Search North Carolina Court Records
North Carolina court records are public files kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in all 100 counties. These records cover criminal cases, civil suits, traffic matters, and special proceedings filed across the state. You can search North Carolina court records online through the statewide eCourts portal or visit a local courthouse in person. The system gives access to case details, filing dates, court dates, and outcomes. This page covers how to find court records in North Carolina, what types of cases are on file, and the tools that make searching simple.
North Carolina Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find North Carolina Court Records
The Clerk of Superior Court holds court records in each county. This office stores criminal case files, civil suits, and traffic records. Special proceedings are on file too. You can visit any clerk's office to view records at no cost. Most are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help with searches and copies.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch website is the main portal for all court services in the state.
This site links to case searches, court forms, online payments, and a full directory of all 100 county courthouses. You can also find help topics that walk through common court record requests. The portal receives millions of visits each year from people looking for case data across North Carolina.
The Administrative Office of the Courts manages the technology behind the state court system.
The NCAOC supports every courthouse with case management tools, training, and help desk services. They also run the eCourts platform used for online court record searches across North Carolina. Their main office is at PO Box 2448, Raleigh, NC 27602, and can be reached at (919) 890-1000.
Search North Carolina Cases Online
The North Carolina eCourts portal gives free access to court records from all 100 counties around the clock.
This system runs on Tyler Technologies' Odyssey platform. You can search from any device with an internet connection. The portal shows criminal cases, civil suits, traffic tickets, and small claims records across North Carolina. Results include case numbers, party names, charges, court dates, and current status. Some case documents can be viewed right through the portal. Not all older records are online yet. Cases filed before 2010 may not appear in some counties.
You can search North Carolina court records using these fields:
- Party name (last name first)
- Case number with wildcard support
- Attorney bar number
- Filing date range
- Case type or case status
For cases not online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. You can reach them by phone or visit during business hours. The portal takes Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for online payments. Digital apps like Apple Pay and Venmo are not accepted. For technical help with the portal, email ecourts@nccourts.gov.
Note: Case data updates daily with a possible 24 to 48 hour delay after court events in North Carolina.
North Carolina Criminal Record Searches
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is the central repository for criminal history in the state.
The SBI keeps records of arrests, charges, court outcomes, and corrections data for all offenses in North Carolina. You can check your own record through the Right to Review process. This costs $14 and requires a set of fingerprints on an FD-258 card. Mail the request to the SBI at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610, or use PO Box 29500, Raleigh, NC 27626. Processing takes 5 to 7 business days. Results are mailed to your address only. The SBI does not offer email or phone delivery. Under N.C.G.S. § 114-19, the SBI cannot release records to third parties without statutory authority.
For county-level searches, submit Form AOC-CR-314 at any Clerk of Superior Court office. The fee is $25 per county. Include the full name and date of birth. You can view criminal court records for free on the public access terminals at any courthouse in North Carolina. Prints cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per certification plus page fees. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days in most counties.
Court Records Forms in North Carolina
The Judicial Branch Forms Library holds 1,120 statewide forms for all case types in North Carolina.
Search by keyword, form number, or statute citation. All forms use the AOC numbering system. They are free to download. Key court records forms include AOC-CR-314 for criminal record searches and AOC-CV-100 for civil summons. The Guide and File tool on the site helps people complete forms through a simple question and answer process. It covers name changes, small claims, and expunction petitions in North Carolina.
Court records in North Carolina are public under N.C.G.S. § 132-1, which defines public records broadly to cover all documents made in connection with public business.
Copy fees cannot exceed the actual cost of providing them under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2. The standard rate is $0.25 per page at courthouses across the state. If a court records request is wrongfully denied, N.C.G.S. § 132-9 lets you bring a civil action in superior court to compel disclosure. N.C.G.S. § 132-6 requires that records be open for inspection at reasonable times under reasonable supervision.
Types of North Carolina Court Cases
North Carolina courts handle several case types. Criminal records show charges, offense dates, court dates, and outcomes. Civil cases cover lawsuits, property disputes, and contracts. Traffic cases list citations and payment status. Small claims involve disputes under $10,000. Each case type creates court records the public can access under N.C.G.S. § 7A-109. District Courts hear misdemeanors, infractions, and civil cases under $25,000. Superior Courts handle felonies and larger civil cases.
The North Carolina Business Court handles complex commercial disputes involving publicly traded companies and shareholder actions.
Business Court records are maintained separately. Cases are heard at facilities in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington. The court has its own electronic filing system apart from the main eCourts portal.
The Court of Appeals and Supreme Court review trial court decisions for legal errors across North Carolina.
Appellate opinions and orders are published online at no cost. The Clerk's Office for both courts is at 2 East Morgan Street, Raleigh. Juvenile court records remain confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901. Expunged records cannot be disclosed under N.C.G.S. § 15A-152 once a court grants the order. The State Archives holds historical court records dating to the colonial period for researchers.
Note: Sealed records require a court order to access in North Carolina.
North Carolina Court Records Fees
Fees follow a standard schedule set by state law. Viewing records on public terminals is free at every courthouse. Online searches through the eCourts portal also cost nothing.
Common court records fees in North Carolina include:
- Criminal record search (Form AOC-CR-314): $25 per county
- SBI personal background check: $14
- Standard copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per certification plus copy fees
- Expunction filing: $175 unless waived for indigency
The eCourts portal takes Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. A convenience fee applies to all credit card payments. For mail requests, send a money order or certified check to the clerk's office. Most offices in North Carolina do not accept personal checks for court record searches. County clerk offices also take cash in person at all locations. If you have questions about fees, the Judicial Branch help section has details on payment methods and request steps for all record types.
Note: Fees can change, so call the clerk's office to confirm current costs before you visit.
Getting Help with Court Records
The Office of Indigent Defense Services oversees public defenders across North Carolina for people who need legal representation.
IDS appoints lawyers for people who cannot afford private counsel in criminal cases. Their main office is at 123 W. Main Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701. You can reach them at (919) 354-7200. Local public defender contacts are available through any courthouse in North Carolina.
The Department of Public Safety handles records requests for state prisons and law enforcement agencies. Submit requests online or by mail to 4201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. The Judicial Branch website has a court records help section organized into 14 categories covering criminal law, fees, family matters, and more.
The site features the Guide and File system for preparing court documents on your own. It asks plain language questions and fills in the right form fields. This tool covers common filings like name changes, small claims, and expunction petitions across North Carolina. ADA accommodations are available at all courthouses. Contact the local clerk's office at least five business days before your court date to arrange services like sign language interpreters or large print materials.
Browse North Carolina Court Records by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own Clerk of Superior Court that keeps court records. Pick a county below to find local contact details and resources.
Court Records in North Carolina Cities
North Carolina does not have municipal courts. All cases go through the county court system. Pick a city below to learn about court records in that area.