I would like to get an std check before my girlfriend & i start having unprotected sex. do general practitioners do this or should i go to a clinic?

Either one: A complete panel for STD includes chlamydia & gonorrhea, which are done with a urine test, and syphilis, HIV, herpes & hepatitis, which are a blood test. A first morning urine is most reliable. It is unlikely that your GP would do the testing or collect specimens but would give you an requisition to have tests done at a lab. Unsure about clinic. Or, order test on line & go to lab to give blood.