Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Camden County

Camden County dissolution of marriage records date back to 1777. The Clerk of Superior Court at 117 N Highway 343 in Camden keeps all these files. This small northeastern North Carolina county has well-preserved court records from the colonial era through the present day. If you need to find a dissolution of marriage case in Camden County, this guide explains how to search, what records are available, and how to get copies of what you need.

Camden County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Camden holds all dissolution of marriage records for the county. The courthouse is at 117 N Highway 343, Camden, NC 27921. Call (252) 338-1919 to reach the clerk. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Camden County was created in 1777 from Pasquotank County and named for Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, a British statesman who supported the American colonies. Court records and land records go back to that same year. Marriage records in Camden County start in 1777 as well. This makes Camden one of a small number of North Carolina counties with records stretching back to the Revolutionary War period.

Camden County has well-preserved records from the colonial and early national periods. Dissolution of marriage records from this era may contain references to the war and its impact on families in this part of northeastern North Carolina. The Camden County Court Information page has up-to-date contact and scheduling details.

The NC Courts information page for Camden County is a helpful resource when planning your visit to search dissolution of marriage records at the courthouse.

The Camden County NCGenWeb page provides genealogical resources that are especially useful for researching older dissolution of marriage records in this county.

Searching Dissolution Of Marriage Files in Camden County

Online searching is available through the NC Courts civil case portal at nccourts.gov. You can look up Camden County dissolution of marriage cases by name or case number. This tool is free and accessible from anywhere. For full document access, visit or contact the clerk's office directly in Camden.

Camden County is a small county. In-person visits to the courthouse are often the most direct way to find what you need. Bring a photo ID and know the name of at least one party or the approximate year the dissolution of marriage was filed. Staff at the clerk's office can assist with lookups during office hours.

The FamilySearch wiki for Camden County covers available records and their locations. For very old records from the 1700s or early 1800s, the North Carolina State Archives may have microfilm copies. The FamilySearch North Carolina divorce records guide explains how to access historical dissolution of marriage records statewide.

Note: For any events before 1777, check Pasquotank County, which was the parent county before Camden was formed.

Camden County Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Fees

Camden County follows the North Carolina statewide fee schedule. The dissolution of marriage complaint filing fee is $225. You pay this at the clerk's office when submitting your paperwork. The same fee applies in every county across North Carolina.

Additional fees cover service of process, document copies, and certified copies. Certified copies of dissolution of marriage judgments have their own fee and are needed for name changes, property matters, and other legal tasks. Call (252) 338-1919 to ask about current copy fees before visiting the Camden County clerk.

Filing Dissolution Of Marriage in Camden County

North Carolina law sets the rules for dissolution of marriage in every county, including Camden. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must have lived apart from your spouse for at least one year. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing. Camden County is the right place to file if you or your spouse lives here.

You bring the complaint to 117 N Highway 343 in Camden. The clerk takes the $225 fee and assigns a case number. The filing becomes part of the permanent Camden County court record. Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, the complaint must set out the facts of the separation. After service and a hearing, the court enters the final judgment. That judgment is the official record of the dissolution of marriage in Camden County.

The NC Courts guide on separation and divorce explains each step of the process and what forms you need. This is helpful if you plan to file without an attorney in Camden County.

Note: Claims for property distribution or alimony must be filed before the court enters the dissolution of marriage judgment. These claims are waived if not raised in time under North Carolina law.

Camden County Dissolution Records and State Certificates

The Camden County Clerk of Superior Court holds the complete court file for every dissolution of marriage in the county. These files are public records. You can request to view or copy them without being a party to the case. The full file contains the complaint, responses, any court orders, and the final judgment.

The NC Vital Records office in Raleigh issues divorce certificates for divorces from 1958 to the present. A divorce certificate is a shorter document that confirms a dissolution of marriage took place in a specific county. It includes names and dates but not the full terms of any agreement. These certificates cost $24 per three-year period searched. Processing takes several months currently.

For Camden County divorces before 1958, the State Archives may have historical records on microfilm. The clerk's office in Camden also holds these older files. For genealogical research, the FamilySearch guide to North Carolina divorce records is a reliable reference that explains what is available and where to find it.

Nearby Counties

Camden County is in the northeastern corner of North Carolina. These bordering counties each have their own clerk of court for dissolution of marriage filings.