Hoke County Background Check Guide
Hoke County is in the Sandhills region of south-central North Carolina. Raeford is the county seat. Part of Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, extends into Hoke County, which has driven significant population growth over the past two decades. Criminal background checks in Hoke County are available through the county government, the clerk of court, and statewide systems run by the NC SBI. North Carolina law provides broad public access to criminal records. This page covers every option for conducting a Hoke County background check.
Hoke County Government Website
The Hoke County government website serves as the central directory for all county departments. You can find contact details for the sheriff's office, tax office, register of deeds, and other departments that handle public records.
Hoke County's rapid growth means county offices handle more requests each year. The website is a good place to check office hours and confirm which department to contact before making a trip to Raeford.
Note: Property and tax records are maintained by separate departments. The clerk of court handles criminal records specifically.
Hoke County Clerk of Court Background Check
The Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all court records. This includes criminal cases, civil matters, traffic violations, and special proceedings. The courthouse in Raeford has self-service terminals for free, non-certified criminal record searches.
Below is the Hoke County Clerk of Court listing on the NC Courts website.
A certified single-county search costs $25. Complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the clerk's office. Certified results are official documents. They cover only cases filed within Hoke County. For a broader search, the SBI offers statewide options.
The clerk's staff can assist with forms and explain what types of records are available. In-person and mail requests are both accepted.
To send a mail request, include the completed AOC-CR-314 form and a $25 check or money order. Write the full legal name and date of birth of the person being searched. Mail it to the Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court in Raeford. The clerk will run the search and send back certified results. Plan for a wait of a few weeks. North Carolina's eCourts portal is also in the works. Once live for all case types, it will let people look up Hoke County case data from the web, which could save a trip to the courthouse.
NC SBI Criminal History Search
For a statewide background check, the NC State Bureau of Investigation is the primary resource. The SBI was established in 1937 and is headquartered in Raleigh. Its Computerized Criminal History file, or CCH, is the central repository for criminal records across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Two search methods exist. Name-based searches are quick but can return results for people with similar names. Fingerprint-based searches use the SAFIS system and are far more accurate because they tie results to a specific set of prints. The NC Courts background check page outlines the pros and cons of each approach.
Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs access to criminal history records. The SBI follows strict protocols when releasing information.
Hoke County is next to Cumberland, Robeson, and Scotland counties. Many people in this area cross county lines for work and daily needs. A single-county search at the Raeford courthouse only covers Hoke County cases. The SBI statewide search pulls from all 100 counties, so it catches records from Cumberland County and elsewhere. For anyone with ties to the greater Sandhills region, the SBI check is a strong choice to pair with a local Hoke County search.
Free Online Search Tools
Two free databases provide additional background check information:
- The NC Sex Offender Registry allows searches by name or location
- The NC DPS Offender Search shows current and former state inmates
- Both databases cover the entire state
- No registration or payment is required
Given Hoke County's proximity to Fort Liberty, the population includes many people who have moved from other parts of the country. A statewide search, combined with these free tools, provides better coverage than a county-only search.
Note: Federal military records are not included in state databases. Only North Carolina state and local records appear in these searches.
Expunctions in Hoke County
Expunction allows certain criminal records to be removed from public view. The NC Courts expunction page explains who qualifies and how to apply. The filing fee is $175. Dismissed charges may qualify for a fee waiver.
Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free help with the expunction process. Call 1-866-219-5262. They can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the application. Once a record is expunged, it is removed from both county and state-level databases. It will not appear in standard background checks going forward.
Hoke County Background Check Overview
Hoke County offers multiple paths for background checks. Start with a free search at the courthouse in Raeford. If you need certified results, file the AOC-CR-314 form with $25. For statewide coverage, contact the SBI directly. Round out your search with the free sex offender registry and the DPS offender search.
Combining local and state resources gives you the fullest picture. Each method reveals different types of information, and no single source captures everything.
When you visit the Raeford courthouse, bring a photo ID and go during regular hours. The self-service terminals are in the public area and do not require a booking. For a certified search, hand your form and fee to the clerk. Hoke County has grown a lot in the past two decades, so the court is busier than it once was. Arriving in the morning can help you avoid the longest waits. Staff are used to helping people who are new to the process and can walk you through each step.