Pender County Criminal History Lookup
Pender County criminal history records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Burgaw, North Carolina. Elizabeth Craver is the clerk. The courthouse is on South Wright Street. Pender County lies between Wilmington and Jacksonville along the coast. Burgaw is the county seat. You can search criminal records by name or case number. Records are public under state law. The clerk's office assists with record requests on weekdays.
Pender County Clerk of Superior Court
Elizabeth Craver serves as Clerk of Superior Court in Pender County. The office is at 100 S Wright St, Burgaw, NC 28425. The mailing address is PO Box 310, Burgaw, NC 28425. The phone number is (910) 663-3900. The clerk handles all criminal case files for the county.
You can visit the courthouse during business hours. Ask for a criminal history search. Give a full name. Staff will look for cases. You can view files at the clerk's office. Copies are available. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 each. A statewide criminal history check through the state system is $25. Under NCGS § 132-1, criminal court records in Pender County are public. Anyone may ask to view them.
Pender County is a growing area. The eastern part of the county includes beach towns like Topsail and Surf City. The courthouse in Burgaw serves the whole county. All criminal cases go through this location. Staff handle both in-person and mail requests.
The image above shows the Pender County court where criminal history records are stored.
| Court |
Pender County Clerk of Superior Court 100 S Wright St Burgaw, NC 28425 PO Box 310 Phone: (910) 663-3900 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/pender-county |
How to Search Pender County Criminal Records
The North Carolina eCourts portal is the fastest way to search criminal history in Pender County. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or number. It covers all counties. You see charges, dates, and outcomes. It does not give certified copies. It does provide basic facts fast.
For a full search, visit the clerk in Burgaw. Go to 100 S Wright St. Ask at the window for a criminal record search. Staff pull files that match. You can view them. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5. Pay by check or money order to the Pender County Clerk's Office.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs statewide criminal history checks. Under NCGS § 114-19, the fee is $25. Submit a form and fingerprints. Results come from all 100 counties. This is a good option if you need records from Pender County and elsewhere at the same time.
Note: Online search results may not include sealed or expunged records from Pender County. Always verify with the clerk for a complete search.
Pender County Criminal History Fees
Pender County charges fees set by state guidelines under NCGS § 132-6.2. Plain copies of criminal records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 each. A statewide criminal history background check through the SBI costs $25. The clerk collects fees at the time of the request.
You can view records at the courthouse in Burgaw at no charge. Fees apply only when you need copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature. They are required for most legal uses. Plain copies work for personal review. Call (910) 663-3900 to confirm payment methods before you visit Pender County.
The Pender County Sheriff can also be reached at (910) 259-1212 for arrest record questions. Sheriff records are separate from court files at the clerk's office.
Criminal Record Types in Pender County
Criminal history files in Pender County hold many types of documents. Each case starts with the charges and grows over time. The clerk keeps all papers on file. You can view any part that is not sealed or expunged.
A criminal case file in Pender County may include:
- Arrest warrants or citations
- Charges from the district attorney
- Motions and court orders
- Plea deals or trial verdicts
- Sentencing and probation terms
- Appeals and post-conviction filings
Some records in Pender 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 a record you expect to find is missing, a judge may have cleared it. The NC Courts expunction page explains the process in detail.
State Criminal History Tools
State tools help you find criminal history records from Pender County. The NC Offender Search is free. It shows people in the state prison system. It includes those convicted in Pender County. Search by name or offender number.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety runs the offender search and oversees probation and parole. If someone was placed on community supervision after a Pender County conviction, DPS records may show it. The NC Courts records page explains how to get court files from any county in North Carolina.
The Pender County Sheriff also keeps arrest records at (910) 259-1212. These are not the same as court files. If you need details on an arrest that did not result in a court case, the sheriff's office is the right place to ask. Arrest logs show dates, charges, and booking information for events in Pender County.
Legal Aid for Pender County Records
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Pender County residents who qualify based on income. They help with expunction petitions, record issues, and other legal needs. Call their helpline to ask about services in Pender County.
Expunction clears a criminal record in North Carolina. If charges were dropped, you were found not guilty, or you finished a first-offense program, you may qualify. Rules are in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. The Pender County clerk has the forms. File them at the courthouse in Burgaw. A judge must approve the request before the record is removed from Pender County criminal history files.
The NC Courts forms page has all the papers you need. Download and print at no cost. Complete the forms and file them at the Pender County clerk's office on South Wright Street in Burgaw.
Note: North Carolina has expanded expunction options in recent years. Check the current text of NCGS § 15A-145.5 to see if you now qualify.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pender County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. If you are not sure which county holds the record, check the address of the incident.