What are Asheville City Public Records?
According to the North Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Asheville City public records include all documents, irrespective of their form, generated or maintained by a public body. These records include maps, tapes, images, papers, recordings, and electronic documents. However, some documents maintained by public bodies are exempted. Qualified persons can only access these documents. They include:
- Confidential communications by legal counsel to public board or agency
- Confidential information
- Settlements made by or on behalf of public agencies, public officials, or public employees
- Information concerning criminal investigations
- Law enforcement agency recordings
- Sensitive public security information
- Social security numbers and other personal identifying information
Asheville City Crime Statistics
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) provides periodic statistical reports of crime within Asheville City. In 2018, Asheville City reported a total number of 5,397 crimes, including 580 violent crimes and 4,830 property crimes. The violent crimes included 12 murders, 47 rapes, 149 robberies, and 372 aggravated assaults. The property crimes included 697 burglaries, 3,720 larcenies, 400 motor vehicle thefts, and 13 arson. The 2017 crime report shows a substantial increase in the total number of crimes between 2017 and 2018. There was an increase in the total number of crimes by 11%. There was an increase in murder (50%), aggravated assault (3%), larceny (17%), motor vehicle theft (24%), and arson (86%). There was a decrease in rape (6%), robbery (18%), and burglary (5%).
Are Asheville City Criminal Records Public?
Asheville City criminal records are publicly available. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records. There is a $14 fee for each search. Payments should be made by check or money order. Interested persons should submit a completed Right to Review Form and fingerprint card to:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Applicant Unit-Right to Review
Criminal Information and Identification Section
P.O. Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Phone: (919) 582-8600
The NCSBI also maintains an online search portal for criminal records.
The Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court also maintains Asheville criminal records. The clerk makes these records publicly available at $25 for each certified copy of a criminal record. Requests can be made by mail or in person. Mail requesters can make payments by money order or check, while in-person requesters can make payments by credit card, cash, money order, or check. To make a request, interested persons should fill Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it in person or by mail to:
Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801-3519
How to Obtain Asheville City Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records Unit of the Asheville City Police Department maintains records of Asheville City arrest records and police reports. A copy of the report may be obtained online, by mail, or in person at no cost. Interested persons can download a copy of the report online using the Police-to-Citizen (P2C) tool. The tool includes both events and crash reports. Requests can also be made by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. In-person and mail requests should be made to:
Asheville Police Department Records Unit
100 Court Plaza
P.O. Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 259-5870
The Records Unit is open from Mondays to Fridays, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Crash reports can be searched by date of the occurrence, case number, driver’s license, and name of the person involved. Interested persons can search for details on other events by report information, address, or case number.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Asheville City?
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains a registry of sex offenders in North Carolina, including Asheville City. Interested persons can search the sex offender registry by address, name, registration number, or longitude and latitude. The search result includes the sex offender’s aliases, photo, physical description, offense, conviction date, and release date. Searches by location will show all the sex offenders who live around that location.
How to Find Asheville City Inmate Records?
Asheville inmates are housed in the Buncombe County Detention Center. The Buncombe County Sheriff runs the detention center. It maintains an online inmate search tool that interested persons can use to find inmates in the detention center. They can search for inmates by name. Also, the portal provides a list of all inmates in the detention center. This list includes the inmate’s name, photo, physical description, and charges. The complete list of inmates can also be sorted by arrest date, charge, or last name.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Asheville City Jail?
Members of the public can visit inmates in the Buncombe County Detention Center. Visits should be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and last for 20 minutes. The visitation times from Mondays to Fridays are from 9:00 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. The visitation time on Saturdays is between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Visits can be scheduled by calling (828) 250-4610 or (828) 250-4557.
The visitor should have a valid state or federal photo I.D. card or driver’s license. The visitor should also abide by all of the visitation rules or the visit may be terminated. The rules include the following.
