What Are Gastonia City Public Records?
Gastonia City public records consist of documents generated by government officials or agencies during the course of public business. They include papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing documents, artifacts, or other informatory material. The North Carolina Public Record Law does not allow the public to access every government-generated record in Gastonia City. Some records are confidential and available only to people with preauthorization. Examples of such records include:
- Confidential communications and information;
- Trade secrets;
- Information whose release will cause a breach of personal privacy;
- Trial development materials;
- School and student records;
- Record of criminal intelligence and investigation information;
- Sensitive security information;
- Some unique resident identifying information like social security numbers;
Gastonia City Crime Statistics
In Gastonia City and across North Carolina, law enforcement agencies collect crime and arrests data and send official reports to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). The NCSBI collates the statewide data and sends it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System for its Uniform Crime Reporting Program. In 2019, the NCSBI reported 3,851 crimes in Gastonia City.
There were 556 violent crimes, including two murders, thirty rapes, 114 robberies, and 410 cases of aggravated assault. These numbers declined slightly from the previous year when law enforcement agencies in Gastonia City law enforcement recorded 557 violent crimes. Gastonia City residents had a 0.72% chance of being violent crime victims, while the statewide average was 0.37%.
In 2019, Gastonia City law enforcement recorded 3,295 property crimes, including 464 burglaries, 2,584 larceny-theft cases, 247 vehicular thefts, and 28 arson instances. The number of property crimes declined by 14.2%, as law enforcement recorded 3,839 property crimes the previous year. Gastonia City residents faced a 4.8% chance of being property crime victims, while the statewide average was 2.4%.
Are Gastonia City Criminal records public?
North Carolina’s Public Records Law states that any document that a law enforcement agency, government agency, or government agency affiliate creates or uses is in the public domain unless otherwise stated or officially sealed. Examples of legally closed Gastonia City criminal records include juvenile delinquency records and information from child abuse or neglect cases.
Interested public members may access Gastonia City criminal records in different ways. First, The North Carolina Court System’s Adult Correction website contains information on inmates, parolees, and other convicted criminals. Persons that query the website will find a complete list of criminals’ charges and convictions for Gastonia City and the entire state.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation allows interested persons to obtain name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history information. Applicants may complete a Request for Access to Criminal History form and submit it to the NCSBI in person or by mail. The NCSBI charges $14 for criminal history checks.
Access Integrity Unit - CIIS
NC State Bureau of Investigation 3320 Garner Road
P.O. Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
AIUhelp@ncsbi.gov
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) provides a list of third-party companies that provide criminal history information to individuals following a licensing agreement. These record checks are uncertified, and charges may vary. The NCAOC also allows businesses to get uncertified Gastonia criminal court records through its Remote Public Access program (RPA). Companies may register to get bulk data extracts or real-time access to court records.
The Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court allows the public to access uncertified Gastonia City criminal court records through the public access computers in the courthouse. Individuals that require physical copies will have to pay a fee. The Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court also allows the public to request certified copies of Gastonia City criminal court records. Requesters must complete a Request for Certified Criminal Record Search, attach a cheque or money order for $25, and submit the application in person or by mail.
Gaston County Superior Court Clerk
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
How to Obtain Gastonia City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Gastonia City Police Department generates crime and accident reports and makes them publicly available. Interested persons may retrieve Gastonia City crime and accident reports online. To obtain crime reports, requesters must provide the case number, the defendant/victim’s last name, and the crime date. For accident reports, however, requesters must provide the parties’ last name and the accident date.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gastonia City
Gastonia City sex offenders must, by law, register their details with the Gaston County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriff’s Office provides sex offender information to individuals that query it directly. Persons that cannot query the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office may seek out Gastonia City sex offender information through the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. The log allows interested persons to search for Gastonia City sex offenders by name, address, or sex offender registration number.
How to Find Gastonia City Inmate Records
The Gaston County jail houses all individuals that receive criminal convictions in Gastonia City. The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office keeps a record of the Jail’s residents and allows the public to find them via the Sheriff's Inmate Search Tool. Interested individuals can search for incarcerated persons by name, booking date, and number, or facility.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Gastonia City Jail?
The Gaston County jail houses all individuals that receive criminal convictions in Gastonia City. The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office allows inmates to receive two fifteen-minute video visits every week, according to the following schedule:
Onsite Visitation Hours
Monday – Thursday
1:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Remote Visitation Hours
Monday – Sunday
1:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Potential visitors may schedule visits for $7.50 through a third-party website or on the computers in the jail lobby. On-site visits are limited to two adults and two minors at a time. Adults must accompany children and provide a valid ID for themselves and birth certificates for their charges. On-site visitors must arrive fifteen minutes early to check-in, while remote visitors must log in and connect a few minutes before visitation begins.
On-site visitors must dress appropriately at all times and may not enter the facility wearing any of the following:
- Skintight or form-fitting clothes;
- Clothing or other items displaying gang-related symbols, themes, or colors;
- Clothing containing vulgar or objectionable language or images;
- Hats or hoodies;
- See-through clothing;
- Tank tops;
- Skirts or dresses that are above the knee in length;
- Shorts above mid-thigh level.
Visitors may not bring any of the following into the facility:
- Alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or any controlled substances including marijuana;
- Knives, firearms, explosives, or escape tools;
- Cameras, tape recorders, cell phones, or other electronic devices;
- Purses, bags, briefcases, or wallets.
Gastonia City Court Records
Gastonia City is under Gaston County’s legal supervision. The Gaston County Superior Court and District Court handle civil and criminal court cases in Gastonia City. The Gaston County Clerk of Courts allows interested public members to obtain Gastonia City civil and criminal court records. Individuals that wish to obtain Gastonia City court records may use the public self-service terminal in the Clerk of Court’s office. They may also query the clerk’s office to receive plain or certified copies of Gastonia City court records.
