Search Raleigh Court Records
Raleigh court records are maintained by the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. Raleigh is the state capital of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County. North Carolina does not have municipal courts, so Raleigh has no city court. All criminal charges, civil lawsuits, traffic tickets, and family law cases for Raleigh residents are processed through the Wake County court system. The courthouse sits at 316 Fayetteville Street near the State Capitol building. You can search Raleigh court records online through the state portal or visit the clerk office in person to request copies of case documents.
Raleigh Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records for Raleigh are filed in Wake County. Every arrest, charge, and case outcome is part of the county court system. Misdemeanor cases go through district court. Felony cases are handled in superior court. Both courts operate from the Wake County courthouse complex in downtown Raleigh.
The Raleigh Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Their main office is at 6710 Six Forks Road. You can reach the police department at (919) 996-3335. Police records and court records are different things. A police report documents the incident and arrest. The court record tracks what happens once the case enters the legal system. Both are useful for getting the full story of a Raleigh criminal matter.
You can search Raleigh criminal court records through the North Carolina eCourts portal. The system lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers all of Wake County, including every case filed in Raleigh. Basic case details are free to view online. For police records, visit raleighnc.gov/police to learn about the request process.
The Raleigh Police Department processes thousands of reports each year. Their records division can help you obtain incident and accident reports from cases within city limits.
Note: Police records from the Raleigh Police Department are separate from court records held by the Wake County clerk.
How to Search Court Records in Raleigh
There are several ways to search Raleigh court records. The online portal is the quickest option for basic case details. An in-person visit gives you access to full case files.
The North Carolina eCourts system is available at nccourts.gov. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal covers every type of case filed in Wake County. Criminal, civil, family, and traffic records for Raleigh all appear in this system. You can view filing dates, charges, hearing schedules, and case outcomes at no cost. The portal runs around the clock, so you can search from home at any time.
To visit in person, go to the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court at 300 S. Salisbury St in Raleigh. The courthouse is near the State Capitol in downtown Raleigh. GoRaleigh bus routes serve the area. Parking is available at nearby garages and meters. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Staff can help you find Raleigh court records by name or case number. You can request plain or certified copies at the counter.
- Online search is free for basic case information
- In-person visits allow review of full case files
- Certified copies require payment at the clerk window
- Phone inquiries accepted at (919) 792-4000
- Mail requests may take several business days
Wake County Clerk Office for Raleigh
The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all court records for Raleigh. Since North Carolina has no municipal courts, this county office is where every Raleigh case is filed and stored. The clerk handles new filings, maintains existing records, and provides copies to the public.
| Office | Wake County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S. Salisbury St Raleigh, NC 27601 |
| Phone | (919) 792-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov - Wake County |
The Raleigh City Clerk is a different office. The city clerk handles municipal records like council minutes and city ordinances. That office is at 222 W. Hargett St and can be reached at (919) 996-3040. Visit raleighnc.gov/city-clerk for city government records. For court records in Raleigh, you need the Wake County clerk.
The city clerk can point you to the right county office if you call looking for Raleigh court records.
Raleigh Civil Court Records
Civil cases for Raleigh are filed in Wake County court. These include contract disputes, property claims, personal injury lawsuits, and small claims matters. Small claims up to $10,000 go through district court. Larger cases are filed in superior court. Both courts serve Raleigh from the Wake County courthouse complex.
Filing a small claims case in Raleigh starts at the clerk office. You fill out a complaint form and pay the filing fee. The court schedules a hearing. A magistrate listens to both sides and makes a ruling. The entire case file becomes part of the Raleigh civil court records in Wake County. These are public records that anyone can view.
Larger civil lawsuits in Raleigh involve more paperwork. Each motion, response, and order goes into the case file. Attorneys handle most of these cases. The records can span hundreds of pages for complex matters. All of these documents are available at the clerk office. You can also find basic case information on the eCourts portal.
Note: Civil judgments from Raleigh cases may affect credit reports and can be searched through the Wake County clerk office.
Raleigh Traffic Court Records
Traffic violations in Raleigh create court records in Wake County. Speeding tickets, stop sign violations, and reckless driving charges all go through district court. DWI arrests in Raleigh are criminal charges that carry more serious penalties. Every traffic citation issued by Raleigh police becomes a case in the Wake County system.
Many traffic tickets in Raleigh allow you to pay the fine without a court appearance. You can pay online, by mail, or at the clerk office. Some violations require you to appear before a judge. Either way, the outcome becomes part of your court record. The DMV and insurance companies can access these records.
You can search for traffic court records from Raleigh through the eCourts portal. Look up a case by name or citation number. The portal shows the charge, court date, and outcome. For questions about a specific Raleigh traffic ticket, call the Wake County clerk at (919) 792-4000.
Public Access to Raleigh Court Records
Most court records in Raleigh are open to the public. North Carolina law under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 makes government records available for public review. This includes court files from Wake County. You do not need to be involved in a case or live in Raleigh to request records.
Some records have limits on access. Juvenile court records are mostly confidential. Sealed cases are not open to the public. Certain mental health and adoption records have restricted access under state law. For all other Raleigh court records, you can view them at the clerk office or search basic details online.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch runs all courts in the state. Their website has forms, filing guides, and contact details for every county clerk office, including Wake County where Raleigh court records are kept.
Raleigh Arrest and Warrant Records
Arrest records in Raleigh come from the police department and the court system. The Raleigh Police Department creates the arrest report. Once charges are filed, the court creates a case record in Wake County. These are separate but related documents.
Warrant records begin with a magistrate. A magistrate in Wake County can issue an arrest warrant or a search warrant based on probable cause. Once a warrant is served in Raleigh, the case enters the court system. You can check for active warrants by contacting Raleigh police at (919) 996-3335 or the Wake County clerk at (919) 792-4000.
Not every Raleigh arrest leads to a court case. If charges are not filed, there may be a police record but no court record. The arrest record stays with the police department. Court records only exist once the case is formally filed with the Wake County clerk.
Note: Warrant information may not appear in the online portal until after the warrant has been served and the case is filed in Raleigh.
Getting Copies of Court Records in Raleigh
You can obtain copies of Raleigh court records through the Wake County clerk office. The fastest way is to visit in person at 300 S. Salisbury St. Staff can pull records and make copies while you wait. You can also call (919) 792-4000 to ask about mail requests.
Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Certified copies have the clerk seal and are accepted as official documents by other courts, banks, and government agencies. For personal use, a plain copy works. For legal or official purposes, get a certified copy of your Raleigh court records.
Older Raleigh court records may not be in the digital system. Cases filed before the electronic conversion may require the clerk to retrieve physical files from storage. This takes more time. Call ahead if you need older records to confirm they will be ready when you visit the clerk office in Raleigh.
Wake County Court Records
Raleigh is the county seat of Wake County. All court records for Raleigh are part of the Wake County system. The county also serves Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and other towns. For a full overview of the county court system and more resources, visit the Wake County page.