What are Columbus County Arrest Records?
Columbus County arrest records are official documents that provide detailed information on the frequency of arrests, following criminal activity, executed in the county. It provides data on the number of arrest warrants issued and alleged offenders or arrested persons. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records for the county. To request arrest records, interested individuals should visit:
Columbus County Sheriff’s Office
805 Washington Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone Number: (910) 642-6551
Fax: (910) 642-4321
Arrest records suggest that a person has been taken into custody as part of an active investigation. They do not provide conclusive evidence of a person’s involvement in the alleged crime. Hence, arrest records should not be used as a substitute for criminal history information.
Crime Statistics
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) compiles an annual report of crime statistics for all counties in the state. In 2017, Columbus County reported a total number of 1,130 crimes, including 117 violent crimes and 1,013 property crimes. The violent crimes reported include 4 murders, 7 rapes, 15 robberies, and 91 aggravated assaults. Whereas property crimes reported include 547 burglaries, 398 larcenies, and 68 motor vehicle thefts. The crime statistics of Columbus County in 2017 shows a significant decline in the total number of crimes reported in the county over a 5-year period. Between 2013 and 2017, there was a decline in 6 out of 7 major crimes. The crime rates of murder, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft declined by 20%, 22%, 29%, 33%, 28%, and 27% respectively. There was however an increase in aggravated assaults by 5%.
What are Columbus County Criminal Records?
Columbus County criminal records are official files documenting an individual’s criminal activity within the boundary limits of the county. Columbus County criminal records can be obtained at the county’s courthouse and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The state law enforcement agency acts as the central system for criminal information for the state.
How Do I Get Columbus County Criminal Records?
Criminal records are maintained by the Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court. They possess uncertified and certified copies of criminal records. Uncertified copies are free and can be obtained by interested individuals by using the public self-service terminal at the Columbus County Superior and District Courthouse, located at:
Superior and District Courthouse 1
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
Superior and District Courthouse 2
112 West Smith Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
They can also be obtained by using the public access computers available at the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office. A requester may be required to pay the printing cost of the hard copies made. The location of the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office is:
Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4400
The Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court also processes certified copies of criminal records. This criminal record check is name-based only. A requester interested in obtaining criminal records should fill out the AOC-CR-314 form. A valid ID, evidence of payment, and the filled-out form should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4400
A certified copy costs $25. Payment for walk-in requests can be made in cash, credit card, certified checks, or money orders. Payment for mail requests can be through money orders or certified checks.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) carries out fingerprint-based criminal background checks for interested individuals. To use this service, a requester should submit a fingerprint card and a completed AOC-CR-314 form in person or via mail to:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Applicant Unit - Right to Review
P.O. Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Each request costs $14. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office provides fingerprint services for interested persons at $10. Fingerprint appointments are processed from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Interested individuals should use the fingerprint application portal to make appointments.
How to Find Columbus County Sex Offender Information
Sex offender information of the state of North Carolina is administered by the SBI. This information is uploaded to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, which is accessible to members of the public. Columbus County residents can use this registry to locate sex offenders in the county or in their neighborhood. Searches can be conducted with the sex offender’s name, age, zip code, city, or county. The address, sex registration number, or latitude and longitude can also be used. Residents of the county may sign up to receive email alerts on sex offender information, particularly when a sex offender relocates to a place around them.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Columbus County Jail?
The Detention Division of the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office runs the operation of the county’s jail. This jail facility is located at:
805 Washington Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Visitation of an inmate in the facility is from 3:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Visitation time is for 120 minutes. The visitation days and schedule include:
- Monday: Inmates with last names from A to F
- Tuesday: Inmates with last names from G to L
- Wednesday: Inmates with last names from M to R
- Thursday: Inmates with last names from S to Z
Friends and family that intend to deposit money in an inmate’s account can do this at the kiosk in the Detention Center Lobby. It should be noted that personal checks are not accepted. For more information on call (910) 642-6551.
Where And How To Find Columbus County Inmate Information
The Detention Division maintains a regularly updated in custody report, providing information on inmates currently incarcerated in the jail facility. This report can be used by residents to look up current inmates.