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 Gastonia City Court Records Public?
According to North Carolina law, everyone - including Gastonia City residents - has a right to access all court records. The court records statute allows the public to access civil court case records, criminal records, and more. Only court records such as civil commitment materials, juvenile delinquency records, and information from child abuse or neglect cases are confidential by statute. Further, a court may decide to mark individual records as confidential - removing them from the public domain.
How to Obtain Gastonia City Civil Court Case Records
The Gaston County Clerk of Courts allows interested public members to get Gastonia City civil court case records upon request. Individuals that wish to obtain Gastonia City civil court case records may access them through the public self-service terminal in the Clerk of Court’s office. They may also query the clerk’s office to receive plain or certified copies of Gastonia City court records.
The Clerk of Courts Office is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requesters must provide accurate information to facilitate a record search, including the parties’ names, the case number, and the hearing date. Requesters may pay using cash, card, or cheque. The Clerk’s office charges an additional fee for certified copies of court records.
Gaston County Clerk of Courts
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
How to Obtain Gastonia City Criminal Court Records
The Gaston County Superior Court tries all criminal cases in Gastonia City, while the Gaston County Clerk of Courts offers public access to Gastonia City criminal court records. Individuals that wish to obtain Gastonia City criminal court records may access them through the public self-service terminal in the Clerk of Court’s office. They may also query the clerk’s office to receive plain or certified copies of Gastonia City criminal court records.
The Clerk of Courts Office is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requesters must provide accurate information to facilitate a record search, including the defendant’s name and date of birth, the case number, and the hearing date. Requesters may pay using cash, card, or cheque. The Clerk’s office charges an additional fee for certified copies of court records.
Gaston County Clerk of Courts
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
What are Gastonia City Vital Records?
Officials in Gastonia City create vital records and make them available on request - per North Carolina Public Record Laws. Vital records mark important life events among residents in a city, county, or state. Some examples of Gastonia City vital records are divorce decrees, birth certificates, and marriage licenses.
Gaston County’s Clerk of Courts manages Gastonia City's divorce records, while the County’s Recorder of Deeds is responsible for Gastonia City's marriage records and birth/death certificates. While some Gastonia City vital records are publicly available, others - like birth and death certificates - are only available to eligible persons like the record holder and their immediate family members.
Where and How to Obtain Gastonia City Divorce Records
The Gaston County Clerk of Courts allows interested public members to get Gastonia City civil divorce records upon request. Individuals that wish to obtain Gastonia City divorce records may access them through the public self-service terminal in the Clerk of Court’s office. They may also query the clerk’s office to receive plain or certified copies of Gastonia City divorce records.
The Clerk of Courts Office is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requesters must provide accurate information to facilitate a record search, including the divorcees’ names, the case number, and the divorce date. Requesters may pay using cash, card, or cheque. The Clerk’s office charges an additional fee for certified copies of divorce records.
Gaston County Clerk of Courts
Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100
Where and How to Get Public Concord City Marriage Records
The Gaston County Register of Deeds’ Office is responsible for Gaston City’s marriage register. Per state rules, it makes certified copies of Gastonia City marriage records available to the public. Anyone that wants a copy of a Gastonia City marriage certificate may request one in person or by mail. Requesters must complete an Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record, attach a cheque or money order (cash if submitting in-person), and send the application to the Register of Deeds’ office.
Gaston County Register of Deeds
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
(formerly 325 N. Marietta Street)
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Gastonia City
The Gaston County Register of Deeds’ Office is responsible for Gaston City’s marriage register. Per state rules, it makes certified copies of Gastonia City marriage records available to the public.
Where and How to Find Gastonia City Birth Records
The Gaston County Register of Deeds’ Office manages Gastonia City’s birth certificates and provides copies to eligible persons, including:
- The registrant (above 18 years old);
- The registrant’s parents (named on the certificate);
- The registrant’s immediate family (children, siblings, etc.);
- The registrant’s attorney/legal representative;
- Persons bearing a court order to view or copy the record.
Eligible individuals may request certified copies of Gastonia City birth records by completing an Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record, attaching a cheque or money order for $10 per certificate (cash if submitting in-person), and sending the application to the Register of Deeds’ office.
Gaston County Register of Deeds
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
(formerly 325 N. Marietta Street)
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Interested individuals may also obtain Gastonia City birth certificates from 1962 until date from the State’s Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Office. Requesters must complete a request form and attach a cheque or money order for $24, a copy of an approved I.D, and proof of eligibility. Applicants may submit the package in-person anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays or include a self-addressed envelope and send it by mail.
In-person submissions:
N.C. Vital Records
(Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 North McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Mail-in submissions:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Where and How to Find Gastonia City Death Records
The Gaston County Register of Deeds’ Office manages Gastonia City’s death register and provides copies of death certificates to eligible persons, including:
- The deceased’s immediate family (parents, children, siblings, etc.);
- The deceased’s attorney/legal representatives;
- Government employees on official business;
- Persons bearing a court order to view or copy the record.
Eligible individuals may request certified copies of Gastonia City death records by completing an Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record, attaching a cheque or money order for $10 per certificate (cash if submitting in-person), and sending the application to the Register of Deeds’ office.
Gaston County Register of Deeds
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
(formerly 325 N. Marietta Street)
P.O. Box 1578
Gastonia, NC 28053
Interested individuals may also obtain Gastonia City death certificates from 1930 until date from the State’s Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Office. Requesters must complete a request form and attach a cheque or money order for $24, a copy of an approved I.D, and proof of eligibility. Applicants may submit the package in-person anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays or include a self-addressed envelope and send it by mail.
In-person submissions:
N.C. Vital Records
(Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 North McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Mail-in submissions:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
