Wilmington Booking and Jail Records
Wilmington 24 hour booking records are maintained at the New Hanover County Detention Center. The Wilmington Police Department handles law enforcement for the city, and people arrested here are taken to the county detention facility at 3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office operates the facility and offers an online inmate search. These booking records are public under North Carolina law, with exceptions under §132-1.4 for active investigations.
Wilmington 24 Hour Booking Process
When Wilmington Police make an arrest, the person is transported to the New Hanover County Detention Center in Castle Hayne. Booking staff record the charges, fingerprints, and a photograph. The data enters the county system and becomes searchable through the Sheriff's Office online tools. Under §15A-502, officers must document each arrest with the charges, arresting agency, and identifying details.
Wilmington Police Department headquarters is at 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. The non-emergency number is (910) 343-3600. The Records Division at the same address manages all police records, including incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone. The division is open Monday through Friday.
Accident reports typically take three to five business days. For arrest records and criminal history, the department directs people to the New Hanover County Clerk of Court or the NC State Bureau of Investigation.
Wilmington is the largest city in southeastern North Carolina, and the volume of arrests here drives a steady stream of 24 hour booking records at the New Hanover County Detention Center. Each booking file is built the same way: name, charges, bond, and court date. Fingerprint data goes to the NC State Bureau of Investigation so the state criminal history database stays current. Under §132-1.4, the core facts from every Wilmington booking are public. The New Hanover County inmate search tool is the fastest way to look up someone who was recently booked after an arrest in the city.
Searching Wilmington 24 Hour Booking Records
The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search. Users can search by name and see current inmates with booking details, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots. The system updates regularly. For the most current information, contact the detention center at (910) 798-4200.
To search the inmate list quickly, click "Filter Inmate List" and type a last name. Each result shows the mugshot, arrest date, charge, status, and bond amount. If you have trouble finding an inmate online, call the jail directly for help. Bail bond agents are also available to assist with posting bail.
The Wilmington Police Department publishes crime statistics through the city's website. The department participates in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, which standardizes crime data across jurisdictions. Crime statistics are available by area, crime type, and time period. This data helps the department allocate resources and develop prevention plans.
Note: The New Hanover Regional Juvenile Detention Center is a separate 18-bed facility at 3830 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429, handling youth detainees. Wilmington 24 hour booking records are stored at the detention center in Castle Hayne and kept per the state retention schedule.
Wilmington Arrest Record Access
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides statewide offender searches that complement Wilmington booking lookups.
The DAC offender search covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees with historical data back to 1972.
This database does not include county jail data. For Wilmington jail bookings, use the New Hanover County Sheriff's inmate search or contact the detention center directly.
Wilmington arrest records are kept by the Wilmington Police Department, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, and the New Hanover County Clerk of Court. The police department holds incident reports and arrest files. The Sheriff's Office manages the inmate database. The clerk of court maintains criminal case records and dispositions. For certified copies of court records, visit the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court.
Public Records in Wilmington
The Wilmington Police Department processes public records requests under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Requests can be submitted in person at the Records Division, by mail, or by email. The department responds as promptly as possible under state law.
Fees for copies follow state law and city ordinance. They cover the actual cost of making copies. Some records are exempt from public access, including active investigation files and personnel records. Once an investigation is complete, arrest records and indictments typically become available to the public.
For questions about public records, contact the Records Division at (910) 343-3600. The department provides various community resources through its website, including crime data and prevention programs. The NC Judicial Branch provides online access to court records through the eCourts portal for cases filed after October 2023.
Statewide Booking and Arrest Tools
Several state resources help with booking searches beyond Wilmington. The NC.gov Offender Search portal covers current and past state inmates, probationers, and parolees. The NC SAVAN program sends free custody status alerts by phone, email, text, or TTY. County jail inmates, state prisoners, and registered sex offenders are all included.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation is the central repository for criminal information in North Carolina. A state fingerprint-based check costs $14. A national check costs $18. The NC General Statutes set the rules for public records access, arrest documentation, and record confidentiality across the state.
Public records requests to the NC Department of Adult Correction can be submitted online. Staff will acknowledge the request within three business days. The DAC is at 5201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-5201, and can be reached at (919) 733-2126.
Note: The 1972 NC Court of Appeals decision in Goble v. Bounds confirmed that internal prison records are confidential and not open to public inspection.
New Hanover County 24 Hour Booking
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All arrest processing and detention goes through the New Hanover County system. For the full county page with additional resources and links, visit the New Hanover County booking records page.