NC State Highway Patrol Public Records Request
Public Records
Want to do a criminal background check or obtain a North Carolina driving record? You do not need to fill out a public records request. Visit our FAQ page for more information.
The North Carolina Department State Highway Patrol is committed to transparency and will furnish all requested public records as promptly as possible.
Under North Carolina public records law General Statute §132 and various other statutes, certain personal or confidential information is not public, and must be redacted or protected. We are not required to create a record that does not exist, nor compile a record or records in any format that does not already exist.
Making your request as exact as possible including names, dates, and specific search terms will help expedite fulfilling your request. Please allow additional time to review/redact very large requests. Excessively large requests will be provided in batches as they are completed.
Public records request may be made in writing. Request can be submitted online or by completing a public records request form and mailing to:
N.C. State Highway Patrol
Public Information Office
4231 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-4231
Crash reports can be obtained by visiting the NCDPS website and clicking on the link Collision Information.
Certified crash reports must be obtained from NCDMV pursuant to § 20-42.
A copy of a Medical Examiner and Toxicology report may be requested from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.
Submission Process
Once you submit your request, you will receive an acknowledgement within three business days upon receipt.
The SHP’s public records manager may contact you if a request is received that is unclear or does not sufficiently identify the requested information. If clarification is not provided, the request may be denied.
The public records manager will then review the request to ensure the information requested is available and not restricted from public access. (For a list of records that are considered confidential, see N.C. General Statute 132.)
After reviewing the request, the public records manager will begin identifying the requested documents and notify the requester of an estimated timeframe to retrieve the information as well as any associated charges.
The SHP Public Information Office will make every effort to provide responsive documents as timely as possible. Request will be handled in the order they are received. Actual delivery times may vary depending on several factors to include:
- The size and volume of a request
- Whether the request requires information from other departments
- Preparation of documents responsive
For more information on public records request, please review the state’s draft guidelines on public records request.
Documents