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

Providing criminal histories for background checks (Buncombe County cases only).

  • FEE: $5.00 & 24-hour processing period
  • Download Record Check Request Form for Buncombe County: (Word / PDF)

Immigration Fingerprints

  • Fingerprinting for the general public for purposes of employment, properties, securities, child-care, adoption, etc.
    • FEE: $10.00

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)

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 (CCBI). The CCBI fingerprints the general public for purposes of employment, properties, securities, child-care, adoption, etc. FEE: $10.00


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

Our mission is to support the Criminal Justice/Public Safety community and the citizens of Buncombe County through timely and accurate data entry services and complete and precise dissemination of information.

Hours of Operation

  • Services will be available Mon-Thurs (8am--7pm)
  • Limited Services available Fridays (8am--5pm)
  • Concealed Carry Handgun (CCH) Permits will only be taken/processed Monday - Thursday 8am - 6pm

CCH Permit Applications will not be taken/processed on Fridays

The public may want to call ahead for services on Fridays (828) 250-4664

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

Applications taken Monday – Thursday (Closed Holidays)
8:00am – 6:00pm

Criteria of Issuance:

  1. An applicant must be a citizen of the US.
  2. An applicant must be a resident of Buncombe County and a resident of NC for 30 days prior to the application being filed.
  3. An applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
  4. An applicant must not suffer from any physical or mental weakness that prevents the safe handling of a handgun.
  5. An applicant must have successfully completed an approved firearms safety and training course.

Please provide the following for initial application process:

  1. Firearm Safety Training Certificate (original certificate)
  2. Valid Driver’s License or ID card (all information on license or ID card must be correct)
  3. $90 fee - cash, certified check or money order (no personal checks) $75 fee for renewals; $15.00 fee for an address change or loss / destruction of permit 
  4. DD214 (if discharged from military)

         
Please allow 45 minutes for the application process and 60 – 90 days for issuance or denial of the requested permit

Persons not eligible include anyone:

  1. Found guilty or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for any crimes of violence or misdemeanor assaults as defined by General Statutes
  2. Under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony
  3. Found guilty in any court for a felony
  4. Receiving a prayer for judgment continued for any criminal offense which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit
  5. Who is a fugitive from justice;
  6. Who is an unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs;
  7. Discharged from the armed forces for other than honorable reasons
  8. Who has been ruled mentally ill or lacking mental capacity
  9. Ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law
  10. Free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a crime which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit
  11. Convicted of an impaired driving offense within three years prior to application date

Obtaining a Permit to Purchase a Gun

Applications taken Monday through Friday 8:00am–5:00pm (Closed Holidays)

Criteria to apply for a Pistol Purchase Permit:

  1. An applicant must be a resident of Buncombe County for at least 30 days.
  2. An applicant must be 21 years of age.
  3. Current North Carolina Picture ID (Drivers License or Identification Card).
  4. Be a citizen, a naturalized citizen or resident alien

Applicant may receive up to TEN permits per year -$5.00 fee per permit.

Permit to Purchase a Handgun is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance.

Please allow 7 – 10 business days for processing of applications and criminal background check.

Persons not eligible include anyone:

  1. Under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony
  2. Found guilty in any court for a felony
  3. Who is a fugitive from justice
  4. Who is an unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs
  5. Discharged from the armed forces for other than honorable reasons
  6. Who has been ruled mentally ill or lacking mental capacity
  7. Ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law
  8. Who does not have good moral character
  9. Found guilty of a crime or crimes of domestic violence or has an active Restraining Order

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.