Find the correct Wake County arrest and booking record
Wake County mugshots are associated with the Bureau of Forensic Services arrest-record system. Current jail custody, court outcomes and certified criminal records require different official searches. Here’s where each search begins—and what to do if the online photo portal changes.
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Start with the record that answers your question. If you want a Wake County booking photograph or an earlier arrest entry, use the county Bureau of Forensic Services portal. If you are trying to find someone held in the Wake County Detention Center today, use the Sheriff’s detention inquiry or call the facility. If you want to know whether a case was dismissed, resulted in a conviction or is still pending, use Wake County’s court records.
Important November 2026 access notice: Wake County’s Bureau of Forensic Services says the previously announced August 17, 2026 move from the internet arrest portal to fixed-site kiosks was postponed. The Bureau’s published notice does not give a replacement date. Two in-person kiosks are available; their locations and access hours appear below. Check the live Bureau notice before relying on online access.
Which Wake County search should you use?
Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Garner and other communities are in Wake County. An arrest by a municipal police officer can still generate a county booking record, even when the incident report is kept by that officer’s police department. The table below separates the main search systems.
| What you need | Who maintains it | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Mugshot or arrest history | Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services (formerly CCBI) | Read the arrest portal notice, accept the terms and search if available. |
| Current jail inmate or recent custody status | Wake County Sheriff, Detention Division | Try the Sheriff’s inmate inquiry; contact detention if unclear. |
| Police incident report | The police department or Sheriff’s Office that created the report | Contact that agency’s records unit, not automatically the booking office. |
| Criminal charges, hearings and case disposition | North Carolina Judicial Branch / Wake County Clerk | Use eCourts Portal or request copies from the clerk. |
| Certified, single-county criminal record search | Wake County Clerk of Superior Court | Use Form AOC-CR-314 and the published $25 fee. |
| North Carolina prison or probation record | NC Department of Adult Correction | Search the state offender locator, not the county jail. |
Quick distinction: a booking record shows an arrest or intake event, an inmate inquiry addresses custody at a particular time, and a court docket is needed to follow the prosecution. None, by itself, proves guilt.
How to search Wake County mugshots through the Bureau
The Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services maintains the county arrest-information portal. You may still find references to its former name, the Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI). That older name does not mean the record is from a different county system.
The official disclaimer says its database covers Wake County arrests known to the Bureau since April 27, 2007. The Bureau explicitly warns the information may be incomplete and could include charges that have been automatically expunged without the Bureau receiving a notice.
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Open the Bureau’s own disclaimer page.
Use the official link above. Read the current portal-access notice; it takes priority over screenshots of an older interface or third-party instructions.
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Accept the stated conditions only if you agree.
The public entrance includes acknowledgments about accuracy, permitted use and other limitations. Proceed into the search after following the on-screen instructions.
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Choose a useful search method.
Where offered, search by last and first name, arrest date or date range, or arresting agency. Older official Bureau instructions also describe browsing photographs and a “Last 48 Hours of Arrests” view. Those controls may change, so use what the current portal displays.
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Check the arrest entry carefully.
Compare the name, arrest date, arresting agency and alleged charges. A photograph alone is not reliable proof of identity. Do not confuse the date of arrest with later court filing or booking dates.
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Open details where the system allows it.
Make a note of any arrest record number, incident number or identifying case information. These help when contacting the arresting agency or court, although the numbers may differ between systems.
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Verify what happened after arrest.
Use the Wake County court record for filed charges, hearings and disposition. The Bureau’s database is not guaranteed to reflect a later dismissal, correction or expunction.
The portal covers the county, not just Raleigh. Depending on the incident, records may originate from arrests by Raleigh Police, the Sheriff, Cary Police, Apex Police or another agency operating in Wake County. To obtain an incident narrative, contact the particular agency that prepared it.
What if you need today’s or the last 48 hours of arrests?
When the portal offers a recent-arrest filter, select the appropriate date or time window. The Bureau’s older user guide references a “Last 48 Hours of Arrests” option, but its existence and appearance must be confirmed on the live system. An intake delay or missing photo does not mean an arrest never occurred. For immediate custody questions, switch to the Sheriff’s detention source.
