Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County may access publicly available information through UnionCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Union County may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and sentencing information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
Record categories that may be accessible include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail inmate rosters
Records may be searched through official county court resources, the Sheriff's Office, public access terminals, state-level repositories, and authorized online portals. The following five methods outline the primary access points available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Union County Clerk of Superior Court maintains criminal case files for matters adjudicated within the county's jurisdiction. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
109 W. Main Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: (704) 686-0400
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
Visitors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject or a case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for self-service searches at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing.
Union County Sheriff's Office
400 N. Main Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: (704) 283-3789
Union County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate search tool on its website. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2.
3. Online Court Search
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts operates the eCourts case search portal, which allows the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Union County. Users may search by full name, case number, or filing date. The portal reflects case status, charges, and dispositions but does not include sealed or expunged records.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of a completed request form and, for certain purposes, fingerprint cards.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27626
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Criminal History Record Check
Processing times and fees vary by request type. Volunteer and employment background checks are processed through the NC Department of Public Safety's background check portal.
5. Written and Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Union County Clerk of Superior Court or the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Union County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In North Carolina, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential imprisonment of more than one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Juvenile records are handled separately under North Carolina law and are not subject to the same public disclosure rules as adult records. Juvenile records are sealed by operation of law.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union County include:
- Union County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Union County Clerk of Superior Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- NC State Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Monroe Police Department and other local agencies — arrest records originating from municipal law enforcement
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon disposition. A complete record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The North Carolina Courts website provides access to case information for matters filed in the state court system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union County are public records under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, defines public records broadly to include documents made or received by government agencies in the course of official business. As stated in the statute, "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and most arrest records are accessible to the public. The following categories are subject to restriction or are exempt from disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Sealed case records
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The North Carolina Department of Justice provides guidance on the application of public records law to criminal justice information. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not governed by state open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Union County criminal records include:
- eCourts Case Search — Statewide court case search tool maintained by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts; includes Union County criminal filings, case status, and dispositions.
- Union County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Current jail roster and booking information.
No registration is required to use the eCourts public search portal. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.
State-Level Resources
- NC Courts eCourts Portal — Statewide criminal and civil case search.
- NC SBI Criminal History Record Check — Formal background check requests for employment, licensing, and volunteer purposes.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases.
- Case number searches return the most precise results.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies report to the same system.
- Older records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches.
- Expunged and sealed records do not appear in public search results.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating digital conversion are not available online and require in-person or written requests. Online results do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be made available for inspection free of charge. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, any person may inspect and examine public records during regular business hours at no cost. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at:
- Union County Clerk of Superior Court, 109 W. Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112
- Union County Sheriff's Office, 400 N. Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112
2. Free Online Databases
- eCourts Case Search — Free public access to court case records statewide.
- Union County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Free current inmate and booking information.
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Sheriff's Office website at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.25–$1.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state background check (SBI) | $14.00 per request |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to state law and are subject to change. The NC Administrative Office of the Courts publishes current fee schedules for court-related services.
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Union County criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the NC Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records originating in other states
- Federal criminal records
- Completed diversion program records where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the originating agency or the NC SBI. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
North Carolina's records retention requirements for criminal justice records are established by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources through official retention schedules. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expunction eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timeline governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 |
| Pending cases | Retained until resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts: Case records are retained permanently in accordance with judicial retention rules.
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and arrest records are retained per the applicable state retention schedule.
- NC SBI repository: Conviction records are maintained permanently; the NC SBI serves as the authoritative state repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or digital elimination of a record per a retention schedule.
- Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a court-ordered process that removes a record from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Eligibility and procedures are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related statutes. Expungement petition forms are available through the NC Courts expungement resources page.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on record permanently and appear on background checks. Employment screening practices under the Fair Credit Reporting Act address reporting periods, though professional licensing boards and certain employers may require full disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.