Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Apex
Apex dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. Apex is a fast-growing town in Wake County, located in the Research Triangle area southwest of Raleigh. The town has grown quickly over the past two decades and now has tens of thousands of residents. All dissolution of marriage cases for Apex go through the Wake County courthouse, which has maintained records since 1771. You can search Apex dissolution of marriage records online or contact the Wake County clerk to get copies of case documents.
Apex Quick Facts
Where Apex Dissolution Of Marriage Records Are Filed
Apex residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. The Wake County courthouse is in Raleigh, the state capital. Although the courthouse is not in Apex itself, it serves all residents of Wake County, including those in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, and other towns in the county. Wake County records go back to 1771, making this one of the older court systems in North Carolina.
| Court | Wake County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 550 Raleigh, NC 27602 |
| Phone | (919) 792-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county |
The Wake County Justice Center is located in downtown Raleigh. It is accessible by GoRaleigh bus routes and has parking available nearby. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to search dissolution of marriage records. Security checks all visitors before entry.
Searching Apex Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Two methods let you search dissolution of marriage records tied to Apex. The first is online through the North Carolina eCourts portal. The second is an in-person visit to the Wake County courthouse in Raleigh. Online searches work well for finding basic case information. In-person visits are needed when you want certified copies of documents or need to review the full case file.
The eCourts portal at nccourts.gov covers all Wake County filings. You can search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The portal is free to use and shows filing dates, case status, and other basic details. To get copies of specific documents from Apex dissolution of marriage cases, contact the Wake County clerk at (919) 792-4000.
Having the full legal name of one or both spouses and the year the case was filed makes searches faster. If you have the case number, searching takes seconds. Call the clerk before visiting to confirm any specific documents you want and find out what identification to bring.
Note: The online portal shows case-level information but not the full documents. Certified copies require a visit or a written request to the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court.
Apex City Records and Dissolution Of Marriage Resources
The Town of Apex keeps a public website where residents can access municipal records and services. The link below leads to the official Apex town site, which includes resources for residents dealing with dissolution of marriage-related needs in the area.
The Town of Apex website provides local information that may be useful during a dissolution of marriage case. For court records specific to dissolution of marriage filings, residents use the Wake County court system in Raleigh, not the town hall in Apex.
Apex Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Apex means filing at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. North Carolina law sets the rules for who can file and when. The process is the same across the state, but your residence in Wake County determines which courthouse you use. Each document filed becomes a public record in Wake County.
To file, you must first meet the residency requirement under N.C.G.S. § 50-8. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before the case is filed. Living in Apex satisfies this requirement. If you moved to Apex recently, you need to have been in the state for the full six months.
You must also meet the one-year separation requirement set by N.C.G.S. § 50-6. Spouses must have lived apart for at least one year before filing. At least one of them must have intended the separation to be permanent for that full year. This is the only ground for absolute dissolution of marriage in North Carolina. Once both requirements are met, you can file your complaint at the Wake County courthouse.
You file the complaint, pay the $225 fee, and arrange service on your spouse through the Wake County Sheriff, a process server, or certified mail. The judge enters a final judgment after a hearing, and that judgment is a public record in Wake County covering Apex and all other towns in the county.
Dissolution Of Marriage Fees in Apex
All fees for an Apex dissolution of marriage are paid at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. North Carolina sets the fee schedule statewide, but rates can be updated. Call (919) 792-4000 before you file to confirm current costs.
The main fees for dissolution of marriage filings in Wake County covering Apex are:
- File a dissolution of marriage complaint: $225.00
- Motion filing fee: $30.00
- Sheriff service fee: varies by method
- Certified copy of judgment: varies
- Plain copy of document: varies
Low-income Apex residents can apply for a fee waiver at the Wake County courthouse. Submit a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent form along with proof of your income or public benefits. The court reviews each petition on its own merits. Copies of existing dissolution of marriage records for Apex cases have their own separate fees that you can confirm by calling the clerk.
Dissolution Of Marriage Verification for Apex Cases
Once a dissolution of marriage is final for an Apex resident, two types of proof may be needed. A verification letter from the state confirms the basic facts of the dissolution. A certified copy of the judgment from Wake County shows the full court order. The judgment is the more detailed document and is what most legal matters require.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health provides verification letters for divorces from 1958 forward. Order through NC Vital Records by mailing a request to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The fee is $24. Current processing times run about 110 to 115 business days. Plan ahead if you need the letter for a specific purpose with a deadline.
For a certified copy of the full judgment, contact the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court at (919) 792-4000. For Apex dissolution of marriage cases from before 1958, only the county courthouse holds records since the state vital records office does not go back that far.
Note: The state verification letter and the county court judgment are separate documents with different levels of detail. Most legal and financial matters require the full judgment from Wake County, not just the verification letter.
Legal Help for Dissolution Of Marriage in Apex
Apex residents have access to legal resources through Wake County. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free help to qualifying low-income residents. Call their helpline at (866) 219-5262 or visit legalaidnc.org to check eligibility. Their office covers the Raleigh and Wake County area, which includes Apex.
The North Carolina courts website at nccourts.gov has guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for people handling their own dissolution of marriage case. All the standard court forms are free to download. For attorney referrals, the North Carolina State Bar has a referral line at 1-800-662-7660.
Wake County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Apex is in Wake County, and all dissolution of marriage filings go through the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. The county court handles cases for Apex and all other Wake County municipalities. For more on the county court, fees, related records, and resources, visit the Wake County dissolution of marriage records page.