North Carolina Arrest Records Search

Mountains-to-coast records route

North Carolina Criminal Records, County Jail and Court Lookup

Start with the county sheriff for a recent arrest or current jail stay, use statewide eCourts Portal for the filed criminal case, choose the SBI when you need an official North Carolina criminal-history review, and use NCDAC for state-prison, probation or parole information. This guide shows which system to open, what to enter and what to do when no result appears.

Open NC eCourts Services Search State Offenders Find County Jail Records

Recent arrests County inmates Booking records eCourts cases Background checks Bond Public defenders State prison Expunction

Important: An arrest, jail entry or charge is not a conviction. Match the person carefully and read the court disposition before drawing a conclusion.

Fast statewide answer

Use a Different North Carolina System for Each Record

Recent arrest or local jail

Search the sheriff or detention center in the county that made or received the arrest.

Court case

eCourts Portal now provides online court-record access across all 100 North Carolina counties.

State criminal history

The SBI provides fingerprint-based personal Right to Review and other authorised background-check routes.

State prison or supervision

NCDAC searches prison offenders, probationers and parolees; it does not include county-jail inmates.

Someone was arrested today?

Confirm the arresting police or sheriff’s agency, identify the county detention center, allow time for transport and booking, search using the surname, then save the booking number, charges, bond and court information. Call the county jail when the arrest is too recent to appear online.

Payment scam warning: Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or app payments because a caller claims that a bond, warrant or missed-jury matter must be paid immediately. Verify the person, charge and payment route directly with the county jail or Clerk of Superior Court.

Private browser helper

North Carolina Arrest Record Task Finder

Select the result you need. This tool runs only in your browser and does not request a name, birth date, booking number or case number.

What are you trying to find?

Choose correctly

Which North Carolina Record Answers Your Question?

COUNTY JAIL Is someone currently detained?

Use the sheriff or detention center in the county where the person was booked.

COURT CASE Were charges filed or resolved?

Use eCourts Portal or a courthouse public terminal to review the filed case and disposition.

PERSONAL HISTORY Need your own SBI record?

Use the fingerprint-based Right to Review process rather than a mugshot or jail directory.

STATE PRISON Was the person transferred?

Use NCDAC Offender Search for prison custody, probation, parole and historical correctional information.

VICTIM ALERT Need release notifications?

SEX OFFENDER Need registry information?

Use the separate SBI Sex Offender Registry. An ordinary arrest search is not a registry search.

Local custody

How to Search North Carolina County Jail and Booking Records

North Carolina does not use one universal statewide county-jail database. Each sheriff or detention center controls its current inmate and recent-booking information.

Identify the arresting county Use the arresting agency, city, roadway or booking paperwork. A home address does not necessarily identify the jail.

Open the official sheriff or county website Look for Inmate Inquiry, Resident Inquiry, Detention Center, Recent Arrests or Active Inmate Lookup.

Search the surname first Use fewer fields when the exact spelling, middle name or suffix is uncertain.

Compare several identity details Check the complete name, age, photograph, booking date, arresting agency, inmate number and charges.

Save the booking and case numbers These identifiers are more reliable than a common name when checking bond, court or release status.

Call the jail after a very recent arrest Transport, medical screening, fingerprinting and data entry may occur before the public record appears.

Search tip: If the full name fails, try only the surname, remove hyphens and suffixes, and check nearby counties when an arrest occurred close to a county line.

Examples of official North Carolina county inmate resources
County	Official starting page	Useful feature	Contact or next step
Mecklenburg	Resident Inquiry	Arrest and resident information can remain available for three years from arrest or release.	Information line: 704-336-8100. Detention and arrest processing operate continuously.
Guilford	Inmate Search	Search current inmates and use the county detention page for recent arrests, visitation, mail and accounts.	Open detention-center information.
Forsyth	Law Enforcement Detention Center	The page routes users to inmate inquiry, visitation, commissary and telephone services.	Detention Center: 336-917-7600.
Cumberland	Sheriff’s Office	The sheriff portal links to Active Inmate Lookup and detention services.	Non-emergency Sheriff line: 910-323-1500.

