Raleigh Criminal History Access
Raleigh criminal history records can be found through several local and county agencies. As the state capital and seat of Wake County, Raleigh has a large court system and active police force. Searching for criminal history in Raleigh may involve the Raleigh Police Department, the City-County Bureau of Identification, or the Wake County Clerk of Court. Each holds a different piece of the record. This guide walks through how to reach each source and what they provide for criminal history searches in Raleigh.
Raleigh Police Criminal History Records
The Raleigh Police Department manages police reports and incident records for the city. RPD has two main locations. The main office is at 6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27615. The downtown station is at 222 W. Hargett Street. You can call the general line at (919) 996-3335 or the records unit at 919-996-3100. Email requests go to police.records@raleighnc.gov. The fax number for records is 919-996-3325.
RPD handles police reports and incident records, not full criminal histories. If you need a copy of a police report from Raleigh, the records division can help. These reports show what happened at a specific incident. They include names, dates, and charges from that event. For a full criminal history in Raleigh, you need to go to the CCBI or the clerk of court.
Crash reports from Raleigh police are free if you pick them up at the counter. They are also available online at crash.raleighpd.org. This is a separate system from criminal history records but useful for traffic-related offenses in Raleigh.
Raleigh CCBI Criminal Record Inquiries
The City-County Bureau of Identification is the primary source for criminal history records in Raleigh and Wake County. The CCBI maintains fingerprint-based arrest records for the area. Call them at 919-856-6300 or email ccbi.arrestrecords@wakegov.com. A certified arrest record from the CCBI costs $15 per name searched. This is the most direct way to get a criminal history check tied to Raleigh.
The CCBI record shows all arrests processed through their office. This covers Raleigh police arrests, Wake County sheriff arrests, and arrests by other agencies in the county. Each entry shows the charge, arrest date, and case disposition if available. The CCBI criminal history report is based on fingerprints, which makes it more accurate than a name-only search. It reduces the chance of false matches in Raleigh.
To request a criminal history check from the CCBI, you can visit in person, call, or email. Provide the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching. Results come back as a certified document. This is widely accepted as proof of criminal history in Raleigh and Wake County. The CCBI is a joint city-county operation, which is why it covers such a broad area.
Note: CCBI arrest records cost $15 per name and are fingerprint-based, making them one of the most reliable local criminal history sources in Raleigh.
Wake County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from Raleigh are filed in Wake County courts. The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court is at 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh NC 27601. Court records are public under NCGS 132-1. You can view criminal case files, look up charges, and check case outcomes. The clerk handles both district and superior court criminal cases from Raleigh.
The North Carolina eCourts portal lets you search Wake County criminal cases online for free. Type in a name and the system shows all matching cases. Each result lists the charges, court dates, and final outcome. This is a fast way to check criminal history tied to Raleigh courts without leaving home. For certified copies, you still need to contact the clerk.
Criminal case records from the clerk include:
- All charges filed against the person
- Court dates and hearing results
- Guilty pleas, convictions, and acquittals
- Sentencing details and probation terms
- Case dismissals and deferred prosecutions
These records cover all criminal cases heard in Raleigh courts. The clerk keeps files going back many years. Older records may take longer to retrieve. For recent cases, the eCourts portal at nccourts.gov is the fastest option for criminal history searches in Raleigh.
Raleigh Police Reports and Crash Records
Police reports from Raleigh document specific incidents. They are not the same as a criminal history. A police report covers one event. A criminal history covers all of a person's arrests and court cases. Both are public records in Raleigh under North Carolina law.
To get a police report, contact the RPD records division at 919-996-3100. You need the report number, date, or names of the people involved. Reports are available in person or by request. Crash reports are handled separately and can be found online at crash.raleighpd.org. These are free at the counter. The crash report system is quick and simple. Enter the date and location to find your report from Raleigh.
Note: Crash reports are separate from criminal history records, but DWI and hit-and-run crashes may also appear in criminal case files in Raleigh.
State Criminal History Checks in Raleigh
Because Raleigh is the state capital, residents have easy access to state-level criminal history resources. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at ncsbi.gov runs the statewide criminal history database under NCGS 114-19. This database covers all 100 counties. A state check shows arrests and convictions from anywhere in North Carolina, not just Raleigh or Wake County.
The SBI offers criminal history checks for a fee. These are broader than local checks. If someone was arrested in Raleigh and also in another county, both will show on a state report. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety also maintains an offender search at their offender lookup page. This shows people who served or are serving time in state prison, including those convicted of felonies in Raleigh.
For the most thorough criminal history search on someone in Raleigh, run both a local CCBI check and a state SBI check. The local check catches everything processed through Wake County. The state check catches charges from other parts of North Carolina. Together, they give a complete criminal history picture for Raleigh.
Criminal History Expungement in Raleigh
North Carolina law allows some criminal records to be expunged. The rules are in NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. Expungement removes a record from public view. Dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and certain first-time convictions may qualify. The process starts at the Wake County Clerk of Court in Raleigh.
You file a petition for expungement with the clerk. The court reviews the case. If approved, the criminal history entry is sealed. It will not appear on most public searches in Raleigh. Law enforcement can still see expunged records in narrow cases. The NC Judicial Branch forms page has all the paperwork you need. Legal Aid of North Carolina can help people who cannot afford an attorney with the expungement process in Raleigh.
Raleigh Criminal Records and State Law
Criminal history records in Raleigh are governed by North Carolina public records law. NCGS 132-1 makes most government records open to the public. You do not need a reason to request criminal records. Agencies must respond promptly. NCGS 132-6.2 allows them to charge a reasonable fee for copies. These laws apply to every office that holds criminal history records in Raleigh.
Some records are not public. Sealed cases, expunged records, and juvenile criminal history files are restricted under state law. Active investigation files may also be withheld until the case is closed. If an agency denies your request for criminal records in Raleigh, they must cite the specific law that allows the denial. You can challenge a denial through the courts if you believe the records should be public.
Note: Juvenile criminal history records in Raleigh are confidential under North Carolina law and cannot be accessed through standard public records requests.
Wake County Criminal History
Raleigh is the county seat of Wake County. All criminal cases filed in Raleigh go through Wake County courts. The CCBI, clerk of court, and sheriff all serve the broader county. For more details on county-wide criminal history resources, fees, and office locations, visit the full Wake County page.