Frequently Asked Questions

Laurens County Animal Control does not accept Owner Relinquishes. You will need to contact rescues.

Dogs that are not marked such as collar or tag are held for five days, dogs that have collar or tag are held for ten days. Laurens County Animal Control scans all animals for micro-chip. After their 5 or 10 day hold is up, Any Georgia Licensed Rescue can pull the animal, as well as public adoption.

Laurens County Animal Control DOES NOT euthanize any animals. All Euthanasia is done by a licensed professional.  Each dog is held between 5-10 days if not longer. We strive to find the rightful owner and if no owner is found, ANY Georgia licensed rescue may pull from our facility, or public adoption.

We are two different entities. Dublin Laurens Humane Society does not have a phone. 

Our kennel is open for ANY STATE LICENSED RESCUE to pull from. Laurens County Animal Control kennel is open to the public and does have an adoption policy. . If you are interested in any dog in our facility, please call or come by our office.

Laurens County Animal Control will not check personally owned traps. It will be the responsibility of the person(s) that set trap because they assume liability for animal. 

Call our office Monday -- Friday between 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. or leave a voice mail after hours and we will return all calls next business day. 478-277-2943

No.  Laurens County Animal Control will only accept animals of a Laurens County resident.

Only in an emergency. All wildlife related calls are forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources 229-426-5267.

It would be better if the animal is left alone for your safety and theirs. It is also illegal. Rescues are not able to pick up animals unless authorized. (Animal Protocol Rule) However if picked up Laurens County Animal Control must be contacted as soon as possible in attempt to avoid any legal matters that may occur. You may also check out our Stray Hold policy.

A Stray Hold is when Laurens County Animal Control permits a Laurens County citizen to hold or foster an animal for a period of 10 days in order to find the animals’ owner. Some restrictions may apply.

Animal Control does not board animals for the public. Only state licensed boarders, groomers and vets that office that service. We only quarantine bite cases as well as strays.

No. Only animals tested are the ones that have bitten or blood/saliva transfer to a pet or person. The animal is turned over to the Laurens County Health Department / Environmental Division.

Yes, a lot of restrictions apply. Environmental Division as well as Laurens County Animal Control will supervise.

Contact Laurens County Animal Control, send a picture, advertise in local couriers and on social media sites as well all local vets. Report to Sheriffs’ office if possible stolen.

Yes. Agriculture Department issues license to qualified people. Rescues can only receive from other rescues or owner surrenders. It is illegal to pick up animals at random and rescue/foster without going through the proper channels. Fosters generally work under the rescues license.

Magistrate Court of Laurens County with the Honorable Judge Colby Crabb presiding, located at Laurens County Courthouse Downtown Dublin.

Seek medical attention first. Laurens County Animal Control needs to be contacted as well as Laurens County Health Department/Environmental Division. Animal needs to be held for 10 days and checked to see if it is current or at least had a rabies shot. Description of animal, location  and owner of animal will be needed.

Agriculture Department clearly states in article "Rescue groups are not authorized to impound animals unless they are contracted by a government agency in Georgia to provide Animal Control Services.

Rabies is the only one required by law and may only be given by a licensed veterinarian.

Call Department of Agriculture, you will need to go online and follow directions.

Yes. Laurens County Animal Control will check welfare as well as livestock at large. Most livestock calls will need to be directed to Agriculture Department http://agr.georgia.gov/ Laurens County Animal Control is not equipped to transport or hold some livestock. We use “livestock handlers” much like our sheriffs’ office uses wrecker services. Contact us if interested in ( livestock handling ) * restrictions may apply

Visit the Eighth Judicial Administrative District of Georgia's website to print out forms. Fill them out and bring them to the Clerks office.

This is the Judge's Office, if you need court information, please call the Clerk of Courts office at 478-272-3210.

If this matter is a court matter and already open he is unable to speak with you. Please contact your attorney.

Laurens County’s fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th.

The State of Georgia requires local governments to submit annual financial statements to the State Auditor. Laurens County is audited annually by an independent auditing firm. The fiscal year 2017 audit was completed by TJS Deemer Dana.

Laurens County Probate Court issues all marriage license. 

Laurens County Health Department

650 County Farm Road

Dublin, GA 31021

Phone: (478) 272-2051

No, the county does not require a business license. City businesses will have to contact the City ofDublin Inspections Department.

Laurens County Probate Court issues all weapon carry license.

Call 911 when you need to report an incident that is:

• Any emergency crime in progress or that has just recently occurred
• Any fire or medical problem that will require emergency assistance
• A threat to life and/or property, such as a fire or smoke

If your utilities are out, such as cable, power, phone, etc. contact the company that provides you those services. 

