Alamance County Criminal Background Check

Alamance County sits in the heart of north-central North Carolina. The county seat is Graham. Residents and members of the public can search for background check records through local and state channels. Court records, criminal case files, and other public documents are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court. The Alamance County Sheriff's Office also plays a role in public safety records. Whether you need a name-based search or a fingerprint check, multiple paths exist for obtaining this information. This page covers the key offices and steps involved in an Alamance County background check.

Alamance County Sheriff's Office

The Alamance County Sheriff's Office is a core resource for public safety in the county. Located at 109 S Maple St in Graham, NC 27253, the office handles law enforcement across unincorporated areas and assists municipal departments. You can reach them by phone at (336) 570-6300. The sheriff's office manages arrest records and can assist with questions about criminal history within its jurisdiction.

The following image shows the Alamance County Sheriff's Office website, where you can find contact details and learn about their services.

This office is staffed around the clock. Deputies respond to calls across the county. The sheriff's team also works with state and federal agencies on more complex cases that cross county lines.

Background Check Through the Clerk of Court

The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of court records. The office is at 212 W Elm St in Graham, NC 27253. You can call (336) 570-5200 for help. The email address for public records requests is alamance.publicrecords@nccourts.org. Anyone can visit the courthouse in person to use self-service terminals and run a free, non-certified search of criminal case records. For a certified single-county search, you will need to fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay a $25 fee.

Here is the Alamance County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.

The clerk's office handles both civil and criminal records. Staff can guide you through the steps needed for a certified search. Keep in mind that court records reflect cases filed in that specific county only.

Note: Self-service terminals at the courthouse allow free, non-certified searches of criminal case data.

Statewide Background Check Options

For a search that covers all 100 North Carolina counties, the NC State Bureau of Investigation runs a statewide criminal records program. The SBI was established in 1937 and serves as the central repository for criminal history in the state. Their Computerized Criminal History File, known as CCH, stores data from law enforcement agencies across North Carolina. A fingerprint-based check through the SBI is more accurate than a name-based search because it ties results to a specific person's prints.

The NC Courts background check page also explains your options. Name-based checks can return results fast. Fingerprint checks take longer but are more reliable. The SBI uses a system called SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match prints on file.

Alamance Register of Deeds Records

The Alamance County Register of Deeds is in the same building as the clerk, at 212 W Elm St in Graham. This office handles property records, vital records, and other public documents. While these records are not part of a criminal background check, they can be useful for verifying a person's ties to the county.

Visit the Alamance County Register of Deeds website for more details on the types of records they hold.

Land records, marriage licenses, and birth and death certificates are all maintained here. These documents are open to public inspection under North Carolina's Chapter 132 public records law.

Sex Offender and Offender Lookups

Two free online tools can add depth to a background check in Alamance County. The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name or by area. Results show registered offenders in Alamance County or anywhere in the state. This registry is maintained by the SBI and updated regularly.

The NC Department of Public Safety Offender Search is another tool. It shows current and past inmates in the state prison system. You can search by name or offender ID. Both tools are free and open to the public.

Alamance County Background Check Process

There are several ways to run a background check in Alamance County. Here is a summary of the main paths:

• Visit the courthouse at 212 W Elm St and use a self-service terminal for a free, non-certified search
• Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 fee for a certified single-county search
• Contact the SBI for a statewide name-based or fingerprint-based search
• Check the NC Sex Offender Registry online at no cost
• Use the NC DPS offender search for prison records

Each method has its own scope. A county-level search only covers Alamance County. The SBI search covers all of North Carolina. Fingerprint-based checks are governed by Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes, which sets the rules for criminal justice information systems.

Note: Fingerprint-based searches are considered the most reliable way to verify criminal history.

Expunctions in Alamance County

Some criminal records in Alamance County may have been expunged. An expunction removes a charge or conviction from public view. The NC Courts expunction page explains who qualifies and how to file. The filing fee is generally $175, though it may be waived for dismissed charges. Once a record is expunged, it will not appear in a standard background check.

If you believe your own record should be expunged, Legal Aid of North Carolina can help. Their phone number is 1-866-219-5262. They offer guidance on eligibility and paperwork at no charge for those who qualify.