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.us, 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 related justice system documents. 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 through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Active warrant notices
- Sex offender registry entries
- Protective orders
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of 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 government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case date or 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 members of 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 State Bureau of Investigation
Processing times and fees vary by request type. Certified criminal history reports are available for a statutory fee per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 114-19.1.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Union County Clerk of Superior Court at 109 W. Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate time period of the 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, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. In North Carolina, criminal records are generated and updated at multiple points throughout the justice process, beginning with an arrest and continuing through charging, arraignment, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for purposes of public access and background screening:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding or plea of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are reflected in the criminal history maintained by the NC State Bureau of Investigation.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are treated 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 in most circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the issuing court and the Sheriff's Office. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
Agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union County include the Union County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Union County Clerk of Superior Court (court case files and dispositions), the NC State Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records may reflect charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
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, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132, establishes that public records are the property of the people and shall be open for inspection and examination at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. 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 case dispositions are accessible to members of the public. The following categories of records are subject to restricted access or are exempt from disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public view upon court order)
- Sealed case files (restricted by judicial order)
- Ongoing criminal investigations (exempt to protect investigative integrity)
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The North Carolina Department of Justice provides guidance on public records access through the NC Attorney General's Public Records Guide. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate statutory frameworks, including the Privacy Act of 1974, and are not subject to 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: The North Carolina Courts case search tool provides access to criminal case filings, charges, and dispositions for Union County Superior and District Courts. No registration is required for basic searches.
- Union County Sheriff's Inmate Search: The Union County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on its website, searchable by name.
- Union County Clerk of Court: In-person public access terminals at the courthouse provide access to records not yet available through the online portal.
State-Level Resources
- The NC Courts statewide portal provides access to criminal case information across all 100 counties.
- The NC SBI administers the state's criminal history background check system, accessible through the NC SBI Criminal History portal.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases.
- Case number searches yield the most precise results.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records.
- Note that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches.
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of varying duration depending on the agency. Historical records predating electronic filing are not uniformly digitized. Online searches do not replace certified official background checks for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, no fee may be charged for the inspection of public records. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. Free 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
- NC Courts eCourts case search — free, no registration required
- Union County Sheriff's inmate roster — free online access
- NC Sex Offender Registry — free public search via the NC SBI Sex Offender Registry
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Union County Sheriff's Office at no charge for inspection purposes.
What Costs Money
| Service | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified judgment or order | Statutory fee per document |
| Official SBI background check | $14–$25 depending on purpose |
| Staff-assisted record searches | May incur labor costs |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, which authorizes agencies to charge for the actual cost of reproducing records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
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 reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information. These records are maintained by the Union County Clerk of Superior Court.
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 orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges
NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records (where expungement has been granted)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their criminal record may seek correction through the originating agency or the NC SBI. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
North Carolina's records retention schedules, administered by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the NC SBI
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in most circumstances
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained with disposition noted; eligible for expungement in certain circumstances
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines governed by statute
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently per state retention rules
- The Union County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records per the applicable retention schedule
- The NC SBI retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record persists.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145, removes the record from public view and, in many cases, from law enforcement databases as well. Expungement eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to certain law enforcement and licensing agencies under specific statutory exceptions.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and are retained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from North Carolina's schedules.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions appear on background checks indefinitely unless expunged. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act reflect criminal history within the preceding seven to ten years for most purposes. Professional licensing boards in North Carolina may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even where a county has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.