Criminal records of Wake County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. WakeCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Superior Court. Online portals, personal visits, and written requests all work for searching and obtaining criminal records in Wake County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Wake
There are several ways to find criminal records in Wake County. Which one to choose depends on what exactly you need and how urgently.
Online Search
- WakeCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- North Carolina eCourts Portal — The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts has launched the eCourts system, which gradually replaces the old platform. Through the Odyssey portal, you can search cases by defendant's name, date of birth, or case number.
- Wake County Sheriff's Registry — information about individuals held at the Wake County Detention Center is available on the sheriff's website.
Personal Visit
The Clerk of Superior Court office at the Wake County Justice Center provides access to public records. There are also self-service terminals for searching. Bring a photo ID with you.
Written Request
A request for a criminal history can be sent by mail to the court office. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. For an official state-level criminal history check, contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Wake Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in North Carolina is assigned a unique number. Understanding its structure helps find the desired record with minimal effort.
The case number format usually looks like this: YY CRS NNNNNN, where:
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was opened
- CRS — case type code (CRS means a criminal case in Superior Court; CR is used for District Court)
- NNNNNN — the sequential case number within the year
For example, the number 24 CRS 012345 indicates a criminal case opened in 2024 in Superior Court. District Court cases often have the code CR instead of CRS. If you know the exact number, the search takes seconds — both on the eCourts portal and through WakeCourt.us.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Wake
A criminal record contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the General Statutes of North Carolina (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 — theft) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — the case is under court consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, etc.)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in Wake County:
- First appearance / arraignment — first appearance before a judge, charges announced
- Preliminary hearing — preliminary review (for felony cases in District Court)
- Pre-trial hearing — pre-trial session, discussion of motions
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing
- Review hearing — review of probation conditions or sentence execution
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed by prosecutor or judge |
| Dismissed with leave | Case closed with the possibility of reopening |
| No contest / Alford plea | The defendant does not admit guilt but agrees to the sentence |
| Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) | The judge postpones sentencing — a specific legal tool in North Carolina |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Wake
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes: employment, licensing, immigration. A regular printout from an online portal does not have legal force.
Where to Apply
The Clerk of Superior Court office issues certified copies of court documents — indictments, verdicts, hearing records. For a full state-level criminal history check, the request is submitted to the SBI.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — visit the court office with a photo ID. Provide the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- By mail — send a written request with case details, return address, and payment (check or money order payable to Wake County Clerk of Superior Court).
- Through SBI — for a state-level criminal history check, fill out the request form and provide fingerprints. Requests can be submitted online through the SBI portal or by mail.
You will need a government-issued photo ID. For requests through SBI — also fingerprints taken at an authorized location.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Wake
Fees for copies and certification are set by North Carolina law. Here are the main rates:
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.25 per page | According to N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Document certification | $3.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check through SBI (by name) | $14.00 | May vary; check the SBI website |
| Check through SBI (by fingerprints) | $14.00+ | Additional FBI fees if a federal check is needed |
Processing Times
Copies at the court office are usually issued the same day if you apply in person and the case is easily found in the system. Mail requests take from one to three weeks. Criminal history checks through SBI take five to ten business days, although the period may increase during high demand. Electronic requests through the SBI portal are processed faster than paper ones.