Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Anson County

Anson County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Wadesboro. The county sits in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina along the South Carolina border. Court records covering divorce and civil cases go back to 1750, making Anson County one of the oldest record sources in the state. These are public records. Researchers, legal professionals, and individuals can all request access. Whether you need a recent judgment or a historical divorce record, the Anson County courthouse in Wadesboro is where these documents are stored.

Anson County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Wadesboro is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records for Anson County. This office holds civil court filings from 1750, including divorce complaints, separation agreements, and final judgments. Staff can search records by name or case number. The courthouse at 114 N Greene St in Wadesboro serves the entire county.

Anson County was created in 1750 from Bladen County. It was named for George, Lord Anson, who was First Lord of the Admiralty and a relative of Samuel Johnston, a colonial governor of North Carolina. The county holds a remarkable place in state history as the parent county for many later-formed counties including Mecklenburg, Union, Richmond, and Montgomery. Because of this, researchers looking for very early dissolution of marriage records from the 1750s through the early 1800s often find that those families appear first in Anson County records, even if they later lived elsewhere. The Register of Deeds holds marriage records from 1749 and land records from 1749, some of the oldest in the state.

The Anson County Court Information page on the NC Courts website has current details for reaching the Anson County courthouse.

This NC Courts page provides current contact information and location details for the Anson County clerk's office in Wadesboro.

The Anson County NCGenWeb site offers historical background and genealogy research tools for those studying older Anson County dissolution of marriage records.

This community resource covers Anson County history and points researchers to available court and vital records collections.

How to Search Anson County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search Anson County dissolution of marriage records in person at the clerk's office in Wadesboro or by submitting a written request by mail. In-person visits let you review the full case file and request copies while you are there. Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment for any fees.

The NC Courts online case search tool gives you basic information about civil cases in Anson County. You can look up dissolution of marriage cases by name or case number. This works well to confirm a case exists and get the case number before contacting the clerk. Visit nccourts.gov for more on searching court records across North Carolina.

For older Anson County dissolution of marriage records from the colonial and early statehood periods, the North Carolina State Archives holds extensive microfilm collections. The FamilySearch guide to North Carolina divorce records explains that before 1868, many divorces were granted by special acts of the General Assembly. Researchers studying very early Anson County cases may need to check those legislative records as well.

Note: Because Anson County was the parent of many other counties, researchers looking for divorce records from 1750 to 1800 should check Anson County records even if the family later moved to a neighboring county.

Dissolution Of Marriage Filing in Anson County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Anson County follows the same rules that apply across North Carolina. You or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before filing. You must also have lived apart from your spouse for a full year. The complaint is filed at the Anson County Clerk of Superior Court at 114 N Greene St in Wadesboro. The filing fee is $225.

Once filed, the clerk assigns a case number and the records become public. Your spouse must be served with the divorce papers. You can use the Anson County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the court order that ends the marriage. Certified copies can be obtained from the Anson County clerk after the judgment is entered. Both parties or any member of the public can request these copies under the North Carolina Public Records Act.

Anson County Dissolution Of Marriage Verification

NC Vital Records at vitalrecords.nc.gov holds dissolution of marriage certificates for North Carolina from 1958 forward. If the divorce took place in Anson County after that date, you can request a certificate from this office. The certificate shows the names of the parties, the divorce date, and the county. It does not include financial terms or custody arrangements from the court file.

The fee is $24 for a standard search covering a three-year period. Processing times are currently over 100 business days. For faster service or for the full court judgment, contact the Anson County Clerk of Superior Court in Wadesboro. For divorces before 1958, only the county clerk's office in Wadesboro or the State Archives microfilm collection can provide those records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Anson County. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. Confirm the right county before making a records request.