Getting a Copy of Your North Carolina Criminal Record
Which North Carolina agency keeps criminal history records, how to request your own record, and the fee.
Short answer: The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) provides a fingerprint-based check of your own North Carolina record, called a Right to Review, using its Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information - Right to Review form (English and Spanish). NC State Bureau of Investigation, Personal Review
| Getting a copy of your criminal record | The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) provides a fingerprint-based check of your own North Carolina record, called a Right to Review, using its Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information - Right to Review form (English and Spanish). The NC state check costs $14 and the result comes as a response letter on SBI letterhead. A national check is separate: request an Identity History Summary from the FBI (listed at $18) from the FBI CJIS Division, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306. |
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| What relief the state offers | North Carolina's remedy is "expunction," which clears the public record of an arrest, charge or conviction. A person who receives it may leave the matter off most applications, and records checks will not show it. Expunction is available for dismissed charges and not-guilty findings (automatically for cases disposed of on or after December 1, 2021), for nonviolent misdemeanor and felony convictions after waiting periods, for juvenile adjudications, and after a pardon of innocence. Other expunction statutes in Article 5 (such as G.S. 15A-145 and 15A-145.2) cover first offenses committed when young and certain drug offenses. |
Where to get help in North Carolina
More North Carolina expungement & criminal records
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in North Carolina
- Clearing a DUI From Your Record in North Carolina
- How to File for Expungement in North Carolina
- Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Records in North Carolina
- All North Carolina expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
How do I check my own criminal record in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) provides a fingerprint-based check of your own North Carolina record, called a Right to Review, using its Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information - Right to Review form (English and Spanish). The NC state check costs $14 and the result comes as a response letter on SBI letterhead. A national check is separate: request an Identity History Summary from the FBI (listed at $18) from the FBI CJIS Division, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306.
Can you get a criminal record expunged in North Carolina?
North Carolina's remedy is "expunction," which clears the public record of an arrest, charge or conviction. A person who receives it may leave the matter off most applications, and records checks will not show it. Expunction is available for dismissed charges and not-guilty findings (automatically for cases disposed of on or after December 1, 2021), for nonviolent misdemeanor and felony convictions after waiting periods, for juvenile adjudications, and after a pardon of innocence. Other expunction statutes in Article 5 (such as G.S. 15A-145 and 15A-145.2) cover first offenses committed when young and certain drug offenses.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.