Criminal records in Beaufort County, North Carolina, are accessible through several channels. BeaufortNCCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for this county. You can also search through the North Carolina court system's online portal, contact the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court, visit the courthouse in person, or request records from law enforcement agencies. The sections below walk through each method, what you'll find, and what it costs.
How to Search Criminal Records in Beaufort
You have several ways to look up criminal records in Beaufort County. What you need to get started:
- The person's full legal name (first and last, middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if you already have one)
Online Search
- BeaufortNCCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal case information tied to Beaufort County.
- NC Courts Search Portal — The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers a statewide Search Portal where you can look up criminal, civil, and special proceeding cases by name, citation number, or county. Select "Beaufort" as the county to filter results.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — The Offender Public Information Search lets you look up state prison inmates, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders by name or offender ID. This database goes back to 1972 but does not include county jail inmates.
In Person
Visit the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court at the Beaufort County Courthouse. Public access computer terminals are typically available during business hours for searching criminal case records. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and the case number if you have it. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides guidance on obtaining court records by mail.
For statewide criminal history checks, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) handles fingerprint-based background checks. These are typically required for employment or licensing purposes and are separate from court case searches.
Search Beaufort Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. North Carolina uses a standardized case number format across all counties:
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- County code — A two-letter abbreviation identifying the county ("CR" prefix is common for criminal cases, but the county code is embedded in the system)
- Case type prefix — Indicates the type of case:
- CRS — Superior Court criminal case
- CRD — District Court criminal case
- IF — Infraction
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned to the case within that year and type
A typical Beaufort County criminal case number might look like 24 CRS 000123, meaning a 2024 Superior Court criminal case. Enter this number exactly as formatted into the NC Courts Search Portal or provide it to the Clerk's office for a direct lookup.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Beaufort
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny) |
| Felony | More serious offenses; classes range from A (most severe) to I |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offenses; classes range from A1 to 3 |
| Infraction | Non-criminal violations such as minor traffic offenses |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Case is currently being processed through the court system
- Disposed — A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All court actions, including sentencing and post-judgment matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Defendant is informed of charges and advised of rights
- Probable cause / preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases in District Court)
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea in Superior Court
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, discovery issues, and plea discussions
- Trial — Bench or jury trial
- Sentencing — Judge imposes punishment after conviction
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Dismissed with leave — Charges dismissed but may be refiled
- Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) — Judgment is deferred; common in North Carolina for minor offenses
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Beaufort
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes. The Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court handles these requests.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at the Beaufort County Courthouse during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and the specific documents you need certified. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online — The NC Judicial Branch allows you to request public records through their website. Certified copies may still require in-person pickup or mailing depending on the document.
What You Need
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Defendant's full legal name and date of birth
- Case number (speeds up the process significantly)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
For state-level criminal history records (as opposed to court case documents), contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The NC Department of Adult Correction can assist with prison and offender records but does not hold local jail records.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Beaufort
Fees for criminal record copies in North Carolina are set by statute under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and the Administrative Office of the Courts fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $3.00 for certification plus $0.25 per page |
| Search fee (Clerk of Court) | No charge for basic case lookups at the courthouse |
| SBI state criminal history check | $14.00 (name-based) / $38.00 (fingerprint-based) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Typically processed the same day or within one to two business days
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing
- SBI background checks — Name-based searches usually return within 1–3 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office generally include cash, checks, and money orders. Ask the Clerk's office directly about credit or debit card acceptance, as policies can vary. Fees are subject to change — verify current amounts with the Beaufort County court office before submitting your request.