Brunswick County Court Records Search
NorthCarolinaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on NorthCarolinaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Brunswick County occupies the southeastern corner of North Carolina, stretching from the Cape Fear River to the South Carolina border, with its county seat in the town of Bolivia. The county falls within Superior Court District 15B and District Court District 15, and is served by Prosecutorial District 15. All trial-level court proceedings — felonies, civil disputes, family-law actions, estates, and lesser criminal matters — are heard at the Brunswick County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court functions as the custodian of nearly all court records, while the Brunswick County Register of Deeds separately maintains vital records, marriage licenses, and recorded land instruments. Each office follows its own procedures for accepting record requests, and understanding which one holds the information you need is the practical starting point for any search.
For residents of North Carolina looking to locate court case information, NorthCarolinaCourts.us serves as the statewide judicial branch resource, offering county directories, downloadable forms, hearing calendars, and links to the online case-search portal. Beyond the state website, records can also be accessed through clerk’s office self-service terminals, by email to the appropriate division, by telephone, or through written requests sent by mail. The sections below walk through each record type, the offices responsible for them, and the specific steps and costs involved in obtaining copies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Brunswick County?
Brunswick County adopted the North Carolina eCourts system in February 2025, which expanded the ways the public can search for and access case data. The primary methods for looking up a case are described below.
Online through Portal. The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates Portal, an online search tool that lets users query court records by party name, case number, citation number, attorney, or county. Portal covers criminal, civil, estates, and special-proceedings cases. It is free to browse, and users can view hearing dates, case status, and certain filings. Portal is not intended for formal background checks — the clerk’s office should be used for that purpose — but it is a useful starting point for general case research.
Self-service terminals at the courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court provides public-access computer terminals at the Brunswick County Courthouse. These terminals connect to the Civil Case Processing System (VCAP), and a downloadable VCAP user’s manual is available from the state courts website. Users can search by defendant name, case number, or victim and witness name.
By email or phone. The clerk’s office is divided by case type, each with its own direct email and phone line:
| Division | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | (910) 253-3914 | Brunswick.Civil@nccourts.org |
| Criminal | (910) 253-3902 | Brunswick.Criminal@nccourts.org |
| Estates | (910) 253-3904 | Brunswick.Estate@nccourts.org |
| Special Proceedings | (910) 253-3905 | Brunswick.SpecialProceedings@nccourts.org |
The main Clerk of Superior Court number is (910) 253-3900.
By mail or in person. Written requests and walk-in requests should be directed to:
Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court
Address: 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422
Include the case number (if known), full legal names of the parties, approximate filing dates, the type of record sought, a return address, and payment for any applicable copy fees. Accepted payment methods for in-person requests include cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. Mail payments must be by money order or certified check; personal checks are not accepted.
Are Court Records Public in Brunswick County?
North Carolina’s public-records law, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, declares that records made or received by government agencies are the property of the people and shall be available for inspection. Court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court are subject to this principle, and most filings — complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and docket entries — can be viewed by any person without stating a reason.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public access or subject to restricted disclosure:
- Sealed records. A court may order a file or portions of it sealed. Once sealed, documents are not available for inspection.
- Expunged records. Under North Carolina’s expunction statutes (N.C.G.S. Chapter 15A, Article 5), qualifying criminal charges or convictions may be removed from the public record. Once expunged, the records are destroyed or sealed, and the individual generally may deny the event occurred.
- Juvenile proceedings. Cases in juvenile court are confidential and not available for public inspection.
- Adoption records. Finalized adoption files are sealed by statute.
- Confidential personal identifiers. Social Security numbers, dates of birth (in some contexts), and financial account numbers may be redacted or withheld from public copies.
- Medical and mental-health records filed with the court in certain proceedings.
- Active investigation files. Records generated during ongoing law-enforcement investigations may be withheld under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
To request a public record from the judicial branch, individuals may use the online request form provided by the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, contact the local clerk’s office by email or phone, or visit in person. If a request is denied, the requester may seek judicial review or contact the appropriate oversight authority for guidance.
