Richmond County Arrest, Criminal, Court, and Public Records
Situated in the central southern border of North Carolina, Richmond county maintains and allows public access to public records. Pursuant to the provisions of the North Carolina Public Records Law, members of the public may request access to Richmond county arrest records, court records, inmate records, sex offender information, and criminal records. However, the availability of these records varies depending on its content and the provisions of the law or judicial order. While most records are easily accessible, some records may prove especially hard to access. In this case, third-party aggregate sites like staterecords.org, offer a reliable and expeditious alternative,
What are Richmond County Public Records?
The North Carolina Freedom of Information Act describes Richmond County public records as records created, received, reproduced, or maintained by a government agency for official duties. While most records are considered public, the law restricts access to some records, including:
- Records exempt by state or federal law
- Trade secrets
- Financial or commercial information
- Records where disclosure would cause an unnecessary invasion of privacy
- Law enforcement records where disclosure will reveal a confidential informant or compromise a person's right to a fair trial
Richmond County Crime Statistics
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides index crime statistics for all state counties. Richmond County figures published in 2021 include an index crime rate of 5,508.4 per 100,000 with 865.4 violent crimes per 100,000 and 4642.9 property crimes per 100,000. This is a 24% increase compared to the 4,408.3 total index crimes reported in 2020.
Are Richmond County Criminal Records Public?
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides access to personal criminal history records through its Right to Review process. The office also processes background check requests for Adoption, Firearms Consent, and Handgun licenses. However, these typically require the consent and fingerprint of the record holder, and their uses are vastly limited.
Alternatively, record seekers can use the criminal history record search (CHRS) provided by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Request Richmond criminal records online by submitting a completed Criminal History Record Search in person or via mail to:
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
_1 Court Street _
_Rockingham, NC 28379 _
Phone: (910) 895-3232
How to Obtain Richmond County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Administration department of the county sheriff’s office provides access to Richmond County arrest records and police reports. Records are requestable online or by mail. To request by mail, residents must submit a written request or pick up a copy of the application at the office in person. A requesting third party must submit a notarized letter of verification attached to the application. Mail requests require two copies of the completed application and a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Richmond County
Interested parties can find Richmond County sex offenders by searching the Sex Offender Registry provided by the State Bureau of Investigation. Users will need to enter the sex offender's name, specify Richmond on the county menu, or provide a zip code. The registry also allows users to search specifically for offenders in a local jail, state prison, ICE custody, or a New York State federal prison. Obtainable information includes the sex offender's full name, sex, date of birth, and risk level. Other displayed details include physical descriptors, photographs, crime and conviction details, the arresting agency, and a current address.
How to Find Richmond County Inmate Records
The North Carolina State Department of Correction provides online access to inmate information through its Offender Search page. Interested persons may search for Richmond County inmates using one of the following tools:
- Public Information Search/Offender Locator Tool
- Automated System Query
- NC SAVAN Search
- NC Sex Offender Registry
- Interstate Compact Offender Tracking
- Law Enforcement Search
Searches can be conducted by the inmates ID number, book and case Number, or the inmate's name. Available information includes the person's booking name, date of birth, current facility, discharge date, and next court date. Booking, bail, and charge information are also available.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Richmond County Jail?
Inmates may receive a maximum of three persons at each visit and three visits each week. Sentenced inmates may receive two visits per week. All inmates are restricted to one visit session per day. Visitors should be at least 16 years old and must present valid identification. Persons under 16 may only visit in the company of adults who are 18 years or older. A 16 or 17-year-old visitor may only accompany a child younger than 16 if the visitor is the child's parent. The inmate to be visited should also be the child's other parent.
Richmond County Court Records
Richmond County cases are heard by various courts. However, the Supreme Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. Other courts have limited jurisdiction over varying case types.
