Wake County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Wake County Arrest Records?

Wake County arrest records are law enforcement-generated documents that provide details about the arrest of a suspected offender. Law enforcement agents make arrests when they suspect an individual’s involvement in or witness a crime. Therefore, arrest records typically contain warrants, arrestee information such as full name, mug shot, physical descriptor, details of the actual arrest, and information on the arresting officer and agency. In Wake County, the Sheriff’s Department is primarily responsible for generating arrest records and making them available to the public. Interested individuals can find Wake County arrest records by searching through the Event Search tool, provided by the Sheriff’s Department.

Criminal Statistics

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide crime statistics. According to published records in its Annual Summary Report of 2017 Uniform Crime Reporting Data, Wake County reported a 1% decline in crime than the previous year’s reports. According to the report, the Wake County Sheriff's Office received 1,828 reports of index crime offenses in the year, with property crimes consisting of 90% of the reported violations. Conversely, the Sheriff’s Office received only 173 reports of violent crimes. The most significant declines were in reports of murder, rape, and theft, which dropped by 100%, 20%, and 5% respectively to 0, 12, and 916 reported incidents. Incidences of aggravated assault and burglary spiked 6% and 4% respectively, while robbery held steady with 25 reported incidents, the same as was written in 2016.

What are Wake County Criminal Records?

Wake County criminal records are official documents that detail a convicted criminal’s history in the county. The Wake County Sheriff's Office is responsible for providing law enforcement and protective services to county residents, including support services such as generating and maintaining reports and records of crime within county limits. However, in compliance with North Carolina state laws, the Superior Court Clerk is the county's custodian of criminal history information and processes requests for criminal records.

How Do I Get Wake County Criminal Records?

Individuals interested in obtaining Wake County criminal records can freely query the Criminal Arrest Records Portal, provided by the City-County Bureau of Investigation (CCBI). The portal allows users to search for criminal records using the following criteria:

Last Name
First Name
Middle Name
Arrest Date-Time (this can be one day or a date range)
Arresting Agency
Sex

The results will provide various photos, which - when clicked - reveal the arrestee’s name, age, sex, and charges associated with that arrest.

Individuals that require certified copies of criminal records can submit requests in person or by mail to the Superior Court Clerk’s office at the Wake county courthouse. These reports will provide information regarding the subject’s criminal history within county limits, including arrest information, misdemeanor, felony charges, and court dispositions. Interested persons may make in-person requests to the Clerk's Office staff or self-serve with the public access terminals available in the Office. Researchers can conduct searches using the name, gender, date of birth, social security number of the subject, and print copies.

Individuals who wish to request criminal records by mail will need to fill out and print the criminal record request application Form AOC-CR-314. The completed form must be notarized and submitted along with a cheque or money order payment of $25 to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

How to Find Wake County Sex Offender Information?

The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry provides public information regarding sex offenders domiciled in Wake County. As provided by state laws, the Registry features the addresses, internet identifiers, criminal histories, and the offenders’ compliance status within county limits. Interested persons may search the Registry for related information by offender name, location, incarceration status, or sex registration number. To stay updated regarding sex offenders in specific vicinities, county residents may also register for the NC Offender Subscription Services to receive email notifications regarding notable sex offender location changes.

How do I Visit an Inmate in Wake County Jail?

The Wake Detention Center permits inmates to receive two video visits per week at the facility. Individuals who wish to visit inmates must call (919) 857-9103 (Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) at least 24 hours to schedule an appointment call. Each inmate may receive two visitors (two adults or one adult and one child) per visit, and both must visit the inmate simultaneously. A visiting minor must be in the company of an adult, who must present a valid, government-issued ID. Visitors must dress in clothes that cover sensitive body parts, and store all handbags, purses, cell phones, etc., in lockers. The Detention Center staff will deny visitation privileges to any visitor or inmate intoxicated or disruptive to others.

Where and how to Get Inmate Information

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division oversees the county’s correctional facility’s affairs and, as such, maintains information regarding the county jail and adult detainees. All information in this regard, including details of inmate welfare, housing, commissary, visitation, and means of contact, are obtainable on the Detention Division Information Page. Other inmate-specific information such as the primary charges, prospective court, release dates, and bail or bond conditions are accessible by contacting the County Detention Center at (919) 773-7930. To perform a Wake County Inmate Search, inquirers will furnish the custodian with information to facilitate the search; this includes the inmate's full name, birth date and DOC number (if known).

What are Wake County Court Records?

Wake County Court Records are official documents that document a court proceeding from initial filing to final judgment. In Wake County, court records are managed and disseminated by the office of the Superior Court Clerk. The documents available through this office are non-confidential records of court cases filed and heard by the county court. Interested persons may obtain these records by querying the Clerk of Court's office via mail or in person.

