Edgecombe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Edgecombe County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Tarboro. This northeastern North Carolina county has one of the oldest sets of court records in the state, going back to 1744. If you need to search for a divorce case filed in Edgecombe County, you can contact the clerk's office by phone, visit in person, or use the North Carolina courts online portal. The clerk stores all dissolution of marriage case files and can provide certified copies of final judgments.

Edgecombe County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Edgecombe County is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage records. This office handles every step of the case from filing through the final judgment. If you need to view a file, get a copy of a judgment, or submit a records request, the Tarboro courthouse is where you go. The clerk's office serves all residents of Edgecombe County from one location.

Edgecombe County was formed in 1741 from Bertie County. It was named for Baron Richard Edgecombe. The county seat is Tarboro, which sits along the Tar River in northeastern North Carolina. Court records in Edgecombe County go back to 1744, making this one of the longest continuous court record collections in the state. Land records prior to 1759 in this region are found in Halifax County, which was carved out from Edgecombe. There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Edgecombe County.

You can find current court hours and contact details at the Edgecombe County Court Information page on the NC courts website.

The court location page shown above is maintained by the NC Judicial Branch and shows current contact details for the Edgecombe County clerk's office in Tarboro.

How to Access Edgecombe County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search Edgecombe County dissolution of marriage records two ways. The first is online through the NC courts portal, where basic case information is available for free. The second is in person at the Tarboro courthouse. In-person visits let you see the full case file and get certified copies right away.

When you search online, you can look up cases by the name of either spouse or by case number if you have it. The system covers civil cases from all North Carolina counties, including Edgecombe. For the actual documents, you need to contact the clerk's office. The NC courts help page on separation and divorce explains what records are created in each stage of a dissolution of marriage case.

The Edgecombe County NCGenWeb page is a helpful tool for older records research. It links to historical indexes and resources for researchers looking at dissolution of marriage cases from the 1800s in Edgecombe County.

The NCGenWeb page above covers older Edgecombe County records and is especially useful for those researching pre-1900 dissolution of marriage cases.

Note: Edgecombe County court records date back to 1744, but records before 1958 cannot be obtained from the state vital records office and must come from the Edgecombe County Clerk in Tarboro.

Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Edgecombe County

The process for filing a dissolution of marriage in Edgecombe County follows North Carolina law. You start at the Clerk of Superior Court in Tarboro with a complaint for absolute divorce. The filing fee is $225. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing. You file in the county where either you or your spouse lives.

Under N.C.G.S. § 50-6, the spouses must have been living apart for one full year before an absolute divorce can be granted. They must live in separate homes, with at least one intending the separation to be permanent. Once the year is complete, you file in Edgecombe County and serve the other spouse. After service is confirmed and any required waiting periods pass, a judge may grant the final dissolution of marriage judgment. The judgment is then filed with the Edgecombe County Clerk and becomes part of the permanent public record.

What Edgecombe County Dissolution Records Contain

Dissolution of marriage records in Edgecombe County include the complaint, the proof of service showing the other spouse was notified, any answer or response, and the final judgment. If a separation agreement was made and filed with the court, it is also part of the record. The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the key document. It officially ends the marriage and is often needed for name change requests, property transfers, and other legal purposes.

Edgecombe County dissolution of marriage records are public records under North Carolina law. Anyone can request copies. The clerk can provide plain copies or certified copies with the court's seal. Certified copies are needed for most official purposes. If you need a quick confirmation that a divorce took place rather than the full file, you may contact NC Vital Records for a divorce certificate covering cases from 1958 to the present.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Edgecombe County. Each has its own Clerk of Superior Court for dissolution of marriage filings. Make sure you file in the right county based on where you or your spouse live.