Durham County Background Check

Durham County is in the heart of North Carolina's Research Triangle region. The county seat is the city of Durham, home to Duke University and a growing population. Public records in Durham County are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and other agencies. Criminal case files, court documents, and arrest data are open to the public under state law. This page explains how to access background check records in Durham County, covering courthouse visits, state-level databases, and free online tools.

Durham County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the main office for court records in Durham County. The office is in the Durham County Courthouse. Criminal cases, civil matters, and other legal filings are on file here. Anyone can visit during business hours and use a self-service terminal to search records for free. Free searches are not certified but show you what cases are on file.

Below is the Durham County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.

For a certified copy, submit Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 fee. Certified results bear the official court seal. This type of search covers only cases filed in Durham County. Durham handles a high volume of cases due to its large population, so the records here are extensive.

The state's eCourts portal is another tool worth noting for Durham County searches. North Carolina has been shifting court records to this online platform so the public can look up case data from any device with web access. Durham County is one of the busier courts in the state, and having an online path can save you a trip downtown. Check the NC Courts website for the latest on which case types are live in the system. For now, in-person visits to the Durham courthouse still give you the widest range of search options.

Note: Durham County processes a large number of cases each year, so allow extra time for certified search requests.

Durham County Sheriff's Office

The Durham County Sheriff's Office handles county-wide law enforcement. The sheriff manages the county detention facility, serves warrants, and patrols areas outside Durham city limits. The Durham Police Department covers cases within the city. Both agencies produce arrest records that become part of the court system.

Durham is a busy urban county. The sheriff's office and police department handle a significant number of cases. Arrest records from both agencies end up at the clerk's office once charges are filed in court. If you are looking for a specific arrest, the clerk's office is often the best place to search since it holds all filed cases.

Statewide Background Check Through the SBI

The NC State Bureau of Investigation manages the statewide criminal history database. Founded in 1937, the SBI operates from Raleigh and stores records from all 100 NC counties in the Computerized Criminal History file, known as CCH. A statewide search through the SBI covers far more ground than a Durham County search alone.

The following image is from the NC SBI background check page.

You can choose between a name-based check and a fingerprint-based check. Name-based results come back fast. Fingerprint-based checks use the SAFIS network and link results to a specific person's prints. This is the most reliable method. The NC Courts background check page has details on both options.

Durham sits next to Wake, Orange, and Chatham counties. People in this area often have ties to multiple counties. A statewide SBI check catches records from any NC county, making it a strong choice for a thorough search.

Keep in mind that an SBI statewide search and a Durham County clerk search serve different roles. The SBI pulls from its own CCH file, which gets data from law enforcement. The clerk search draws from court filings. Some cases may show up in one but not the other, so running both gives a more full view. If you want to be thorough, pair a local Durham County search with the SBI statewide check and the free online tools.

Free Online Search Tools

Two free databases run by the state can add to a Durham County background check. The NC Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the SBI. You can search by name or by address. Results show registered offenders in Durham County or anywhere in North Carolina. The registry is updated regularly.

The NC DPS Offender Search covers the state prison system. It shows current inmates, release dates, and charges. You can search by name or offender number. No account or fee is needed for either tool. They provide different types of data than what you find at the courthouse.

Note: Free online tools provide a quick first look but do not replace a certified courthouse search.

Steps for a Durham County Background Check

Here is a summary of the main ways to check records in Durham County:

• Visit the Durham County Courthouse and use a self-service terminal for a free search
• Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with $25 for a certified county search
• Request a statewide check from the NC SBI
• Search the NC Sex Offender Registry by name or address
• Use the NC DPS Offender Search for prison records

Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs criminal history data. Chapter 132 covers public records access. Together, these laws ensure that most records are available to the public while protecting certain sensitive information. The NC General Assembly reviews and updates these laws periodically.

Expunctions in Durham County

Some criminal records in Durham County may have been expunged. An expunction removes a charge or conviction from the public file. Expunged records do not appear in standard courthouse or SBI searches. The NC Courts expunction page explains who qualifies and how to file. The fee is $175, with possible waivers for dismissed charges.

Legal Aid of North Carolina can help with expunction filings at no cost. Call 1-866-219-5262 for assistance. They verify eligibility and help with paperwork. Durham County sees a high number of expunction requests due to its large population. The process can take several months from filing to final order.