Craven County

Craven County is located in the Coastal Plain region of eastern North Carolina, with New Bern serving as Craven County seat since Craven County's establishment in 1705. Named after William Craven, one of the Lords Proprietors of colonial Carolina, Craven County includes approximately 774 square miles and serves a population of around 100,000 residents. Craven County sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, providing vital waterways that have shaped its economy and development for over three centuries. New Bern, founded in 1710 by Swiss and German settlers, served as North Carolina's colonial capital and is home to Tryon Palace, the restored colonial governor's mansion and a major historical landmark. Craven County's geography includes coastal plains, extensive river systems, and proximity to the Croatan National Forest. Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station represents one of the largest Marine Corps air stations in the world and significantly impacts the local economy and demographics. Craven County Register of Deeds office, located at 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560, maintains property records and vital statistics. Craven County Manager's office operates from 406 Craven Street, New Bern, NC 28560, coordinating county services. Craven County Tax Assessor, also located in Craven County administration building, manages property valuations and tax assessments. Craven County's unique position at the intersection of military presence, historic preservation, coastal tourism, and agricultural heritage creates a varied community balancing traditional eastern North Carolina character with modern economic development.

• Craven County Register of Deeds office, located at 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560, maintains property records and vital statistics.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Craven County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Craven County. It operates Craven County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the Narcotics Unit, which focus on solving crimes and combating drug-related offenses.

Police Departments

In addition to Craven County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Craven County. The New Bern Police Department, Havelock Police Department, and Vanceboro Police Department are key agencies responsible for law enforcement within their respective city limits. These departments collaborate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and regional safety initiatives, making sure of full coverage and response across Craven County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Craven County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 411 Taberna Way, New Bern, NC 28562, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and operates Craven County Detention Center. Craven County Detention Center houses inmates for Craven County and provides an online inmate search tool accessible through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to look up current inmates by name, booking date, or charges.

• Citizens may request arrest records by contacting the arresting agency directly or submitting a public records request to the Sheriff's Office or municipal police department.
• Processing times for records requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the scope of the request.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Craven County, NC are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Criminal Background Check | North Carolina Judicial Branch.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Craven County, NC are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Craven County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Detention Center | Craven County.
• Sheriff's Office: Sheriff's Office | Craven County.
• The bond and bail process allows for the release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

Craven County courts operate within North Carolina's unified court system, with facilities located at Craven County Justice Center, 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Craven County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts exceeding $25,000, and appeals from District Court. Craven County District Court addresses misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, juvenile matters, estate administration, and civil and criminal infractions.

• The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online portal at nccourts.gov where users can search criminal and civil case records, though some detailed documents require in-person requests.
• Craven County Clerk of Court charges fees for certified copies of judgments, pleadings, and other court documents, typically $2 for the first page and $1 for additional pages, plus certification fees.
• Small Claims Court, a division of District Court, handles civil disputes up to $10,000 with simplified procedures.
• Court calendars and dockets are available online and at the courthouse, with criminal and civil sessions scheduled regularly.
• Records requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone, with payment required before document release.

Craven County Register of Deeds, located at 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560, maintains land records, property documents, and vital statistics for Craven County. The office can be reached at and operates a website at cravencountync.gov where citizens can access various services. The Register of Deeds records and indexes real estate deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, plat maps, easements, restrictive covenants, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.

• The online system provides digital images of recorded documents dating back multiple decades, with ongoing digitization of historical records.
• Document recording fees are established by North Carolina statute and typically include a base fee plus additional charges for multiple pages and parcels.
• Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Real estate conveyance records are public under North Carolina General Statute § 161-10, requiring the Register of Deeds to maintain and index all recorded instruments.

Vital records for Craven County are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Craven County are available from Craven County Register of Deeds, 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560 Birth certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $24 for the first copy and $15 for additional copies.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are available, while mail requests may take two to three weeks.
• VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor, offers online ordering of North Carolina vital records at vitalchek.com with expedited processing for an additional fee.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Craven County Register of Deeds office, requiring both applicants to appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers, paying a $60 fee.

Business licensing and registration in Craven County involves multiple agencies depending on business type and activities. Craven County Register of Deeds office at 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560, records assumed business names (DBAs) and trade name certificates for businesses operating under names other than their legal entity name, charging a filing fee of approximately $26 for assumed name certificates.

• The Secretary of State's online database provides free searches by business name, registered agent, or SOSID number, showing entity status, formation date, principal office address, and registered agent information.
• Craven County Tax Collector requires businesses to register for local business privilege license taxes, with requirements varying by county.
• The North Carolina Department of Revenue handles state sales and use tax permits, available online at ncdor.gov.

Explore public records for 7 cities and communities in Craven County, North Carolina.

Craven County's economy reflects a diverse mix of military presence, healthcare, manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station stands as the largest employer in Craven County with over 10,000 military and civilian personnel, providing substantial economic impact through payroll, contracts, and military family spending. The air station supports aircraft maintenance, aviation operations, and is a major East Coast Marine Corps installation.

• The median household income in Craven County is approximately $52,000, slightly below the North Carolina state average, reflecting the mixed economy of military, service sector, and manufacturing employment.
• The Port of New Bern provides limited commercial shipping capabilities.

Elections in Craven County are administered by Craven County Board of Elections, located at 406 Craven Street, New Bern, NC 28560. The office can be reached at and maintains election information at cravencountync.gov under the Board of Elections section. Voter registration in Craven County is available online through the North Carolina State Board of Elections at ncsbe.gov/registering, in person at the Board of Elections office, at the NC Division of Motor Vehicles during license transactions, or by completing a mail-in registration form.

• North Carolina law requires voters to register at least 25 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
• Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, view sample ballots, and check their voting history through the State Board of Elections website voter search tool.
• Senate seats, North Carolina state legislature positions, and various county offices including Board of Commissioners, Sheriff, and Register of Deeds.
• Absentee voting by mail is available to any registered voter in North Carolina who requests an absentee ballot.