Search North Carolina Divorce Records
North Carolina divorce records are public documents kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in each of the 100 counties and by the North Carolina Division of Public Health. County courts store the complete divorce case files at the district court level. The state vital records office holds divorce certificates going back to 1958. You can search these records online, by mail, or in person at courthouses across North Carolina.
North Carolina Divorce Records Quick Facts
Where to Find North Carolina Divorce Records
There are two primary sources for divorce records in North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court in each county holds the full case files for every divorce granted there. These files contain the complaint, the answer from the other spouse, any separation agreements, and the final divorce judgment signed by the judge. The clerk of court in each county maintains these records and can provide copies. You can visit the courthouse in person or look up some records through the North Carolina eCourts portal.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Vital Records Section keeps divorce verification records. A verification letter confirms that a divorce took place but does not include the terms of the settlement. It shows only basic facts: the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where it was granted. The vital records office has records for divorces from 1958 to the present. You can order these by mail or in person at the Vital Records office in Raleigh. Verification letters cost $24 for the first copy in North Carolina.
Note: Divorce verification letters contain less detail than full court records from the Clerk of Superior Court in North Carolina.
How to Search Divorce Records in North Carolina
North Carolina offers several ways to look up divorce records. Online access is the fastest method for most searches. You can search from home at any time. In-person visits work well when you need certified copies or want to review the full case file. Both options are available to anyone in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts portal provides access to civil court records across all 100 counties in North Carolina. You can search by party name or case number to find divorce cases. The system is free to use for basic case information including party names, filing dates, and case status. For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the county clerk or visit the courthouse. Go to nccourts.gov to begin your search in North Carolina.
To search divorce records through the eCourts portal, you need the following:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Approximate date of the divorce filing
- County where the case was filed
You can also search in person at any Clerk of Superior Court office in North Carolina. Go to the county where the divorce was filed. Staff can help you find records and make copies. Most clerks charge a fee per page for copies, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. For divorce verification letters only, mail your request to the North Carolina Vital Records Section, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. Additional fees apply for expedited service in North Carolina.
Types of Divorce Records in North Carolina
North Carolina divorce records include several types of documents. The divorce judgment is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case is resolved. The judgment states the marriage is dissolved and may address property division and other matters. This is the most complete divorce record available in North Carolina. It comes from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was heard.
The divorce verification letter is a shorter document from the North Carolina Division of Public Health. A verification letter proves a divorce took place but does not contain the details of any settlement. Many people need a verification letter for purposes like changing their name, remarrying, or updating other legal documents in North Carolina. You can get a verification letter by mail from the Vital Records Section in Raleigh.
Divorce records in North Carolina typically contain the following:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of the marriage
- Date the divorce complaint was filed
- Date the divorce was finalized
- County and court where it was heard
- Grounds cited for the divorce
- Terms of property division if included
Court case files may also contain motions, affidavits, and other papers filed during the proceedings. These show the full history of the divorce case in North Carolina. You can get copies of any document in a case file from the Clerk of Superior Court.
North Carolina Divorce Laws and Rules
North Carolina law sets the rules for obtaining a divorce. These laws affect how long the process takes and what records are created. The General Assembly has established specific rules for residency, grounds, property division, and support. You must follow these rules to file for divorce in North Carolina.
Under N.C.G.S. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have been a resident of North Carolina for at least six months before filing for divorce. This is the residency requirement. You file in the county where either spouse resides. There are no exceptions to this residency requirement in North Carolina.
North Carolina allows only no-fault divorce based on separation. N.C.G.S. § 50-6 requires that the spouses live separate and apart for at least one year before either can file for absolute divorce. During this separation, at least one spouse must intend for the separation to be permanent. This one-year separation is the only ground for absolute divorce in North Carolina. Property division, alimony, and child custody are handled as separate claims that can be filed before or during the divorce action in North Carolina.
North Carolina does not have a mandatory waiting period after filing beyond the one-year separation requirement. Once the complaint is filed and the other spouse is served, the case can move forward. For uncontested cases where both sides agree, the divorce can be finalized relatively quickly after filing. The court may issue temporary orders for child custody, support, or use of marital property while the case is pending in North Carolina.
North Carolina is an equitable distribution state. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-20, marital property is divided fairly but not always equally. The judge considers multiple factors when dividing assets in a divorce. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, and each person's contributions to the marital estate in North Carolina.
Divorce Record Fees in North Carolina
Fees vary based on what you need and where you get it in North Carolina. The North Carolina Division of Public Health charges $24 for a divorce verification search plus one copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $15. Expedited processing is available for an extra fee. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the North Carolina Vital Records.
District Courts charge their own fees for divorce cases and records in North Carolina. Filing a divorce complaint costs $225 in most counties. Getting copies of existing divorce records costs less. Most clerks charge per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones at any court in North Carolina.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the filing fees in North Carolina. You can apply by completing a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent form. You must show proof of financial hardship such as receiving public assistance. The court will review your petition and decide if you qualify for a fee waiver in North Carolina.
Note: Filing fees and copy fees can change, so contact the court or agency to confirm current costs in North Carolina.
How to Get Copies of North Carolina Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records in North Carolina in several ways. For divorce verification letters from the Division of Public Health, you have two main choices. First, mail your request to the Vital Records Section, 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903 with the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, the county, and your payment. Second, visit the Vital Records office in person at 225 North McDowell Street in Raleigh where walk-in service is available during business hours in North Carolina.
For full divorce judgments and case files, go to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed in North Carolina. You can request copies in person or call ahead to check what you need. Some courts accept mail requests for copies. You will need to know the names of the parties or the case number. The clerk can search the records and make copies for a fee in North Carolina.
Wait times vary by method and location in North Carolina. In-person requests at the Vital Records office are often processed the same day. Mail requests to the state take several weeks. Court record requests depend on the workload at that county's clerk office in North Carolina.
Legal Help for Divorce in North Carolina
Several organizations offer help with divorce cases in North Carolina. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal assistance to people with low income. They handle family law cases including divorce across the state. Call the helpline at (866) 219-5262 to ask about their services. Their website at legalaidnc.org has information on getting legal help with divorce in North Carolina.
The North Carolina State Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney in North Carolina. Call 1-800-662-7660 to get connected with a family law lawyer. They can match you with an attorney in your area who handles divorce cases in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch at nccourts.gov offers forms and instructions for people who want to file on their own. You can find guides for handling your own divorce case in North Carolina. The site also has links to legal resources across the state. The court system provides all the official forms you need to file for divorce in North Carolina, including the complaint, answer, and other required papers.
Are Divorce Records Public in North Carolina
Yes, divorce records are generally public in North Carolina. Under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, citizens have the right to access government records. This applies to divorce records held by the courts. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. The records are available to anyone who requests them in North Carolina.
Some restrictions apply to what you can see in divorce records in North Carolina. Certain details may be redacted from public copies. These include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children. A party can also ask the court to seal their divorce records. A judge may seal records if the person demonstrates good cause. Sealed divorce records are uncommon in North Carolina.
Note: Divorce verification letters from the Division of Public Health may have some access restrictions, but court records at the Clerk of Superior Court are generally open to the public in North Carolina.
Browse North Carolina Divorce Records by County
Each county in North Carolina has its own Clerk of Superior Court that keeps divorce records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major North Carolina Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at their county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.