County rules are not interchangeable. Do not use Mecklenburg visitation, mail, phone or deposit instructions for a person held in Guilford, Wake, Forsyth or another county.

Identity safety

Confirm That the Arrest Record Belongs to the Correct Person

Match the complete legal name.

Compare age or date of birth.

Review the booking photograph carefully.

Confirm the arresting county and agency.

Check the arrest and booking dates.

Use the inmate or booking identifier.

Compare the eCourts case number.

Check aliases, former surnames and suffixes.

Do not identify someone publicly from a name-only result. Common names, spelling differences and similar ages can connect an unrelated person to the wrong arrest.

Statewide court search

How to Search North Carolina Criminal Court Records Online

eCourts Portal now provides online court information across all 100 counties. Use the county jail record to find the correct name, county and case number before searching.

County arrest

Booking record

Initial appearance

eCourts filing

Hearings

Disposition

Open the Judicial Branch Services page Choose Portal under the online services section. Open North Carolina court services

Search by case number when available Copy the number from the jail record, citation, bond paperwork or court notice.

Use the legal name and county when needed Start with fewer fields and compare the filing date, case type, charges and party information.

Open the case details Review the court location, docket events, hearings, attorney, bond entries, charge history and disposition.

Search hearing information separately Portal resources allow users to search hearings by case number or party information where available.

Contact the county Clerk of Superior Court Use the county directory when a record is unavailable, restricted, older, unclear or needed in certified form. Find a North Carolina courthouse

Read beyond the first charge

The arresting charge can be amended, dismissed, consolidated or replaced after prosecutors review the case. Open the full docket and final disposition rather than relying on the wording shown at booking.

Free courthouse search option: Public access computers at a Clerk of Superior Court office can be used to search non-certified criminal records for yourself or another person. Printing charges may apply.

Case language

How to Read a North Carolina Criminal Case Result

Common North Carolina case terms in practical language
Term or field	General meaning	What it does not prove	What to check next
Pending	The matter has not reached a final recorded outcome.	That the original charge will remain unchanged.	Next hearing, bond, attorney and filed counts.
Dismissed	The court record reflects dismissal of the case or charge.	Automatic removal from jail, SBI or private websites.	Certified disposition and expunction eligibility.
Guilty	The record reflects a guilty plea or finding.	The complete sentence or current custody status.	Judgment, sentence, probation and appeal entries.
Responsible	A determination commonly used in infraction matters.	A criminal conviction in every context.	Case type, sanction and payment status.
Failure to appear	The record may show that a required court appearance was missed.	That an online payment alone resolves a warrant or order.	Clerk, court date, attorney and warrant information.
Disposed	The case reached a recorded procedural result.	That every count had the same outcome.	Each individual count and final judgment.

Official record checks

North Carolina Criminal Background Check Options

A jail search, eCourts name search and SBI fingerprint review answer different questions. Choose the method that matches the reason you need the record.

Compare North Carolina criminal-record search methods
Method	Best use	What it covers	Important limitation
County inmate search	Recent arrest and current local custody.	That county’s jail or detention system.	Not a statewide criminal background check.
eCourts Portal	Public court-case research by name, case number, attorney or other available criteria.	Court information across all 100 counties.	Public access may exclude sealed, confidential or restricted information.
Courthouse terminal	Self-service non-certified county or statewide court-record search.	Available public criminal court records.	Printing may cost extra; this is not a certified report.
SBI Right to Review	Requesting your own fingerprint-based North Carolina criminal-history record.	North Carolina state criminal-history repository.	Fingerprinting, form, fee and identity requirements apply.
NCDAC offender search	State prison, probation, parole and correctional history.	NCDAC data, including historical records dating back to 1972.	County-jail inmates are not included.

How to request your SBI Right to Review

Open the SBI Personal Review page Read the current fingerprint, form, fee and mailing instructions. Open SBI Personal Review

Arrange fingerprints Contact a local law-enforcement agency or approved fingerprinting provider and confirm the required fingerprint-card format.

Complete the Right to Review form Enter the legal identity information exactly and sign where required.

