Search Carteret County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Carteret County dissolution of marriage records are among the oldest in North Carolina. The county was formed in 1722, and the Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort has maintained court records from that year. If you need to find a dissolution of marriage case, get a judgment copy, or research older divorce records in Carteret County, the courthouse at 300 Live Oak St in Beaufort is where to go. This guide covers your options for accessing these records.

Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort is responsible for all dissolution of marriage records in Carteret County. The office is at 300 Live Oak St, Beaufort, NC 28516. Call (252) 728-8600 to reach the clerk. Staff can help you search for cases by party name or case number during regular business hours.

Carteret County was created in 1722 from Craven County. It was named for John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, one of the original Lords Proprietors. The county has some of the oldest continuous records in all of North Carolina. Land records go back to 1722 and marriage records begin in 1723. Dissolution of marriage records from the 1700s and 1800s are preserved at the State Archives and on microfilm. This makes Carteret County a valuable resource for historical research.

The Carteret County Public Library in Beaufort has local history and genealogy collections. Newspapers and family histories in that collection can help with older dissolution of marriage research. The Carteret County Court Information page gives current court details and contact information for the clerk's office.

The NC Courts page for Carteret County is a reliable source for current information on accessing dissolution of marriage case records in Beaufort.

The Carteret County NCGenWeb page offers links to genealogy resources that are particularly useful for researching older dissolution of marriage records in this coastal county.

How to Access Carteret County Dissolution Records

You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Carteret County online or by visiting the courthouse in Beaufort. The NC Courts portal at nccourts.gov covers all North Carolina counties. Search by party name or case number to find Carteret County cases at no cost. For full document copies, contact the clerk or visit in person.

Carteret County has some of the oldest preserved court records in North Carolina. For dissolution of marriage records from the 1700s and 1800s, the North Carolina State Archives holds microfilm copies. The FamilySearch wiki for Carteret County lists what is available and where. The Family History Library also has microfilm of many Carteret County court records going back centuries.

The FamilySearch guide to North Carolina divorce records explains how to find records for divorces that predate the state vital records system. Before 1868, some divorces were granted by the state legislature rather than the courts. These legislative divorce records are found in the State Archives.

Note: Carteret County's records from 1722 onward are among the most complete in the state. The clerk's office can assist with locating very old dissolution of marriage records if you know approximate dates and names.

Carteret County Dissolution Of Marriage Fees

The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage complaint in Carteret County is $225. This is the North Carolina statewide fee. You pay it at the clerk's office on Live Oak Street in Beaufort when you submit your paperwork.

Service fees, copy fees, and certified copy fees also apply. Certified copies of the final judgment are needed for many legal tasks after a dissolution of marriage. Call (252) 728-8600 to ask about current fees before visiting the Carteret County clerk. The clerk can also tell you about fee waivers for people with low income.

Dissolution Of Marriage Process in Carteret County

Carteret County follows all North Carolina laws for dissolution of marriage filings. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must live separate and apart from your spouse for at least one year before filing. Either you or your spouse must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months. These requirements are the same across all 100 counties.

File your complaint at 300 Live Oak St in Beaufort. Pay the $225 fee. The clerk assigns a case number. Your dissolution of marriage case enters the official Carteret County court record. The complaint must comply with N.C.G.S. 50-8, which sets out the required content. After serving your spouse, the case moves to a hearing. The judge signs the final judgment and the dissolution of marriage is complete.

The NC Courts help page on separation and divorce has step-by-step guidance and the forms you need. This is a free resource for anyone filing in Carteret County without a lawyer.

Carteret County Dissolution Records Content

Every dissolution of marriage file in Carteret County contains the complaint, any responses from the other party, motions and orders, and the final judgment. The complaint names both parties and states the grounds. The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage. This is the document most people need for name changes, property transfers, and remarriage.

Certified copies of the final judgment are available from the Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort. These copies carry the official court seal. The NC Vital Records office also issues shorter divorce certificates for cases from 1958 to present. A divorce certificate confirms the dissolution of marriage but does not include all the terms of the case. Processing times at the state office are currently several months due to high demand from REAL ID requirements.

Carteret County dissolution of marriage records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act. Any person can request access. Some documents related to minor children may be protected, but most of the case file is open to the public in Carteret County.

Note: For faster access to the full case file, visit or contact the Carteret County clerk directly rather than waiting for the state vital records office to process a certificate request.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Carteret County along the North Carolina coast. Each maintains its own dissolution of marriage records at the local clerk of court.