Frequently asked questions for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office

Welcome to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Frequently Asked Questions page. Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions we receive from the public. Whether you are looking for information on how to file a report, start a neighborhood watch, apply for a permit, or how to contact the Sheriff, we hope you will find this page helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

How do I check on warrants?

To check on warrants that were taken out against you or warrants that you have taken out on another person, you must contact the Buncombe County Magistrate’s Office. The Buncombe County Magistrate’s Office is located at 20 Davidson Dr, Asheville NC 28801

Where do I get fingerprinted for employment or criminal history checks?

If you need to get your fingerprints taken, you will need to contact the Buncombe County Bureau of Identification. Please visit the Buncombe County Bureau of Identification website to find times of operation, identifications needed for services, costs, and limitations on services.

Can I speak directly to the Sheriff?

Yes, The Sheriff is always open for you to come in and speak with him. Because of his commitment to Buncombe County, he may not always be in the office so it is best to call for an appointment. If you call by phone and he is not in the office, you can leave your telephone number, and he will return your call. The telephone number for Sheriff’s Office is (828) 250-4503.

How do I apply for a Concealed Carry Weapons Permit?

Buncombe County Conceal and Carry Permits are issued by the Bureau of ID, located at 50 Coxe Avenue in Asheville, NC. For more information please visit their website. Click here:

https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/id/default.aspx

What are the hours of operation for the Sheriff's Office?

There is someone available 24 hours per day at the Sheriff’s Office; however, specific divisions have their own hours.

Administration: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm
Civil Division: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Detention Center: 24 hours a day.

How do I start a neighborhood watch?

Please contact our Crime Prevention Sergeant Sarah Holmes at sarah.holmes@buncombecounty.org

My vehicle was seized. How do I get it back?

Visit our Leicester Crossing location for tow sheets and release forms. The address is: 339 Leicester Highway Asheville, North Carolina.

I need to make a report

Please call Buncombe County Communications at (828) 255-5555.

Where can I pick up my stolen property?

Tow Sheets, Release Forms, and property or evidence are all released from our Leicester Crossing location at 339 Leicester Highway in Asheville.

How do I dispose of my prescriptions?

Please place your prescriptions in the Drug Box located at Leicester Crossing, 339 Leicester Highway in Asheville.

How do I evict a renter?

First give the tenant a 10-day written to vacate the property;
Obtain a Magistrate Summons / Complaint in Summary Ejectment from the Clerk of Court;
The Clerk of Court will set a court date for Summary Ejectment within seven business days from the date of issuance;
You must bring the Summons to the Sheriff’s Office for service and provide a stamped envelope;
You must appear in court for the Small Claims Court hearing on the day assigned;
If a judgment is ruled in your favor, the defendant has 10 days to appeal and/or vacate the property;
If the defendant has not moved out within the 10-day period, a Writ of Possession of Real Property is needed for the Sheriff’s Office to remove the tenant(s);
The Writ will be carried out within five business days of receipt.

Remember: A landlord-tenant agreement refers a verbal or written contract to use a defined parcel of land for a specified term in exchange for payment. There are no “Squatter Rights” in North Carolina.

How do I have a civil paper served?

The Sheriff’s Office accepts civil process by mail, Federal Express, UPS, or similar delivery, or hand-delivery between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost for civil service within the state of North Carolina is $30 per person to be served, $30 per person for civil subpoenas, and $30 per person for criminal subpoenas. The cost for out-of-state civil service is $50.00 per person and per paper to be served. There is no charge to serve Ex Parte Domestic Violence Protection Orders in or out of state.

How do I check on the status of a civil process?

Please contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office front desk at (828) 250-4503 during regular business hours and reference the defendant’s name and type of civil process.

How do I obtain a warrant?

If you need to obtain a warrant for assault, trespassing, communicating threats, harassing telephone calls, or any other misdemeanor violation, go to the Magistrate’s Office located

Any responsible adult can get a misdemeanor warrant provided you can explain to the Magistrate (Judge) the reason for getting the warrant and provide evidence or sworn testimony to support it. The Magistrate may require that you file a report with the corresponding law enforcement agency where the crime took place. Only a Deputy Sheriff or a Police Officer can obtain a felony warrant on your behalf.

Community Involvement