New Hanover County Background Check

New Hanover County is located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina. The county seat and largest city is Wilmington. With a population over 230,000, it is one of the most populated coastal counties in the state. Public records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and supported by state agencies like the SBI. Criminal case files, court records, and other documents are available for public review. This page explains how to complete a background check in New Hanover County using local and statewide resources.

New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court holds all court records for New Hanover County. This includes criminal cases, civil matters, and estate filings. The courthouse is in Wilmington. Walk-in visitors can use free self-service terminals to search criminal case data. These searches are not certified, but they give a fast snapshot of what is on file for a given name.

For an official result, you need Form AOC-CR-314 and $25. The certified search is a legal document. It confirms whether a named person has criminal cases in New Hanover County. Clerk staff can guide you through the process if you visit in person or call ahead.

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

A county search only covers cases filed in New Hanover County. If you need records from other counties, a statewide search is the way to go.

Note: Wilmington is the largest city in the county and handles a high volume of court cases each year.

Statewide Background Check With the SBI

The NC State Bureau of Investigation operates the central criminal history database for North Carolina. The SBI was established in 1937 and is based in Raleigh. Its Computerized Criminal History File, called CCH, pulls records from law enforcement across all 100 counties. This makes it the broadest single source for criminal history in the state.

Name-based searches are quick. Fingerprint-based searches are more thorough. The SBI uses a system called SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match prints against its database. Fingerprint checks tie results to one person, which avoids false matches. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes sets the rules for how criminal data is collected and shared.

The following image shows the NC SBI background check page.

The SBI handles requests from individuals and organizations across the state.

Criminal History in New Hanover County

New Hanover County sees a larger volume of criminal cases than most North Carolina counties. Wilmington is a mid-size city with an active court system. Misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic offenses all generate records that are stored by the clerk's office. Each case is assigned a file number and indexed by the defendant's name.

All criminal records in North Carolina are public unless sealed or expunged. Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes governs public access to government records. Juvenile cases and certain sealed proceedings are exceptions. For everything else, the public has a right to inspect and copy records.

The NC Courts background check page provides a helpful overview of how these records are accessed.

Sex Offender and Inmate Lookups

Two free online databases can add to a New Hanover County background check. The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name or by map. You can see registered offenders in New Hanover County or across the state. The SBI updates this list regularly.

The NC DPS Offender Search shows current and former inmates in the state prison system. Search by name or offender ID. Both tools are free to use and open to the public.

Note: These online tools are a good starting point, but they do not replace a full certified search.

New Hanover County Background Check Options

Here is a summary of the main ways to run a background check in New Hanover County:

• Visit the courthouse in Wilmington and use free self-service terminals
• Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with $25 for a certified county search
• Contact the NC SBI for a statewide name or fingerprint check
• Search the NC Sex Offender Registry online
• Use the NC DPS offender search for prison records
• Review the NC Courts website for additional guidance

Each method covers a different scope. County searches are limited to New Hanover. The SBI spans all of North Carolina. Combining methods gives the most complete picture.

Expunctions in New Hanover County

Some criminal records in New Hanover County may qualify for expunction. An expunction removes a charge or conviction from public view. Once it is granted, the record will not appear in a standard background check. The NC Courts expunction page explains the eligibility rules and the steps to file.

The filing fee is usually $175. Dismissed charges may qualify for a waiver. Legal Aid of North Carolina can provide free guidance to those who meet income requirements. Call 1-866-219-5262 for help with the process.

New Hanover County is one of the smallest counties in North Carolina by land area, but it has a dense population centered in Wilmington. The court system here handles a high volume of cases. Background check results may include a wide range of offenses given the urban nature of the area. Name-based searches at the courthouse or through the SBI can produce extensive results for common names. A fingerprint-based SBI check is the most reliable way to confirm a specific individual's record in a county with this level of population density.

Those who prefer not to visit the Wilmington courthouse can submit a background check request by mail. Send Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 check or money order to the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. Include the individual's full legal name and date of birth. The clerk will process the form and return the certified result. Due to the high caseload in New Hanover County, mail requests may take slightly longer than in smaller counties. Planning ahead is advisable if you need the result by a specific date.