Search Catawba County Felony Records
Catawba County felony records are held at the courthouse in Newton, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court in Catawba County maintains all felony case files, including charges, hearings, and outcomes. Catawba County is part of Judicial District 25 and sits in the western Piedmont foothills. You can access felony records at the clerk's office or through the NC eCourts portal. This page shows you every step to search felony records in Catawba County.
Catawba County Courthouse in Newton
The Catawba County Courthouse is at 1 Government Drive in Newton. All felony cases in the county go through this building. Superior Court handles felony trials and sentencing. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps every felony record on file for Catawba County.
Newton is the county seat. Catawba County also includes Hickory, Conover, Claremont, Maiden, and Long View. Hickory is the largest city in the county and one of the bigger cities in the region. All felony cases from these towns are filed at the courthouse in Newton. The clerk's office is on the ground floor. Staff help with record searches, copy requests, and certified documents for Catawba County felony cases.
Catawba County shares Judicial District 25 with Burke County. Both counties have their own courthouses and clerks. If you are not sure where a case was filed, the eCourts portal can help you search across counties.
Here is a look at the Catawba County Courthouse page on the NC Courts site.
View the Catawba County Courthouse page on NC Courts.
The NC Courts page has hours, directions, and contact info for the Catawba County Courthouse.
| Court |
Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court 1 Government Drive Newton, NC 28658 Phone: (828) 695-6100 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/catawba-county |
Note: Catawba County transitioned to the eCourts system as a Track 8 county on June 9, 2025.
Searching Felony Records in Catawba County
The quickest free search for felony records in Catawba County is at the courthouse ACIS terminal. Go to the clerk's office at 1 Government Drive in Newton. The ACIS system lets you search by defendant name or case number. It shows felony charges, filing dates, and case outcomes. No fee is charged. No form is needed.
To get a certified felony record check, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25. You can hand it in at the clerk's window or mail it to the courthouse. In-person payments include cash, credit card, and money order. Mail payments are by money order or certified check only. The clerk provides a sealed, signed document for Catawba County felony records.
The NC SBI offers a statewide felony search for $14 with fingerprints. This covers Catawba County and every other county in one check. It takes a few weeks to process.
Catawba County Felony Records Online
The NC eCourts portal is free for searching Catawba County felony records online. Enter a name, case number, or citation number. The system returns charge details, court dates, and current case status. It works across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Portal results are not certified. They are helpful for a fast look at felony cases in Catawba County. For an official document with the court seal, contact the clerk at (828) 695-6100 or go to the courthouse in Newton.
The Catawba County contact directory on NC Courts shows every court office phone number. Below is a look at that page.
See the Catawba County court contact directory.
The directory covers the clerk, district attorney, public defender, and all judges in Catawba County.
Certified Felony Checks in Catawba County
The free search at the Catawba County courthouse ACIS terminal gives quick results. It is not official. No stamp or signature. Use it for a personal check on felony records.
The $25 certified check is the official version. The clerk stamps it with the Catawba County court seal. This is what legal offices and courts require. Each certified check covers one county. The SBI statewide search at $14 with fingerprints covers all of North Carolina.
Regular copies from the Catawba County clerk cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies have a higher fee. Call the clerk's office at (828) 695-6100 to ask about current rates.
Note: Walk-in requests at the Catawba County clerk's office are handled on a first come, first served basis.
Felony Expungement in Catawba County
North Carolina law lets some felony records be expunged. This means the record is sealed from public view. Dismissed charges and not guilty verdicts are commonly eligible. Some nonviolent felony convictions can be expunged after a waiting period under the North Carolina General Statutes.
To apply in Catawba County, file a petition at the clerk's office in Newton. A judge will review it and decide. If granted, the record is removed from both Catawba County files and the statewide database. The SBI expungements page has details on eligible charges and the full process. Expect several months from filing to a final ruling.
An attorney who works in Catawba County courts can guide you through the process. Legal aid groups in the Hickory area may help at no cost for those who qualify. The clerk's office in Newton can give you the correct forms to start your petition.
Catawba County Criminal Record Tools
State tools can round out your search for felony data tied to Catawba County. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers state prison and probation records back to 1972. It does not cover Catawba County jail data.
Search the NC Sex Offender Registry by name or zip code. The VINE system notifies victims about custody changes for offenders in Catawba County and statewide.
- Clerk of Superior Court: (828) 695-6100
- Superior Court Judges: (828) 695-6105
- District Attorney: (828) 695-6115
- Public Defender: (828) 695-6120