Criminal records of Onslow County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. OnslowCourt.us allows quick access to public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's judicial system online portal, the clerk of court's office, county law enforcement agencies, and by submitting a written request to the appropriate institutions.
How to Search Criminal Records in Onslow
There are several proven ways to find criminal records in Onslow County. Each is suitable for different situations—from quickly checking the status of a case to obtaining a complete criminal history.
Online Search
- OnslowCourt.us — enter the first or last name of a person to view publicly available information on county criminal cases.
- North Carolina Judicial System Portal — all counties in the state use the eCourts (Odyssey) system. Through the online portal, you can search for criminal, civil, and special proceeding cases by name, case number, or date.
- Criminal Background Check — the Criminal Background Check page of the NC judicial branch explains how to view criminal records for free on public computers in any state court.
- Offender Search — the Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) maintains an Offender Search database where you can find information on inmates, parolees, and probationers.
In-Person Visit
The Onslow County courthouse has public computers where anyone can view or email themselves criminal records for free. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court office in the courthouse building.
Written Request
A request for court records can be submitted by mail or through the NC judicial branch's online public records request form. To obtain an official statewide criminal history, submit a request to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with a completed form and fingerprints.
To start a search, you typically need:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number, if you have it
Search Onslow Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case. In North Carolina, criminal case numbers have a standard format, and understanding its structure helps avoid confusion.
Typical format: XX CRS YYYYY
- XX — two-digit year the case started (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- CRS — case type code. CRS stands for Criminal Superior Court. Other common codes: CR (Criminal District Court), CRM (Criminal Misdemeanor), IF (Infraction)
- YYYYY — sequential case number within the specific county and year
For example, the number 24 CRS 00512 indicates a superior criminal court case started in 2024 with the sequential number 512. If you only know part of the number, try searching by name—the system will show all related cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Onslow
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the NC General Statutes (N.C.G.S.) under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Classification | Felonies are classified from A to I (A being the most severe); Misdemeanors from A1 to 3 |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the charges during proceedings—the new charge replaces the previous one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, with hearings scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are complete, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
In Onslow County criminal cases, the following hearings may occur:
- First Appearance / Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — for felony cases, where the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed to the Grand Jury
- Pre-Trial Hearing — discussion of procedural issues, possible agreements
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — review of probation conditions or sentence execution
Hearing dates can be checked through the court date search tool.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Dismissed with Leave | Closed with the possibility of reopening |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | The court postpones sentencing—a feature of NC judicial practice |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Onslow
A certified copy of a criminal record is an official document with the court's seal, accepted by employers, licensing agencies, and other institutions. A regular printout from the online portal does not have the same legal force.
Where to Apply
Clerk of Superior Court, Onslow County — issues certified copies of court records for criminal cases heard in the county court.
NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) — to obtain a complete statewide criminal history, submit a request through the SBI. This requires completing a special form and providing fingerprints.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk of court's office with valid identification (driver's license or state ID). The clerk will make a copy and certify it with a seal.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the person's full name, date of birth (if known), case number, and type of document needed. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — through the NC judicial branch's public records request portal, you can request court documents.
For county-level requests, you typically need:
- Full first and last name
- Case number or date of birth
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Onslow
The cost of copies and certification of criminal records in North Carolina is set at the state level according to N.C.G.S. § 7A-308. Here are the main rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (first page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification | $3.00 per document |
| Criminal history search through SBI (name-based) | $14.00 |
| Criminal history search through SBI (fingerprint-based) | $14.00 (state) + additional for FBI check |
Processing Times
- In-person at the court — copies are usually issued the same day or within 1–2 business days
- Mail requests — 5 to 10 business days, depending on volume
- Requests through SBI — 1 to 3 weeks for state-level checks; FBI checks may take longer
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in the form of cash, money order, or check. Confirm acceptable payment methods in advance by calling the Onslow County Clerk of Court's office.