Wilmington Felony Records
Wilmington felony records are held at the New Hanover County Courthouse. The city is the county seat and the largest on the North Carolina coast. All felony cases in Wilmington go through New Hanover County Superior Court. You can search records online or at the clerk of court office. The NC eCourts portal provides free basic lookups. In-person visits offer access to full case files and certified copies.
Wilmington Felony Court Location
The New Hanover County Courthouse is where felony cases in Wilmington are heard. The building is on Princess Street in the historic downtown area. Superior Court handles all felony matters. The clerk of court office provides record services on site.
| Court | New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 316 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Phone | (910) 341-1300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The courthouse is in a walkable part of downtown Wilmington. Street parking and nearby lots are available. The Wave Transit bus system has stops close to the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID for the security check at the entrance. Court days are busier, so plan extra time if you need help from the clerk staff with Wilmington felony records.
The New Hanover County Register of Deeds is at a separate location. Their office at 320 Chestnut Street handles land and vital records. A satellite office sits at 230 Government Center Drive. These offices do not handle felony records. For court matters, go to the Princess Street courthouse.
Note: The Register of Deeds and the clerk of court are in different buildings, so make sure you go to 316 Princess Street for felony records.
Search Wilmington Felony Records
Online searches are the fastest option for Wilmington felony records. The NC eCourts portal covers all New Hanover County cases. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, court dates, and case status. The tool is free to use.
The NC Courts records page explains what is public. Most adult felony records in Wilmington are open under state law. Sealed and expunged cases will not appear in results. Juvenile records are not public. For official copies, contact the clerk at (910) 341-1300 or visit the courthouse on Princess Street.
Here is a screenshot from the NC Department of Adult Correction offender search, which lets you look up people serving time for felony convictions from Wilmington and the rest of North Carolina.
This tool shows current inmates in state prisons. It includes people convicted of felonies in New Hanover County. The database is free and updated regularly. It is managed by the NC Department of Adult Correction.
Wilmington Police Felony Cases
The Wilmington Police Department handles most law enforcement in the city. WPD arrests lead to felony cases at the New Hanover County Courthouse. Police records are stored in a separate system from court records. You may need both to get the full details of a case.
WPD headquarters is at 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. The non-emergency number is 910-343-3600. The Records Division provides incident and accident reports. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some reports can be accessed through the Police-to-Citizen portal, where you can search by name, date, or incident type.
Arrest reports from WPD are part of the evidence in felony cases. The police file shows the initial arrest and charges. The court file at the New Hanover County Courthouse tracks everything that happens after that, from hearings through sentencing. Together they form a complete record of a Wilmington felony case.
Felony Background Checks in Wilmington
A criminal background check that covers Wilmington felony records costs $25. Fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it at the New Hanover County Courthouse. The clerk sends the form to the NC SBI for a statewide search. Results come by mail within a few weeks.
Free options work well for quick lookups. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search case data on the spot. The NC eCourts portal does the same from home. The NC Courts background check page explains all of your options, from free searches to paid certified checks.
Note: A $25 background check from the New Hanover County clerk covers all 100 counties in North Carolina, not just Wilmington.
Wilmington Felony Expungement
Some felony records in Wilmington can be expunged. The process starts with a petition to the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. Get the forms from the NC Courts forms page. There is no filing fee. A judge reviews each petition and decides.
Dismissed charges and not guilty verdicts are the easiest to clear. Certain convictions qualify after a waiting period. The NC SBI expungement page has the full rules. Once granted, the record will not show up in public searches. Violent crimes and sex offenses face strict limits under North Carolina General Statutes. A lawyer can help you figure out if your Wilmington felony record qualifies.
Wilmington Felony Case Process
Felony cases in Wilmington follow a set path through the New Hanover County court system. An arrest or warrant starts the process. The suspect appears before a magistrate. A grand jury reviews the evidence and may return an indictment. The case then goes to Superior Court for hearings and trial.
Every step creates records. The arrest report, indictment, motions, and final judgment all become part of the case file. These documents are public under North Carolina law. Anyone can view them at the courthouse or through the online portal. The NC Department of Adult Correction tracks inmates after sentencing. Their offender search tool is free and shows people serving time for felony convictions from Wilmington and across the state.
Active cases and closed ones both show up in the system. You can track a Wilmington felony case from the initial charge through final sentencing using the eCourts portal. Sealed cases are the exception and will not appear in public search results.
Felony Case Tracking in Wilmington
Crime victims in Wilmington can sign up for alerts through VINE. This free system sends updates when an offender's custody status changes. Alerts come by phone, email, or text. It covers all North Carolina facilities including New Hanover County.
The NC Sex Offender Registry is free and open to the public. Search by name, address, or zip code. Wilmington residents use it to check their neighborhoods. The data comes from the NC SBI and is kept current. No login or account is needed for either tool.
New Hanover County Felony Records
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All felony cases from the city go through the New Hanover County court system. The county page has more information on courthouse services, fees, forms, and related resources for getting records.