Buncombe County Government North Carolina
Buncombe County Government North Carolina

your safety

sheriff's office

The Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of the County. Buncombe County voters elect the Sheriff to terms of four years.

County Agency Sheriff's Office
Address 202 Haywood St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Contact Info Van Duncan
Sheriff
(828) 250-4474

Helpful Phone Numbers
Report a crime or request assistance from a deputy (828) 255-5555
Inquire about an inmate (828) 250-4550
Sheriff Van Duncan (828) 250-4474
Chief Deputy Don Reavis (828) 250-4475
Personnel and Employment Information (828) 250-4481
Civil Process (828) 250-4410
Investigations Division (828) 250-4436
Patrol Division (828) 250-4496
Crime Prevention (828) 250-4511
Court and Courthouse Security (828) 250-4555
Communications Division (828) 255-5555
Warrants Division (828) 250-4469
Elderly Reassurance Program (828) 250-4492
Detention Center (828)250-4550

Criminal Record Check

To obtain a criminal record check from Buncombe County, a record check request form must be completed. There is a 24-hour processing period and a fee of $5 is charged. Forms may be obtained by calling the ID Bureau office at 250-4665. To obtain a record check by mail, submit a written request with complete name, date of birth, social security number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to 20 Davidson Drive; Asheville, NC 28801. The $5 processing fee may be paid via certified check or money order.

Immigration Fingerprints

All fingerprinting for Immigration & / Naturalization Services (INS) purposes must be done in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, please call the INS Help Line at 1-800-375-5283 (9am-4pm est).

Naturalization

All fingerprinting for Immigration & / Naturalization Services (INS) purposes must be done in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, please call the INS Help Line at 1-800-375-5283 (9am-4pm est).

Background Check

To obtain a criminal record check from Buncombe County, a record check request form must be completed. There is a 24-hour processing period and a fee of $5 is charged. Forms may be obtained by calling the ID Bureau office at 250-4665. To obtain a record check by mail, submit a written request with complete name, date of birth, social security number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to 20 Davidson Drive; Asheville, NC 28801. The $5 processing fee may be paid via certified check or money order.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is available through the City/County Bureau of Identification. City/County Bureau of Identification fingerprints the general public for purposes of employment, properties, securities, child-care, adoption, etc.

  • FEE: $10.00
  • Performed 8:00am until 6:45pm (and other times by appointment. Please contact Kim Gillett@ 250-4675 to schedule).

PLEASE NOTE:

All fingerprinting for Immigration & / Naturalization Services (INS) purposes must be done in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, please call the INS HELP LINE at 1-800-375-5283 (9am-4pm est).

City/County Bureau of Identification

The City-County Bureau of Identification incorporates two divisions. Centralized Data Entry is a 24-hour department that collects and maintains data within the Criminal Justice Information System. The Identification Bureau is a criminal justice agency that maintains local criminal history information of persons arrested or cited in Buncombe County. In addition, the Bureau provides civilian fingerprinting services regarding employment and security requirements. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00am until 6:45pm, excluding holidays. Offices are located in the Buncombe County Detention Center on 20 Davidson Drive in Asheville. For more information call 250-4665.

Elderly Reassurance Program

The Reassurance Program is designed to provide a system to check on senior citizens in Buncombe County on a regular basis. Seniors are called daily to insure their well being. If you or a family member would like to have this service or you would like more information, please call 250-4492.

Obtaining Property Held by the Sheriff's Office

Personal property that has been found and turned over to the Sheriff’s Office, stolen property that has been recovered, or items seized by the Sheriff’s Office are held in the Property Unit. Many items held by the Sheriff’s Office cannot be released because of court order or the need to use these items as evidence. To inquire about personal property you may call the Property Unit at 250-4465.

Criminal/Investigative Records Information

By law, criminal investigations records and criminal intelligence information are not public record. Those reporting a crime should receive a copy of the initial report form the attending officer. If you did not receive a copy or need an additional copy of a report you filed, please call 250-4504. Information concerning the progress of the investigation of a reported crime may be obtained by calling the Criminal Investigations Division at 250-4436.

Obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit

To obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun you must first complete and obtain a certificate of completion for a course on instruction about carrying a concealed handgun taught by a state certified Concealed Handgun Instructor. Applicants must apply in person at City/County Bureau of Identification Monday-Friday 9:00-11:00 and 3:00-5:00. Other times by appointment. Please call Kim Gillett at 250-4675. Required documents include driver's license, certificate of  training and discharge papers if applicant has been in the military. The fee set by the state is $90 which is payable by certified check, money order or cash. Applicants are fingerprinted at the time of application, and there may be other fees for the background information required. The processing time is generally 60 to 90 days.