Where to search Wake arrest records in person
The Bureau initially planned to end internet access on August 17, 2026, in favor of fixed public locations. Its current indexed notice says that rollout was postponed. The two kiosks below give residents an alternate way to access the same information described in that notice, including if the online portal is unavailable or eventually restricted.
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Weekday kiosk / Downtown Raleigh
John H. Baker Jr. Public Safety Center
330 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601Kiosk location: Main lobby. Lobby hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; closed on county-approved holidays. These are kiosk-lobby hours, not the jail visitation schedule.
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24-hour kiosk / Hammond Road
Wake County Detention Center
3301 Hammond Road
Raleigh, North CarolinaKiosk location: Zero level, in front of the Magistrate’s office. The Bureau’s notice describes this lobby as open 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. This access statement concerns the arrest-record kiosk, not unrestricted entry to detention areas.
Portal-transition questions: 919-255-7369 is the number listed in the Bureau’s public notice. For a person currently held in jail or for a court case, contact the appropriate detention or court office instead. The county may change its access policy without this independent guide changing immediately.
How to check whether someone is in Wake County jail now
The Wake County Sheriff operates the local detention system. A name on the Bureau’s arrest portal does not mean the person is still in jail. Someone may have been released, transferred to another facility or processed without being held for a lengthy period.
Start with the Sheriff’s inmate inquiry
Try the Wake County Sheriff Police-to-Citizen inmate page. That is a different site from the Bureau of Forensic Services arrest-photo search. Online access and whether a searchable roster appears can vary; if it presents no usable inmate list, contact detention directly rather than assuming the person is not held.
- Open the Sheriff link through the government department if you are uncertain about the service’s authenticity.
- Where an inmate-name search is offered, use the full legal name. Compare available identifiers and custody information instead of accepting the first match.
- Record the inmate or booking identifier if one is available. You may need it when asking about jail services.
- For a very recent booking, a failed search or an urgent location question, call 919-773-7930 to ask the detention facility how to verify custody.
Wake County’s two detention locations
The main Wake County Detention Center is at 3301 Hammond Road. The Sheriff’s detention operations also involve the John H. Baker Jr. Public Safety Center at 330 S. Salisbury Street downtown. These locations have different public purposes; do not assume the closest building offers the service you need.
Why a recent arrest might not appear
Visitation is not the same as kiosk access
Wake County detention visitation is described as scheduled video visitation at the Hammond Road facility. Published guidance lists the scheduling number 919-857-9103, advance scheduling and designated visiting days. Policies can change, so confirm the current schedule, approved visitors, identification rules and facility location with detention before traveling. The 24-hour arrest-record kiosk does not mean visitation is open 24 hours.
Search Wake County court records after an arrest
If you need a charge’s status, court date, dismissal, plea, verdict or sentence, move from the arrest portal to the North Carolina eCourts service. Wake County was an early eCourts county, and the Judicial Branch reports statewide eCourts implementation completed on October 13, 2025.
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Open NC eCourts and choose Portal.
Start from the Judicial Branch website. Ordinary public searches for available case information do not require a registered user account.
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Use Smart Search or the court-date function.
Enter the person’s name or known case number. Filter to Wake County where the interface offers a location filter. If you have only the arrest date, be aware the case filing may be later.
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Review the case summary.
Check charges filed, scheduled hearings, events and the disposition field when available. Some information may be restricted or omitted from public access.
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Ask the clerk for official copies.
The online Portal provides access to public case information, but the Judicial Branch warns that it is not itself an official or certified court record. Request official copies from the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court.
Wake County Justice Center — criminal matters
Wake County Justice Center300 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Main: 919-792-4000
The North Carolina Judicial Branch says Wake criminal matters are handled at the Justice Center. The published hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding closure days. The Wake contact directory lists 919-792-4300 for traffic/misdemeanor and felony court contacts, and 919-792-4325 for record checks and expunction-related inquiries.
