Crime Numbers
According to the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation, the most recent and comprehensive report of crime rates in Wilson county was dated 2017. In this report, 2619 crimes were listed in the county. Three hundred and seventy-seven (377) of them were violent crimes stratified into 11 murders, 14 rapes, 95 robberies, and 257 aggravated assaults. Property crimes were numbered 2242 enclosing 618 burglaries, 1472 larcenies, and 152 motor vehicle thefts.
There is an 18% reduction in the crime rates when compared to those recorded in 2013. In detail, violent crimes were lower in 2013 (294) while property crimes were higher (2902). In 2013, there were 4 murders (175%), 7 rapes (100%), 85 robberies (12%), and 257 aggravated assaults (30%). Also, property crimes were composed of 791 burglaries (-22%), 1973 larcenies (-25%), and 138 motor vehicle thefts (10%).
Criminal Records
Criminal records profile the criminal activities of an individual. They are often available as court records, criminal history checks, police reports, sex offenders’ listings, and jail information.
Criminal court records are accessible for free viewing at self-service terminals located at the District and Superior Courts in the county. Anyone of the names of the defendant, witness, or victim can be used in the search. To access hard copies, walk into the clerk of the court's office where the case record is stored. Printing charges may apply to obtain prints of the records.
How to Obtain Wilson County Criminal Records
The Superior Court office performs certified criminal history checks on request for second and third parties using county data. To start the process, fill out and submit the AOC-CR-314 form to the clerk of the Superior Court along with a payment of $25. Cash, money order, certified checks, or credit cards are all acceptable forms of payment when submitting in person. Cash payments are not acceptable for mail requests.
Uncertified checks may be conducted for free using public access computers at the clerk’s office at the courthouse. Hard copies will however attract printing charges.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI ) also provides a non-certified, statewide criminal record search for interested parties upon the submission of a fingerprint card, a completed AOC-CR-314 form, and fee payment. It costs $14 to perform a statewide check. Although the county does not perform fingerprint checks, fingerprinting services are available at the Sheriff’s Office. Download the fingerprint service application form and bring it to the office of the Sheriff.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety maintains a repository of persons who have served or are still serving jail terms, and of persons on parole. Look up the Public offender registry for free to access the list of persons. To use this service, have the full names of the involved party, gender, ethnic group, race, and the date of birth.
Crash reports of accidents within the county are filed with the Police Department and office of the Sheriff at the county seat, Wilson. To view a crash report, use the Wilson Police Department and Office of the Sheriff’s online database of reports. Reports are usually available after 3 days from the date of the incident. The name of the driver, license number, and date of the incident is required to conduct a search. In-person requests can be made by visiting either the Police Department or the Sheriff’s Office:
Main Office
120 Goldsboro St. E
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-2323
South Office
700 US Hwy 301 N
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 206-5454
Sheriff’s Office
100 E. Green St.
P.O. Box 1666
Wilson, NC 27894-1666
(252) 237-2118
Information about persons convicted of sexual crimes is accessible to the members of the community through the statewide online search database Sex Offenders' Registry. This information may be based on the location of the offenders within the neighborhood or based on the details of the offender.
The Wilson County Detention Center is a mega facility with a capacity of over 250 inmates, from local, state, and federal referrals. To find out more about the facility location or how to fund an inmates’ account, contact the Office of the Sheriff using the address above.
Court Records
Court records are available for viewing at the courthouse where the case was filed. There is one Superior Court and one District Court, both of which are housed in the same location:
115 East Nash Street
P.O. Box 1608
Wilson, NC 27894
(252) 206-3000
Copies of records are provided usually at a fee. Records sealed by statute are not available for public viewing unless by court order.
Vital Records
The Register of Deeds Office is responsible for issuing marriage, birth, and death records for Howard county citizens. Available marriage records date back to 1855, while birth and death records from 1913 to date are accessible at the office. A certified copy costs $24 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. To obtain copies of the records, come to the Register of Deeds Office at 101 N. Goldsboro St., Wilson from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Similarly, use the Register of Deeds website to submit and pay with a credit card for a record request online. Certified copies are processed at $10 each while plain copies cost $1 per copy. Certified copy requests are processed only for the bearers of the record, immediate family, and anyone that has a legal relationship or authorization to request for them. Photocopies are available for public access. All certified copy requests must be accompanied by a government-approved and valid photo ID. to begin, download and fill out the application for certified copies of birth, death, or marriage records. Enclose the required cash or money order payment and bring it to the office address above. Mail requests should be sent with a money order-only payments to:
P. O. Box 1728
Wilson, NC 27894
For inquiries, call (252) 399-2935 or send a fax message to (252) 399-2942. Otherwise, send a mail. Please note that divorce records are obtained from the District Court where the divorce was granted.
The Vital Records Unit, North Carolina Department of Public Health provides vital records of births since 1913, deaths from 1930, marriages from 1962, and divorces since 1958. Application forms for birth, death, marriage, and divorce are available in English and Spanish. Complete the form of interest, enclose a fee payment of $39, and an acceptable form of I.D. proof of relationship is required in order to obtain certified copies. Come with the application and accompanying documents to:
North Carolina Vital Records (Cooper Memorial Health Building)
225 N. McDowell St
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Or, mail to:
North Carolina Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
A standard order takes about 8 weeks to be processed. Expedited requests may require more fees. Call (919) 733-3000. for more inquiries.
