Wayne County Background Check Services
Wayne County is in the eastern part of North Carolina. Goldsboro is the county seat. The county is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, which has a significant presence in the community. Wayne County has a population of about 124,000 residents. Court records and criminal history data are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and related agencies. Background check searches are available through local and state channels. This page details every method for accessing criminal records and public documents in Wayne County.
Wayne County Government
Wayne County government offices are centered in Goldsboro. Multiple departments handle different aspects of public records. The county website is the best place to find contact information and learn about available services.
The following image shows the Wayne County government website.
From this site you can navigate to specific departments. Phone numbers, office addresses, and hours are listed for each office. Check the site before visiting to confirm current schedules.
Wayne County Clerk of Court Background Check
The Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all court records for the county. The office is in the Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro. Criminal cases, civil filings, and estate matters are on file here.
Walk-in visitors can use free self-service terminals to look up criminal case records. These searches are not certified. For a certified result, submit Form AOC-CR-314 and pay the $25 fee. Certified results carry an official stamp from the clerk's office.
Here is the Wayne County Clerk of Court page on the NC Courts website.
This page provides office hours, phone numbers, and the mailing address. The clerk's staff can help walk you through the records request process.
The presence of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro adds a unique dimension to Wayne County's court system. Military personnel stationed at the base who are involved in off-base incidents may have cases filed in the Wayne County courts. However, incidents that occur on the base itself fall under federal military jurisdiction and would not appear in a standard county or SBI background check. If you are researching someone with military ties in Wayne County, understanding the difference between on-base and off-base jurisdiction is important for getting accurate results.
Note: Certified county searches only cover cases filed in Wayne County.
Statewide Background Check Resources
The NC State Bureau of Investigation is the central repository for criminal history in North Carolina. Operating from Raleigh since 1937, the SBI manages the Computerized Criminal History file. This database collects records from every law enforcement agency in the state.
Name-based searches produce results quickly. Fingerprint-based searches take longer but are more accurate. The SBI uses SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to process fingerprint submissions. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs how this information is handled.
The NC Courts background check page provides an overview of all available search types.
Wayne County's population of about 124,000 generates a substantial number of court cases annually. The Goldsboro courthouse processes both District Court and Superior Court matters. District Court handles misdemeanors and minor civil cases, while Superior Court handles felonies and major disputes. When visiting the courthouse, plan for moderate wait times at the self-service terminals during busier periods. The clerk's staff are available to help with questions about certified searches and can explain the difference between the results you get at the terminal and an official sealed document.
Wayne County Online Portal
Wayne County offers some online access to records and services through its website. The portal can help you identify the right office to contact and prepare your request before visiting in person.
Below is the Wayne County portal.
The portal is useful for finding department contacts and confirming office schedules. Not all records are available online, but the site can save you a trip if you need basic information first. Wayne County's portal also connects to the sheriff's office, the register of deeds, and other departments that manage public records. Checking the portal before visiting Goldsboro helps you identify the correct office for your needs and confirm that it will be open when you arrive. This preparation step is especially helpful for visitors traveling from outside the immediate area.
Free Online Criminal Databases
Two state-run tools provide free access to criminal records. The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders by name, zip code, or county. The SBI maintains this registry and updates it on a regular basis.
The NC DPS Offender Search covers inmates in the state correctional system. Search by name or offender number. Both databases are public and free.
Note: These tools are helpful for supplementing a formal background check but do not replace one.
Expunctions in Wayne County
North Carolina law allows certain criminal records to be expunged. This removes them from public search results. The NC Courts expunction page explains who qualifies and what forms are needed. The filing fee is $175. Dismissed charges may qualify for a waiver.
Legal Aid of North Carolina can assist with the process at no charge for eligible individuals. Call 1-866-219-5262. Once a record is expunged, it will not appear in a background check conducted through the clerk or the SBI.
Wayne County borders several other counties including Lenoir, Johnston, Duplin, and Greene. Goldsboro sits near the crossroads of US 70 and Interstate 795, making it a regional hub in eastern North Carolina. People living in Wayne County may have ties to any of these surrounding areas. A background check limited to Wayne County alone could miss records filed in neighboring jurisdictions. Combining the local courthouse search with the SBI statewide search is the most reliable way to capture records from across the region.