New Hanover County Court Records

New Hanover County court records are held at the courthouse in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all case files for this coastal county. Wilmington serves as both the county seat and the largest city. New Hanover County is one of the smaller counties in the state by area but has a large population. You can search for criminal cases, civil filings, and other court documents through the clerk's office. Records span many years. Staff can help you find the court records you need when you visit or call the office.

New Hanover County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the main record keeper for New Hanover County courts. This office files new cases, stores court documents, and issues copies to the public. The clerk also handles estate matters, guardianships, and special proceedings. Every court record in New Hanover County passes through this office.

The New Hanover County courthouse is at 316 Princess St in Wilmington. Visit during regular business hours to search records or request copies. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID when you go. If you need certified copies, call ahead so the staff can prepare them. The clerk serves all of New Hanover County from this downtown Wilmington location, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch website has details about courts in New Hanover County. Go to nccourts.gov for court calendars, forms, and contact information for the clerk's office.

How to Search New Hanover County Records

You can search court records in New Hanover County online or in person. Each approach has its own benefits. Online searches are fast and free for basic information. Visiting the courthouse lets you review the full case file and get copies the same day.

The North Carolina eCourts portal provides access to court records from all counties. Go to portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ to begin your search. Look up cases by party name or case number. The portal shows case type, filing date, and current status. It covers criminal and civil cases filed in New Hanover County. Basic searches are free and open to the public.

For a full file review, go to the clerk's office at 316 Princess St in Wilmington. Staff will pull the file for you. You can read through every document in the case. Copy fees apply if you want to keep pages. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Note: Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public searches of New Hanover County court records.

Criminal Court Records

New Hanover County criminal records include all cases where someone faces charges. These range from minor infractions to serious felonies. The clerk keeps records for both District Court and Superior Court criminal cases. District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. Superior Court handles felonies.

A criminal case record in New Hanover County shows the defendant's name, the charges, court dates, and the result. It may also list bond amounts, attorney names, and sentencing details. Most criminal records are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can view them at the courthouse in Wilmington. You do not need to be part of the case to request access to these New Hanover County records.

You can search criminal records online through the state court portal. Search by defendant name to find cases filed in New Hanover County. The Wilmington Police Department handles cases within city limits, while the New Hanover County Sheriff covers areas outside city boundaries. Both agencies file their cases through the same court system.

For a statewide background check, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers criminal history searches for a fee.

New Hanover County Civil Records

Civil cases in New Hanover County involve disputes between parties. These include contract claims, property matters, personal injury suits, and debt collection cases. Small claims go to District Court. Larger civil matters go to Superior Court. The clerk stores all civil records at the courthouse.

To find a civil case in New Hanover County, you need at least one party's name. The clerk can search by plaintiff or defendant. You can also use a case number. Civil records include the complaint, answer, motions, orders, and the final judgment. Most civil records are open to the public under North Carolina law.

Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are typically removed from public copies of New Hanover County civil records.

New Hanover County Sheriff

The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for areas outside city limits. The office is at 3950 Juvenile Center Rd in Castle Hayne. Call (910) 798-4200 to reach the sheriff. The sheriff serves court papers and runs the county detention facility.

Arrest records from the sheriff become part of the court record once charges are filed in New Hanover County. The sheriff maintains booking logs, incident reports, and other law enforcement files. Some of these are public records. Contact the sheriff's office for records not tied to a court case. Court records are available at the clerk's office in Wilmington.

Copies of New Hanover County Records

You can get copies of court records from New Hanover County in several ways. Visit the clerk's office in Wilmington for the fastest service. You can also mail a written request. Include the case number, party names, and which documents you need. Enclose the correct payment.

Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and signature. You need certified copies for most legal purposes. Banks, courts, and government agencies often require them. Call the New Hanover County clerk to confirm current fees before sending your request.

For guidance on court record access across North Carolina, visit nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records. This page explains your rights under state law and the process for requesting records from New Hanover County and other counties.

Estate and Probate Records

The New Hanover County clerk handles estate and probate cases. These include wills, estate administration, and guardianship matters. When a New Hanover County resident dies, their estate may go through probate at the clerk's office. The clerk oversees the process and keeps all records.

Estate records show the will, the executor or administrator, an inventory of the assets, and the final accounting. These records are public in New Hanover County. You can search them at the clerk's office in Wilmington. Estate cases have their own case numbers, separate from criminal and civil cases.

Note: Estate cases must be filed in the county where the person lived at the time of death.

Court Forms and Filing

North Carolina uses standard court forms that work in every county. You can download them from nccourts.gov/documents/forms. These forms cover civil complaints, motions, estate filings, and many other types of cases. Select the right form before visiting the New Hanover County courthouse.

Fill out your forms completely before your trip to the clerk's office. Staff can accept your filing and assign a case number. They cannot give legal advice, but they can direct you to the right form. Filing fees differ by case type in New Hanover County. Ask the clerk about the current fee for your filing.

Nearby Counties

These counties border New Hanover County. If you are not sure where a case was filed, check the address where the events happened. Cases must be filed in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction over the matter.