Find Burke County Court Records

Burke County court records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Morganton, the county seat. Situated in the western North Carolina foothills between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Piedmont, Burke County has a population of roughly 90,000. The clerk's office at 201 S. Green Street maintains all criminal, civil, and domestic case files for the county. Public access to Burke County court records is protected under state law, and you can search records online or in person at the courthouse. This page covers the steps to take, the fees involved, and the rules that apply.

Burke County Clerk of Superior Court

The Burke County Clerk of Superior Court is at 201 S. Green Street in Morganton. Morganton is a small city along Interstate 40, making it accessible from both Asheville and Hickory. The clerk's office serves all of Burke County, processing filings from criminal charges to estate matters.

The courthouse in Morganton sits in a walkable downtown area. Parking is available on nearby streets and in lots. The clerk's office typically sees moderate traffic. Mornings tend to be busier, so plan to arrive in the afternoon if you want shorter waits.

Note: The Burke County Sheriff's Office is nearby at 110 S. Green Street, just a short walk from the courthouse.

How to Search Burke County Court Records

The NC eCourts Portal is the best way to search Burke County court records online. This free statewide system covers all 100 counties. Enter a name or case number to find filings. Results include the case type, charges, filing date, status, and disposition. The portal is available around the clock.

Not every Burke County record appears online. Older files and some case types may require a trip to the courthouse. Visit the clerk's office at 201 S. Green Street in Morganton. Provide the full name and date of birth of the person you are researching. A case number makes the search faster. Staff will pull files and let you review them on site.

Most Burke County court records are open to the public under N.C.G.S. § 132-1. You do not need to explain why you want to see a record. Juvenile cases are sealed under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901. Expunged records cannot be disclosed per N.C.G.S. § 15A-152.

Burke County Criminal Court Records

Criminal records in Burke County cover felony and misdemeanor cases from District and Superior Court. Common charges include drug offenses, assault, DWI, property crimes, and domestic violence. The clerk's office can run local criminal background checks during business hours. Bring the subject's full name and date of birth.

For a search that spans all counties, the NC SBI provides statewide criminal history checks. SBI searches require fingerprints and may need a signed release. Under N.C.G.S. § 114-19, certain criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office is at 110 S. Green Street in Morganton. Call (828) 438-5500 for arrest records, incident reports, and jail information. The sheriff's office keeps its own records apart from the court system. For a complete picture of someone's record in Burke County, you may need to check both offices.

The Burke County courthouse and sheriff's office pictured above are both on South Green Street in downtown Morganton, making it easy to visit both in one trip.

Fees for Burke County Records

Copy fees at the Burke County clerk's office follow state rules. Certified copies run about $3 for the first page and $0.25 for each extra page. Cash, money orders, and certified checks are accepted. Call (828) 438-5400 to ask about credit card options before you visit.

Marriage licenses in Burke County cost $60. Both parties must appear at the clerk's office with valid photo ID. No blood test or waiting period is required. The license stays valid for 60 days. Other fees include civil complaint filing costs and appeal charges. Download blank forms from the NC Courts forms library before your visit to save time.

Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, copy fees for public records must be reasonable and reflect actual reproduction costs. Burke County follows this law for all document requests.

Types of Burke County Case Records

Burke County courts process criminal, civil, domestic, and special proceeding cases. Criminal filings range from traffic citations and shoplifting to drug trafficking and homicide. Civil cases include debt claims, property disputes, personal injury suits, and small claims. Domestic matters cover divorce, custody, support, and protective orders.

Special proceedings at the Burke County clerk's office include estate administration, guardianships, adoptions, and name changes. The clerk serves as judge in many of these under N.C.G.S. § 7A-109. Estate filings are a regular part of the workload, as families settle property and financial matters through the probate process.

• Criminal: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
• Civil: lawsuits, small claims, foreclosures
• Domestic: divorce, custody, support orders
• Special proceedings: estates, guardianships, name changes

The NC Courts records help page provides guidance on which Burke County records are public and which are restricted.

Obtaining Burke County Court Copies

Walk into the Burke County clerk's office at 201 S. Green Street in Morganton for the fastest service. Bring your ID and case details. Most copy requests can be filled while you wait.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address. Include the case number, party names, and payment for fees. Allow one to two weeks for processing. The NCAOC oversees procedures for all clerk offices. N.C.G.S. § 132-9 imposes penalties for unlawful denial of public records. If you need records from state agencies beyond Burke County, the NC Department of Public Safety can assist. Appeals of access denials may be pursued through the NC appellate courts.

Nearby Counties

Burke County borders several foothills and mountain counties in western North Carolina.