Do not go to the wrong courthouse. The Wake County Courthouse at 316 Fayetteville Street Mall handles most civil matters. The Justice Center at 300 S. Salisbury Street handles criminal matters. Confirm the specific courtroom and scheduled location using your case notice or the Judicial Branch.
What does a Wake County arrest or criminal record search cost?
The price depends on which type of record you need. Viewing an arrest entry is different from ordering a certified criminal record search or getting a copy of an agency report.
| Search or request | Published fee | Scope and limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Bureau online arrest portal or public kiosk | No admission or search charge stated in the public portal notice | Display of the county’s available arrest information; availability and completeness are not guaranteed. Ask the Bureau about printed or certified records. |
| eCourts public case search | Public case searches available without a registration fee | Online case access is not a certified criminal background check. |
| Courthouse self-service public terminal | Free to search; printing charges may apply | Non-certified record research through clerk-office terminals. |
| Certified criminal record search (Wake County clerk) | $25 | Single-county court records only; use Form AOC-CR-314. |
| NC SBI fingerprint-based personal Right to Review | $14 | A person requests their own North Carolina state criminal-history record; fingerprints and required documents. |
How to request the certified single-county court search
The Judicial Branch provides official background-check instructions and Form AOC-CR-314 (Criminal Record Search). Complete the form with Wake County and the name or names to be searched, then submit it to the clerk with the $25 fee. Mail requests accept a money order or certified check, while in-person requests may use cash, credit card, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted for mailed requests.
A clerk’s certified search covers only the county named on the form; it is not a statewide arrest history. For your own fingerprint-based statewide record, follow the NC State Bureau of Investigation Right to Review process and its current instructions. Do not send a payment or fingerprints to a third-party directory pretending to be the government.
Certified Bureau arrest records: those are different from the clerk’s certified court search. Because the Bureau’s current public fee and payment instructions were not independently confirmed here, ask the Bureau about the present amount and requirements before sending money.
Request a police report, booking record or older arrest information
A mugshot may have been taken by county identification staff even though the incident was investigated by Raleigh Police, Apex Police, Cary Police or the Wake County Sheriff. To request the underlying police report, find the agency that wrote the report. The Bureau’s booking record is not a substitute for that agency’s incident narrative.
- Identify the arresting or investigating agency from the official arrest entry, citation or court file.
- Find the agency’s official Records or Public Records page. For Sheriff reports, follow the Wake County Sheriff’s Office records instructions; for municipal police reports, use the municipal department.
- Provide the incident number if known, approximate date, location and the type of report requested. Use the government’s secure channels for any identification documents.
- Ask whether the record is public, whether redactions apply and whether the agency charges for copies or certification. Some portions of investigations may not be publicly releasable.
- If the desired document is a filed court record rather than a police narrative, request it from the Wake County Clerk instead.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch’s court-record guide makes this distinction: police reports come from the relevant law-enforcement agency, while filed court records come from the court.
If a booking photograph is not displayed
Do not conclude that no arrest occurred or that the image is available for unrestricted reuse. The Bureau may not show every arrest, and laws governing expunction and disclosure can affect access. Use the official records process and retain the agency’s response. Avoid commercial websites that promise instant access to every photo or charge for removing an image they may not control.
What if a Wake County mugshot or charge is wrong or expunged?
The Bureau’s disclaimer contains an unusual, important warning: some offenses displayed in its system may already have been automatically expunged under N.C. General Statute §15A-146(a4), because the Bureau does not receive all automatic-expunction notifications from the courts. That is why an arrest portal is not a reliable way to determine whether a record still has legal effect.
North Carolina calls the legal process an expunction (also called expungement). Depending on the case and statute, charges dismissed or resolved without a conviction and some convictions may qualify, but rules and fees differ. The Judicial Branch’s expunction guide provides the applicable forms and filing instructions.
For legal consequences, eligibility or a disputed record, consult a qualified North Carolina lawyer or legal assistance organization. This article does not determine anyone’s identity, charges, expunction eligibility or guilt.
Three Wake County locations, three different purposes
Before driving across Raleigh, choose the place that handles the action you need. The addresses below are for public information, not a promise of walk-in service or unrestricted building access.
