North Carolina court records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in each county. The Superior Court / District Court handles trial-level cases. North Carolina does not have a single statewide court search portal — you must go to the county where the case was filed.
What this page covers: North Carolina state court case records. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.
Where to start: Identify the county where the case was filed, then contact the Clerk of Superior Court in that county. Some counties courts offer online case search on their individual websites.
Common mistake: Without a statewide portal, many people search the wrong county. If you are unsure where a case was filed, start with the county where the defendant lived or where the incident occurred.
Court Records Databases
9 official North Carolina court records sources.
Court Records
North Carolina Counties
100 North Carolina counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in North Carolina?▼
North Carolina's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search North Carolina court cases?▼
North Carolina's court system is headed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court (8 divisions, 50 districts), District Court. Many North Carolina courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search North Carolina business entities?▼
The North Carolina Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in North Carolina?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a North Carolina birth or death certificate?▼
North Carolina vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the North Carolina Vital Records (Division of Public Health) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are North Carolina property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a North Carolina sex offender?▼
The North Carolina sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.