What Is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is Georgia's statewide law enforcement agency, operating independently from local police departments and county sheriffs. Established in 1937, the GBI provides investigative, forensic, and criminal information services to agencies and residents across the state.

The agency is organized into three primary divisions:

• Criminal Investigations Division (CID) — Handles major criminal cases including homicides, cold cases, public corruption, cyber crimes, and financial crimes
• Regional Drug Enforcement — Manages multi-agency drug task forces in partnership with local and federal agencies statewide
• Forensic Sciences Division — Provides laboratory analysis, digital forensics, firearms examination, and medical examiner services to law enforcement agencies

The GBI also operates the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which maintains the state's criminal history records database and serves as the central repository for Georgia law enforcement data, including arrest records, warrants, and sex offender registration information.

Unlike patrol agencies, the GBI does not respond to routine 911 calls for service. In most cases, local police or sheriff's offices request GBI assistance when a case involves complex evidence, requires specialized expertise, or crosses multiple jurisdictions. However, members of the public can contact the GBI directly to submit crime tips, request investigative assistance, or obtain criminal history records.

When to Contact the GBI vs. Local Police

Understanding which agency to contact ensures your report reaches investigators who can act on it. For most crimes, your first call should be to local law enforcement — city police or county sheriff — rather than the GBI. The GBI steps in for cases that require statewide resources, specialized expertise, or cross-jurisdictional coordination.

Contact the GBI directly for:

• Crimes involving public officials, elected officers, judges, or law enforcement personnel
• Major drug trafficking operations involving multiple counties or distribution networks
• Cold cases where local resources are limited or a previous investigation stalled
• Crimes crossing multiple county or jurisdictional lines
• Consumer fraud, financial crimes, or identity theft at a state level
• Tips about human trafficking, organized crime, or gang activity with regional scope
• Complaints that local law enforcement has not investigated adequately

Contact local police or dial 911 for:

• Crimes in progress or any immediate threat to safety
• Theft, vandalism, minor assaults, and misdemeanor offenses
• Traffic accidents, road incidents, and vehicle break-ins
• Domestic disputes requiring an immediate in-person response

If you are unsure which agency handles your situation, call the GBI tip line at 1-800-597-8477 and a representative will point you to the right contact.

How to Submit a Crime Tip to the GBI

The GBI accepts crime tips around the clock, every day of the year. You may report information anonymously — no name or contact details required — though providing specifics significantly increases the chance of a follow-up investigation. Three methods are available:

By Phone (Fastest)

Call 1-800-597-TIPS (1-800-597-8477) to reach the GBI's statewide tip line. Staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the best option for time-sensitive information or when you want to speak directly with a GBI representative.

Online Tip Portal

Visit tips.gbi.georgia.gov to submit a tip through the GBI's secure online form. You can attach photos, video clips, documents, or other digital evidence directly to your submission. The portal is monitored regularly by GBI personnel and allows you to add additional information to an existing tip at a later time.

By Mail or In Person

You can also contact the GBI in writing or visit a regional field office in person. Find the address and hours of the office nearest you at gbi.georgia.gov under the Contact or Field Offices section.

Regardless of which method you use, include as much of the following as possible:

• Who: Full names, nicknames, physical descriptions, or license plate numbers
• What: The specific type of criminal activity you observed or know about
• Where: Exact street address, business name, neighborhood, or GPS coordinates
• When: Dates, times, and how frequently the activity occurs
• Evidence: Any photos, videos, documents, or names of other witnesses

Tips with specific, verifiable details receive higher priority. Vague reports are harder to act on and are likely to remain unresolved.

How to Request Criminal History Records from the GBI

The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) is the official source for criminal history records in Georgia. These records are commonly needed for employment screening, professional licensing, firearm purchases, adoption proceedings, and personal review of your own file.

Step 1: Determine What Type of Check You Need

• Name-based check: Uses your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. This method is faster but can return multiple results if you share a common name.
• Fingerprint-based check: Requires electronic fingerprinting at an approved location. This method is definitive and is required for most professional licenses, firearms dealer transfers, and adoption proceedings.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

If you are an individual requesting your own record, download and complete the personal criminal history request form from gbi.georgia.gov. Mail the completed form with a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID and the applicable processing fee to the GCIC. Instructions and the current fee schedule are included with the form.

If you are an employer or authorized organization running background checks, most use the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) at genapps.georgia.gov or an accredited third-party background screening company that is GCIC-certified. Employers must have a permissible purpose under Georgia law to access records on individuals other than themselves.

Step 3: Receive and Review Results

Personal record requests submitted by mail typically take 5 to 10 business days to process, with results returned by mail. Fingerprint-based employer checks through the GAPS electronic system often return results within 24 to 48 hours. If your record contains inaccurate information, you have the right to dispute it by contacting the law enforcement agency that originally submitted the entry to GCIC.

How to Find Your GBI Regional Office

The GBI maintains field offices across Georgia so that each part of the state has direct access to state-level investigators. Each regional office handles major criminal investigations for the counties within its geographic area.

GBI field offices are located throughout the state, with offices serving areas including:

• Decatur — Headquarters and main administrative offices
• Calhoun — Northwest Georgia
• Gainesville — Northeast Georgia and the mountain region
• Augusta — Eastern Georgia along the South Carolina border
• Statesboro — East central Georgia
• Savannah — Coastal Georgia and the port area
• Columbus — Western Georgia along the Alabama border
• Thomasville — Southwest Georgia
• Waycross — Southeast Georgia
• Milledgeville — Central Georgia
• Eastman — South central Georgia

To find the office that serves your county:

1. Go to gbi.georgia.gov
2. Click on Contact Us or navigate to the Field Offices section
3. Use the county listing or the regional map to identify which office covers your area
4. Note the office phone number, physical address, and regular business hours before you visit or call

Most regional offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For matters that cannot wait until business hours, call the 24/7 GBI tip line at 1-800-597-8477.

How to Apply for a Career at the GBI

The GBI is one of Georgia's largest law enforcement agencies, employing special agents, forensic scientists, crime analysts, crime scene technicians, and administrative professionals. All positions are posted and applied for through Georgia's official state employment portal.

Finding and Applying for Open Positions

1. Go to careers.georgia.gov (Team Georgia Careers)
2. Search for GBI or Georgia Bureau of Investigation in the keyword field
3. Filter by job category — law enforcement, forensic science, or professional/administrative — to narrow results
4. Create a free Team Georgia Careers account if you do not already have one
5. Submit your application, resume, and any required supporting documents directly through the portal

Special Agent Requirements

GBI Special Agent candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship and at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (any field)
• Eligibility for Georgia Peace Officer certification through the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history
• Successful completion of a background investigation, polygraph examination, and psychological evaluation
• Passing score on a physical fitness assessment

Forensic Scientist and Analyst Positions

The GBI's Forensic Sciences Division hires scientists specializing in DNA analysis, toxicology, digital forensics, firearms and toolmark examination, latent fingerprint analysis, and trace evidence. These positions typically require a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant science field. Prior laboratory experience is strongly preferred and sometimes required depending on the discipline. The full hiring process for GBI positions — from application to start date — typically takes between 3 and 9 months due to the thorough background check requirements.