Find Orange County Police Records
Orange County police records are held by the Sheriff's Office in Hillsborough and the Chapel Hill Police Department. The county maintains an online detainee list, arrest data, and booking logs through its jail on US Highway 70 West. Court records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court. You can search for police records in Orange County online or in person. This guide covers the offices to contact, the steps involved, and how to get copies of the records you need.
Orange County Quick Facts
Orange County Current Detainees
The Orange County Sheriff's Office publishes a current detainees list online. This database is updated regularly and shows who is being held at the jail. You can view names, charges, and booking details without leaving your home. This is the fastest way to check if someone was recently arrested in Orange County.
The detainees page is maintained by the sheriff's office and reflects real-time jail data for Orange County. Each entry shows the person's basic booking information.
The jail sits at 1200 US Highway 70 West in Hillsborough. Call (919) 245-2940 or (919) 644-3050 to reach the facility. The jail has space for 129 inmates. Tim Jones serves as the Jail Administrator and can be reached at (919) 245-2956. The Records Unit is run by Sergeant Ashley Woodlief at (919) 245-2909. Contact the records unit for copies of booking reports and other police records from Orange County.
Orange County Sheriff's Office
The main office is at 106 East Margaret Lane in Hillsborough. Call (919) 245-2900 for general questions. You can also email the office at websheriff@orangecountync.gov. Sheriff Charles Blackwood leads the department. The office provides law enforcement for all areas outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro in Orange County.
Police records from the sheriff cover the rural and unincorporated parts of Orange County. If the incident occurred inside Chapel Hill or Carrboro, you may need to contact those departments instead. The sheriff's office keeps arrest logs, incident reports, and detention records. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours at the Hillsborough location.
| Office |
Orange County Sheriff's Office 106 E Margaret Ln Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2900 |
|---|---|
| Jail | 1200 US Highway 70 West, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2940 |
| websheriff@orangecountync.gov |
How to Get Orange County Police Records
To request police records in Orange County, start by calling the Records Unit at (919) 245-2909. They can tell you what is on file and how to get copies. In-person visits are another option. Go to the sheriff's office in Hillsborough with a photo ID. Staff will look up the record and provide copies if available.
Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, police records in Orange County are public. You can view them for free during normal hours. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. Some records may be restricted if the case is still open or involves a juvenile in Orange County.
Fingerprinting is available at the Orange County Sheriff's Office for $20, cash only. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability.
Orange County Court Records
The Clerk of Superior Court in Hillsborough handles criminal case files after charges move through the system. You can search court records through the NC Courts portal for free. The portal lets you look up cases by name or case number in Orange County.
For certified criminal history checks, use Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25. The clerk also provides copies of case filings, hearing records, and sentencing details. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you browse case data at no cost. The NC SBI offers statewide background checks for $14 if you need a broader search beyond Orange County.
Note: The NC Sex Offender Registry is free and covers all registered offenders in Orange County.
Statewide Records for Orange County
Several state tools help with searches connected to Orange County. The NC Offender Public Information Search covers state prison inmates. The NC SAVAN system provides free custody alerts. These tools work alongside the local resources in Orange County.
- Current detainees list on the sheriff's website
- NC Courts portal for case searches
- SBI background check for $14
- Sex Offender Registry at no cost
- NC SAVAN for custody notifications
Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Records
Chapel Hill and Carrboro run their own police departments. Each one keeps separate police records for cases inside its city limits. If the arrest or incident happened in Chapel Hill, contact the Chapel Hill Police Department. For Carrboro cases, reach out to the Carrboro Police. These agencies maintain their own booking logs, incident reports, and arrest files.
For cases handled by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, contact the sheriff at (919) 245-2900. The sheriff covers all areas outside the town limits of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. Knowing which agency handled the case saves you time when searching for police records in Orange County. Check the address of the arrest or incident to determine which office has the records you need.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also has its own police force. Campus incidents are handled by the UNC Police Department. Those records are separate from Orange County files.
Orange County Background Checks
Fingerprinting is available at the Orange County Sheriff's Office for $20, cash only. The office is at 106 East Margaret Lane in Hillsborough. Call (919) 644-3050 to schedule a time. You need fingerprints to apply for a statewide background check through the NC SBI.
The SBI charges $14 for a Right to Review check. Mail the fingerprint card and payment to 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610. Results take 10 to 15 business days. This check covers only North Carolina records. For certified criminal history checks from the Orange County clerk, use Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25 at the courthouse.
Orange County Victim Notifications
The NC SAVAN system provides free, confidential alerts about custody changes for offenders in Orange County. Call 877-627-2826 to enroll. You will receive alerts by phone, email, or text when the offender's status changes. This covers county jail inmates, state prisoners, and registered sex offenders connected to Orange County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Orange County. Police records stay in the county where the event occurred. Double check the address before making a request.