Prepare the current fee The official SBI page currently lists a $14 fee. Confirm the accepted payment type before mailing.

Send the complete request Include the form, fingerprint card and payment using the current SBI mailing instructions.

Review and challenge errors through the official route Follow the response instructions if identity or disposition information appears inaccurate.

SBI Criminal Information and Identification Customer Service:
3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
919-582-8660

Release and bonds

How to Check Bond After a North Carolina Arrest

Bond information usually begins with the county jail record or court paperwork. The amount and permitted bond type can change after a judge reviews the case.

Open the county inmate record Read every charge, bond amount, hold and court reference.

Call the detention center when the display is unclear Ask whether every charge is bondable and whether another county, state or federal hold applies.

Confirm the authorised payment method County facilities can differ on cash, certified funds, clerk payment, electronic payment and surety procedures.

Use the Judicial Branch bondsman directory Select the county to find bondsmen or sureties currently shown as active for that county. Find an authorised bail bondsman

Read the written agreement Confirm the premium, collateral, cosigner duties, court-appearance conditions and forfeiture terms.

Expect release processing after payment Payment does not bypass warrant checks, holds, identification, paperwork, medical clearance or facility release procedures.

Do not assume the first amount is the total release requirement. Multiple charges, probation matters, failure-to-appear orders and outside-agency holds can affect release.

Representation

North Carolina Public Defender and Criminal Lawyer Help

Office of Indigent Defense Services

Use the official directory to find Public Defender offices and the indigent appointment plan that applies in the county where the charge is pending.

Open Indigent Defense Services

North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service

The North Carolina Bar Association currently lists a $50 fee for an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes with a participating referral lawyer.

Request a lawyer referral

Verify a lawyer

Use North Carolina State Bar guidance and directory resources to confirm the lawyer’s status and contact details before paying.

Open State Bar lawyer guidance

Use the county where the criminal case is pending.

Have the case and booking numbers ready.

Ask whether counsel has already been appointed.

Request a written private-attorney fee agreement.

Ask who handles bond, trial and expunction work.

Avoid guaranteed release or outcome promises.

Appointment is a court decision: Completing an application or speaking with an indigent-defense office does not by itself mean that representation has been approved.

State correctional records

How to Search North Carolina State Prison, Probation and Parole Records

Use NCDAC Offender Search when the person may be in state prison, under probation or parole supervision, released from state custody or included in historical correctional records.

Open the official NCDAC search gateway Select Offender Public Information Search or Offender Locator. Open NCDAC offender searches

Use the offender ID when available A unique identifier reduces the risk of selecting a person with a similar name.

Search by surname when no ID is known Add the first name, age or other filters only when the result list is too broad.

Open the detail record Compare the legal name, offender ID, status, facility or supervision information and release data.

Use the facility directory for contact information Find the current prison address, telephone, visitation, mail and legal-visit instructions. Find a prison facility

Return to the county jail when the arrest is recent NCDAC does not include people held only in county detention centers.

NCDAC contact numbers:
Main: 919-733-2126
Prisons and institutions: 919-838-4000
Community supervision: 919-716-3100

Family contact

North Carolina Jail and State-Prison Visitation, Phone, Money and Mail

First determine whether the person is in a county jail or an NCDAC prison. The provider, schedule, mailing address and approval rules will be different.

County jail versus North Carolina state-prison services
Task	County jail	NCDAC state prison	Before acting
Visitation	Use the specific sheriff or detention-center rules and schedule.	Visits are by appointment; contact the prison and confirm status the day before.	Confirm current facility, visitor approval, ID, clothing and arrival time.
Telephone	Use the provider listed by that county.	Use the NCDAC telephone and tablet service instructions.	Confirm account type, number approval and fees.
Money	Use the county’s approved deposit provider or lobby kiosk.	Use the NCDAC Send Money page and its current ViaPath options or money-order route.	Verify the correct person, ID and facility.
Personal mail	Follow the county’s direct or off-site mail-processing address.	Most personal mail is processed through TextBehind and delivered electronically.	Do not send legal mail, money or packages through the wrong address.