Brunswick County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Brunswick County are divided between Superior Court and District Court based on the severity of the offense. Felonies are tried in Superior Court; misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic violations are handled in District Court. Both courts operate from the same courthouse location.
Brunswick County Courthouse (Superior and District Courts)
Address: 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422
Phone: (Criminal Division): (910) 253-3902
Email: Brunswick.Criminal@nccourts.org
Searching criminal records online. The Portal search tool includes criminal case data for Brunswick County. Users may search by defendant name, case number, or citation number. For a non-certified search, the public-access terminals at the courthouse are also available at no charge; printing fees may apply.
Certified criminal background check. A certified criminal record search for a single county costs $25. To request one, complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court. This search covers only Brunswick County records — it is not statewide.
- In person: Pay by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check.
- By mail: Pay by money order or certified check only. Mail the completed form and payment to 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Statewide criminal history. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers a statewide background check based on fingerprints for $14. Submit a completed Right to Review form and fingerprint card to the SBI’s Applicant Unit at P.O. Box 29500, Raleigh, NC 27626-0500. The SBI can be reached at (919) 582-8600 or CIIShelp@ncsbi.gov.
Sheriff’s Office records. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest reports, incident reports, and other law-enforcement records. Record requests can be submitted by email; if email is not an option, call (910) 253-2605 to arrange an in-person appointment at the main Sheriff’s Office in Bolivia. The general non-emergency number is (910) 253-2777.
Expunction. Individuals seeking to clear eligible charges or convictions from their record may petition the court under the applicable statute in N.C.G.S. Chapter 15A, Article 5. The filing fee for most expunction petitions is $175, though petitions based on dismissed charges or not-guilty findings are generally free. Petition forms and instruction sheets for each type of expunction are available through the NC Courts expunction resources page. The process typically takes several months to complete.
Brunswick County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Brunswick County is split between Superior Court and District Court depending on the amount in controversy. Superior Court exercises general jurisdiction over civil disputes exceeding $25,000 and handles complex litigation, foreclosures, and condemnation actions. District Court hears civil cases up to $25,000. Small-claims matters — a subset of District Court — are decided by a magistrate.
Filing and accessing civil records. Civil case filings, docket sheets, orders, and judgments are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court’s civil division:
- Phone: (910) 253-3914
- Email: Brunswick.Civil@nccourts.org
- In person/mail: 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422
Civil case information can also be searched through Portal or on the courthouse self-service terminals using the VCAP system.
Small claims. Small-claims cases in North Carolina have a monetary cap that varies by county, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The filing fee is $96. Cases are heard by a magistrate, usually within 30 days of filing. Forms for small-claims complaints — including those for money owed, personal property recovery, and summary ejectment — are available from the NC Courts website. The state’s Guide & File tool can help self-represented litigants prepare small-claims documents online.
Copy fees for civil records. The clerk’s office charges per-page fees for copies of court documents. Standard copy fees are set by the General Assembly and published in the current court costs charts. Requests for copies can be made in person, by mail, or by email to the civil division.
Property records. Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plat maps, and other land instruments are recorded and maintained by the Brunswick County Register of Deeds. The office is located at Brunswick County Complex, Building I, 75 Courthouse Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. Phone: (910) 253-2690; Fax: (910) 253-2703 An online land-records search is available through the Brunswick County Public Search portal, which provides grantor/grantee indices, document images, and legal descriptions. Recording hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Selected Register of Deeds recording fees include:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General instruments (deeds, assignments, powers of attorney, etc.) | $26 for first 15 pages; $4 each additional page |
| Deeds of trust / mortgages | $64 for first 35 pages; $4 each additional page |
| Maps / plats (18" × 24" on Mylar) | $21 per sheet |
| UCC filings (1–2 pages) | $38 |
| UCC filings (3–10 pages) | $45 |
| Certified copy of instrument | $5 first page; $2 each additional page |
| Uncertified copy (in person) | $0.25 per page |
| Non-standard document surcharge | $25 additional |
Payment is accepted by cash, money order, or certified check. Personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted at the Register of Deeds. A separate property information search is available through the Brunswick County Tax Office, searchable by owner name, parcel number, or address.
