Randolph County Background Check Services
Randolph County sits in the heart of the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. The county seat is Asheboro. With a population near 145,000, Randolph County is one of the larger counties in the state. Criminal records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Asheboro. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in areas outside city limits. Public records here fall under North Carolina's open records law, Chapter 132. This page walks through how to search for criminal history and court records in Randolph County.
Randolph County Court Records
The Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court is the main source for criminal case files. The courthouse is in downtown Asheboro. Walk-in visitors can use free self-service terminals. These give quick access to case data. The results are not certified.
If you need a certified record, you must file Form AOC-CR-314. The cost is $25. Staff at the clerk's window can help with this form. A certified search covers only Randolph County cases. It will not show records from Wake, Guilford, or any other county. You must request each county search on its own.
Here is the Randolph County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.
This page lists contact info, office hours, and directions to the courthouse. It also links to forms and filing guides.
Note: Self-service terminal results are not official and cannot be used as certified documents.
Statewide Criminal History Through the SBI
A Randolph County search has limits. It only covers local cases. For a full picture, the NC State Bureau of Investigation runs statewide checks. The SBI has been the state's central criminal records repository since 1937. Their headquarters is in Raleigh.
The SBI maintains the Computerized Criminal History file, known as CCH. This database pulls records from all 100 North Carolina counties. Name-based searches are fast. Fingerprint-based checks take longer but offer more precision. The SBI uses SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match prints to individuals. This cuts down on false matches that can happen with common names.
The image below is from the NC SBI website.
You can learn more about the SBI's services and submit requests through their portal. The SBI background check page has full details on fees and turnaround times.
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office is based in Asheboro. Deputies serve the areas outside Asheboro and other towns. The office keeps arrest logs and booking records. These are public.
Arrest data from the sheriff flows into the SBI's statewide CCH system. This means a local arrest in Randolph County can show up in a state-level check. The sheriff also handles concealed carry permits, civil process, and courthouse security. For questions about a specific arrest or warrant, contact the office directly by phone or in person.
Randolph County's location in the Piedmont Triad means that people often move between Asheboro, Greensboro, and High Point for work and daily life. This cross-county movement makes it important to search beyond just Randolph County when running a thorough background check. Someone who lives in Asheboro may have records filed in neighboring Guilford or Davidson counties. Checking multiple jurisdictions or using the SBI statewide search helps avoid gaps in your results. The Asheboro courthouse staff can point you toward the right resources if you need to expand your search.
Free Online Search Tools for Background Checks
Several free state databases can add depth to a Randolph County background check. These tools require no account and are open to the public around the clock.
- The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, zip code, or address
- The NC DPS Offender Search shows current and past state inmates
- Self-service terminals at the Asheboro courthouse for free case lookups
- The NC Courts background check guide for step-by-step instructions
These tools each cover different data sets. The sex offender registry is maintained by the SBI. The offender search covers the state prison system and shows release dates, parole status, and facility info. Using more than one tool gives a broader view.
Randolph County also has several smaller towns like Archdale, Trinity, and Randleman, each with their own police departments. Arrests made within those town limits are handled by the respective local department, though the records still flow into the statewide system. When searching for someone with ties to these communities, it helps to know which agency made the arrest. The clerk's office in Asheboro consolidates all court records for the county regardless of which agency filed the charges.
Expunction and Sealed Records
Not all records will appear in a search. Some may have been expunged. Expunction removes a record from public view. In North Carolina, this process is governed by Chapter 15A of the General Statutes. The filing fee is $175. It may be waived in certain cases, such as dismissed charges.
The NC Courts expunction page explains who qualifies and how to file. Legal Aid of North Carolina also offers free help. Their number is 1-866-219-5262. Once a record is expunged, it will not show up at the courthouse or in SBI checks.
Note: Expunction rules have changed over time, so eligibility depends on when the offense took place and its type.
North Carolina Records Laws
Two main chapters of state law shape public access to records. Chapter 132 is the public records act. It gives the public a right to inspect government documents, including criminal case files. Chapter 114 covers criminal justice information systems. It sets rules for how agencies like the SBI collect and share data.
The NC General Assembly website has the full text of both chapters. These laws apply to every county in the state, including Randolph. Understanding these statutes helps you know what you can and cannot access.