North Carolina Criminal History Records
North Carolina criminal history records are kept by state and county agencies across all 100 counties. The NC State Bureau of Investigation serves as the central repository for criminal record data in the state. Courts, law enforcement, and corrections offices also hold criminal history information that is available to the public. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person. This guide explains how to find and obtain criminal history records in North Carolina through each available source.
North Carolina Criminal History Quick Facts
North Carolina Criminal History Through the SBI
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is the main source for criminal history data in the state. The NCSBI was set up in 1937 and has its headquarters in Raleigh. It runs eight district offices. Under N.C.G.S. § 114-10, the SBI has broad powers to collect and store criminal record information. The bureau maintains the Criminal Information and Identification Section, which holds fingerprint-based records for arrests and convictions across North Carolina.
You can visit the NCSBI website to learn more about criminal history services and access options in the state. The NC State Bureau of Investigation provides details on how to request your own record or obtain authorized criminal history checks.
The NCSBI criminal history system tracks arrests, charges, court outcomes, and sentences. Records go back decades. Each entry links to a fingerprint card. This makes the data more reliable than name-based searches alone. To reach the CIIS Customer Service team, call (919) 582-8660 or send an email to CIIShelp@ncsbi.gov for help with criminal history requests in North Carolina.
Note: The NCSBI criminal history database includes only records reported by law enforcement and courts in North Carolina.
Check Your Criminal History in NC
North Carolina residents have the right to view their own criminal history records. This is called a Right to Review request. Under N.C.G.S. § 114-19, you can ask the NCSBI for a copy of your own record. The process requires fingerprints. A state-level check costs $14 and covers North Carolina criminal history only. For a national search through the FBI, the fee is $18. Both checks use fingerprints to match your identity to stored records.
The NC Department of Public Safety works with the NCSBI on corrections and offender data. You can find more information about criminal justice services at the NC Department of Public Safety website.
The DPS has close to 3,000 employees and also oversees the NC National Guard. Its role in criminal history touches on prison records, probation data, and post-release supervision files. These records help paint a full picture of a person's criminal history in North Carolina.
Several forms are available for different types of criminal history requests in North Carolina:
- Background Check for NC Criminal Records (Right to Review)
- Request for Criminal History Modification
- Background Check for Adoption Process
- Defense Attorney Access Form
- Restoration of Firearms Consent Form
North Carolina Criminal History in Court Records
County courts are a key source for criminal history records in North Carolina. Each of the 100 counties has a Clerk of Superior Court. These offices store case files for every criminal matter heard in that court. Case files show charges, plea agreements, trial results, and sentences. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-1, most court records are public. You can view them at the courthouse for free using public access computers.
The NC Judicial Branch offers online tools for searching criminal history and case data. Visit the NC Judicial Branch website for details on public access to court records across the state.
The eCourts portal at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud went live in all 100 North Carolina counties as of October 2025. This free tool lets you search criminal cases by name or case number. You can see charges, court dates, and case outcomes. The portal does not charge a fee for basic lookups. For copies of full documents, contact the clerk in that county. The court records help page has more guidance on how to find what you need.
In-person visits still work best for some criminal history searches. Clerks can pull older files. They can make copies on the spot. Certified copies of criminal records cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after that in North Carolina. Uncertified copies run $0.25 per page. A criminal records search through the clerk costs $25 under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.
Note: The eCourts portal shows case data but may not include sealed or expunged criminal history records from North Carolina courts.
Criminal History Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina has clear laws about criminal history records and who can access them. The NC General Statutes spell out the rules for record keeping, public access, and privacy protections. You can review the full text of these laws at the NC General Statutes website.
N.C.G.S. § 132-1 defines public records in North Carolina and gives citizens the right to inspect them. This law covers criminal history records held by courts and state agencies. N.C.G.S. § 114-19 sets out the rules for criminal history record checks, including who may request them and under what conditions. The law draws a line between personal checks and those done for authorized purposes. Fees for these checks are also set by statute in North Carolina.
Juvenile criminal records have separate rules under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000. These records are not open to the public in most cases. A judge must approve access. This protects young people from having youthful mistakes follow them. Adult criminal history records in North Carolina remain public unless a court orders them sealed or expunged.
NC Criminal History Expunction Process
North Carolina allows some people to have criminal history records expunged. An expunction removes the record from public view. After an expunction, the person can legally say the arrest or charge did not happen. The rules for expunction are found in N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. Each section covers a different type of case or situation.
To file for expunction of a criminal history record in North Carolina, you must go through the court in the county where the arrest took place. The filing fee is $175. The NC Courts expunction page explains the steps and forms you need. You can also find the right forms at the NC Courts forms page, which has over 1,120 statewide judicial forms. Not all criminal history records can be expunged. Violent felonies and some other charges are not eligible under North Carolina law.
Wait times apply. Some charges can be expunged right away if dismissed. Others require a waiting period of several years after the conviction. The court reviews each petition on its own merits in North Carolina.
NC Criminal History and Sex Offender Data
The NC Sex Offender Registry is part of the broader criminal history system in the state. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-208.5, people convicted of certain sex crimes must register. The registry is public. Anyone can search it by name, address, city, zip code, or map location. The NC Sex Offender Registry site also offers email alerts so you know if a registrant moves near you.
This is a key part of criminal history in North Carolina. Registry data includes the person's name, photo, address, and conviction details. You can also use VineLink for notification services. For a broader search beyond North Carolina, the national registry at nsopw.gov covers all states.
NC Offender Search and Corrections Records
The NC Offender Search tool lets you look up people who have served state prison sentences in North Carolina. The database at NC Offender Search goes back to 1972. You can search by name or offender number. Results show sentence details, release dates, and current status.
This tool covers state prison records only. County jail records are not in this system. For local criminal history data, contact the county sheriff or clerk of court in North Carolina. The offender search is free and open to the public. It provides a fast way to check if someone has a state prison record in North Carolina.
The NC State Highway Patrol also holds criminal history data related to traffic offenses and crash reports. Visit the NC State Highway Patrol site for more on their records and services.
Crash reports can be obtained online through the NCDPS Collision system. Serious traffic offenses may show up in a criminal history check if they led to charges in North Carolina courts. DWI convictions, hit-and-run cases, and reckless driving charges are examples of traffic crimes that appear in criminal history records.
Note: The NC Offender Search covers state prison sentences dating back to 1972 but does not include county jail time served in North Carolina.
Legal Help With Criminal History in NC
If you need help with a criminal history matter in North Carolina, several groups can assist. Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free legal services to people with low income. They can help with expunctions and record issues. Call their helpline at 1-866-219-5262 to learn what services are open to you.
The NC Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (919) 467-3000 to get matched with a lawyer who handles criminal history cases in North Carolina. A private attorney can review your record, explain your options, and file motions on your behalf. This is useful when you need to correct errors in your criminal history or pursue an expunction in North Carolina.
Browse North Carolina Criminal History by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own court system and law enforcement agencies that maintain criminal history records. Pick a county below to find local resources and contact information.
Criminal History Records in Major NC Cities
Residents of major cities can search criminal history records through their county courthouse or online portals. Pick a city below to learn about local criminal history access.