What are Greensboro Public Records?
Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, Greensboro public records consist of all data created, preserved, maintained, or used by any North Carolina government entity. Information received by any agency, including those required to carry out official duties, are also public records. Public records further include documents, books, photographs, papers, audio, video, and digitally stored data. Note that the law does not allow public access to the following:
- Trade secrets
- 911 database data
- Some lawsuit settlement records of the government agency
- Tax information
- Emergency response pans
- Security information, including criminal intelligence records
Greensboro Crime Statistics
The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) provides details on criminal activity and other offenses committed in the city, including violent and property crimes. The GPD, through an annual report, publishes the number of occurrences and percentage increase for each crime. Per the 2019 report, Greensboro recorded a total of 17,745 crimes, including 1,736 violent crimes and 16,009 property crimes.
The most committed violent crime was aggravated assault with 983 recorded cases. With 44 cases, murder was the least committed violent crime. For property crimes, larceny and motor vehicle theft were the highest and lowest with 7,655 and 865 cases respectively. The total rate of Greensboro violent crimes increased by 27% over 2018's 1,369 cases. The rate of property crimes also increased, 11% higher than the 14,408 cases reported in 2018.
Are Greensboro Criminal Records Public?
The Greensboro Police Department makes criminal records available to the public. This information is available in person at the Records Division of the Greensboro Police Department's headquarters. Greensboro residents may request personal criminal records or obtain these records on another person. The GPD provides the first original copy of a criminal record for free. Each additional copy costs 25 cents. Interested residents may visit the Records Division with a valid picture ID and detailed information (such as a full name, date of birth, address, etc.) on the requested record. The GPD does not provide certified criminal records. Visit the Records Division at:
Greensboro Police Department Headquarters
320 Federal Place
(100 Police Plaza)
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 373-2435
Residents interested in certified copies may visit the Guilford County Courthouse with details on the desired record and a valid photo ID. A certified copy costs $25, while an uncertified copy is $2. Payments are accepted in cash, cashier's check, or money order payable to the Guildford County Clerk of Superior Court. Note that a cash payment is preferred.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Residents may obtain public Greensboro records, including police reports and arrest information, through the GPD's Watch Operations. These records are also available at the Records Division or at the GPD's substations. Use the following information to contact the GPD for access to its reports:
Watch Operations (and Records Division)
320 Federal Place
(100 Police Plaza)
District 4 Operations Substation
1106 Maple Street
Phone: (336) 574-4035
District 3 Operations Substation
300 South Swing Road
Phone: (336) 373-2637
The GPD also runs a Police 2 Citizen(P2C) website with a free searchable online database. Using the platform, search by date, name, and location of the incident.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Greensboro
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) maintains records of registered sex offenders in the city of Greensboro and other parts of the states. The NCSBI provides this information online for free via its sex offender and public protection registry. Using the offender search, interested persons may find offenders using details such as the person's name, age, zip code, sex registration number, and current status. Requestors who do not have this information may find offenders by street name or latitude and longitude. In addition to personal identifying information, the registry provides registration type, minimum registration period, and detailed conviction information for each offense.
Residents may also obtain sex offender information from the Guilford County Sheriff's Office (GCSO). Although the GCSO does not maintain an online sex offender registry, anyone may use the following information to contact the GCSO for information:
Greensboro Police Department Headquarters
320 Federal Place
(100 Police Plaza)
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 373-2435
How to Find Greensboro Inmate Records
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintains records of all persons incarcerated at the Greensboro Detention Center (Greensboro Jail Central). Use the GCSO's inmate search to find Greensboro inmate records. The platform provides a 'Lookup' function to find an inmate by name. Each inmate record displays a full name, available aliases, ethnicity, date of birth, ID number, custody date and status, book date, and current location. If the desired inmate record is unavailable online, contact the Greensboro Detention Center using the following information:
Greensboro Detention Center
201 South Edgeworth Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 641-2700
Fax: (336) 641-2793
How Do I Visit an inmate in the Greensboro Detention Center?
Persons visiting the Greensboro Jail Central must schedule their visits in person at the facility's reception window or visitation kiosk. Visits must be scheduled at least one day in advance. Each visitor is allowed one visit per week, with each visit lasting at least 20 minutes.
The Greensboro Detention Center only entertains visitors already on the inmate's approved visitation list filled out during the inmate's intake process. However, the facility may allow an unapproved visitor a one-time visit if the person lives more than 50 miles away from the detention center. Each visitor must be at least 18 or legally considered an adult by emancipation. A visitor younger than 18 may only visit in the company of an adult. If the inmate is on suicide watch, only the attorney is allowed to visit. All visitors must present valid state-issued photo IDs and submit for a personal search upon entry. Persons with contraband items may temporarily or permanently lose visitation privileges.
