Orange County Criminal History Access
Orange County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The county is in Judicial District 18. Orange County is home to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina. The clerk keeps files for all criminal cases heard in Orange County courts. You can search records by name or case number. The county has three court locations. Criminal history records are open to the public under state law. Requests can be made in person or through state systems.
Orange County Criminal History at the Courthouse
The Clerk of Superior Court in Orange County handles all criminal case files. The main courthouse is in Hillsborough. Orange County also has a courthouse in Chapel Hill. The Historical Courthouse in Hillsborough is a third location. Each site serves different court functions. For criminal history searches, start at the main Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough.
You can visit the clerk's office to search criminal records. Staff can pull case files and make copies. Certified copies cost $25 in Orange County. Bring a valid ID when you go. The office is open on weekdays. Walk-in requests are welcome for criminal history searches. Mailed requests take a few business days. Under NCGS § 132-1, court records in Orange County are public. Anyone can ask to view them.
Orange County also has an Estates Office. That office handles estates, not criminal records. The Estates Office requires appointments and does not take walk-ins. Its phone number is 919-644-4570. For criminal history, go to the main clerk's office.
The image above shows the Orange County court where criminal history records are kept and made available to the public.
| Court |
Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough Chapel Hill Courthouse Judicial District 18 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/orange-county |
How to Search Orange County Criminal Records
The fastest way to search for criminal history in Orange County is the North Carolina eCourts portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or number. It covers all counties. You can see charges, dates, and outcomes. It does not provide certified copies. It does give basic facts fast.
For a full search, go to the clerk in person. Visit the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough. Ask at the window for a criminal record search. Give a full name. Staff will pull matching cases. You can view the files. Copies are available for a fee. The first page costs more. Each page after that is $0.25. Certified copies cost extra. Pay by check or money order to the Orange County Clerk's Office.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs criminal history checks statewide. Under NCGS § 114-19, the fee is $25. You submit a form and fingerprints. Results come from all 100 counties. This is a good choice if you need records from Orange County and other places.
Note: Online search results may not include expunged or sealed records from Orange County. Always check with the clerk for the most complete search.
Orange County Court Locations
Orange County has three court buildings. The main courthouse is in Hillsborough. This is where the Clerk of Superior Court has the primary office. Most criminal history files are here. Superior court cases are heard at this location. The building is in the center of Hillsborough.
The Chapel Hill Courthouse handles some district court matters. It serves the southern part of Orange County. If a criminal case was heard in Chapel Hill, the file may be at that location. You can ask the clerk which building holds the record you need.
The Historical Courthouse is also in Hillsborough. It is used for some court functions. Not all services are at every building. For criminal history searches, the main courthouse in Hillsborough is the best starting point. Staff there can direct you to the right place if the file is at another Orange County location.
Criminal History Record Types in Orange County
Criminal history files in Orange County contain many documents. Each case starts with charges. It grows as the case moves through court. The clerk keeps all papers on file. You can ask to see any part of a case that is not sealed or expunged.
A typical file in Orange County includes:
- Arrest warrants or citations
- Charges from the district attorney
- Court orders and motions
- Trial results or plea agreements
- Sentencing details
- Probation terms
Some records in Orange County may have been expunged under NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. An expunged record is removed from public view. The clerk cannot show it. If you cannot find a record you expect, it may have been cleared by a judge. The NC Courts expunction page has details.
State Tools for Orange County Records
The NC Offender Search lets you look up people in the state prison system. It is free. It shows current and past inmates, including those convicted in Orange County. You can search by name or offender number.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety runs that tool. It also oversees probation and parole. If someone was placed on supervision after a conviction in Orange County, that may appear in DPS records. The NC Courts records help page explains how to get court files from any county in North Carolina.
The Orange County Sheriff also keeps arrest records. These are separate from the court files. If you need arrest details that did not result in a court case, contact the sheriff's office. Arrest logs may show dates, charges, and booking data for events in Orange County.
Note: State databases update on their own schedule. A recent case in Orange County may not appear online right away. Call the clerk for the most current information.
Orange County Criminal History Legal Aid
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Orange County residents who qualify based on income. They help with expunction petitions and record matters. Call their helpline to ask about services in Orange County.
Expunction is the legal process to clear a criminal record. If you were found not guilty, had charges dismissed, or completed a first-offense program, you may qualify. The rules are in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. The clerk in Orange County has the forms. You file them at the courthouse in Hillsborough. A judge must approve the request.
The NC Courts forms page has all the papers. Download and print at no cost. Fill them out and file at the Orange County clerk's office. The Chapel Hill area also has private attorneys who handle criminal record matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Orange County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. If you are not sure which county holds the record you need, check the address of the incident.