Wake County Arrest Record Search
Wake County is the most populated county in North Carolina. It includes Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and several other cities and towns. Arrest records from Wake County are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. These records are public under state law. This page covers all the main sources for finding Wake County arrest records through local offices and state databases. The Wake County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court are the two main sources for arrest records in this county. Whether you need recent booking data or older criminal case files, Wake County offices can help you find what you are looking for.
Wake County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Wake County Sheriff's Office is at 330 S Salisbury St in Raleigh, NC 27601. Call (919) 856-6900 for general inquiries. Deputies patrol the county, serve warrants, and make arrests across unincorporated areas and some municipalities. The office processes a high volume of arrests each year given the size of the county.
The Wake County Records Division handles public record requests tied to arrests and bookings. You can email them at Sheriff.Records@wake.gov. Staff can search by name and pull booking logs, arrest reports, and related files. In-person visits to the Records Division are also accepted during business hours.
Wake County is home to more than one million people. The Sheriff's Office works alongside municipal police departments in Raleigh, Cary, and other towns. Each agency creates its own arrest records. The Sheriff's records cover cases handled by deputies.
The Wake County Sheriff's Office website, which links to the Records Division and other public tools.
Check this site for office hours and direct links to record request forms.
Wake County Court Criminal Records
The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal case files for the county. Court records track each case from the initial charge through the final outcome. They include arrest warrants, charging documents, bond details, hearing dates, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentences.
Court records in Wake County are public under N.C.G.S. 132-1. Sealed records and juvenile cases are exceptions. Visit the clerk's office in Raleigh or send a written request with the person's name and date of birth. Case numbers speed up the search. A copy fee may apply.
The Wake County Clerk of Court manages criminal case files from all agencies in the county.
This office handles the largest volume of criminal case files in the state.
Note: Wake County's court system is one of the busiest in North Carolina. Requests for older records may take extra time.
What Wake County Arrest Records Include
Wake County arrest records hold a standard set of facts about each arrest event. The depth of detail varies by record. Common items include the full name and date of birth, the date and location of the arrest, the charges filed, the bond amount, the arresting officer, and a booking photo when available.
Arrest warrants must meet the rules in N.C.G.S. 15A-304. A judge or magistrate must verify probable cause. The arrest record may reference the warrant number and the issuing authority. Because Wake County has many law enforcement agencies, records may come from the Sheriff, Raleigh PD, Cary PD, or other departments. All end up in the same court system.
Wake County Records Division
The Wake County Records Division is the main point of contact for public requests tied to the Sheriff's Office. You can reach them by email at Sheriff.Records@wake.gov or by visiting 330 S Salisbury St. Staff handle requests for arrest reports, booking data, incident reports, and other law enforcement files.
Written requests should include the person's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. Add your return address for mailed responses. Simple name searches are often done within a few business days. Older or complex requests may take longer. The division processes requests in order.
The Records Division page with details on how to request public records from the Wake County Sheriff.
This page explains the steps and any fees tied to records requests.
State Databases for Wake County Records
State agencies offer tools that extend beyond local Wake County records. The NC Department of Public Safety runs a free offender search covering all state inmates. You can look up a person by name and see conviction data, sentence details, and release status.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation provides background checks from agencies across the state. The NC Courts system explains how to request a criminal background check through the court network. These state resources find records that a local search may not show.
Below is the NC Courts page with guidance on criminal background checks statewide.
This resource explains the process for requesting a formal criminal background check.
How to Request Wake County Arrest Records
Start at the Records Division by email at Sheriff.Records@wake.gov or visit 330 S Salisbury St in Raleigh. Call (919) 856-6900 for questions. For court records, go to the Clerk of Superior Court. Both offices accept walk-in visits and written requests.
Include the person's full name, date of birth, and your return address. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, records linked to ongoing investigations may be restricted. Staff will tell you if any part of the file is not available. Confirm fees before submitting your request to avoid delays.
How Wake County Arrest Records Are Created
When law enforcement in Wake County makes an arrest, the process creates a series of public records. The arresting officer files a report with the details of the incident. This report includes the suspect's name, date of birth, physical description, and the charges. A booking record is then created at the Wake County detention facility. The booking record adds a mugshot, fingerprints, and bond information to the file. All of this data becomes part of the Wake County arrest record under North Carolina law.
After the initial arrest, the case moves through the Wake County court system. The clerk of court creates a case file that tracks every action from the first appearance to the final outcome. Motions, plea agreements, trial dates, and sentencing records are all part of this file. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most of these records are open to the public in Wake County. Anyone can request to view them at the clerk's office or search for basic case information through the NC Courts portal. Some records may be sealed by court order, but this is not common for standard arrest cases in Wake County.