Brunswick County Background Check

Brunswick County is one of the fastest-growing counties in southeastern North Carolina. It stretches along the coast south of Wilmington, with Bolivia as its county seat. Criminal records, court filings, and other public documents are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and county government. A Brunswick County background check draws on local, county, and state sources. This page details the offices, online tools, and steps for searching records in Brunswick County.

Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Brian M. Chism, who was appointed in May 2023. Sheriff Chism is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. The mailing address is PO Box 9, Bolivia, NC 28422, and the main phone number is (910) 253-2777.

Below is the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office website.

The sheriff's office runs a large operation. The detention facility has more than 350 beds. Substations in Calabash and Belville extend the office's reach across this geographically large county. Deputies patrol coastal and inland areas alike, responding to calls and conducting investigations. The office maintains arrest records, warrant information, and booking data that may be relevant to a background check.

Background Check Through Brunswick County Courts

The Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court is the official custodian of court records. Criminal cases, civil suits, and special proceedings are all on file at the courthouse. Visitors can use a self-service terminal for a free, non-certified search of criminal case records. This search covers only Brunswick County cases.

Here is the Brunswick County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts site.

A certified background check requires Form AOC-CR-314 and a $25 fee. The result is an official document bearing the court seal. Staff at the clerk's office can walk you through the process during business hours. Each certified search covers one county, so you would need separate forms for additional counties.

Brunswick County Public Records Requests

The Brunswick County public records page explains how to file a formal records request with the county government. This covers a wide range of documents beyond court records, including county department files, meeting minutes, and administrative records.

Here is the Brunswick County public records request page.

North Carolina's Chapter 132 public records law gives the public the right to access most government documents. The county must respond to records requests within a reasonable time. Some records may be exempt from disclosure, such as sealed juvenile records or active investigation files.

Note: Public records requests to Brunswick County government are governed by Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes.

Statewide Background Check With the SBI

For a search that covers all of North Carolina, the NC State Bureau of Investigation is the central resource. The SBI was established in 1937 and maintains the Computerized Criminal History File, or CCH. This database holds arrest and conviction records from law enforcement agencies across all 100 counties.

Two types of searches are available. A name-based search is faster and less expensive. A fingerprint-based search uses the SAFIS system to match prints and is more accurate. Fingerprint checks remove the risk of false matches that can occur when people share common names. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs how this data is collected and shared.

The SBI Right to Review program allows individuals to check their own criminal history on file with the state. This is limited to personal use and cannot be used to look up another person's records.

Free Brunswick County Record Tools

Several free tools can supplement a Brunswick County background check:

• NC Sex Offender Registry for searching registered offenders by name or location
• NC DPS offender search for current and past state prison inmates
• Self-service terminals at the Brunswick County courthouse
• NC Courts case lookup tools accessible online

The sex offender registry is maintained by the SBI and updated regularly. The DPS offender search covers the state prison system and shows sentences, release dates, and current status. Both tools are open to the public at no charge. They can provide useful data points before you commit to a paid certified or statewide search.

Brunswick County Background Check Process

To run a background check in Brunswick County, start by deciding the scope you need. A local search at the courthouse covers only Brunswick County cases. A statewide search through the SBI covers all of North Carolina. For the best results, combine both.

Expunged records will not appear in any standard background check. The typical filing fee for an expunction is $175. It may be waived if the charges were dismissed. Legal Aid of North Carolina at 1-866-219-5262 offers free guidance on eligibility. Juvenile records are sealed in most cases and are also not part of a standard search.

The courthouse in Bolivia handles a growing number of cases each year. When you visit, bring a valid ID. The self-service terminal is in the clerk's office area. You type a name and see results on screen. It is quick. Prints are free but not official. For a certified copy, use Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25 at the window. Mail requests are welcome too. Send the form, fee, and a stamped return envelope to the clerk. Most requests come back in about a week.

Brunswick County stretches from the South Carolina border to the Cape Fear River. People here may also have ties to New Hanover County or Columbus County. A local search only covers Brunswick County cases. The SBI statewide check fills the gaps. It pulls from every county in the state. Pair both for the best results. The free online tools, like the sex offender registry and the DPS inmate search, add more data at no cost. Start with the free options. Then move to the paid searches if you need a certified record or a broader scope.

Note: Brunswick County's growing population means the volume of court records increases each year.