North Carolina criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: North Carolina state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
North Carolina Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — North Carolina Criminal Records
The 4-Step North Carolina Criminal Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About North Carolina Criminal Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.ncsbi.gov — North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) — Official North Carolina criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
- North Carolina Court Records →
- North Carolina Property Records →
- North Carolina Vital Records →
- North Carolina Voter Records →
- North Carolina Wants & Warrants →
- North Carolina Licenses →
- North Carolina Recorded Documents →
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Not sure who may legally check whom? The North Carolina background check guide explains the official routes, the court-record option, and your FCRA rights.
Looking for someone in custody right now? The North Carolina inmate search page collects the state, county, and federal locators in one place.
Criminal Records Databases
23 official North Carolina criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
North Carolina Counties
100 North Carolina counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which North Carolina counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
30 of North Carolina's 100 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official North Carolina background check?▼
North Carolina's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Begin the request at www.ncsbi.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by North Carolina statute.
Are North Carolina criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in North Carolina is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) explains who can request what at www.ncsbi.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in North Carolina?▼
A state check from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) (www.ncsbi.gov) covers only criminal activity within North Carolina. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's North Carolina criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) documentation at www.ncsbi.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a North Carolina criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your North Carolina criminal history, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.ncsbi.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.