the county.
- The Tattnall County Magistrate Court handles civil claims under $15,000, dispossessory (eviction) proceedings, county ordinance violations, and issues arrest and search warrants.
- Tattnall County court records can be searched in person at the Clerk's office, with certified copies available for $2.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee.
The Tattnall County Probate Court, located at 103 South Main Street in Reidsville (phone: 912-557-6716), has jurisdiction over estate matters, guardianships, involuntary commitment proceedings, gun permits, and marriage licenses. The Magistrate Court is located at 103 South Main Street and can be contacted at (912) 557-3713. The Reidsville Municipal Court handles traffic violations and ordinance violations within the city limits.
Under Georgia law, court records are generally public unless sealed by court order or protected by statute. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority operates the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' website, though not all counties provide full online access to case records. Some basic case information may be available by phone, but comprehensive searches typically require an in-person visit.
Georgia Code § 50-18-70 governs public access to court records, with certain exceptions for juvenile records, adoption files, and sealed cases.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Tattnall County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, who serves as the county's de facto Register of Deeds. The Clerk's office is located at 106 Main Street, Reidsville, GA 30453, and can be reached at (912) 557-4335. The office maintains records of real estate deeds, mortgages, security interests, UCC filings, liens, easements, plat maps, and other documents affecting title to real property in Tattnall County. These records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and property location to facilitate public searches.
- The Tattnall County Tax Assessor's office, located at 103 South Main Street, Reidsville, GA 30453 (phone: 912-557-4828), maintains property tax records, property assessments, ownership information, and parcel data.
- Tattnall County participates in the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority's online real estate search system, though availability and scope of online records may be limited.
- Property tax information may be searchable through the county's Qpublic portal, which provides access to property cards, assessed values, tax history, and GIS mapping data for most Georgia counties.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee of $2.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee.
- Uncertified copies are typically $0.25 to $0.50 per page.
Vital Records
Vital records for Tattnall County residents are managed at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Tattnall County can be requested through the Tattnall County Probate Court, located at 103 South Main Street, Reidsville, GA 30453 (phone: 912-557-6716). The Probate Court can issue certified copies of birth certificates for births that occurred in the county, with a current fee of $25 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies ordered at the same time. Death certificates are similarly available for $25 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time at the county level is typically immediate to three business days for records on file.
- The fee for a marriage license is approximately $56, and there is no waiting period in Georgia.
For births and deaths that occurred elsewhere in Georgia, or for expedited service, the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Atlanta is the central repository for all vital records statewide. The state office can be reached at (404) 679-4702, and online orders can be placed through the official VitalChek service at Georgia.gov. Marriage licenses are issued by the Tattnall County Probate Court, which also maintains records of marriages performed in the county.
Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse, as divorce cases are filed in Superior Court. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A.
§ 31-10-1 et seq.), vital records are confidential and only available to authorized persons, including the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a direct and tangible interest. Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate their relationship to the record subject.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Tattnall County are maintained by several offices depending on the type of business activity. The Tattnall County Clerk of Superior Court maintains records of Doing Business As (DBA) names, also known as trade names or fictitious business names, filed by businesses operating in the county. These records can be searched at the Clerk's office located at 106 Main Street in Reidsville by calling (912) 557-4335. The filing fee for a trade name registration is typically around $40.
- This free searchable database provides information on business formation documents, registered agents, officers, and business status.
For comprehensive business entity searches, including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities, the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division maintains an online database accessible at ecorp.sos.ga.gov. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers are issued by their respective Georgia state licensing boards, not at the county level. The Tattnall County Building and Codes Department, which can be contacted through the county administration office at (912) 557-4305, handles building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and zoning matters.
Applications for land use and development permits are reviewed by the county planning and zoning office. Business owners may also need to obtain an alcohol license from the county commission if selling alcoholic beverages, and health permits from the Coastal Health District if operating food service establishments. The Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce, which promotes local economic development and supports area businesses, can be contacted for information about starting or relocating a business to the county.
Sales tax permits are issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue, not at the county level.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Tattnall County are administered by the Tattnall County Board of Elections and Registration, located at 103 South Main Street, Reidsville, GA 30453. The elections office can be reached at (912) 557-6607 for information about voter registration, polling locations, absentee ballots, and election results. Voter registration in Tattnall County can be completed online through the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov, in person at the elections office, or by submitting a paper application by mail.
- Voters can check their registration status, find their assigned polling place, view sample ballots, and request absentee ballots through the My Voter Page portal.
- In the November 2024 general election, Tattnall County reported voter turnout of approximately 60-65% of registered voters, consistent with typical turnout for presidential elections in rural Georgia counties.
- Absentee ballots for Tattnall County voters can be requested through the My Voter Page online system, by submitting a paper application to the elections office, or in person.
- Georgia offers no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
Georgia requires voter registration applications to be submitted at least 29 days before an election for the applicant to be eligible to vote in that election. The online voter registration system is available to Georgia citizens with a valid driver's license or state ID card. Tattnall County typically operates multiple polling locations on Election Day, with specific precincts assigned based on residential address.
The county elections office website and the My Voter Page provide polling place lookup tools. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-1 et seq.), numerous election records are public, including voter registration lists, campaign finance disclosures filed with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, candidate qualification documents, and precinct-level election results.
Voter history (whether someone voted, but not how they voted) is also public information. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, state legislative races, and various county offices.
Absentee ballot applications must be received by the elections office no later than 11 days before Election Day, and completed ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Early voting is typically available at the elections office for two to three weeks before Election Day, including some Saturday hours.
Economy & Demographics
Tattnall County's economy is characterized by a mix of traditional agricultural industries, corrections-related employment, manufacturing, and service sectors. Agriculture remains a foundational component of the local economy, with major crops including cotton, soybeans, peanuts, corn, and timber. Poultry production and livestock farming also contribute significantly to agricultural revenues.
- Manufacturing has grown in importance, with several industrial facilities operating in the county producing building materials, processed foods, and other products.
The county is home to two major state correctional facilities—Georgia State Prison and Rogers State Prison—which together represent one of the largest sources of employment in the county, providing several hundred jobs in corrections, administration, healthcare, and support services. These facilities have a substantial economic impact through direct employment and indirect spending in the local community. The median household income in Tattnall County is estimated at approximately $36,000 to $40,000, which is below both the state and national averages, reflecting the rural character and economic challenges faced by many southeastern Georgia counties.
The unemployment rate has historically fluctuated between 4% and 7%, trending with state and national economic conditions. Key economic sectors include government and public administration (largely due to the correctional facilities), agriculture and forestry, manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and educational services. The Tattnall County Industrial Authority works to recruit new businesses and support existing industries through infrastructure development and business incentives.
Recent economic development efforts have focused on expanding broadband internet access, improving transportation infrastructure, and promoting the county's location along the Highway 280 corridor between Savannah and Cordele.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online Access | Property: ✅ Online Tax Records | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person Required | Business: ✅ State Online Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 6/10 — Tattnall County provides standard access to public records with some online capabilities, though many records require in-person requests at county offices in Reidsville.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Tattnall County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Tattnall County, Georgia.
Nearby Counties
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