Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Craven County

Craven County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in New Bern. The county has maintained these records since 1915. New Bern, one of North Carolina's oldest cities, sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers. The Craven County courthouse on Craven Street is the central location for all dissolution of marriage filings in this county. You can search records at the courthouse or through the North Carolina online court system. This page covers the main ways to find Craven County dissolution of marriage records and what to expect when you make a request.

Craven County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Craven County handles all dissolution of marriage filings for the county. This office stores case documents, assigns case numbers, and provides copies of court records including final judgments. Staff can search records by name or case number. The courthouse is at 406 Craven Street in New Bern. Phone the clerk at (252) 636-6617 before visiting.

Craven County was established in 1705 as Archdale Precinct of Bath County and was renamed Craven County around 1712. It was named for the Earl of Craven. New Bern, the county seat, was founded in 1710 and served as the colonial capital of North Carolina. Court records in Craven County date from 1715. Marriage records are available from 1740, and land records go back to the 1700s. Probate records start in 1737. Dissolution of marriage records are on file from 1915. This long history makes Craven County an important archive for both current legal needs and historical research.

Note: The 1810 U.S. Census is missing for Craven County due to a historical record loss, which may affect some genealogical research from that era, though court records have remained largely intact.

The NC Courts location page for Craven County has current address, phone, and hours for the Clerk of Superior Court in New Bern where dissolution of marriage records are maintained.

How to Search Craven County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search Craven County dissolution of marriage records online through the North Carolina eCourts portal. Visit nccourts.gov/services and search civil cases by the name of one or both parties, or by case number. This system is free for basic case data and covers all North Carolina counties including Craven. For the full case file or certified copies of documents, you need to contact the clerk's office in New Bern.

In-person visits to the Craven County courthouse at 406 Craven Street allow you to review court files directly. Staff can pull cases by name or number and make copies on request. Bring valid photo ID. For cases from the early decades of the 20th century, allow extra time for the clerk to retrieve archived materials. Call ahead if you are searching for records from the 1915 through 1950 range.

Useful information to have when searching Craven County dissolution of marriage records:

• Full legal name of at least one spouse
• Approximate year of filing or judgment
• Case number, if known
• Any prior last names or name changes that apply

Historical Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Craven County

Craven County is one of the oldest jurisdictions in North Carolina. Court records go back to 1715, though dissolution of marriage records specifically begin in 1915. For research involving family history or older cases, the Craven County NCGenWeb site provides genealogy resources and links to local archives and historical records collections covering New Bern and surrounding communities.

The Craven County NCGenWeb page connects researchers to historical databases, genealogy resources, and court record guides that can help locate older dissolution of marriage and other civil court records from the New Bern area.

For dissolution of marriage certificates from 1958 forward, the NC Vital Records office maintains a statewide database. Request a certificate at vitalrecords.nc.gov/divorce.htm. The search fee is $24 covering a three-year period. Processing runs approximately 110 to 115 business days. For records before 1958 or for the complete court file, the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court in New Bern is the right source.

The Craven County Register of Deeds has marriage records going back to 1740 and land records from the 1700s. These records can complement dissolution of marriage research, especially in cases involving property transfers or verification of a prior marriage.

Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Craven County

To file for a dissolution of marriage in Craven County, you submit a complaint for absolute divorce to the Clerk of Superior Court at 406 Craven Street in New Bern. You must meet North Carolina's residency requirement under N.C.G.S. 50-8: at least one spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before the filing date. You file in the county where either spouse currently resides.

You must also satisfy the one-year separation rule under N.C.G.S. 50-6 before filing. Both spouses must have lived in different homes for that full year. At least one spouse must have intended the separation to be permanent throughout that time. North Carolina does not require a court order or signed agreement to be legally separated. Once the complaint is filed and processed through the Craven County court, the final dissolution of marriage judgment becomes a public record stored at the courthouse in New Bern.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch at nccourts.gov provides forms and plain-language guidance for people filing for dissolution of marriage in Craven County without legal representation.

Note: Any claims for property division or alimony must be filed before the dissolution judgment is entered in Craven County, or they may be permanently waived under North Carolina law.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Craven County in eastern North Carolina. If a dissolution of marriage case was filed in a neighboring county, use that county's clerk of court office for the records.