In-person requests require the requestor to access the record using the public self-service terminals in the county courthouse. Researchers must input the defendant or plaintiff’s name, the record’s filing date, and number. Requestors may also obtain records by mailing a written request to the Clerk's Office stating relevant details of the document, approximate filing date, and a brief description of the case. Both in-person and mail requests may go to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

Location of all Courts in Wake County

Wake County Superior Court
Wake County Justice Center
300 South Salisbury Street,
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 792-4000

Wake County Superior Court
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall,
P.O. Box 351,
Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: (919) 792-4000

Wake County District Court
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall,
P.O. Box 351,
Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: (919) 792-4000
Phone: (919) 792-4875
Fax: (919) 792-4876 (Family Court)

Wake County District Court
Wake County Justice Center
300 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 792-4000

What are Wake County Vital Records?

Vital records are official documents that mark important life events like births, deaths, marriages, and marriage dissolutions. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services serves as the central repository of statewide vital records and issues these records to interested and eligible persons. At the county level, the Wake County Register of Deeds Office offers this service and is the primary custodian of vital records within county limits. Interested persons may obtain any of these records at the state or county level. However, requestors will need to meet some eligibility requirements before accessing the requested document.

Where and How to Get Divorce Records

Records of divorces granted in Wake county are maintained and issued by the Superior Court Clerk. Interested persons may obtain these records by querying the office via mail or in person.

To obtain a divorce record in person, the requestor may self-serve with the county courthouse’s public terminals. Requesters may search for the document using the spouses’ names, the date, place of the divorce, or the record’s case file number.

Interested individuals may also mail a written request to the Clerk's Office, stating details of the record and including the requestor's relationship with the divorced persons and the purpose of requesting the document. Both in-person and mail requests may go to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

Where and How to Get Marriage Records, Birth Records and Death Records

The Wake County Register of Deeds office processes requests for records of births, deaths, and marriages which occurred and received licenses within county limits. As per state laws, these records are only obtainable by persons listed on the form, the immediate family member of the subject(s) of the document, their legal representatives, and persons authorized by a North Carolina Court issued subpoena. To request a birth record, death record, or marriage record, interested and eligible persons may print out and complete the Wake County Vital Records Application Form. The completed form should be notarized and submitted, along with the stated fees and ID requirements to:

Wake County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

North Carolina's second-most populous county, Wake County maintains and provides access to a variety of public records in compliance with federal and state laws. The county government responds to requests for criminal records, court records and vital records through different local repositories and departments. Most requestors are often required to meet some eligibility requirements before accessing the requested records. Alternatively, search tools such as Staterecords.org may provide an alternative for tracking hard-to-find records.

Criminal Statistics

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide crime statistics. According to published records in its Annual Summary Report of 2017 Uniform Crime Reporting Data, Wake County reported a 1% decline in crime rate compared to reports of the previous year. According to the report, the Wake County Sheriff's Office received 1,828 reports of index crime offenses in the year, with property crimes consisting of 90% of the reported offenses, while only 173 reports of violent crimes were received. The most significant declines were recorded in reports of murder, rape, and larceny which dropped by 100%, 20%, and 5% respectively to 0, 12 and 916 reported incidents each. Incidences of aggravated assault and burglary spiked 6% and 4% respectively while robbery held steady with 25 reported incidents, the same as was reported in 2016.

Criminal Records

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is tasked with providing law enforcement and protective services to county residents which includes support services such as generating and maintaining reports and records of crime within county limits. However, in compliance with North Carolina state laws, requests for criminal records are processed by the office of the Superior Court Clerk which is the county's custodian of criminal history information.

How to get Criminal Records

Requests for criminal records can be made in person or via mail to the Clerk of Superior Court office at the Wake county courthouse. This request will provide information regarding the criminal history of the subject within county limits, including arrest information, misdemeanor, and felony charges as well as any court dispositions. Interested persons may make in-person requests to the Clerk's Office staff or self-serve with the public access terminals available in the Office. Searches can be conducted using the name, gender, date of birth and social security number of the subject, and the requestor will be charged a printing fee if copies are required.

To request criminal records via mail, the requesting party will be required to fill out and print the criminal record request application Form AOC-CR-314. The completed form must be notarized and submitted along with a cheque or money order payment of $25 to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

How to Find Sex Offender Information

Public information regarding sex offenders domiciled in Wake County is contained in the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. As provided by state laws, the Registry features the addresses, internet identifiers, criminal histories and compliance status of registered offenders within county limits. Interested persons may search the Registry for related information by offender name, location, incarceration status or by sex registration number. To stay updated regarding sex offenders in specific vicinities, county residents may also register for the NC Offender Subscription Services to receive email notifications regarding notable changes in sex offender location.

Where and how to Get Inmate and Jail Information

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division oversees the affairs of the county’s correctional facility and as such, maintains information regarding the county jail and adult detainees. All information in this regard; including details of inmate welfare, housing, commissary, visitation and means of contact can be obtained on the Detention Division Information Page. Other inmate-specific information such as the primary charges of a detainee, prospective court and release dates and bail or bond conditions can be obtained by contacting the County Detention Center at (919) 773-7930.

