Find Person County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Person County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Roxboro. The clerk's office has divorce and court records going back to 1792. If you need to search for a dissolution of marriage case in Person County, you can use the North Carolina court system's online tools or visit the courthouse in Roxboro. This page covers what records are available, how to request them, and what you can expect when searching Person County dissolution of marriage files.
Person County Quick Facts
Person County Clerk of Superior Court
The Clerk of Superior Court in Person County is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records. Deborah Barker serves as the current Clerk of Superior Court. Her office handles all divorce filings, stores the case files, and provides copies of dissolution judgments. Staff can assist you in finding cases by name or case number. The courthouse is located in Roxboro, the county seat of Person County.
Person County was formed in 1791 from Caswell County and named for Revolutionary War General Thomas Person. The county seat is Roxboro, a city in the northern Piedmont region of North Carolina. Dissolution of marriage records go back to 1792, one year after the county was established. The county courthouse serves all communities in Person County, including Roxboro, Timberlake, Woodsdale, and Cunningham. All divorce cases filed by Person County residents go through the Roxboro courthouse.
The NC Courts location page for Person County includes current contact details, directions, and office hours. Review this page before your visit to confirm what you need to bring.
| Court |
Person County Clerk of Superior Court 105 South Main Street Roxboro, NC 27573 Phone: (336) 503-5200 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/person-county |
How to Search Person County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
You can search Person County dissolution of marriage records online or in person. The NC Courts portal at nccourts.gov/services allows you to look up civil case records across all North Carolina counties, including Person County. Search by party name or case number to locate dissolution of marriage filings. Basic case information is available for free online. Document copies require a visit or a mail request to the Person County clerk.
For in-person searches, go to 105 South Main Street in Roxboro. The clerk's staff can search by name or case number and make copies for you. Person County also accepts mail requests for records. Call (336) 503-5200 ahead of time to confirm what information you need to provide. Uncertified copies are available to the public. Certified copies cost slightly more and require the clerk's seal.
To search Person County dissolution of marriage records efficiently, have ready:
- Full name of one or both parties
- Approximate year of filing or divorce date
- Case number if available
Note: Person County divorce and court records go back to 1792, so historical searches for dissolution of marriage cases are possible through the clerk's office in Roxboro.
Person County Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds in Person County maintains marriage records and property records that often connect to dissolution of marriage cases. Tonya R. Wilson serves as the Register of Deeds. Her office is at 21 Abbitt Street in Roxboro, separate from the main courthouse. Marriage records in Person County go back to 1792. If you need to confirm a marriage before searching for a dissolution record, start here.
Property records and deeds frequently transfer after a dissolution of marriage. The Register of Deeds holds these records as well. Birth and death records in Person County begin in 1913. Land records in this county go back to 1774, predating the county's formal founding by several years due to earlier survey records.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Person County
The process for filing a dissolution of marriage in Person County follows North Carolina law. Every document filed creates a permanent public record at the Roxboro courthouse. The clerk stores all filings and can provide copies on request.
Filing begins with a complaint for absolute divorce submitted to the Person County Clerk of Superior Court. The filing fee is paid at that time. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have been a resident of North Carolina for six months before filing. Residents of Person County file in Roxboro. After filing, the other spouse must be served with the divorce complaint.
Under N.C.G.S. § 50-6, the couple must have lived separate and apart for at least one year before a dissolution of marriage can be granted. Service can be done through the Person County Sheriff, a process server, or certified mail with return receipt. The final judgment of dissolution is the last document entered in the case and becomes part of the permanent public record in Person County.
Note: Claims for property division or alimony must be filed before the dissolution judgment is entered in Person County, or those claims will be forfeited under state law.
Person County Dissolution Of Marriage Record Contents
A complete dissolution of marriage file in Person County typically contains the initial complaint, any response filed by the other party, proof of service, a separation agreement if one was made, and the final judgment of dissolution. The complaint states the grounds for divorce and what the filing party seeks. All these documents are part of the public court record in Person County.
The final judgment of dissolution is the key document people most often request. It is the court order that ends the marriage. Certified copies are needed for purposes such as changing a name on a driver's license, updating a social security record, or transferring real property. The Person County Clerk of Superior Court can certify copies of these judgments.
Person County dissolution of marriage records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Any member of the public may view them. You do not need to be a party to the divorce case. Some information about minor children may be redacted in copies given to non-parties, but most of each file is accessible.
Legal Help in Person County
Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free legal assistance to qualifying residents and can be reached at (866) 219-5262. The NC State Bar lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660 can help connect you with a family law attorney who handles dissolution of marriage cases in Person County and the surrounding area.
The NC Judicial Branch website at nccourts.gov has all required court forms and plain-language instructions for self-represented filers. NC Vital Records at vitalrecords.nc.gov handles divorce verification letters for cases from 1958 forward. For genealogical research, the NCGenWeb page for Person County offers additional research tools and historical records links.
The NCGenWeb resource for Person County connects researchers to historical court archives and genealogical databases that can supplement records at the Roxboro courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Person County. Confirm where you live before filing. You must file your dissolution of marriage case in the county where you or your spouse resides for the court to have proper jurisdiction.