Search Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Bladen County

Bladen County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Elizabethtown. The county is in the coastal plain of south-central North Carolina. Court records in Bladen County date back to 1734. These are public records open to anyone. Whether you need a current court judgment or a historical divorce record, the Elizabethtown courthouse is where these documents are stored. Bladen County played a major role in early North Carolina history as a parent county to many others across the state, making its early records particularly significant for researchers.

Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Elizabethtown is the official custodian of dissolution of marriage records for Bladen County. The office holds civil court files from 1734, including divorce complaints, judgments, and separation agreements. Staff can search by name or case number and provide copies of documents. The courthouse at 166 E Broad St in Elizabethtown serves the entire county.

Bladen County was created in 1734 from New Hanover County. It was named for Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade. Bladen County was itself the parent county for many later-formed counties including Anson, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Robeson, and others. This makes Bladen County records especially important for researchers. Early dissolution of marriage records involving families who later moved to these neighboring counties may be found first in Bladen County. The Register of Deeds holds marriage records from 1746 and land records from 1734.

The Bladen County Court Information page at nccourts.gov lists current contact details and hours for the Bladen County courthouse.

This NC Courts page provides current location and contact information for the Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court in Elizabethtown.

The Bladen County NCGenWeb page has historical background and genealogy tools for those researching older dissolution of marriage records in the county.

This community resource covers Bladen County history and links to available court records and genealogy collections for the county.

How to Find Bladen County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search Bladen County dissolution of marriage records in person at the clerk's office in Elizabethtown or by mailing a written request. In-person visits let you view the full court file and request copies the same day. Bring a photo ID when visiting. Mail requests should include full names of both parties, the approximate year the case was filed, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for copy fees.

The NC Courts online system provides basic civil case information for Bladen County. You can search by name or case number to confirm a case exists and get the case number. For actual court documents, contact the clerk's office in Elizabethtown. Visit nccourts.gov to learn more about the types of records created during a dissolution of marriage case in North Carolina.

For older cases going back to the 1700s, the North Carolina State Archives holds microfilm of Bladen County court records. The FamilySearch guide to North Carolina divorce records explains how early divorce records are organized, including the legislative divorce records that were common before 1868. Researchers should note that Bladen County's extensive records cover a large geographic area that later became multiple counties.

Note: Researchers looking for early dissolution of marriage records from areas that became Columbus, Cumberland, Robeson, or other counties may find relevant records in Bladen County sources from before those counties were formed.

Dissolution Of Marriage Filing in Bladen County

Filing for dissolution of marriage in Bladen County follows North Carolina state requirements. One spouse must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months. You must also have been living apart from your spouse for a full year. File the divorce complaint at the Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court at 166 E Broad St in Elizabethtown. The filing fee is $225.

Once filed, the clerk assigns a case number and the record becomes public. Your spouse must be served with the papers. You can use the Bladen County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Every document filed becomes part of the permanent case record. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage ends the marriage and is recorded at the Bladen County courthouse. Certified copies can be obtained from the clerk at any time after the judgment is entered.

Claims for property division and alimony must be raised before the dissolution of marriage judgment is entered, or those rights are waived under North Carolina law. The NC Judicial Branch help page covers all filing requirements in detail.

Bladen County Dissolution Of Marriage Certificates

NC Vital Records at vitalrecords.nc.gov holds dissolution of marriage certificates for North Carolina from 1958 to the present. You can request a certificate to verify a divorce that took place in Bladen County after that year. The certificate confirms the names of the parties, the date, and the county. It does not contain the full judgment or financial terms.

The fee is $24 per three-year search period. Processing times are currently over 100 business days. For faster service, the full court judgment, or divorces that occurred before 1958, contact the Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court in Elizabethtown. The State Archives also holds microfilm of older Bladen County court records that include early dissolution of marriage cases.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bladen County. Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where either spouse lives. Make sure you are requesting records from the correct county.