What are Gaston County Public Records?
Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, Gaston County public records include all documents and records, regardless of physical form, used by any government agency to conduct official business. The law states that persons may request public records from government agencies and may apply to a court of appropriate jurisdiction if denied access. However, the law also states that some records are exempt from public disclosure. These include:
- Trade secrets
- Any information found in North Carolina's Controlled Substances Reporting System
- Any record containing information considered confidential
- Records considered private under federal or state law
- Any information that could threaten the fair administration of justice
- Public security plans
Gaston County Crime Statistics
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) has a Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program that publishes annual summary reports of criminal activity in the state. In 2019, the UCR's report revealed a total of 961 crimes for Gaston County, including 141 violent crimes and 820 property crimes. The reported violent crimes include 1 murder, 17 rape cases, 20 robberies, and 103 aggravated assault incidences. Gaston County property crimes in 2019 include 267 cases of burglary, 105 motor vehicle thefts, and 448 cases of larceny, the most committed crime in the county. There also were 6 cases of arson. Overall, the Gaston County crime rate fell by 18% in 2019.
Are Gaston County Criminal Records Public?
Gaston County criminal records are public in compliance with state law. Persons seeking third-party criminal history information may send requests to the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court. Complete the request form with the name of the person to be searched and information on the requestor, such as a name and address. The request costs $25, payable via a certified check or a money order made out to "Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court". Requestors may also obtain Gaston criminal records in person by visiting the Clerk's Office and paying with cash or credit card from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Send the form or visit using the following information:
Clerk of Superior Court
Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
How to Obtain Gaston County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Requestors may obtain arrest records and other police reports from the Gaston County Police Department (GCPD). To obtain a Gaston County arrest record, fill the GCPD's report request form with information on the incident. Enter the case/incident number, the date and time reported, the incident location, the name of an involved person, and an email address. Requestors may also include their relation to the incident and an involved GCPD officer's name, if available. The GCPD will send the report via email to the provided address within one business day.
Alternatively, obtain a Gaston arrest record or police report in person. Interested residents must provide all the information described above when making requests. Contact the GCPD using the details below:
Gaston County Police Department
420 West Franklin Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28053-1578
Phone: (704) 866-3320
Fax: (704) 862-6322
Email: records@gcps.org
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gaston County?
Information on registered sex offenders in North Carolina is obtainable on the NCSBI's online sex offender registry. The registry allows users to search by address, offender name, sex registration number, and latitude/longitude. To find registered Gaston County sex offenders, select Gaston from the county menu and enter the offender's first name or last name. Users may also provide the offender's age, city, zip code, and current status. The registry displays the offender's photograph, physical description, current address, conviction information, and minimum registration period. The registry also provides users with access to email and telephone alerts, to receive notifications about a selected offender's status.
How to Find Gaston County Inmate Records
To find Gaston County inmate records, use the online inmate database provided by the Gaston County Sheriff's Office. Enter the inmate's last name, first name, global subject number, booking number, or booking date range. Users may also include the specific housing facility if known. The database displays an offender's demographic information, including a full name and physical descriptors. Available information also includes booking history, bond information, charge description, crime class, and the offender's booking photograph.
Note that the online inmate search will only provide information from the current year and two years before. Persons seeking more information may contact the:
Gaston County Sheriff's Office
425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 869-6800
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Gaston County Jail
Inmates' family and friends may register to visit the Gaston County Main Jail or Annex. All visitations are handled by video, either remotely or onsite. To register and schedule a visit, use the facility's third-party vendor or schedule visits in person at:
Gaston County Jail Annex
475 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: ((704) 866-3550
Each inmate may receive a maximum of two adults and two children per visit. An adult must accompany any visitor under 16 years of age. Inmates are allowed one visit each week. However, inmate workers may receive two visits. All visits must be scheduled at least a day before the appointment or up to two weeks in advance. Each visit will last a maximum of 15 minutes. Remote visitors are advised to login and connect a few minutes before the visit is set to begin. Onsite visitors must arrive and check in at least 15 minutes in advance. Note that regardless of a visitor's schedule, staff may alter, deny, or cancel a visit at their discretion.
Onsite visitations take place from Mondays through Thursdays in two sessions: 1:00 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.. Prospective visitors may schedule remote video visitations from Mondays through Sundays, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. or between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.. Inmates in closed or prospective custody may receive visitors from Mondays through Thursdays, between 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.. Closed and protective custody visitations are not possible remotely.
