Beaufort County Criminal Records Guide
Beaufort County criminal records are stored at the courthouse in Washington, North Carolina. Known as the "Original Washington," this eastern North Carolina county is part of Judicial District 2. The Clerk of Superior Court manages criminal case filings while the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records. Both offices serve as key sources for criminal records in Beaufort County. This page covers how to search, request, and understand these records.
Beaufort County Criminal Court Records
The Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court holds all criminal case records for the county. The courthouse is at 112 W Second Street in Washington, NC 27889. You can reach the clerk's office at (252) 940-4000. This office processes felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for all of Beaufort County.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch website provides official court information for Beaufort County.
Go to nccourts.gov/locations/beaufort-county for court hours and contact details for Beaufort County.
Criminal records in Beaufort County are public under North Carolina's Public Records Act. N.C.G.S. 132-1 states that government records are the property of the people. You can visit the clerk's office and ask to view any adult criminal case file. No appointment is needed. Bring the name of the person or the case number. Staff will pull the file and let you review it.
Beaufort County's courthouse serves a wide area. The county stretches from the Pamlico River south to the rural farmland near Aurora and Belhaven. All criminal cases from these areas are filed at the one courthouse in Washington.
| Court |
Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court 112 W Second Street Washington, NC 27889 Phone: (252) 940-4000 |
|---|---|
| District | Judicial District 2 |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/beaufort-county |
Online Beaufort County Criminal Records Search
You can search Beaufort County criminal records online through the state eCourts system. The NC eCourts portal lets you look up cases by defendant name or case number. Results include the charges, hearing dates, and current status. This covers criminal cases filed in Beaufort County courts.
The Beaufort County court records page offers additional guidance on accessing case data.
Visit nccourtaccess.org/beaufort-county for more on searching Beaufort County criminal records online.
Online results are useful but not complete. Some older Beaufort County criminal records exist only in paper form at the courthouse. The eCourts system is growing and more records are being added. For now, a combination of online and in-person searching gives the best results for Beaufort County criminal records.
Note: Online searches of Beaufort County criminal records are free for basic case information but copies of documents require a request to the clerk.
Beaufort County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office creates arrest records each time a person is booked into custody. The sheriff's office is at 210 Craven Street in Washington, NC 27889. The phone number is (252) 946-7111. Arrest records include the person's name, date of arrest, charges, and bond amount.
Arrest records in Beaufort County are public under North Carolina law. You can go to the sheriff's office and request records in person. Mail and phone requests may also be accepted. The sheriff may charge a copy fee. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, some arrest records tied to active investigations may be partially restricted.
Visit the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office website for contact details and services from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.
| Sheriff |
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office 210 Craven Street Washington, NC 27889 Phone: (252) 946-7111 |
|---|
Beaufort County Related Records
The Beaufort County Register of Deeds keeps property records and liens that sometimes relate to criminal cases. A criminal judgment may lead to a lien on property in Beaufort County. Restitution orders and fines can also result in filings at this office. While the Register of Deeds does not hold criminal records directly, it is a supplementary source.
Check the Beaufort County Register of Deeds website for property and lien records in Beaufort County.
The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry is a free public tool that lists registered offenders in Beaufort County and across the state. You can search by name, address, or zip code. This database is maintained by the SBI and updated on a regular basis.
Note: The Beaufort County Register of Deeds may have judgment liens that connect to criminal cases in the county.
Criminal Record Expunction in Beaufort County
Certain criminal records in Beaufort County can be expunged under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. 15A-145.5 allows people with qualifying nonviolent offenses to petition for expunction after a waiting period. The petition is filed at the Beaufort County courthouse. A judge reviews the request and decides whether to grant it.
Expunged records are removed from the public file in Beaufort County. They will not appear in searches at the clerk's office or through online portals. If you are searching for a criminal record in Beaufort County and cannot find it, it may have been expunged. The clerk's office can confirm whether a record exists.
The North Carolina SBI also handles statewide criminal history checks. These searches pull records from all counties, not just Beaufort County. For a full criminal history, the SBI check is the most complete option. The NC Sex Offender Registry is free and lists registered offenders in Beaufort County and throughout the state. The NC Department of Administration can assist with public records access questions for Beaufort County. Contact them if you encounter issues obtaining records from any Beaufort County office. The courthouse in Washington serves as the central hub for all criminal record requests throughout the county.
Nearby Counties
Beaufort County borders several counties in eastern North Carolina. Criminal cases are filed where the offense occurred, so check neighboring counties if needed.