NCDAC prison visitation

Visits are by appointment. Contact the current prison and call the day before to confirm that visitation remains available.

Open prison visitation guidance

Send money to a state offender

Use the current web, mobile, phone, walk-in or money-order options published by NCDAC.

Open send-money instructions

State-prison personal mail

Read the TextBehind address format, content rules and digital-delivery process before mailing.

Open offender-mail instructions

Telephone and tablet services

Review account, payment, approved-number, call-length and tablet communication information.

Open telephone and tablet guidance

Victim notification

North Carolina Custody and Release Alerts Through NC SAVAN

NC SAVAN provides automated offender information and notification for county-jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees and registered sex offenders.

24-hour telephone service

Call 1-877-627-2826 to check status, register for notifications or locate victim-assistance resources.

Online registration

Use the link from the official NC SAVAN page to register for available phone, email, text or app notifications.

Open NC SAVAN

Victim Support Services

Call 1-866-719-0108 for NCDAC victim-support assistance.

Safety notice: Automated alerts supplement a personal safety plan. Do not rely on one notification service during an immediate threat or emergency.

Separate registry

North Carolina Sex Offender Registry Is Not an Arrest Search

The SBI Sex Offender Registry is a separate public-safety database for people subject to North Carolina registration requirements. It should not be used as a substitute for a general criminal-record or arrest search.

Search the official registry

Review the acceptable-use notice, then search by name, address or available geographic tools.

Open the NC Sex Offender Registry

Use responsibly

Registry information is provided for public safety. It must not be used to threaten, intimidate, stalk or harass another person.

No result?

Why a North Carolina Arrest or Criminal Record May Be Missing

The booking is too recent

Transport, screening, fingerprinting and data entry may still be underway. Call the county detention center.

The person was released

Some county systems show only current inmates or recent releases. Search eCourts for the criminal case.

The arrest occurred elsewhere

Check the arresting agency and county rather than relying on the person’s residence.

The person entered state custody

Use NCDAC after sentencing or transfer from a county detention center.

The record is sealed or confidential

Juvenile, expunged, sealed and legally restricted information may not appear publicly.

The name was entered differently

Try surname-only searches, aliases, former surnames, initials and alternate spellings.

Search with fewer fields.

Remove punctuation and suffixes.

Confirm the county and arresting agency.

Use a booking or case number.

Allow pop-ups for detail pages.

Use desktop mode for difficult tables.

Search county jail and eCourts separately.

Record the date each source was checked.

Correction and expunction

How to Correct or Expunge a North Carolina Criminal Record

Save the exact record Copy the URL, take a screenshot and record the booking, offender and case identifiers.

Obtain the final court disposition Use eCourts or the Clerk of Superior Court to verify the actual outcome.

Correct the originating agency first Contact the sheriff, police agency, Clerk, SBI or NCDAC office responsible for the disputed field.

Review North Carolina expunction eligibility Eligibility depends on the charge, outcome, age, waiting period, prior record and applicable statute. Open expunction guidance

Use the correct Judicial Branch form Do not select an expunction petition only because its title looks similar. Match the form to the applicable legal category. Search expunction forms

Contact private websites separately After an official correction or expunction order, send the exact page URL and redacted proof through the website’s verified process.

Dismissal is not automatic deletion. A dismissed charge can remain visible until the appropriate official correction or expunction process is completed.

This website’s correction and removal route

Removal from one private page does not alter the county, court, SBI or NCDAC record.

Read the content-removal policy

State contacts and maps

North Carolina Criminal Record Offices and Phone Numbers

Use the office that controls the record
Office	Best use	Address and phone	Before contacting
County sheriff or detention center	Recent arrests, current inmates, bond, visitation, jail calls, deposits and mail.	Varies by county.	Have the legal name, birth date, booking date and inmate number ready.
Clerk of Superior Court	Court cases, certified dispositions, filings, hearings and county courthouse records.	Find county courthouse contacts	Have the county, case number, filing year and legal name ready.
NC SBI Criminal Information and Identification	SBI background checks and personal Right to Review assistance.	3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 919-582-8660	Know which background-check type you need and whether fingerprints are required.
NC Department of Adult Correction	State-prison offenders, facilities, probation, parole and correctional services.	214 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 919-733-2126	Search by offender ID first and contact the specific prison when known.
NC Administrative Office of the Courts	Statewide Judicial Branch administration and online-service routing.	919-890-1000	A specific county case should normally go to that county’s Clerk of Superior Court.

