What are Surry County Public Records?
Surry County public records include birth records, marriage records, death records, court records, arrest records, criminal records, and inmate records. The North Carolina Public Records Law describes public records as documents created from operations carried out with a public business or a subdivision of the North Carolina government. This means that public records collated by the North Carolina agencies and the North Carolina government should be publicly accessible to members of the public. A copy of the public records can be retrieved without a charge or for a minimal amount unless otherwise requested by the law.
Surry County Crime Statistics
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the most recent crime rate per 100,000 in Surry County is 2020. In that year, the index crime rate was 1,698.9, which signified a 6.98% increase from the index crime rate in 2019, recorded at 1,588.1. The violent crime rate in 2020 was 171.1 in contrast to its 164.5 rates in 2019; this marked a 4.01% increase from 2019. In 2019, the property crime rate was 1,423.5, while in 2020, the property crime rate was 1,527.8. This showed a 7.33% increase from 2019 to 2020 in property crimes.
Are Surry County Criminal Records Public?
Interested parties can access Surry County criminal records from the Surry County Sheriff's Office. Generally, to retrieve these records, requesters must provide the necessary details to facilitate the search and make payments for the copying fees. Furthermore, requesters must submit a valid photo ID and a FOIA request form.
Meanwhile, interested persons may perform a certified criminal record search by name at the clerk of the superior court office. Alternatively, a researcher may fill Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the clerk's office along with a $25 fee. The payment can be done by mail via money order or certified check only or in-person via credit card, cash, money order, or certified check.
How to Obtain Surry County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Administrative Division of the Surry County Sheriff's Office is the repository for Surry County arrest records and police reports, including its management. The police report should contain details of the incident the sheriff's department responded to, including witness statements. Crime scene photos are also a part of a police report when necessary. Arrest records are information on the individual arrested at the crime scene. The details contained in an arrest record include the inmate's personal information, such as the age of the inmate, sex, and race. Other information includes the charge the inmate was arrested for and the date of arrest. Parties should contact the Sheriff's Office for the requirements necessary to obtain these records. Typically, the requirements may include:
- Submitting a FOIA request form.
- Paying a statutory fee.
- The submission of a government-issued photo ID.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Surry County
Individuals can find Surry County sex offender information at the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry. Members of the public can search by utilizing the search parameters provided on the site. These parameters include the following:
- Address: people can search for sex offenders who may live near their location of interest
- Offender information: a search can be carried out using their personal information, which includes their names, zip code, county, age, city, the status
- Sex Offender Registration Number, if applicable
- Location coordinates: this search is beneficial for areas that may not have a physical address
How to Find Surry County Inmate Records
The Surry County Sheriff's Office maintains the county's inmate records. These records typically contain personal information of the inmates, such as race, age, and sex. The records will contain the date of arrest, charge, bond (if applicable), and mugshot. The Surry County Sheriff's Office can be contacted via phone on (336) 401-8900 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Tuesday from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Researchers will need to inquire about the requirements to obtain these inmate records. Interested parties who wish to obtain Surry County inmate records in person should visit the Sheriff's Office at the following address:
Surry County Sheriff's Office
218 North Main Street
Dobson, NC 27017
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Surry County Jail?
Prospective visitors who wish to visit an inmate in Surry County jail should inquire about visitation requirements at the Detective Lieutenant's office. For those who wish to request to visit an inmate, the following questions should be asked when contacting the facility:
- How to schedule an appointment
- What days are visitors permitted to visit
- The age limit for visitation
- How many persons are permitted to visit
- What items are forbidden
- What documentation should be presented
- How many visits are inmates allowed to have
- Who is allowed to visit?
- What is an appropriate attire to wear for the visit
- Is body contact allowed? If it is, for how long and how many times is it permitted?
Surrey County Court Records
All court cases held at Surry County are conducted at the Surry County Courthouse. The cases tried there include civil court cases, estate cases, family court cases, and criminal court cases. The clerk of court typically documents the cases and generates court records. Interested parties who wish to obtain them may visit the resident court clerk at the courthouse on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The contact details for the court that reside in Surry County is:
Surry County Courthouse
201 East Kapp Street
Dobson, NC 27017
Phone: (336) 386-3700
Mailing address
Surry County Courthouse
P.O. Box 345
Dobson, NC 27017
How to Obtain Surry County Court Records
Interested persons may use the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC)'s Remote Public Access Program (RPA) to access court records in Surry County. Alternatively, a requester may contact the clerk of court during business hours. In any case, all requesters must have a copy of a valid photo ID, complete a formal application, and pay the search fees.
