Buncombe County, North Carolina Public Records

Mugshots and booking photos for individuals arrested in Buncombe County are available through the Buncombe County or serving short-term sentences. You can view these images by accessing the inmate search tool on their official website. This tool provides booking photos along with arrest details for people currently or previously held at the Detention Facility.

To obtain a criminal background check in Buncombe County, you should contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Locally, you can request a background check through the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court, located at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. The process involves submitting a request form and paying any applicable fees for the service.

To look up sex offenders in Buncombe County, use the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, which is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. This online registry allows you to search for registered sex offenders by name, address, or proximity to a specific location. The registry provides detailed information about each offender, including their current status and any restrictions.

To register to vote in Buncombe County, you can register online at ncsbe.gov/registering, in person at the Buncombe County Board of Elections at 59 Woodfin Place, Suite 101, Asheville, or at any North Carolina DMV office. The registration deadline is 25 days before an election, though North Carolina offers same-day registration during the early voting period. You must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of North Carolina and Buncombe, and at least 18 years old by the next general election. Absentee by-mail ballots can be requested online through the State Board of Elections portal or by submitting a written request to the local Board of Elections.

Property records in Buncombe County can be accessed through the Register of Deeds office at 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, or online at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/register-of-deeds for recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. For property tax information, assessments, and interactive mapping, visit the county's GIS portal at propertyrecords.buncombecounty.org, where you can search by owner name, address, or parcel number. Both online search systems are free to use, though certified copies of documents require payment of $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. The Tax Assessor's office at (828) 250-4900 can provide assistance with property valuations and tax information.

Birth and death certificates for events in Buncombe County can be obtained from the Register of Deeds office at 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, (828) 250-4600, with birth certificates costing $24.00 and death certificates $24.00 for the first copy. You must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility, as only immediate family members or individuals with direct and tangible interest can access records less than 100 years old per North Carolina General Statute § 130A-93. Walk-in service typically takes 10-15 minutes if the record is on file, or you can order online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com with additional service fees. The North Carolina Vital Records office in Raleigh also maintains copies of all state vital records and can be reached at (919) 733-3000.

Business license records depend on the business location and type. For businesses in Asheville city limits, contact the Tax & Collections Division at (828) 259-5720. Fictitious name (DBA) registrations are filed with the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at (828) 250-4600 and cost $26.00. For corporate entities, limited liability companies, and partnerships, search the North Carolina Secretary of State's Business Registration database at sosnc.gov, which is free and provides information on business formation, registered agents, and status. Professional licenses are maintained by respective North Carolina licensing boards, and building permits are handled by Buncombe County Development Services at (828) 250-4000.