Brunswick County Criminal Records Access

Brunswick County criminal records are kept at the courthouse in Bolivia, North Carolina. One of the fastest-growing counties in the state, Brunswick County sits along the southeastern coast near Wilmington. The Clerk of Superior Court in Judicial District 15 manages all criminal case filings. The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and Register of Deeds also hold records tied to criminal matters. This guide shows how to search and obtain criminal records in Brunswick County.

Brunswick County Criminal Court Records

The Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court is at 310 Government Center Drive NE in Bolivia, NC 28422. Call (910) 253-3900 for questions about criminal records. This office stores all felony and misdemeanor case files for Brunswick County. The courthouse serves the entire county, including beach communities like Southport, Oak Island, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach.

The NC Judicial Branch page has details about the Brunswick County courthouse.

Visit nccourts.gov/locations/brunswick-county for court schedules and judge assignments in Brunswick County.

Criminal records in Brunswick County are open to the public under N.C.G.S. 132-1. Walk into the clerk's office and ask to view a file. Staff search by name or case number. You do not need to be a party in the case to see the records. Copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies of Brunswick County criminal records carry an additional charge.

Brunswick County has seen rapid population growth in recent years. This means the court system handles a growing number of criminal cases. Wait times at the clerk's office may be longer than in smaller counties.

Note: Brunswick County's courthouse in Bolivia is inland from the coast, so plan your trip accordingly if you live in one of the beach towns.

Online Brunswick County Criminal Records Search

The NC eCourts portal provides online access to criminal records from Brunswick County. You can search by defendant name or case number. The results show charges, court dates, and case status. This tool is free for basic searches.

The Brunswick County court records page has local information about accessing case data.

Go to nccourtaccess.org/brunswick-county for details on searching Brunswick County criminal records online.

Online searches work well for recent criminal cases in Brunswick County. Older records may not be in the digital system. If you cannot find what you need online, contact the clerk's office. They can search paper records that predate the electronic system. Brunswick County criminal records going back many years are on file at the courthouse.

Brunswick County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is at 70 Stamp Act Drive NE in Bolivia, NC 28422. The phone number is (910) 253-2777. The sheriff handles law enforcement across Brunswick County and creates arrest records each time a person is booked. These records list the person's name, charges, arrest date, and bond amount.

You can request arrest records from the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office in person, by mail, or by phone. Records are public under North Carolina law. Some records tied to ongoing investigations may have restrictions per N.C.G.S. 132-1.4. Once a case is charged and moves to court, the arrest records become part of the public court file in Brunswick County.

Check the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website for services and contact information for the Brunswick County Sheriff.

Brunswick County Register of Deeds

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds records property documents, liens, and judgments. Criminal cases in Brunswick County sometimes result in court-ordered fines or restitution that create liens on property. These liens are filed with the Register of Deeds. While this office does not hold criminal case files, it can be a useful source for tracking the financial impact of a criminal judgment.

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds office provides online tools for records searches.

Visit brunswickcountync.gov/register-of-deeds for property and lien records in Brunswick County.

Statewide Criminal History Checks

A Brunswick County criminal records search only covers local cases. The North Carolina SBI runs statewide criminal history checks using fingerprints. This search pulls records from all 100 counties, providing a broader view than a single county search.

Under N.C.G.S. 15A-145.5, some criminal records in Brunswick County may be expunged. Expunged records do not appear in public searches. The clerk's office at the Brunswick County courthouse can tell you whether a particular record has been removed from public access.

The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry is also free to search. It lists registered offenders in Brunswick County and throughout the state.

Note: Brunswick County has multiple police departments in its towns, but all criminal cases are filed at the county courthouse in Bolivia.

Brunswick County Criminal Records Access Rights

Criminal records in Brunswick County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act. The law applies to all government records held by county offices. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1, government records belong to the people. Anyone can request to view criminal case files at the Brunswick County clerk's office without giving a reason. Viewing is free. Copies cost a per-page fee.

The NC Department of Administration provides guidance on public records requests if you encounter issues accessing criminal records from any Brunswick County office. Contact them for assistance with disputes.

Nearby Counties

Brunswick County is in the far southeastern corner of North Carolina. Criminal records from neighboring counties are held at their own courthouses.