If you have questions considering inclement weather, road conditions or school closings, listen to a local radio station, tune to local television channels or monitor apps or social media on your mobile device. 

For general information, call 478-272-7985. 

Never call 911 as a joke or prank! 

• The location of the emergency
• The nature of the emergency (what exactly is happening or just happened) 
• Description of persons/vehicles involved in the incident or landmarks and/or directions to the emergency.
• The phone number that you are calling from
• Your name

It is important to stay calm, speak clearly and stay on the line as long as you feel safe and/or until the call-taker tells you to hang up. It might seem that the dispatcher is asking too many questions. It is important for the call taker to get as much information as possible. The information you provide on 911 is relayed to the units that are responding to the incident location.

Most calls for assistance from residential phones will come into the 911 center with a name, telephone number and address. However, the dispatcher will still verify this information to make sure it is correct and that the responding agencies are directed to the proper location.

Wireless or Cell Phone Calls

Wireless or cell phone calls that come in will contain varying information. This information depends on the type of cell phone that you have and whether it is GPS-capable. GPS-capable phones will provide an estimated physical location. The caller name and location are not available to the 911 call taker and will have to be verified. Providing landmarks, mile markers and general location descriptors will help speed a response to your location.

You can request paper copies of dispatch reports and/or 911 audio recordings. They can be requested and released, as long as they are not part of an active investigation. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50 18, 1971(c) and (d), Laurens County is authorized to charge for the costs of producing documents requested. The cost of producing these documents is .10¢ per page and $5 per disc, as well as a charge for the "direct administrative costs for complying with a request under this code section." This means you will be charged the hourly salary of the lowest paid full-time employee who has the necessary skill and training to perform the request. However, you will not be charged for the first 15 minutes spent on your request. You will be contacted via email and sent a cost worksheet reflecting any necessary fees. Requests are fulfilled in the order they are received. 

Request Form

The request form (if not submitted online) may be mailed or dropped off in person at:
515 Southern Pines Road
Dublin, GA 31021 

It can also be faxed to 478-275-7295. The 911 Communications Center has 3 business days (72 hours) to acknowledge receipt of the request and to inform you how long it will take to complete the request. (Open Records Act Request: O.C.G.A. 50 18, 1970.) The E911 Center will take payment in the form of cash, check or credit card. You will be provided a receipt for your records.

Yes! The non-emergent number during normal business hours (M-F 8am-5pm) is 478-275-7099. 

After normal business hours and on weekends call 478-272-7985. 

Please refer to the Georgia Secretary of State Website for Residential and General Contractors FAQ.

Residential building permits are $0.25 per square feet of heated space. Do not count garages, porches, decks as square footage. 

• Business: $25
• Manufactured/Modular homes: $100

Permits

Permits are issued at the Laurens County 911 Call Center 478-275-7099.

The collection centers are open 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Laurens County collection centers have recycling bins for various recyclables. If your item is not on the list of recyclables accepted at those facilities, email Ralph Brooks at the landfill for assistance or call 478-676-3963.

In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signa so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety features you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family and your home.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside the sleeping area.

Rising Smoke

Also, smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling on side walls. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Many hardware, home supply or general merchandise stores carry smoke alarms. Make sure the alarm you buy is UL-listed. If you are unsure where to buy one in your community, call your local fire department at 478-277-2911 (on a non-emergency telephone number) and they will provide you with some suggestions. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms for little or no cost.

Not a bit. In most cases, all you will need is a screwdriver. Many brands are self-adhesive and will automatically stick to the wall or ceiling where they are placed. However, be sure to follow the directions from the manufacturer because each brand is different. If you are uncomfortable standing on a ladder, ask a relative or friend for help. Some fire departments will actually install a smoke alarm in your home for you. Call your local fire department at 478-277-2911 (again, on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms are very easy to take care of. There are two steps to remember.

• Simply replace the batteries at least once a year.
  Tip: Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day. Some smoke alarms now on the market come with a ten-year battery. These alarms are designed to be replaced as a whole unit, thus avoiding the need for battery replacement. If your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
• Keep them clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation, so vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly.

Then it's doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead, clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may have to be moved to a new location.

About 8 to 10 years, after which it should be replaced. Like most electrical devices, smoke alarms wear out. You may want to write the purchase date with a marker on the inside of your unit. That way, you'll know when to replace it. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement.

Some smoke alarms are considered to be "hard wired." This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery back-up. It's important to test every smoke alarm monthly. Always use new batteries when replacing old ones.

Taxes are based on value set by the Laurens County Board of Tax Assessors and millage rates are set by the Laurens County Board of Commissioners, the Laurens County Board of Education, Dublin Board of Education and individual Cities.

