Martin County Court Records

Martin County court records are kept at the courthouse in Williamston, a small town in eastern North Carolina along the Roanoke River. The county was formed in 1774 and named after Josiah Martin, the last royal governor of North Carolina. About 22,000 people call Martin County home. Court records here are open to the public for review and copying. This guide explains how to search Martin County court records, where to go, and what to expect when you look for case filings in this part of the state.

Martin County Clerk of Superior Court

The Martin County Clerk of Superior Court manages all case filings. The office is at 305 E. Main St in Williamston. This address houses both the courthouse and the sheriff's office. Staff handle civil cases, criminal records, estates, and special proceedings. Marriage licenses are issued here too.

Williamston sits at the junction of US 17 and US 64 in the Inner Banks region. The town is about 90 miles east of Raleigh. Free parking is available near the courthouse. The building has ground-level access.

Martin County is part of Judicial District 2. Court sessions rotate between Superior and District Court. The clerk's office serves as the single point of contact for all record requests.

Note: The clerk and sheriff share the same street address, so you can handle both court and law enforcement records in one trip.

Searching Martin County Court Records

Online searches run through the North Carolina eCourts Portal. This free tool covers all 100 counties. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. Results show case type, charges, and status. The portal is available around the clock.

In-person searches are done at the clerk's office on E. Main St. Public terminals let you search case files at no cost. The staff can help with manual lookups or older paper records. Bring the full name and date of birth of the person you want to search.

Martin County is a small county with a modest caseload. Wait times at the clerk's office tend to be short. Most requests can be handled while you wait. If you call ahead, staff can often tell you what records are available before you make the drive.

Martin County Criminal Court Records

Criminal records in Martin County cover felony and misdemeanor cases. The clerk handles background check requests during business hours. Walk-in requests are accepted. Provide the full legal name of the subject and a date of birth if possible.

Statewide criminal checks are handled by the North Carolina SBI. SBI checks require fingerprints and a signed release. They pull data from every county in the state. Under N.C.G.S. 114-19, some criminal history records are restricted.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office keeps its own arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records. The sheriff is at the same 305 E. Main St address as the courthouse. Call (252) 792-5611 for the records division.

The photo above shows the Martin County offices where court records and sheriff reports are processed. Both sit at 305 E. Main St in Williamston, making it easy to handle all your record needs in one stop.

Drug offenses, property crimes, and traffic violations make up much of the Martin County criminal docket. The county's location along major highways brings a mix of local and pass-through cases.

Note: Criminal background checks at the clerk's office cover only Martin County filings.

Civil Records in Martin County

Civil case filings in Martin County include small claims, general lawsuits, domestic matters, and property disputes. Small claims are heard in District Court for amounts up to $10,000. Larger civil cases go to Superior Court.

The Roanoke River and the farmland that surrounds Williamston shape many civil cases in Martin County. Land disputes, drainage issues, and agricultural contract matters come through the clerk's office. Domestic cases like divorce, custody, and support filings are also common.

• Small claims and magistrate cases
• General civil lawsuits
• Property and land disputes
• Domestic cases including divorce and custody

The NC Courts forms library has blank forms for most civil filings. Print what you need ahead of your visit.

Martin County Estate Court Records

Estate and probate matters are handled by the clerk in Williamston. When a person dies, the executor files the will with the clerk. The clerk acts as judge in most estate cases under N.C.G.S. 28A. This covers naming executors, reviewing inventories, and approving accountings.

Guardianship filings also go through the clerk. These cases involve adults who cannot manage their own affairs. The clerk reviews evidence, holds hearings, and issues orders. All estate and guardianship records are public unless a judge has sealed them.

Farm and timber land often passes through the estate system in Martin County. These estates can involve complex valuations and multiple heirs. The clerk's staff can help you find a specific estate file by name or number.

Note: Estate files may stay open for several years until all debts and distributions are settled.

Restricted Records

Some Martin County court records are not available to the public. Juvenile cases are sealed under N.C.G.S. 7B-2901. Expunged records are removed from all public databases under N.C.G.S. 15A-152. Certain domestic and mental health records may also be restricted.

The clerk's staff can check whether a specific record is public or sealed. You will need a court order to access any sealed file. The NC Courts records help page has more details on restricted record types.

Nearby Counties

Martin County is in the Inner Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina.