Robeson County Criminal Background Check

Robeson County is the largest county in North Carolina by land area. It covers over 950 square miles in the southeastern part of the state. The county seat is Lumberton. Robeson County is home to about 118,000 residents and has a rich cultural heritage, including the Lumbee Tribe. Criminal records and court files are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement across this vast area. Public record access follows North Carolina's Chapter 132 laws. Here is what you need to know about running a background check in Robeson County.

Background Check Records at the Courthouse

The Robeson County Courthouse is in Lumberton. All criminal case files for the county are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court. Felony and misdemeanor records are both available. You can walk in and use the free self-service terminals to search by name. These searches are quick but informal. They are not certified.

A certified background check requires Form AOC-CR-314. The fee is $25. You fill out the form and hand it to the clerk. Staff process the request and return results with a court seal. This covers only Robeson County cases. If you need records from other counties, you must file a separate request in each one.

The Robeson County Clerk of Court page has office hours and contact details.

Use this page to plan your visit or call ahead with questions. The courthouse handles a high volume of cases each year given the county's size.

Robeson County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff's office covers a lot of ground. Robeson County's large area means deputies patrol hundreds of miles of roads and rural land. The office is in Lumberton. It handles arrests, investigations, and the county detention center.

Arrest records from the sheriff are public. Booking logs show the date, charge, and basic personal details. This data also feeds into the SBI's statewide Computerized Criminal History file. That means a Robeson County arrest can appear in a state-level search. The sheriff also works with the Lumberton Police Department and state agencies on shared cases.

Note: Booking data from the sheriff's office may take a few days to appear in the SBI's statewide database.

Robeson County's geographic size creates unique challenges for background check research. With over 950 square miles of territory, the county includes numerous small towns such as Pembroke, St. Pauls, Red Springs, and Fairmont. Each of these municipalities may have its own police department that handles arrests within its limits. When searching for records tied to Robeson County, knowing the specific town where an incident occurred can help you identify the right law enforcement agency. All criminal cases, regardless of which agency filed the charges, are consolidated at the courthouse in Lumberton by the Clerk of Superior Court.

Statewide Background Check Options

A county search has clear limits. The NC SBI background check service offers a broader view. The SBI was founded in 1937. It is the central hub for criminal records in the state. Its CCH database holds data from every county.

Name-based checks are available for a fee. Fingerprint checks are more thorough. The SBI runs SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This network links fingerprints to individuals, which avoids the issue of common names producing false hits. The NC Courts background check guide walks through the options in plain terms.

Below is the NC SBI home page.

The SBI site has forms, fee schedules, and instructions for both individuals and agencies.

Because Robeson County borders South Carolina, individuals in the southern part of the county may have records in both states. The SBI search only covers North Carolina. If your research involves someone who has lived near Dillon or Marlboro County in South Carolina, a separate out-of-state check would be necessary for complete results. Interstate border areas like this often require a multi-state approach to produce a thorough background check.

Free Record Search Tools

Several state-run databases are free. No sign-up is required. These are useful as a supplement to a formal Robeson County background check.

The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. It shows registered sex offenders in Robeson County and statewide. The NC DPS Offender Search covers the state prison system. Look up inmates by name or ID. Both tools are available around the clock.

• NC Sex Offender Registry for local and statewide offender data
• NC DPS Offender Search for prison, probation, and parole records
• Courthouse terminals in Lumberton for free case lookups

Expunction Process in Robeson County

Some criminal records can be erased through expunction. This is a legal process that removes a charge or conviction from public view. The NC Courts expunction page explains the steps. Filing costs $175. Courts may waive this fee for dismissed cases.

Eligibility varies. It depends on the type of offense and when it happened. Chapter 15A of the General Statutes sets the rules. The NC General Assembly website has the full statute text. Legal Aid of North Carolina can answer questions at 1-866-219-5262. After expunction, the record will not show in any standard search.

Robeson County's high caseload, driven by its large population and geographic size, means the Lumberton courthouse can be busier than courthouses in smaller counties. If you plan to visit in person, arriving early in the day or calling ahead to confirm hours is a good idea. The clerk's office processes both walk-in searches and certified record requests throughout the business day. For the most thorough results, combine a Robeson County courthouse visit with a statewide SBI search. This dual approach captures local records and any cases that may have been filed in other North Carolina counties.

Note: Expunged records are removed from both local courthouse files and the SBI's statewide database.