Crime Statistics
The latest annual summary report on crime rates from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was complied in 2018 and reported a total of 2,103 crimes in Burke county. However, the 2017 report recorded only 1954 crimes were documented in the county. A close look at the stats revealed that 155 of the reported crimes were violent crimes comprising 4 murders, 18 rapes, 19 robberies, and 114 aggravated assaults. The remainder were found to be made up of 664 burglaries, 982 larcenies, and 153 motor vehicle thefts, bringing property crimes to 1799.
Total crime rates experienced an overall drop of 13.2% in comparison with those of the year 2013. In that year, 106 violent crimes were experienced in Burke County, specifically 1 murder case (400%), 16 rapes (12.5%), 45 robberies (-57.7%), and 106 aggravated assaults (7.5%). Also, there were 787 burglaries (-15.6%), 1207 larcenies (-18.6%), and 91 motor vehicle thefts (68.1%), bringing property crimes to 2,805.
Criminal Records
Criminal records exist at two levels in the state of North Carolina. First, they are available as court records in counties across the state. Anyone can access criminal court records in Burke County using the self-service terminal located at the court premises. Cases may be searched for using the defendant’s name, case I.D., names of witnesses, and victims involved. To obtain copies, contact the Clerk of court’s office at 201 South Green St. Morganton, NC 28655
The courts are open for inquiries between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on business days. If preferred, requestors may call (828) 433-3200 or send a mail to:
Burke County Courthouse
P.O. Box 796
Morganton, NC 28655
These records also exist as criminal history information. This service is available to individuals who wish to obtain certified criminal history checks for themselves or others. The Burke County Superior Court Clerk is responsible for conducting criminal history checks for members of the county. To start the process, complete the AOC-CR-314 form. Submit by mail along with a money order or certified check payment of $25 to the mailing address above. Walk-in submissions are also accepted as well as other forms of fee payment. Searches are, however, limited to county data.
Another way to obtain criminal history information is to use the self-service computers located at the courthouse. These searches are uncertified but conducted for free, and results may be emailed to self without cost. Printing options attract service charges. Criminal history checks in Burke County are limited to name-based fingerprinting.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) also maintains an online registry of criminal history information using statewide data. It is a self-service that requires the submission of a fingerprint card, a completed AOC-CR-314 form, and a service fee. Although it is uncertified, all residents in the state have a right to access this service.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides information about persons currently serving or have served prison terms, and of persons placed on parole. The Public offender registry is available as a free-to-access online service. The name of the involved party, race, ethnic group, gender, and birth date all required to use this service.
The Records Division of the Office of the Sheriff of Burke County in conjunction with Morganton Department of Public Safety maintains records on accidents and arrest warrants for the county. The Sheriff’s Department is located at Morganton, the county seat. Use the official online resource to make inquiries, or contact the office at:
150 Government Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
Phone: (828) 438-5500
Phone: (828) 764-9513 (Records office)
Fax (828) 764-9543
Residents of Burke County who wish to obtain information about sex offenders have access to the statewide database through the County Sheriff’s Official Website. Alternatively, search directly through the North Carolina Offender Registry. Searches may be based on offenders in the neighborhood, by name, sex registration I.D., or location. Interested persons can also access the National Sex Offender Registry
There is one detention facility in Burke County, located at:
130 Government Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 764-9590
Commonly referred to as the "downtown jail," the Burke County detention facility is about 2 ½ miles from the sheriff’s office. It houses a maximum of 60 inmates who are mostly adult males. The Homewav. application is a self-service that is used to fund an inmate’s account.
Court Records
Court records are, for the most part, public records in North Carolina. Court records are accessible through a Remote Public Access Portal, by submitting a Public Record Request form or visiting the courthouse of interest in Burke County. If a trial transcript is requested, a completed AOC-G-114 form must be submitted at the office of the Clerk of the court where the case was filed.
There is a Superior Court and a District Court each in Burke County. Both are located in the same facility. There is also a Family Court Division within the District Court. Records from cases in these courts are kept in the custody of the Clerk of the Superior Court. Interested persons may access court records by contacting the Clerks of the court for more information using the contact details below:
Burke County Court
201 South Green Street
P.O. Box 796
Morganton NC 28680
Phone: (828)433-3200 (Clerk of the Superior Court)
Phone: (828) 695-6215 (District Judge)
Phone: (828) 433-3215 (Family Court)
Fax: (828) 433-3291 (Family Court)
Vital Records
Vital records refer to state and county registrations regarding marriages, deaths, births, and divorces. The Vital records Unit, Burke County, makes these records accessible to county residents by an online search for birth, death, and marriage records. This service is available at no cost, but certified copies are not issued here. Eligible persons who wish to obtain certified copies can order online at the county’s online birth, death, and marriage certificate application. Alternatively, download and fill out the Mail-In Vital Record Request Form. Enclose a money order or certified check payment of $10 to the county’s Register of Deeds using the address below:
P.O. Box 936
Morganton, NC 28655
201 S Green Street
Morganton, NC 28655
Phone: (828) 764-9340
Fax: (828) 764-9341
Please note that divorce records are available at the office of the Burke County Clerk of court. Call (828) 433-3200 for more information.
Vital record certificates are available at the Vital Records Unit, North Carolina Department of Public Health in the following time brackets: births since 1913, deaths from 1930, marriages from 1962, and divorces since 1958. To start the process, download, fill out, and print the application form. Application forms for birth, death, marriage, and divorce are available in English and Spanish. Enclose a fee payment of $39, and an acceptable form of I.D. Certified copies are issued only to persons who present proof of a relationship with the persons named in the record. Bring along the application and supporting documents to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell St
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Or, mail to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
It takes a maximum of 8 weeks to process a standard order. Fast-track requests attract extra charges. For more inquiries, requesters may call (919) 733-3000.