Obtaining a Permit to Purchase a Gun

To obtain a permit to purchase a handgun, an application must be filed with the Sheriff’s Office at 202 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801 between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Please bring a valid North Carolina Driver’s License or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants must be a Buncombe County resident and at least 21 years old. The waiting time is five days. The fee set by the state for each permit is $5. Once a permit is issued, it must be picked up in person.

Inmate Visitation

The Buncombe County Detention Facility allows inmates to receive visitors. Visitation is conducted on Tuesday and Thursday during the following times: 9AM to 10AM; 10AM to 11AM; 1PM to 2PM; 2PM to 3PM; 7PM to 8PM; 8PM to 9PM; and 9PM to 10PM.

It is the inmate’s responsibility to see that visitors are listed on the inmate’s visitation list. In other words, the inmate chooses what visitors, if any, he or she will have. The visitor’s name must appear on the inmate’s visitation list before any visit is made. Inmates are only allowed 2 visitors at a time.

All visitors must present a picture identification card to the Reception Desk Officer before entry into the Detention Facility. All visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For more information concerning inmate visitation, call 250-4650.

Warrant Service

To obtain an arrest warrant, contact the Magistrate’s Office at 250-4691. To check on the service of an existing warrant, call the Warrant’s Division Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm At other times you may call the Communications Division at 277-3100. If a warrant has been issued for your arrest you may make arrangements for service at the Detention Center at either of the above numbers.

Sexual Offender Registration

The Sexual Assault/Child Abuse unit is comprised of investigators who have been trained to investigate sexual assault and child abuse crimes. The unit works closely with support groups such as the Department of Social Services, Rape Crisis, and the Child Abuse Center.

Sexual Assaults/Child Abuse

The Sexual Assault/Child Abuse unit is comprised of investigators who have been trained to investigate sexual assault and child abuse crimes. The unit works closely with support groups such as the Department of Social Services, Rape Crisis, and the Child Abuse Center. The unit also registers all sex offenders that are required to register by law and maintains those files.

General Investigative Unit

The Sheriff’s General Investigative Unit operates out of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Department. This unit consists of five detectives, two crime scene analysts and a supervisor. The unit investigates crimes such as assaults, kidnappings, armed robberies, white collar crimes, missing persons, bomb threats, larcenies and other major crimes.

Burglary Task Force

The Sheriff’s Burglary Task Force operates out of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Department. This Unit consists of six detectives and a supervisor. Its primary focus is on business, residential, and motor vehicle burglaries. The unit uses conventional and unconventional investigative methods combined with a close working relationship with the Sheriff’s Uniform Patrol Division and law enforcement agencies throughout Western North Carolina to deter and solve burglaries.

Retrieving an Impounded Vehicle

For assistance with retrieving an impounded vehicle, dial 250-4527 and speak with Gloria Smith. Please be prepared to give the name of the arresting officer, the date the vehicle was impounded, and the make and model of the vehicle. With this information, it will be determined if the vehicle has been impounded. Once the determination has been made, visit the Sheriff’s Department at 202 Haywood Street Asheville, NC 28801 and speak to Gloria Smith. Please have your Driver’s License, vehicle registration and/or automobile title. Upon verification of vehicle ownership, a vehicle impound sheet, which verifies clearance by the Sheriff’s Department, will be issued. The impound sheet should be taken to the wrecker service where you will be requested to pay the bill, and your automobile will be released.

Civil Process

The Civil Process division serves all civil processes directed to the Sheriff of Buncombe County. This includes service of all summons, subpoenas, child support enforcement orders, an domestic violence processes. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. For after hour emergencies contact the Sheriff’s Department Communications division at 277-3100. All civil processes are generated through the Buncombe County Clerk of Court Office, which can be reached at 232-4702.

Inmate Money for Commissary Items

The Buncombe County Detention Facility operates on a cash-less system using an inmate account. Visitors may deposit money into an inmate’s account two ways: either in person or by mail. Only postal money orders or cash are accepted. To deposit money into an inmate’s account in person, simply visit the Finance Office Money Window located on the main floor of the Buncombe County Detention Facility. The Finance office is open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 11AM and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2PM to 3:30PM.

Money may be mailed to an inmate at the Buncombe County Detention Facility, 20 Davidson Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801. Please provide a return address and the inmate’s name on the envelope.

For more information regarding inmate accounts, call 250-4572.