Brunswick County Felony Records Search

Brunswick County felony records are on file at the courthouse in Bolivia, North Carolina. This fast-growing coastal county is part of Judicial District 13 and handles a steady flow of felony cases through its Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal case files, and the public can view or request copies of them. Brunswick County moved to the eCourts system in late 2024, making online searches easier than before. This page explains how to search for felony records in Brunswick County and which tools you can use.

Brunswick County Courthouse Information

The Brunswick County Courthouse is in Bolivia, the county seat. The building holds Superior Court and District Court along with all supporting court offices. Felony cases are heard in Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court handles record requests, certified copies, and file access for the public.

Brunswick County joined the eCourts system on October 14, 2024, as a Track 6 county. Since the transition, felony records have been feeding into the statewide digital platform. Older cases may still exist in paper form at the clerk's office in Bolivia.

How to Search Brunswick County Felony Records

There are two main ways to search felony records in Brunswick County. The first is an in-person visit to the courthouse in Bolivia. Go to the clerk's office and use the free public terminals. These let you search by name or case number. You will see the charges, court dates, and case outcomes. Staff at the clerk's window can also pull paper files for older cases or print pages from the system for you.

The second way is the NC eCourts portal. Since Brunswick County joined eCourts in October 2024, its felony data is part of the online system. You can search from a computer or phone. Enter a name and filter to Brunswick County. Basic searches are free. The portal shows the same data you would see at the courthouse terminals.

Certified copies of felony records cost $25. Only the Clerk of Superior Court can issue them. Bring a photo ID to the courthouse. Payment is by cash, check, or money order.

Note: Online searches on the eCourts portal are free, but a certified copy with the court seal costs $25 and must be picked up at the clerk's office.

Felony Cases in Brunswick County Courts

Brunswick County has grown fast in recent years, and its court system has grown with it. Felony cases start with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. The case moves into Superior Court for hearings, motions, and a possible trial. Common felony charges in Brunswick County include drug offenses, burglary, assault, and fraud. The coastal location also brings cases tied to smuggling and large-scale drug operations.

Each felony carries a class under North Carolina General Statutes. Class A is the most serious. Class I is the least. The class helps the judge set the sentence. All documents from these cases become part of the public record at the Brunswick County Courthouse. You can view the arrest report, indictment, motions, and final judgment unless a judge has sealed the file.

Brunswick County Criminal Background Checks

The Clerk of Superior Court in Brunswick County runs local criminal record checks. A local check pulls every charge filed in this county for a given person. The fee is $25 for a certified document. You need a photo ID. The certified report carries the court seal and lists felonies, misdemeanors, and other criminal charges on file.

For a wider search, the NC State Bureau of Investigation runs statewide background checks. The SBI holds criminal data from all 100 counties. Their customer service number is (919) 582-8660. A statewide search pulls a more complete set of records than a single-county check in Brunswick County.

The Brunswick County contact directory lists phone numbers for every court office. The Clerk of Superior Court is at (910) 253-3900. Superior Court Judges are at (910) 253-3905. The District Attorney is at (910) 253-3915. Call ahead with questions about a specific felony record request.

The Brunswick County Courthouse page from the NC Courts website is shown below.

This page gives the address, phone, and links to court calendars for Brunswick County.

Felony Record Expunctions in Brunswick County

North Carolina law allows some felony records to be expunged. An expunction removes the charge from public view. The process begins with a petition filed at the Brunswick County Courthouse. A judge reviews the petition and decides if the charge meets the requirements for removal.

The NC SBI expungement page outlines which charges qualify. Form AOC-CR-314, the petition for expunction, is on the NC Courts forms page. If the judge grants the request, the felony record is cleared from both the Brunswick County files and the statewide eCourts database. It will no longer appear in public searches.

Other Brunswick County Record Resources

The NC Department of Adult Correction has a free offender search. This database covers state prisons and probation going back to 1972. It does not include county jail data. If someone was sent to state prison after a felony conviction in Brunswick County, this search will show them.

Crime victims in Brunswick County can use VINE to get alerts. VINE sends phone calls, emails, or texts when an offender's status changes. The service is free and covers all North Carolina facilities. This is helpful for anyone connected to a felony case in Brunswick County.

The contact directory for Brunswick County courts is on the NC Courts website.

Use this page to find the right office before visiting the Brunswick County Courthouse for a felony record request.

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds is also at 310 Government Center Drive NE in Bolivia. That office handles property records and vital records like birth and death certificates. For felony records, the Clerk of Superior Court at (910) 253-3900 is the correct office to call.

Note: The NC Department of Adult Correction offender database does not include people held in the Brunswick County detention center or those on local probation.