What are Columbus County Court Records?
Columbus County court records are public records that can be obtained by interested individuals. The Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court maintains the court records of the Superior Court and District Court. Court records can be obtained by interested individuals by submitting a written request in person or via mail to:
Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4400
Location of all Courts in Columbus County
The Columbus County trial system consists of two Superior Courts and two District Courts. The addresses and contact information of these courts are below:
Superior Courts in Columbus County
Columbus County Superior Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 641-4400
Fax: (910) 641-4401
Columbus County Superior Court
112 West Smith Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 641-3000
Columbus County District Courts
Columbus County District Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 641-4400
Fax: (910) 641-4401
Columbus County District Court
112 West Smith Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: (910) 641-3000
What are Columbus County Vital Records
Columbus County vital records are documents that record vital events that occurred within the boundaries of the county. These vital events include births, deaths, divorces, and marriages. The administration of these vital records is largely county-based. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court and the Columbus County Register of Deeds Office manages birth, death, and marriage records. Vital records can also be obtained at the state level from the North Carolina Department of Public Health.
Where And How To Get Columbus County Divorce Records
The Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court maintains the divorce records of the county. Requests for divorce records can be made by submitting a written request with the following information:
- Full names of the divorced parties
- The date of divorce
- Case number of the divorce
The written request, a copy of a valid ID, and payment should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Columbus County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Courthouse Circle
P.O. Box 1587
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 641-4400
Divorce records can also be obtained from the North Carolina Department of Public Health. Interested individuals should fill out the Application for North Carolina Death, Marriage or Divorce Record. A walk-in request can be made with the filled-out form, payment, a state-approved form of ID, and proof of relationship with the record bearer or court order to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
The documents can be sent via mail to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Where And How To Get Columbus County Marriage Records
Columbus County marriage records are managed by the Register of Deeds Office. Requests for marriage records can be made via mail or in person. To obtain this record, a written request should be made with the following information:
- The name of a married couple
- The date of the marriage
The written request should be submitted via mail or in person to:
Columbus County Register of Deeds Office
125 Washington Street, Suite B
P.O. Box 1086
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 640-6625
Each certified copy of a marriage record requested costs $10, while uncertified copies cost 25 cents each.
Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the North Carolina Department of Public Health. This state department maintains marriage records from 1962 to date on a statewide basis. Interested individuals can make requests by filling out the Application for North Carolina Death, Marriage or Divorce Record. The filled-out form, payment, a state-approved form of ID, and proof of relationship with the record bearer or court order should be submitted it in person to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Or via mail to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Where and How to Get Columbus County Birth Records
The Columbus County Register of Deeds Office processes birth records for interested eligible individuals. This record can be obtained via mail only. Interested individuals should complete the Birth/Death Record form. The completed form, along with payment and a copy of a photo identification should be mailed to:
Columbus County Register of Deeds
P. O. Box 1086
Whiteville, N.C. 28472
A certified copy of a birth record costs $10, while an uncertified copy costs 25 cents. Payment can be made through a money order made payable to “Columbus County Register of Deeds”. For more information, call the Register of Deeds Office (910)640-6625.
The North Carolina Department of Public Health manages birth records from 1962 to date of the state. To obtain this record, a requester should complete the Application for a copy of a North Carolina Birth Certificate. The completed form, along with payment, a state-approved form of ID, and proof of relationship with the record bearer or court order, should be submitted in person to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Mail-in requests should be sent to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Where and How to Get Columbus County Death Records
The Register of Deeds administers the recording and documentation of deaths in Columbus County. Requests for death records can be made via mail. Persons interested in obtaining this record should fill out the Birth/Death Record form. Payment, a copy of photo identification, and the filled-out form should be mailed to:
Columbus County Register of Deeds
P. O. Box 1086
Whiteville, N.C. 28472
Death records from 1930 to date are in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Public Health for the state. Requests for death records can be made by filling out the Application for North Carolina Death, Marriage or Divorce Record. The filled-out form, payment, a state-approved form of ID, and proof of relationship with the record bearer or court order should be submitted together in person or via mail to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
The mailing address is:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
