Johnston County Background Check Records
Johnston County is located in east-central North Carolina, just southeast of Raleigh. The county seat is Smithfield. With a population well over 200,000, Johnston County has grown fast in recent years due to its location near the Triangle region. Public records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, and state agencies. Whether you need a criminal history search or a court record lookup, this page explains the steps and resources for running a Johnston County background check.
Johnston County Sheriff's Office
The Johnston County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement across the county. Deputies patrol unincorporated areas and assist local police departments. The office handles arrest records and can answer questions about criminal activity in its jurisdiction. It also runs the county detention center.
Below is the Johnston County Sheriff's Office website.
The sheriff's site includes contact details, crime updates, and information about services available to the public.
Johnston County Government Resources
The Johnston County government oversees a wide range of services. County offices handle tax records, property filings, vital records, and more. All of these fall under North Carolina's Chapter 132 public records law. That means the public has a right to access most government documents.
The image below shows the Johnston County Government website.
Use this site to find addresses, phone numbers, and links to individual departments across the county.
Note: Property records and vital records are separate from criminal background check data but may be useful for identity verification.
Johnston County Clerk Records
The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all court records for Johnston County. Criminal case files, civil filings, and estate records are stored at the courthouse in Smithfield. Members of the public can visit the courthouse and use free self-service terminals. These terminals let you search criminal case data at no charge. The results are not certified, but they give a quick snapshot of what is on file.
If you need an official result, file Form AOC-CR-314. The fee is $25. This certified search confirms whether a named person has criminal cases on record in Johnston County. The clerk's staff can help you fill out the form.
Here is the Johnston County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.
A county-level search only shows cases filed in Johnston County. For cases from other counties, a statewide search is needed.
Statewide Background Check Options
The NC State Bureau of Investigation runs the central criminal records database for all of North Carolina. Established in 1937, the SBI keeps data in a system called the Computerized Criminal History File, or CCH. This database pulls records from law enforcement agencies across all 100 counties.
A name-based SBI search returns results quickly. A fingerprint-based check takes longer but is far more accurate. The SBI uses SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match prints. This ensures results are tied to a single individual. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes sets the rules for how criminal justice data is managed and shared.
The NC Courts background check page walks through all the options in detail.
Note: A statewide search covers records from every county in North Carolina, not just Johnston.
Sex Offender and Inmate Searches
Two free state tools can round out a Johnston County background check. The NC Sex Offender Registry allows searches by name or location. You can view registered offenders in Johnston County or anywhere in the state. The SBI updates this registry on a regular basis.
The NC DPS Offender Search shows current and past state prison inmates. Search by name or offender ID. Both databases are open to the public at no cost.
Johnston County Background Check Steps
Here is a summary of your options for a background check in Johnston County:
- Visit the Johnston County courthouse and use a free self-service terminal
- Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with $25 for a certified single-county search
- Contact the NC SBI for a statewide name or fingerprint search
- Search the NC Sex Offender Registry online at no cost
- Use the NC DPS offender search for prison records
Each method serves a different need. Local searches are limited to Johnston County. The SBI covers all of North Carolina. For the most thorough results, using more than one method is recommended.
Johnston County's rapid population growth has increased the number of court filings each year. The county sits along the I-95 corridor and borders Wake County, which draws new residents from the Raleigh metro area. This growth means more cases flow through the Smithfield courthouse. Background check results in Johnston County may reflect a broader mix of offenses than in less populated areas. Because of higher case volumes, certified search processing at the clerk's office can take slightly longer during busy periods. Planning ahead and submitting requests early helps avoid delays.
If you cannot visit the Johnston County courthouse in person, mailing your request is an option. Send Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 payment to the Clerk of Superior Court in Smithfield. Include the individual's full legal name and date of birth. The clerk will return a certified result by mail once the search is complete. This approach is useful for anyone living in Clayton, Selma, or other parts of the county who prefers not to travel to the courthouse.
Expunctions and Record Removal
Some criminal records in Johnston County may be eligible for expunction. An expunction removes a charge or conviction from public access. After the process is complete, the record will not show up in a standard background check. The NC Courts expunction page explains the eligibility rules and the filing steps.
The filing fee is typically $175. In some cases, such as dismissed charges, the fee can be waived. Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free help to people who qualify. Call 1-866-219-5262 to learn more about eligibility and to get assistance with the paperwork.