- Minors, 15 years old or younger, do not need identification when a parent or legal guardian accompanies them
- Adults, 16 years old or older, must have proper identification to visit
- Children should not be left unattended at any time
- Purses, bags, weapons, knives, pens, pencils, papers, electronic gadgets, and sharp items are not allowed
- Items should not be left unattended in the lobby area
- Inappropriate behavior, including abusive language or use of obscenities, is prohibited
Visitors can locate the detention center at:
Buncombe County Detention Center
20 Davidson Drive
Asheville, NC 28801
Court Records
Buncombe County courts decide cases from Asheville City. The Buncombe County court system includes a Superior Court and a District Court. The courts determine a broad range of cases, such as probate, family and domestic matters, small claims, traffic violations, criminal matters, and civil matters. The Buncombe County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but usually handles cases beyond the District Court's authority. The District Court hears most misdemeanor, infractions, municipal ordinance violations, and civil cases. The records of judicial and administrative records of courts are available to the public.
Location of Courts in Asheville City
Buncombe County Superior Court
Buncombe County Superior Court
Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 259-3400
Buncombe County District Court
Buncombe County District Court
Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 259-3400
Are Asheville City Court Records Public?
As required under North Carolina law, Asheville City court records are publicly accessible. However, confidential and private information are excluded. Private information includes the exemption of driver’s license, passports, passwords, social security details, and other personal information. Confidential information includes abuse and neglect files and juvenile files. Also, the court may seal records to prevent public access. The Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court maintains Asheville court records. Interested persons can obtain the records by making a request.
Can you look up an Asheville City Court Case Online?
The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers a Remote Public Access portal to all cases determined by courts in North Carolina, including Asheville City. Users would need to pay to use the service. The service includes all criminal records, infractions, tax liens, evictions, and judgments.
How to Obtain Asheville City Civil Court Case Records?
The Clerk of the Buncombe Superior Court maintains Asheville City civil court records. The records are generally available to the public, except where it is a confidential record. They can be accessed on the public, self-service terminals in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court. Interested persons can view the user’s manual for the system in which the records are stored. Copies of the records can also be obtained for a fee. To obtain the records, interested persons should visit:
Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801-3519
How to Obtain Asheville City Criminal Court Records?
The Clerk of the Buncombe County Superior Court maintains Asheville City criminal court records. Interested persons can make requests for copies of the records. The court records can be accessed by visiting the public, self-service terminal at the Office of the Clerk. The terminal can be used to search for records by the defendant’s name, victim or witness name, or case number. The records may also be obtained at the Courthouse that heard the case. The requester would need to pay the applicable fees to make copies of the records. Interested persons can obtain court records at:
Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801-3519
What are Asheville City Vital Records?
Asheville City vital records are official documents that contain information about life occurrences in the city. These occurrences include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds maintains vital records at the county level. The Vital Records Department of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) also maintains Asheville vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Asheville City Divorce Records?
The Clerk of the Buncombe County Superior Court maintains Asheville City divorce records. Interested persons can make requests for the records. The records can be accessed on the public, self-service terminals at the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court. Interested persons can view the user’s manual for the system in which the records are stored. Copies of the records can also be obtained for a fee. To obtain copies of the records, interested persons should visit:
Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801-3519
The NCDHHS maintains Asheville City divorce certificates from 1958 till the present. Only the parties to the divorce and their close relatives can obtain Asheville divorce records either in person or by mail. The requester should complete the Application for Death, Marriage or Divorce Records Form. The form requires the requester to provide the spouses’ names, the date of the divorce, and the place of the divorce. The requester should include payment and a copy of a valid I.D. and submit the requests to:
North Carolina Vital Records
225 North McDowell Street
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Phone: (919) 733-3000
Fax: (919) 733-1511
The first copy in a request costs $24, while each additional copy in the same request costs $15. Payment for mail requests should be made by money order or check. Payment for in-person requests should be made by check, money order, or cash. The requester may also pay extra fees for expedited service. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., from Mondays to Fridays.
Where and How to Get Public Asheville City Marriage Records?
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds maintains Asheville City birth records. They are available online, in-person, or by mail requests. Interested persons can order certified copies of the birth records online through the vital records portal at $10 for each copy. For mail and in-person requests, the requester would need to fill the Vital Records Request Form. The completed form would then be submitted to the Register of Deeds with a valid photo I.D., check, or money order payment. A self-addressed stamped envelope should be included in the mail request. The request should be made to:
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
205 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Payment for in-person requests can be made by credit or debit card, checks, money orders, or cash. Each certified record costs $10, while each non-certified record costs 25 cents.