Inmates at the Greensboro Detention Center may receive visitors every day, except Mondays. However, persons held in Administrative Segregation may only receive visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Court Records
Part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch, Guilford County has a Superior Court and a District Court, which both seat at the Guilford County Courthouse and provide access to Greensboro court records. The Superior court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases and may rule on cases outside the District Court's jurisdiction. The Superior Court hears criminal cases such as small offenses, some infractions and misdemeanors, and all felonies. For civil cases, the Superior Court has authority over general civil claims with over $25,000 in dispute, excluding other costs and interest. It may also hear some injunctions, declaratory relief, administrative agency decisions, and any case without a financial threshold. The District Court hears general civil claims for $25,000 or less. It also presides over criminal cases such as misdemeanors, infractions, and municipal ordinance violations.
Physical Address:
Guilford County Courthouse
201 South Eugene Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300
Mailing Address:
Guilford County Courthouse
P.O. Box 3008
Greensboro, NC 27402
Are Greensboro Court Records Public?
Except otherwise stated by law or by court order, all court records are public and should be open to Greensboro residents for inspection and copying. However, under North Carolina law, access to Greensboro court records is not absolute. The general public may not obtain juvenile court records or any other record considered confidential.
Can You Look up a Greensboro Court Case Online?
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) provides remote public online access to civil and criminal case information from Greensboro. Requestors may conduct searches using the Automated Criminal/Infractions System (ACIS) for criminal cases, and the Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) for civil cases. The platform costs a $495 one-time non-refundable connection fee for access to two admin IDs and two user IDs. There's also a one-time $70 access fee for each additional user ID required and a 21 cents access fee per transaction. Payment for the initial connection and fees for additional user IDs must be via a cashier's check payable to "N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts."
How to Obtain Greensboro Court Case Records
Anyone interested in civil or criminal court cases may visit the Guilford County Courthouse. The facility has self-service terminals Greensboro residents may use to find records by case number, defendant name, witness name, or victim name. Using the public access terminal is free of charge.
The court clerk also grants requests for physical copies of Greensboro criminal records as well as civil records. In addition to using the public access terminal, residents may request physical copies of court records from the court clerk at the Guilford County Courthouse. Note that the court clerk may charge a fee to produce this record. Visit the court at:
Guilford County Courthouse
201 South Eugene Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300
What are Greensboro Vital Records?
Greensboro vital records are official records that contain details of significant life events that happen in the city. These include divorce, marriage, death, and birth records. Greensboro vital records are available from different record custodians, depending on the type of record desired.
Where and How to Obtain Greensboro Divorce Records
Greensboro divorce records are requestable from the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court. To request a divorce certificate, send a written request to the clerk at the courthouse, or visit in person. Make sure that the request contains the requestor's personal contact details and all known information on the required divorce record, such as the names of the divorced parties and the divorce date. Visit in person or send a written request to the courthouse. Divorce records are also obtainable from North Carolina Vital Records, a division of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
Where and How to Get Public Greensboro Marriage Records
Public Greensboro Marriage records are obtainable from the Guilford County Register of Deeds. The general public may only access uncertified copies of marriage records by mail or in person. To request by mail, download and complete an application form with the married parties' names, the marriage date, and the number of copies requested. Each mail request for an uncertified copy costs $1 payable by check or money order made out to "Register of Deeds". For in-person requests, uncertified copies cost $5 each.
Send the completed form, payment, and a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID to the Register of Deeds, or visit in person at:
Physical Address:
BB&T Building
Vital Records
1st Floor
201 West Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 641-7556
Office Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Email: guilforddeeds@guilfordcountync.gov
Mailing Address:
Register of Deeds Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 3427
Greensboro, NC 27402-3427
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Greensboro
Certified Greensboro marriage records are also available from the Register of Deeds. However, these records are not open to the general public. According to North Carolina Law, access to certified copies is restricted to the following persons:
- The person named on the record
- Spouse
- Child or grandchild
- Sibling
- Parent or grandparent
- Attorney
- Authorized agent
- Legal representative
Certified copies of marriage records are available in person and by mail. Each certified copy costs $10, payable by check or money order made out to the Register of Deeds. Send a completed application form, payment, and a valid government-issued ID, or visit the Register of Deeds' office in person.
Where and How to Find Greensboro Birth Records
The Guilford County Register of Deeds issues birth records to eligible persons. Send a completed birth certificate application form with a check or money order payable to the Register of Deeds, and a valid government-issued ID. Requestors may also visit the Register of Deeds to obtain a birth record in person. Certified copies cost $10 each and are only accessible by the person on the record and an immediate family member such as a child, grandchild, sibling, spouse, parent, or grandparent. An attorney, legal representative, or authorized agent may also obtain a certified copy. Persons who are not eligible for certified copies may obtain uncertified copies at $1 each.
Where and How to Find Greensboro Death Records
The Guilford County Register of Deeds provides uncertified copies of Greensboro death records to members of the general public. Certified copies are only available to immediate family members, attorneys, authorized agents, and legal representatives. To obtain a record, complete a death certificate application form with all available information. Include a money order or check payable to the Register of Deeds, and a valid government-issued ID. A certified copy costs $10, and an uncertified copy costs $1. Requestors may also visit the Register of Deeds instead of sending a mail application.