Members of the public can also call (336) 386-3700 for assistance. An alternative is the use of the RPA provided by the NCAOC. The NCAOC has facilitated electronic public access to criminal court records on the Automated Criminal/Infractions System (ACIS).
What are Surry County Vital Records?
Surry County vital records are documented evidence of life events in the county. The Surry County records include birth, death, marriage, and military records. Unlike other vital records in the county, Surry County military records become public records only after 80 years elapse (NCGS 47-113.2(b)(1)). Surry County vital records are managed by the county's Register of Deeds and can be obtained online or by mail. Researchers who wish to obtain them may do so by using the following contact information:
Register of Deeds, Surry County
P.O. Box 303
201 East Kapp Street
Dobson, NC 27017
Phone: (336) 401-8150
Phone: (336) 401-8151
Fax: (336) 401-8149
Email:harrist@co.surry.nc.us
Where and How to Obtain Surry County Divorce Records
Anyone interested in obtaining a divorce record in North Carolina should submit a completed North Carolina Divorce Record application. The service costs $24 for the first copy. Each additional copy costs $15, which can be paid for by money order, certified check, cash (not by mail), debit, or credit card.
Where and How to Get Public Surry County Marriage Records
The Office of the Surry County Register of Deeds maintains the county's marriage records. The record costs $10 per copy and will require the provision of a valid photo ID card and the submission of the vital record request form. The payment is via in-state check, money order, cash, debit card, or credit card only.
Marriage records in Surry County are available to the public in a book format scanned. The records can be viewed and copied from the system in the office. The marriage records are indexed on the system by the bride and groom. This index can be seen on the office system in the office. Parties can also obtain the marriage record online by following each instruction provided on the website. Individuals eligible to request a Surry County marriage record include but are not limited to the following:
- Registrant on the certificate
- Spouse
- Parent and grandparent
- Child and stepchildren
- A direct ancestor
- Sibling
- An authorized agent of the person listed on the record
- An individual seeking information for the legal determination of property or personal rights.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Surry County
Marriage records in Surry County are regarded as public records as they are available to individuals outside the couple or legal representatives. Interested parties can obtain them by submitting an application to the Register of Deeds or submitting an online request. The record costs $10 per copy. Parties can make payments via in-state checks, money orders, cash, debit, or credit cards. The requester would also be required to submit a copy of a valid photo ID before the marriage record can be issued.
Where and How to Find Surry County Birth Records
The Office of the Register of Deeds is the Surry County birth records repository. Every birth record in Surry County has been indexed in the Register of Deeds' computer for public view. Any birth record where the child is not given the last name is indexed under ‘Not Stated". Certified copies of Surry County birth records are produced from computerized birth data from the original record. The public interested in obtaining a Surry County birth record can request it by mail or by sending an online request. Both methods require the submission of a copy of a valid photo ID. Obtaining the birth record by mail requires submitting the Application for Certified Copies of Vital Records. Birth records in Surry County cost $10 and can be paid via cash, money order, in-state checks, debit cards, or credit cards. Individuals permitted to obtain Surry County birth records include siblings, self, grandparents or grandkids, step-kids or children, the parent or step-parent, a direct ancestor, spouse, an authorized agent, or someone seeking a legal determination of property or personal rights.
Where and How to Find Surry County Death Records
The county's Register of Deeds maintains death records in Surry County. The records are stored in a book format that is publicly accessible at the imaging system in the office. The office has also provided a computerized index of deaths in the county. If interested, members of the public may request a death record in Surry County either by mail or online. A copy of a valid photo ID is required for both methods. For certified copies of death records obtained by mail, Parties must complete the application for certified copies. Records for decedents in Surry County cost $10 and can be purchased in cash, money order, in-state check, or debit or credit card. Those entitled to access Surry County death records include siblings, grandparents, grandkids, stepchildren, funeral homes, parents, step-parents, a direct ancestor, spouse, authorized agents, or others seeking information for legal purposes.
