Robeson County

Robeson County is located in the southeastern coastal plain region of North Carolina, covering approximately 951 square miles. The county seat is Lumberton, situated at 500 North Chestnut Street, which serves as the administrative center for county government operations. With a population exceeding 116,000 residents according to recent census estimates, Robeson County is the state's largest county by population east of Interstate 95. The county was established in 1787 and named after Colonel Thomas Robeson, a Revolutionary War officer.

• The the region Register of Deeds, located in the County Administration Building at 500 North Chestnut Street in Lumberton, maintains property records and vital statistics.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office is tasked with patrolling these areas, managing the Robeson County Detention Center, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The Sheriff's Office also engages in community outreach programs and has specialized divisions such as narcotics and criminal investigations to address specific law enforcement needs. The office plays a crucial role in coordinating with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety across the county.

Police Departments

Robeson County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Lumberton Police Department, Pembroke Police Department, and St. Pauls Police Department. Each agency has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office covering unincorporated regions and the city departments managing law enforcement within city limits. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, sharing resources and information to enhance public safety.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 3361 Lackey Street in Lumberton, North Carolina 28358, provides primary law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (910) 671-3170 and maintains a website at www.robesoncoso.org where citizens can access information about detention services and public safety initiatives. The Robeson County Detention Center, located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

• Booking information, including mugshots, charges, and bond amounts, is typically available through the online inmate roster.
• Written requests for arrest records should be submitted to the custodial law enforcement agency with specific identifying information.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the detention center's online portal or by submitting a public records request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Robeson County encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Robeson County Clerk of Court and the Sheriff's Office maintain these records, providing access to the public under the North Carolina Public Records Law. Residents can conduct background checks through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which offers a comprehensive database for criminal history searches.

• The SBI provides fingerprint-based checks, ensuring accurate and thorough background investigations for employment, licensing, and other purposes.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Robeson County are maintained by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and the various municipal police departments within the county. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal applications, often requiring identification and a small fee. An arrest record in this county typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges, and booking information.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Robeson County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance. In North Carolina, the bond or bail process allows for the temporary release of detainees, provided they meet certain conditions set by the court.

• Information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or the detention center's online resources.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

In Robeson County, mugshots are taken and retained by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office during the booking process at the detention center. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. While North Carolina does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals seeking to have their mugshots removed from online databases may need to pursue legal action or request removal from third-party websites.

Robeson County is served by the 16th Judicial District of North Carolina, which includes both Superior Court and District Court. The Robeson County Courthouse is located at 500 North Elm Street in Lumberton, NC 28358. The Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (910) 671-3045 and maintains offices in the courthouse where the public can access civil and criminal case files. Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases with amounts in controversy exceeding $25,000, and appeals from District Court.

• District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, juvenile cases, estates, and special proceedings.
• The North Carolina judicial system provides online case lookup through the North Carolina Courts Statewide Electronic Filing portal, though the region also maintains local record access through the Clerk's office.
• Fees for certified copies of court documents are established by North Carolina General Statute § 7A-307, typically $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
• The Clerk's office accepts record requests in person, by mail, or by phone during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Small claims cases with amounts up to $10,000 are heard in Small Claims Court, a division of District Court.

The Robeson County Register of Deeds, located at 500 North Chestnut Street, Room 106, Lumberton, NC 28358, maintains all land records including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, plat maps, liens, easements, and other real property instruments. The office can be reached at (910) 671-3040 and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Register of Deeds provides online access to recorded documents through the county's official website.

• Recording fees are established by North Carolina General Statute § 161-10 and vary based on document type and page count.
• The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division provides online mapping services with parcel boundaries, zoning information, and property characteristics.
• Certified copies of recorded instruments can be obtained from the Register of Deeds for a fee of $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page as set by state statute.
• UCC financing statements, federal tax liens, and corporate documents may also be filed with the Register of Deeds.
• Requests for copies can be made in person, by mail with prepayment, or through the online ordering system for certain documents.

Vital records for Robeson County, North Carolina are maintained by both the Robeson County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. The Register of Deeds office at 500 North Chestnut Street, Room 106, Lumberton, NC 28358, phone (910) 671-3040, issues certified copies of birth certificates for births occurring in the county from October 1913 to present and death certificates for deaths occurring in the county from 1930 to present. Birth certificates cost $24.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

• Death certificates cost $24.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for additional copies.
• Processing typically takes 3-5 business days when requested in person or 10-14 business days by mail.
• Eligible requestors include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons with court orders.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Deeds office with a fee of $60.00; both parties must appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers.
• For vital records older than those held locally or when mail order is preferred, the North Carolina Vital Records Office at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903, phone 1-877-828-2981, can fulfill requests.

Business licensing and registration in Robeson County involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Robeson County Register of Deeds, located at 500 North Chestnut Street, Room 106, Lumberton, NC 28358, phone (910) 671-3040, accepts filings for assumed business names (doing-business-as or DBA) and trade names. The filing fee for an assumed name certificate is typically $26.00, and these records are searchable at the Register of Deeds office.

• The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at www.sosnc.gov where the public can look up business entity status, registered agents, officers, and filing history free of charge.
• The Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, website www.lumbertonchamber.com, provides business resources and networking opportunities for the county's commercial community.

Elections in Robeson County are administered by the Robeson County Board of Elections, located at 500 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358. The Board of Elections can be reached at (910) 671-3070 and maintains a website at www.robesoncountync.gov/elections with voter information, sample ballots, and election results. North Carolina offers online voter registration through the State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov.

• Citizens may register online, by mail, or in person at the Board of Elections office, early voting sites, or DMV offices when obtaining or renewing a driver's license.
• Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling place, and view sample ballots through the State Board of Elections voter lookup tool at www.ncsbe.gov/ncsbe/voter-lookup.
• In the 2024 general election, the county reported voter turnout of approximately 54% of registered voters, slightly below the statewide North Carolina turnout.
• Absentee ballot requests must be received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day.

Robeson County's economy is historically rooted in agriculture, manufacturing, and education, though the county faces significant economic challenges including poverty rates above state and national averages. Major agricultural products include tobacco, soybeans, corn, cotton, and livestock, with farming remaining an important sector despite declining employment. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is one of the county's largest employers, providing over 1,000 jobs and contributing substantially to the local economy through education, research, and cultural activities.

• The county's median household income is approximately $37,000, significantly below the North Carolina state median of around $60,000.
• Manufacturing employers include pharmaceutical, food processing, and textile operations, though the sector has contracted in recent decades.

Court Records: Yes: Online via NC Courts | Property: Yes: Free Online Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online via NC SOS | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Tools | Overall Score: 8/10 — Robeson County provides good digital access to property records, jail rosters, and elections information, with court records searchable statewide and business entities online through state systems.

Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Robeson County, North Carolina.