The NCDHHS also maintains Asheville City marriage records from 1962 till the present. The NCDHHS makes both certified and non-certified copies of the records available to the public. Only close relatives of the parties to the marriage can obtain certified copies of Asheville City marriage certificates. Interested persons can make requests by mail or in person. The requester needs to complete the Application for Death, Marriage, or Divorce Records Form. The requester would need to provide information about the marriage, such as the parties’ names, the date of the marriage, and the place where the license was issued. The completed form, a copy of a valid I.D., and payment should be made to:
North Carolina Vital Records
225 North McDowell Street
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Phone: (919) 733-3000
Fax: (919) 733-1511
The first copy in a request costs $24, while each additional copy in the same request costs $15. Payment for mail requests should be by money order or check. Payment for in-person requests should be by check, money order, or cash. The requester may also pay extra charges for expedited service.
Where and How to Find Asheville City Birth Records?
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds maintains Asheville City birth records. Only the registrant, immediate family members of the registrant, and authorized persons can obtain certified copies of Asheville City birth certificates. The birth records can be obtained through online, mail, or walk-in requests. The birth records can be ordered online at $10 for each certificate. For mail or walk-in requests, the requester should complete the Vital Records Request Form and include a valid I.D. and payment. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The request should be submitted in person or by mail to:
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
205 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Payment may be made by credit or debit card, checks, money orders, or cash. Each certified record costs $10, while each non-certified record costs 25 cents. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Register of Deeds.
The NCDHHS maintains Asheville birth records from 1913 till the present. Interested persons can make requests for certified or non-certified copies by mail or in person. Proof of any of the following qualifying relationships with the registrant may be necessary to obtain a certified copy:
- Current Spouse
- Sibling
- Child or Stepchild
- Parent or Stepparent
- Grandparent or Grandchild
- A person seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights
- An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of a person described above
A requester would need to complete the Application for Birth Certificate Form. The requester would also need to provide the registrant’s name, the name of the registrant’s parents, the date of birth, and the place of birth. A copy of the requester’s valid I.D. and payment should be included with the completed form. Requests should be made to:
North Carolina Vital Records
225 North McDowell Street
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Phone: (919) 733-3000
Fax: (919) 733-1511
The first copy in a request costs $24, while each additional copy in the same request costs $15. For mail requests, the completed form should be submitted with a money order or check payment of the applicable fees. For in-person requests, payment may be made by check, money order, or cash. The requester may choose to pay extra for expedited services.
Where and How to Find Asheville City Death Records?
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds maintains Asheville City death records. Certified records are only available to close relatives of the registrant and authorized persons. Copies of the records are available for purchase online at $10 per Asheville death certificate. Requests can also be made for copies of the records in person or by mail. The requester should complete the Vital Records Request Form. The completed form should be submitted with a valid photo I.D. and a check or money order payment. The requestor should also include a self-addressed stamped form in mail requests. Mail and in-person requests should be made to:
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
205 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Each certified record costs $10, while each non-certified record costs 25 cents. Payment for in-person requests may be made by check, money order, credit or debit cards, or cash.
The NCDHHS maintains Asheville death records from 1930 till date. The NCDHHS makes certified and non-certified copies of the records publicly available. However, only the following close relatives of the registrant can obtain certified copies:
- Sibling
- Child or stepchild
- Parent or stepparent
- Grandparent or grandchild
- A person seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights
- An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of a person described above
Death records can be obtained in person or by mail. A requester has to fill out the Death Certificate Application Form. Enclose payment and a copy of a valid I.D. with the filled-out form. Requests should be made to:
North Carolina Vital Records
225 North McDowell Street
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Phone: (919) 733-3000
Fax: (919) 733-1511
The first copy costs $2, while every other copy in the same request costs $15. Mail requesters may make payment by money order or check, while in-person requesters may make payment by check, money order, or cash. The requester may pay extra fees for expedited service.