Brunswick County Family Court Records
Family-law matters in Brunswick County are adjudicated in Superior Court (for divorce, equitable distribution, and contested custody) and District Court (for child support, domestic violence protection orders, and other family proceedings). There is no separate family court division; cases are heard within the regular court structure.
Divorce records. Divorce judgments are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court’s civil division. Copies can be obtained by contacting the clerk at (910) 253-3914 or Brunswick.Civil@nccourts.org, or by visiting the courthouse. At the state level, North Carolina Vital Records also maintains divorce verification records and can issue certificates.
Child custody and support. Custody and child-support orders are entered as part of domestic-relations cases in District Court. Mediation is often required before a contested custody case proceeds to trial; the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program is available in Brunswick County through the judicial district.
Domestic violence protection orders. Victims of domestic violence may file for a protective order through the clerk’s office using standardized AOC forms. There is no filing fee for protection-order petitions in North Carolina.
Marriage licenses and records. Marriage licenses are issued by the Brunswick County Register of Deeds, which holds marriage records dating back to 1867. The license fee is $60.
Copies of marriage certificates can be obtained in three ways:
- Online: Through the Register of Deeds vital records request portal. Certified copies cost $10 each, plus a $1 mailing fee and $2 convenience fee. Submit during business hours for same-day processing.
- In person: Visit the Register of Deeds at 75 Courthouse Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422, with a government-issued photo ID. Certified copies are $10; uncertified copies are $0.25 per page. Payment by cash, money order, or certified check only.
- By mail: Complete the Application for Certified Copy or Application for Uncertified Copy. Enclose a copy of your government ID and payment ($10 certified; $0.75 first uncertified page plus $0.25 each additional). Mail to: Brunswick County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 87, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Birth and death records. The Register of Deeds maintains Brunswick County birth certificates from 1876 and death records from 1913. The same three request methods (online, in person, by mail) apply, with identical fees. Only the named individual, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives may obtain certified copies; a government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship are required. Birth or death certificates from the state repository can also be ordered through North Carolina Vital Records (birth records from 1962; death records from 1930) by submitting the Application for Vital Records with a state-approved form of identification. The state office is located at 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1382, with a mailing address of 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.
Register of Deeds vital records office hours are:
| Service | Hours (Monday–Friday) |
|---|---|
| Passports | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Marriage licenses | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Recording | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Land and vital records | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Brunswick County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, probate matters are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court rather than a separate probate court. The estates division of the Brunswick County Clerk’s office oversees proceedings related to decedent estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and related fiduciary matters.
Estates Division Contact Information
Phone: (910) 253-3904
Email: Brunswick.Estate@nccourts.org
Address: 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422
Types of probate matters handled:
- Probate of wills (testate estates)
- Administration of intestate estates
- Appointment of executors and administrators
- Guardianship of minors and incompetent adults
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Estate accountings and inventories
- Year’s allowance and elective share proceedings
Accessing probate records. Estate case information can be searched through the public-access terminals at the courthouse or through Portal online. Paper files are available for inspection at the clerk’s office during business hours. Copies of wills, letters testamentary, inventories, and other estate documents can be requested in person, by mail, or by email to the estates division. Standard copy fees apply as set in the statewide court costs charts.
Filing fees. Estate filing fees in North Carolina are established by the General Assembly and include the General Court of Justice fee, a facilities fee, and a telecommunications fee. The specific total depends on the nature of the proceeding (e.g., formal administration versus small-estate affidavit). Current fee schedules for estate cases are published in the Estates Court Costs chart maintained by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts.
Guardianship and incompetency proceedings. Petitions to declare an adult incompetent and appoint a guardian are filed as special proceedings with the clerk’s office. These cases may involve confidential medical evaluations, and the clerk may restrict access to those portions of the file. The special-proceedings division can be reached at (910) 253-3905 or Brunswick.SpecialProceedings@nccourts.org.
Programs such as the Clerk Mediation Program and the Guardian ad Litem program are available in Brunswick County to assist with contested estate and guardianship matters. Statewide judicial forms for estate and special-proceedings filings can be searched and downloaded from the NC Courts forms page.