Locations of Courts in Richmond County
Richmond County Superior Court
_105 West Franklin Street, _
Rockingham, NC 28379
Phone: 910-419-7400
Richmond County District Court
_105 West Franklin Street, _
Rockingham, NC 28379
Phone: 910-419-7400
Phone: 910-419-7575 (Family Court)
Fax: 910-419-7576 (Family Court)
Are Richmond County Court Records Public?
Most Richmond County court records are public records. North Carolina public record law describes a strong presumption of openness for case records and judicial proceedings. The law states that court dockets must be kept open to the public, and court clerks must provide court records upon request. However, the public right of access is not absolute. Some records, such as adoption and civil commitment records are not open to the public. Also, requestors may be denied access to criminal court records if the defendant is found not guilty.
Can You Look up a Richmond County Court Case Online?
The North Carolina Judicial Branch grants access to Richmond court records through its eCourts service. The platform provides access to Supreme and Civil court cases, as well as pending criminal and Family Court matters. Using any of the supplied links, request records from the concerned custodian by providing the record-holder’s name, case number, summons number, or the judge's name. Depending on the chosen category, required details may differ.
How to Obtain Richmond County Civil and Criminal Court Case Records
Residents may obtain Richmond County civil and criminal court records from the court that heard the case. Provide the Court Clerk with all known case details include arrest details, charges, party names, court dates, and final judgment. Visit the court in person or send written applications. Note that the courts may charge varying fees to provide copies of requested records.
Alternatively, contact the Richmond County Clerk, which serves as an archive for Supreme Court records. Send written requests or visit the:
Richmond County Clerk
Richmond County Superior Court
_105 West Franklin Street, _
Rockingham, NC 28379
Phone: (910) 419-7400
District Courts in Richmond County
What are Richmond County Vital Records?
Richmond County vital records contain recorded information on life events such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Richmond vital records are available with the County Clerk's Office, the North Carolina Division of Public Health, or the Office of the Richmond County Register of Deeds. However, not all Richmond vital records are public records.
Where and How to Obtain Richmond County Divorce Records
The Richmond County Clerk of Court maintains and issues copies of divorce records. To request, provide the Richmond County Clerk with the divorced parties' names and the divorce date.
Richmond county divorce record queries are also processed by the Vital Records Department of the NCDPH. Each certificate costs $24, payable by a certified check, personal check, or postal money order and requests for these record may be submitted to the office or to the third-party provider in person or via mail.
Where and How to Get Public Richmond County Marriage Records
The Richmond County Register of Deeds maintains copies of Richmond County marriage records. The general public may only access Richmond County marriage records older than 50 years old. Access to newer marriage records is restricted to persons who satisfy the state’s eligiblity requirements.
Interested persons may obtain records by mail or in person. To request by mail, complete the marriage records request form and submit it along with a payment of $10 (for certified copies) or $.35 (for uncertified copies). Requests may be sent in person or via mail to:
Richmond County Register of Deeds
114 E. Franklin St Room 101
Rockingham, NC 28379
Staten Island, NY 10301
Where and How to Get Confidential Richmond County Marriage Records
Confidential Richmond County marriage records are available with from the office of the county register of deeds. The process for accessing them is similar to all other vital records. However, these records are only available to the following persons:
- Either married party
- A requestor with written and notarized authorization from either party
- An attorney requesting the record as evidence in a legal proceeding
- A person requesting a marriage record on behalf of an eligible person, to be mailed directly to the person
- A requestor with both spouses' original death certificates where both persons are deceased
Where and How to Find Richmond County Birth and Death Records
Richmond County birth and death records are available through the office of the County Register of Deeds. Neither birth nor death records are public. Depending on the requestor, information obtainable on the death certificate may be limited.
The following are the individuals eligible to access certified copies of these records:
- The record holder
- The record holder’s parents or guardians
- Their blood relative and legal step-parent or child
- Persons with a judicial order
- Those with proof of personal or property rights
- Authorized legal representative of the aforementioned parties
- Funeral Director/Licensee for death certificates
If eligible, complete the vital record application. Each certified copy costs $10. However, the office can also issue records of out of county births for $24, but additional copies will cost $15.