Yes, visit the Department of Revenue website.

You may request an absentee ballot as early as 78 days before a primary or election but no later than 11 days prior to a primary or election. Absentee ballots should be received prior to 7:00 p.m. on election day. No absentee ballots are issued on election day. You may submit an absentee ballot application (PDF) by mail or fax it to your county board of registrars' office. The application must be the designated form on the Secretary of States website or Laurens County Board of Registrars website with the reason for voting by absentee ballot, sufficient information to identify you as a voter, and the election in which you wish to vote. If you are physically disabled or living temporarily outside your county of residence, a  relative as stipulated in code O.C.G.A 21-2-385 may apply for an absentee ballot for you.

Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

Applications for absentee ballots by uniformed or overseas voters (pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) can be accepted more than 180 days prior to a primary or election in which a federal candidate appears on the ballot as well as for any runoffs resulting therefrom including presidential preference primaries for two general elections.

A physically disabled or illiterate voter may receive assistance from another voter in the same county or municipality or from the same category of relatives who can make an application for or deliver an absentee ballot (PDF). If the voter is outside of the county or municipality, then a notary public can provide such assistance. Any person who assists another person to vote absentee must complete an oath prescribed by law demonstrating the statutory disability and that the ballot was completed as the voter desired. A candidate on the ballot, or a relative of a candidate on the ballot, may not offer assistance during the election to any voter.

An application for an absentee ballot cannot be physically attached to a publication that advocates for or against a particular candidate, issue, etc. and distributed by any person, entity, or organization.

 As of July 1, 2021, the Georgia outdoor burning requirements have changed. No permit is required for hand-piled natural vegetation or yard debris meaning leaves and limbs only. Please visit the following link for more information and precautions to take:  https://gatrees.org/fire-prevention-suppression/burn-permits.  

HOW DO I GET A LCSO REPORT?

Certain types of Sheriff's Office reports are available for release to authorized persons. To obtain a copy of your report, please visit the Sheriff's Office at 511 Southern Pines Road during normal business hours (8:00 am until 5 pm Monday through Friday.) You will need to provide identifying information, and you must be a named, involved party to the case or an authorized representative to a named, involved party to the case in order to request and receive a copy of the report.

If you have any questions please contact the Records Division at 478-272-1522.

Detainees may be allowed to have visits from immediate family unless this privilege has been restricted for disciplinary reasons.  Mother, father, husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother and grandparents compromise immediate family.  Visitation will be limited to four (4) persons as named by the detainee.  Children under 12 are not allowed to visit.  Detainees will generally be scheduled for visitation based on the visitation plan established by the Jail Administrator and detainees must complete a visitation list prior to the day of visitation.  Below is the scheduled day for visitation based off the detainees last name:

Mondays - Last name beginning with A - F

Tuesdays - Last name beginning with G - N

Wednesdays - All female detainees

Thursdays - Last name beginning with O - T

Fridays - Last name beginning with U - Z

Visiting hours are from 9:30am - 11:00am and visitors must be signed in by 10:30am to visit.

Attorneys: Attorneys may visit at any time before 9:30pm.  

Clergy: Clergy times are 2:00pm - 4:00pm.

Serious complaints, such as criminal misconduct or brutality, are investigated by Internal Affairs. Less serious complaints, such as discourtesy and unprofessional conduct, will normally be investigated by the employee’s supervisor. Complaints may be made in person, via regular or electronic email, or by calling the Internal Affairs Division between the hours of 8:00 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at 478-272-1522

A minimum age of 60.

Meals are served once daily. Meals are provided Monday-Friday. Meals will not be provided on Holidays.

Information is collected from the client and a referral is then sent to the main office. 

All Jury Duty is coordinated by the Clerk of Courts Office.

All Building Permits will be obtained through the Emergency 911 Center.

You will need to fill out an application for your septic permit with the Laurens County Environmental Health Office. Their phone number is (478) 275-6779. Environmental Health will contact you to set up an appointment for the site evaluation.

No, the county does not require a business license in unincorporated areas. City businesses will have to contact the City of Dublin Inspections Department..

You may obtain a permit here and a copy of the County Ordinance here or you may contact the County Administrator.

All passports are handled through the Clerk of Courts Deeds Division.

No you will not need a permit to perform renovations. Permits are only required for new construction.

You may click on this link to find out all information pertaining to the Landfill.

Laurens County Health Department

650 County Farm Road

Dublin, GA 31021

Phone:(478) 272-2051

Laurens County Probate Court issues all marriage license. 

Collection Centers days of operation, hours of operation and locations may be found here.

Please complete the following form for an Open Records Request.

Open Records Request