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Arrest records / kiosk / downtown
John H. Baker Jr. Public Safety Center
330 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601Main-lobby arrest-record kiosk: weekdays 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding approved holidays. Map and directions.
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Detention / magistrate-area kiosk
Wake County Detention Center
3301 Hammond Road, Raleigh, North CarolinaArrest-record kiosk on the zero level outside the Magistrate’s office; public lobby advertised as 24/7. Detention and visiting areas have separate rules. Map and directions.
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Criminal cases / court records
Wake County Justice Center
300 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601Criminal court hearings and clerk-related matters; published weekday building hours 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Map and directions.
Map focus: Wake County Detention Center on Hammond Road. Use the individual directions links above for the downtown kiosk or Wake County Justice Center.
Wake County mugshots and jail records FAQs
Where do I search official Wake County mugshots?
Start with the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services arrest-record portal and read its disclaimer. The database covers Wake County arrests reported to the Bureau since April 27, 2007, but it does not guarantee every arrest or an accurate current legal status.
Is the Wake County mugshot portal closing?
The Bureau says its planned August 17, 2026 move from internet access to fixed-site kiosks was postponed. It has not published a new transition date in the notice reviewed for this guide. Check that notice for changes.
Where can I see a Wake County arrest record when the website is unavailable?
The Bureau lists a weekday kiosk at 330 S. Salisbury Street and a 24-hour public lobby kiosk at 3301 Hammond Road in Raleigh. The kiosk access hours differ by location.
Can I search the last 48 hours of arrests?
The Bureau’s older portal instructions describe a “Last 48 Hours of Arrests” option. Use it if present in the current online system; if not, choose the available name/date search or visit an official kiosk.
How do I find someone currently in Wake County jail?
Try the Wake County Sheriff’s Police-to-Citizen inmate page. If there is no reliable online result or the situation is urgent, call the detention facility at 919-773-7930 to ask how to confirm custody.
Are Wake County mugshots proof of guilt?
No. An arrest or intake photograph does not establish a conviction. Use the appropriate Wake County court record to determine what charges were filed and how the case was resolved.
Does the arrest portal include every Wake County arrest since 2007?
No. Although the coverage begins April 27, 2007, the Bureau says records may be incomplete. It also warns that some automatically expunged charges might still appear.
How much does a certified Wake County criminal background check cost?
The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists a $25 fee for a certified, single-county search using Form AOC-CR-314. It searches Wake County court records, not the entire state or a national database.
Can I search the court case online for free?
The public NC eCourts Portal supports searches of available court information without registration. It is not a substitute for certified records or a formal criminal background check, which require the appropriate clerk process.
What is the difference between CCBI and the Bureau of Forensic Services?
CCBI is the former name of the county forensic identification agency. The current Bureau of Forensic Services operates the official Wake County arrest-information portal.
Does North Carolina’s state offender search include Wake County jail inmates?
No. The NC Department of Adult Correction says its offender locator covers state prison and supervision records and does not include county jail information.
What if an expunged charge still appears online?
Confirm the court order with the Wake clerk, then contact the responsible record holder about the inaccurate display. The Bureau warns it may not receive automatic-expunction notices from the courts.
Government references for this Wake County guide
Use these agency pages for live information. The online portal, fees, office procedures and custody data may change without advance notice to this independent publisher.
- Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services — Arrest Portal and 2026 Access Notice
- Wake County Sheriff — Police-to-Citizen Inmate Inquiry
- North Carolina Session Law 2024-20 — Wake Bureau statutory duties
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — eCourts and Wake County Court Directory
- NC Courts — Background Checks, Fees and Form AOC-CR-314
- NC Courts — Expunctions and Forms
- NC SBI — Fingerprint-based Personal Right to Review
- NC Department of Adult Correction — State Offender Search
- NC SAVAN — Custody Information and Notifications
Next step: Choose the government record holder that matches your purpose. Verify arrest photos with the Bureau, current detention with the Sheriff, legal outcome with the clerk, and an official state history through the SBI when applicable.