Court Records

Where and how to get Court Records

Wake county court records are managed and disseminated by the office of the Superior Court Clerk. The records available through this office are non-confidential records of court cases filed and heard by the county court. Interested persons may obtain these records by querying the Clerk of Court's office via mail or in person.

In-person requests require the requestor to access the record using the public self-service terminals available in the county courthouse. This will require the name of the defendant or plaintiff, the date the record was filed and the case file number of the record.

Requestors may obtain records via mail by sending a written request to the Clerk's Office stating relevant details of the record, as well as an approximate date of its filing and a brief description of the case. Both in-person and mail requests may be made to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

Location of all Courts in County

Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Wake County, North Carolina:

Wake County Superior Court
Wake County Justice Center
300 South Salisbury Street,
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 792-4000

Wake County Superior Court
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall,
P.O. Box 351,
Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: (919) 792-4000

Wake County District Court
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall,
P.O. Box 351,
Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: (919) 792-4000
Phone: (919) 792-4875
Fax: (919) 792-4876 (Family Court)

Vital Records

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services serves as the central repository of statewide vital records and is charged with issuing these records to interested and eligible persons. At the county level, this service is offered by the Wake County Register of Deeds Office which is the primary custodian of records of vital events occurring within county limits. Interested persons may obtain any of these records at the state or county level, however, requestors will be required to meet some eligibility requirements before accessing the requested record.

Where and How to Get Divorce Records

Records of divorces granted in Wake county are maintained and issued by the Superior Court Clerk. Interested persons may obtain these records by querying the office via mail or in person.

To obtain a divorce record in person, the requestor may self-serve with the public terminals available in the county courthouse. Requestors may search for the record of interest by the names of the spouses, the date and place of the divorce, or the case file number of the record.

Mail requests may be made by sending a written request to the Clerk's Office stating details of the record including the requestor's relationship with the divorced persons and the purpose of requesting the record. Both in-person and mail requests may be made to:

The Office of the Superior Court Clerk
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St. Mall
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602

Where and How to Get Marriage Records, Birth Records and Death Records

The Wake County Register of Deeds office processes requests for records of births, deaths, and marriages which occurred and/or were licensed within county limits. As per state laws, these records may only be obtained by persons who are listed on the record, the immediate family member of the subject(s) of the record, their legal representatives, and persons authorized by a North Carolina Court-issued subpoena. To request a birth record, death record or marriage record, interested and eligible persons may print out and complete the Wake County Vital Records Application Form. The completed form should be notarized and submitted along with the stated fees and ID requirements to:

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.

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Wake County?

According to the North Carolina Freedom of Information Law, Wake County property records are open to the public members. This state act presumes that anyone has the right to observe records held by government agencies and their affiliates.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Wake County

According to N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, the Wake County Register of Deeds, maintains the county's property records and makes them available to public members. The Office does not offer walk-in and mail-in services for real estate records requests. However, records are available online. Searchers can contact the Recorder of Deeds via email or by calling.

The Wake County Department of Tax Administration provides information on property records and tax bill data. Interested individuals may search the department's online database by owner's name and order copies of a property tax bill. The department accepts payments via mail, online, or in person. The main Office accepts payments using Visa or Mastercard, check, or money order, while other branch offices only take checks or money orders. The mailing address for payment is:

Wake County Tax Administration
P.O. Box 580084
Charlotte, NC 28258-0084

Walk-in request locations are:

Wake County Department of Tax Administration
301 S. McDowell Street
Suite 3800
3rd Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 856-5400

Apex Town Hall
73 Hunter Street
Apex, NC 27502

Cary Town Hall
316 N. Academy St.
Cary, NC 27512

Eastern Regional Center
1002 Dogwood Drive
Zebulon, NC 27597

Garner Town Hall
900 Seventh Avenue
Garner, NC 27529

Holly Springs Town Hall
128 S. Main Street
Holly Springs, NC 27540

Knightdale Town Hall
950 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale, NC 27545

Northern Regional Center
350 E. Holding Avenue
Wake Forest, NC 27587

Rolesville Town Hall
502 Southtown Circle
Rolesville, NC 27571

Southern Regional Center
130 N. Judd Parkway NE
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Anyone with further inquiries on the information provided online and how to obtain copies of a property tax bill can contact the department by email or by calling (919) 856-5400.

How to Look Up Wake County Property Records

Members of the public can conduct a real estate property search using the Wake County Real Estate Search Index. Interested parties may search for properties by owner, location address, real estate ID, and Parcel Identification Number (PIN). Alternatively, people can look up Wake County property records by visiting the Wake County Register of Deeds’ search site. The enquirer can search the database by document type, Grantor's Name, Grantee's Name, or Book/Page. Advanced search options are also useful provided that there is available information about the date of the recording.

Location of Wake County Property Assessors

Wake County Revenue Department
One Bank of America Plaza
421 Fayetteville Street
Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 856-5400