NC SBI

3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

Open directions

NC Department of Adult Correction

214 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Open directions

Call before travelling: State headquarters may not hold the local jail or county court file you need. A booking question normally belongs to the county sheriff, while a certified court record belongs to the county Clerk of Superior Court.

Official resources

Verified North Carolina Arrest and Criminal Record Links

eCourts services Portal and online services

Court-record guidance Obtain court records

Criminal background checks Judicial Branch guidance

Courthouse directory Find county contacts

SBI background checks Open SBI services

SBI personal review Right to Review

NCDAC offender search Prison and supervision records

NC SAVAN Custody notifications

Authorised bondsmen Search by county

Indigent Defense Public defender directory

Expunctions Eligibility and process

Sex offender registry Official SBI registry

Exactly 10 answers

North Carolina Arrest Records FAQs

Is there one statewide North Carolina arrest-record search?

No. Recent arrests and current jail custody are normally searched through the sheriff or detention center in the county where the person was booked. Use eCourts Portal for statewide court cases, the SBI for official criminal-history services and NCDAC for state-prison, probation and parole records.

How do I find someone arrested today in North Carolina?

Identify the arresting agency and county, open that county sheriff or detention-center inmate search and begin with the surname. If no result appears, call the detention center because transport, fingerprinting, medical screening and booking entry may still be underway.

Can I search North Carolina criminal court records online?

Yes. eCourts Portal now provides online court-record access across all 100 North Carolina counties. Search by case number when available or use the legal name and compare the county, filing date, case type, charges and party information.

Does an arrest record mean the person was convicted?

No. An arrest or booking record documents an allegation and detention event. The filed charges can change, and the case may be dismissed, resolved by plea, tried or otherwise disposed. Check the complete eCourts case and final disposition.

How do I obtain my own North Carolina SBI criminal record?

Use the SBI fingerprint-based Right to Review process. Complete the official form, obtain the required fingerprints and submit the current fee and payment type. The SBI page currently lists a $14 fee and provides Customer Service at 919-582-8660.

Does NCDAC Offender Search include county-jail inmates?

No. NCDAC Offender Search covers North Carolina state-prison offenders, probationers, parolees and correctional-history information. A person held only in a county jail must be searched through the responsible county sheriff or detention center.

How do I find bond information after a North Carolina arrest?

Open the county inmate record and review every charge, bond and hold. Call the detention center when anything is unclear. If using a private bondsman, select the county in the North Carolina Judicial Branch authorised bondsman directory and obtain a written fee and collateral agreement.

How can I find a North Carolina Public Defender?

Use the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services directory to find the Public Defender office or appointment plan serving the county where the criminal case is pending. The court determines whether the defendant qualifies for appointed counsel.

How do I register for North Carolina custody notifications?

Use NC SAVAN online or call the 24-hour automated service at 1-877-627-2826. NC SAVAN can provide available notifications for county-jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees and registered sex offenders.

How can a North Carolina arrest record be expunged or corrected?

First obtain the final court disposition and correct any inaccurate sheriff, police, Clerk, SBI or NCDAC record. Review the North Carolina Judicial Branch expunction guidance, choose the form that matches the applicable statute and complete the required court process before requesting updates from private websites.

Official-resource review completed August 1, 2026

This independent guide is not affiliated with the North Carolina Judicial Branch, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, NC SAVAN, any county sheriff, Clerk of Superior Court, North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar or Arrests.org.

Inmate status, court access, background-check fees, bond procedures, visitation, telephone services, money-deposit providers, mailing instructions, office hours and contact details can change. Confirm time-sensitive information through the linked official page or responsible agency.

Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use a jail, court or mugshot record to harass someone or to make employment, housing, credit, insurance or another decision that requires a legally compliant consumer report.