All visitors must dress appropriately, without any provocative or revealing clothing. Visitors may not bring wallets, bags, cameras, mobile phones, or other electronic devices into the visitation area. Taking pictures of inmates is prohibited, whether the visit is onsite or online.
Court Records
Gaston County has a Superior Court and a District Court, both of which operate as part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch. The Superior Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction, with authority over all cases. The District Court's jurisdiction over Gaston County cases is limited. Regardless, the court can hold preliminary hearings for criminal cases.
Locations of Courts in Gaston County
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Fax: (704) 852-3267
Gaston County District Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Fax: (704) 852-3267
Are Gaston County Court Records Public?
In most cases, Gaston County court records are considered public information. Copies of court records are requestable from the court by visiting or sending requests for the desired information. However, the court may prevent public access to court records in some cases. Some court records may be specifically exempt by law. The court may also decide, on a case-by-case basis, that certain records contain information that should not be open to the public. Such records may obstruct the court's fair judicial process or contain sensitive information.
How to Obtain Gaston County Court Case Records?
The Gaston County Clerk of Court provides public access to nonconfidential court records. To request a Gaston County court record, send a written request to the Clerk of Court, or obtain desired records in person. To request by mail, send a written application with a detailed description of the desired record. Provided information should include names of litigants, charge details, court dates, court events, and final judgment. Note that the Clerk of Court may charge fees for producing copies of these records. Send the request to:
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Fax: (704) 852-3267
Requestors may also visit the court to obtain copies in person after providing the required information. Persons who do not require copies of Gaston County court records may inspect records using public service terminals available at the courthouse.
What are Gaston County Vital Records?
Gaston County vital records are official documents that record life events in the county. These documents record county births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, and are generated and maintained by official government entities. Depending on the desired document, Gaston County vital records are obtainable from the county's Clerk of Court or Register of Deeds.
Where and How to Obtain Gaston County Divorce Records
The Gaston County Clerk of Court maintains records of county divorces and issues copies to requesting persons. To obtain a Gaston County divorce decree, send a written request to the Clerk of Court with details of the desired record. The request should include the divorced parties' names, court dates, and the court's final judgment. Requestors may also include settlement details if available. Send the written request to the court or visit at:
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Fax: (704) 852-3267
Requestors may also send applications for Gaston County divorce certificates to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The certificate costs a search fee of $24, which includes one record if found. The search fee covers three years and is non-refundable. Each additional copy of the same record costs $15 if requested with the first. Fees are payable by certified checks or money orders made out to "N.C. Vital Records." To order, send a completed request form with payment and a government-issued ID to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Where and How to Get Public Gaston County Marriage Records
Under North Carolina law, the general public can obtain copies of marriage records by sending requests to the Gaston County Register of Deeds. All residents may obtain informational copies of Gaston County marriage certificates by mail or in person. A mail request requires sending a completed vital record request form as provided by the Register of Deeds. Fill the Marriage Certificate section of the form with the name of both married parties, the marriage date, and the number of copies requested. Send the form to the Register of Deeds or visit using the following details:
Mailing Address:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Physical Address:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Gaston County
The Register of Deeds provides access to certified Gaston County marriage certificates. However, only the following persons are eligible:
- Either married party
- A party's spouse, stepparent, sibling, stepchild, direct ancestor, or descendant
- An eligible person's authorized attorney, legal representative, or agent
Each copy costs $10. Eligible persons may fill the marriage certificate application with the married party's names, date of marriage, and the number of copies. The requestor must also specify a relationship to the married party or state a reason for requesting a certified Gaston marriage certificate. Send the request by mail or visit using the contact information listed below:
Mailing Address:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Physical Address:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
Where and How to Find Gaston County Birth Records
To obtain a Gaston County birth certificate, send a request to the County Register of Deeds or visit in person. Access to Gaston birth certificates is restricted to the person named on the record and an immediate family member. Authorized family members include a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or spouse. If eligible, complete a request form with the person's name at birth, birth date, and both parents' full names. Each birth record costs $10. Send the request by mail to:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Alternatively, visit in person at:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
Where and How to Find Gaston County Death Records
The Register of Deeds provides access to Gaston County death certificates. Only the decedent's immediate family members and other person's that can prove legal interest in the record may obtain copies of Gaston county death certificates. If eligible, fill the application form with the name of the deceased and the death date. Certified Gaston death certificates cost $10 each. To request by mail, send the application form with a government-issued ID to:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Eligible requestors may also visit the Register of Deeds in person at the following address:
Gaston County Register of Deeds
Gaston County Courthouse
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
