Buncombe County Background Check

Buncombe County is the most populous county in western North Carolina. The county seat is Asheville. With a large population and an active court system, Buncombe County produces a high volume of public records each year. Criminal history, court filings, property documents, and other records are accessible through multiple local offices and state databases. A background check in Buncombe County can be done at the courthouse, through the sheriff's office, at the Register of Deeds, or via the NC State Bureau of Investigation. This page covers all of the key resources.

Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Quentin E. Miller, who was elected in 2018 as the first African-American Sheriff in the county's history. The office runs several divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division, Detention, Civil Process, School Resource Officers, Animal Crimes, and the Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC).

Here is the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office website.

The sheriff's office handles law enforcement across unincorporated Buncombe County and assists municipal departments. Arrest records, warrant status, and booking information are all maintained by this office. The RTIC unit provides real-time data analysis to support ongoing investigations.

Buncombe County Detention Facility

The Buncombe County Detention Facility is overseen by Detention Major Jill Banks. This is one of the larger county jail operations in western North Carolina. The facility houses individuals awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or being held on behalf of other agencies.

Below is the detention facility page on the sheriff's website.

Booking and release records from the detention center can be part of a background check. These records show when a person was arrested, what charges were filed, and when they were released. Families can find visitation information and inmate lookup tools on this page.

Note: Booking records reflect charges at the time of arrest, not final case outcomes.

Background Check at the Buncombe County Courthouse

The Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court is at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville, NC 28801. This office manages all criminal and civil case records for the county. Self-service terminals are available for free, non-certified searches of criminal records during business hours.

Here is the Buncombe County page on the NC Courts website.

A certified background check costs $25 and requires Form AOC-CR-314. The certified search covers only Buncombe County. If you need records from additional counties, file separate forms or use the SBI statewide search. Staff at the clerk's office can assist with paperwork and explain the steps involved.

Buncombe County Register of Deeds

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds is led by Drew Reisinger. The office is at 205 College St in Asheville, NC 28801. You can call (828) 250-4302. This office handles property deeds, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and other vital records.

Below is the Register of Deeds page on the Buncombe County website.

While these records are not part of a criminal background check, they can help verify a person's identity, property ownership, or marital status. All records at the Register of Deeds are open to the public under North Carolina's Chapter 132 public records law.

Statewide Background Check Resources

The NC State Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal records system. Founded in 1937, the SBI maintains the Computerized Criminal History File from its headquarters in Raleigh. This database holds records from all 100 counties. A statewide search goes well beyond what a Buncombe County-only search can cover.

Two search types are offered. Name-based searches are faster. Fingerprint-based searches are more thorough. The SBI uses SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match biometric data against records on file. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs how this information is collected and shared. The SBI also offers a Right to Review program for individuals who want to see their own record.

Free Buncombe County Record Tools

Several free online tools can supplement a Buncombe County background check. Here are the most useful ones:

• NC Sex Offender Registry for registered offenders statewide
• NC DPS offender search for state prison inmate records
• Self-service terminals at the Buncombe County courthouse
• NC Courts online case lookup tools
• SBI Right to Review for checking your own criminal history

The sex offender registry is run by the SBI and covers the entire state. The DPS offender search shows current and former inmates, along with sentence and release details. Both are free and open to anyone.

Buncombe County Background Check and Expunctions

Expunged records will not appear in a standard Buncombe County background check. An expunction removes a charge or conviction from public view. The NC Courts expunction page explains the eligibility rules and filing process. The typical filing fee is $175, but it may be waived for dismissed charges.

Legal Aid of North Carolina at 1-866-219-5262 provides free help with expunction questions. They can help determine if you qualify and guide you through the paperwork. Once a record is expunged, it is removed from court databases and will not show up in searches.

The courthouse in Asheville is large and busy. It handles more cases than most counties in western North Carolina. When you visit, plan for some wait time. Bring a valid ID. The self-service terminals are in the clerk's area on the main floor. You type a name and pick a date range. Results show up fast. The screen lists charges, case types, dates, and outcomes. Prints are free but not certified. For a formal record, ask the clerk for Form AOC-CR-314 and pay the $25 fee.

Mail requests are also an option. Send the form, your payment, and a return envelope to the Buncombe County Clerk of Court at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Allow five to ten business days for a response. Because Buncombe County has a high case volume, the mail process may take a bit longer than in smaller counties. Call ahead to check on timing. The SBI statewide search is a smart add-on here. Asheville draws people from all over the region. A person may have records in Henderson, Madison, or Haywood County as well. The SBI check covers all of them in one search.

Note: Expunged records are removed from all public-facing court databases in Buncombe County.