Free links to official North Carolina state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 100 counties.
How to Search North Carolina Criminal Records (Start Here)
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.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: North Carolina repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
North Carolina Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
NC SBI processes background checks; significant backlogs (May 2026 receipts being processed). Free court check via nccourts.gov.
$14 state fingerprint
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Fingerprint-based 'Right
Primary method
How to submit
North Carolina State Bur
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
N.C.G.S. §114-19
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
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.
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
2026
North Carolina state-only check active
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) continues to process state criminal history checks via www.ncsbi.gov.
✓ Truth: False. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) check covers ONLY North Carolina arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.ncsbi.gov (the official North Carolina repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under North Carolina law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most North Carolina public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The North Carolina state check shows North Carolina-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
PictureInmate NameDate ConfinedAddressAgeChargeBond AmountCourt DateCourt DocketWRITAgency View Abernathy, William Patrick 9/25/2025105 S COLLEGE AVE NEWTON, NC 2865856SECOND DEG SEX EXPLOIT MINOR2500004/20/202625CR003452-170 Catawba County District Catawba County Sheriffs Office SOLICIT CHILD.
All releases from the Cumberland County Jail shall be the result of an inmate posting bond, a court order, completion of a sentence, payment of a fine and court costs, a teletype from another agency releasing their hold, or transfer of the inmate to the custody of another agency authorized by law to assume custody of that inmate.
ASQ is a tool maintained by the Administrative Analysis Section of the NC Department of Adult Correction. ASQ provides custom statistical reports about the North Carolina offender population · Every effort has been made to report accurate and complete information.
Inmate InformationCrime Prevention · Integrity | Professionalism | Commitment | Honesty | Trust | Respect · Missing Woman in Lincoln County · Residents Cotitinue to be Targeted by Scammers · Lincoln County Man Charged with Money Laundering ·
Search and view Arrest that have occurred in the past three years within Mecklenburg County. View mugshots and charges, or previous Arrests. Search and view Inmates within the past three years, including current Inmates.
This application provides charge, sentence, and bond information regarding individuals currently detained at the Pitt County Detention Center. Records can be accessed either by full booking number or full or partial names. To view all active detainees, click Get Detainee on the Detainee Search page. - Click inmate's name to be directed to VINE, Victim Information and Notification Everyday, to register to receive notifications when any changes are made to the inmate's status.
The Randolph County Detention Center Currently Confined Inmates list is provided by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for public information purposes. It allows users to identify current inmates and view available booking and bail information. All information is public record under North Carolina law.
The Rowan County Detention Center is a 210 bed, direct supervision facility made up primarily of dormitory style housing units. The Rowan County Detention Center Annex facility can house an additional 160 inmates. The annex facility is comprised of 4, 40 inmate dormitories.
Inmate Lists / Warrant Search · Northeast Water System · Social Services · Visit Rowan County NC · /QuickLinks.aspx · The proposed operating budget of the General Fund for the Fiscal Year 2027 has been presented to the Board of Commissioners. View Proposed Budget ·
General Information VISITATION DAYS Monday: Inmates last name ending A to FTuesday: Inmates last name ending G to LWednesday: Inmates last name ending M to RThursday: Inmates last name ending S to ZVisitation is from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. and from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Capt. T. Worley…
General Contact: websheriff@orangecountync.gov · Location: 1200 US 70 West Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2940 · The Detention Center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The First 24 Hours · Visitation · Inmate Accounts · Bail Bond Listing ·
Your browser is currently set to block cookies. Your browser must allow cookies before you can use this application · Cookies are small text files stored on your computer that tell this application when you're signed in. To learn how to allow cookies, see online help in your web browser
North Carolina · Department of Correction · The Offender application has been updated and moved to a different server. The primary difference is that the Escape and Release applications have been included in Offender. Please bookmark the new application at the following link ·
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.
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.
