Carteret County Court Records Search
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Carteret County sits along the central coast of North Carolina, with its county seat in the historic town of Beaufort. The county’s court system is part of North Carolina’s unified General Court of Justice and operates both a Superior Court and a District Court, housed together at the Carteret County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the official custodian of most court records in the county, including criminal case files, civil litigation documents, estate proceedings, and special proceedings. Whether you are tracking a pending criminal matter, retrieving a civil judgment, requesting a divorce decree, or reviewing a probate file, Carteret County provides several options for accessing these records.
Residents and members of the public looking for North Carolina court records can begin their search through several official channels. The clerk’s office in any county maintains self-service public-access terminals for reviewing case information, and paper files may be viewed in person at the courthouse where a case was filed. The North Carolina Judicial Branch also offers an online search tool called Portal, and NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help users locate court locations, contact information, and available services across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Carteret County?
There are multiple methods for locating a court case in Carteret County, ranging from free online database searches to in-person visits at the courthouse.
Online Searches Through Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates Portal, an online case search tool that allows users to look up criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estate cases by name, case number, attorney, citation number, and other criteria. Portal displays docket entries, hearing dates, charges, parties, and case status for publicly available records. It is free to use and does not require registration for basic searches. However, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts advises that individuals conducting formal background checks should use the clerk’s office rather than Portal.
In-Person Access at the Courthouse
Visitors can look up case information using the public self-service terminals at the Carteret County Courthouse. Staff at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office can also assist with locating specific files. Paper case files are available for review during office hours.
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
Address: 300 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516
Phone: (252) 504-4400
Fax: (252) 504-4401
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Requesting Copies by Mail
Written requests for court record copies can be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the address above. Include the full case number or party names, a description of the documents needed, and payment for copy fees. Personal checks are generally not accepted for criminal record requests; money orders or certified checks should be used instead.
Copy Fee Schedule (Clerk of Superior Court)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies – first page | $5.00 |
| Certified copies – each additional page | $2.00 |
| Non-certified copies (in person) | $0.25 per page |
| Non-certified copies (by mail) | $1.00 per page |
| Map copies (in person) | $1.00 per page |
| Map copies (by mail) | $2.00 per page |
Are Court Records Public in Carteret County?
Court records in Carteret County are classified as public records under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132, which broadly defines “public records” as documents made or received in connection with the transaction of public business. This right of access extends to court filings, docket sheets, judgments, orders, and other documents maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
However, both state statute and court rule recognize categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. The following types of court records are generally confidential or restricted in Carteret County:
- Juvenile court records — Proceedings involving minors are confidential and may only be inspected with authorization from the court.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute; accessible only to the parties, the adoptee upon reaching adulthood, or by court order.
- Involuntary commitment records — Records from involuntary hospitalization cases are not open for public inspection.
- Trade secrets — Materials designated as trade secrets within court filings may be sealed.
- Attorney-client privileged material — Documents falling within attorney-client privilege that are filed under seal.
- Unreturned arrest and search warrants — These remain confidential until returned by law enforcement; once returned, they become public per G.S. 132-1.4(k).
- Personal information of witnesses — Protected in certain criminal proceedings.
- Domestic violence victim information — Addresses and identifying details of protected persons may be restricted.
Audio recordings of court proceedings may be requested from the clerk’s office using Form AOC-G-114 for non-confidential cases. For confidential proceedings such as juvenile matters, Form AOC-G-115 must be filed with court approval.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides detailed guidance on requesting public records and outlines the available request methods.
Carteret County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Carteret County are heard in both the Superior Court and the District Court, depending on the severity of the offense. Felonies are tried in Superior Court, while misdemeanors and infractions are typically handled at the District Court level. Both courts operate from the Carteret County Courthouse at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case information can be searched through several channels:
- Portal — The statewide Portal search tool includes criminal cases from Carteret County. Search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
- Self-service terminals — Available at the courthouse in the Clerk of Superior Court’s office for free, non-certified searches across any county or statewide.
- Certified background check — Submit Form AOC-CR-314 to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. This provides a certified, single-county criminal record search indexed by name. Accepted payment for in-person requests includes credit card, cash, money order, or certified check. For mail requests, only money orders or certified checks are accepted.
It is important to note that no county employee in North Carolina is authorized to conduct a statewide certified criminal record search. For a statewide check, individuals may submit a fingerprint-based request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Carteret County Sheriff’s Office
The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office maintains offense reports, booking records, arrest reports, and investigative case files. The records division accepts requests for local criminal history checks and copies of incident reports.
Carteret County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 304 Craven Street, Beaufort, NC 28516
Phone: (252) 728-8400
Fax: (252) 504-4818
Requests may be submitted in person, by phone, or by fax. Note that records from active investigations are generally exempt from disclosure under G.S. 132-1.4 until the investigation is complete.
Expunctions
Eligible individuals may petition to have certain criminal records expunged from court files. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides information and forms related to the expunction process.
Contact Numbers for Criminal Divisions
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Criminal (Clerk’s Office) | (252) 504-4444 |
| Criminal (additional line) | (252) 504-4543 |
| District Court Judges | (252) 639-3011 |
| Superior Court Judges | (252) 639-3012 |
Carteret County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Carteret County are split between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy. Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil disputes involving more than $25,000, while the District Court handles civil matters under $25,000, including small claims (magistrate’s court) actions.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case files are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be searched in the following ways:
- Online — Use Portal to look up civil case information including filings, docket entries, parties, and disposition.
- In person — Visit the courthouse and use the self-service terminals or request to view paper files from the clerk’s office.
- Phone inquiry — The Clerk’s civil department can be reached at (252) 504-4422 to confirm record availability and eligibility.
- Civil calendars — View upcoming civil case schedules through the North Carolina Civil Calendars system.
Civil Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Court Level | Total Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Magistrate’s Court (small claims) | $96.00 |
| District Court | $150.00 |
| Superior Court | $200.00 |
| Filing for absolute divorce | $75.00 (additional) |
| Motion/Notice of hearing | $20.00 |
| Sheriff’s service fee (per item) | $30.00 |
These fees are established under G.S. 7A-305 and published in the North Carolina Judicial Branch current court costs documents. No filing fees are assessed for domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B or civil no-contact orders under Chapter 50C.
Property-Related Records
Court proceedings affecting real estate — including foreclosures, evictions, partitions, and condemnations — are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, plats, and other instruments of conveyance are separately recorded by the Carteret County Register of Deeds at 302 Courthouse Square. Real property records can be searched remotely through the Register of Deeds online database.
Carteret County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Carteret County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, adoption, and guardianship — are primarily heard in the District Court division. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official case files for these proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related filings are available through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. A certified copy of a divorce judgment can be obtained in person or by mail for the applicable copy fee ($5.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page). The filing fee for an absolute divorce is $75.00, assessed in addition to the base District Court filing fee.
Divorce certificates — the vital records document distinct from the court decree — can be obtained from the Carteret County Register of Deeds if the divorce was filed in Carteret County, or through North Carolina Vital Records.
Child Custody and Support
Custody and child support matters are heard in District Court. Related filings, orders, and modification requests are part of the court case file and can be reviewed through Portal or at the courthouse. Note that no filing fees are assessed for motions filed by a IV-D child support enforcement agency.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Petitions for domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B are filed in District Court. No court costs are assessed for the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protective order. Records in these proceedings may contain restricted victim-identifying information.
Adoption Records
Adoption proceedings are heard in the District Court. These records are sealed and confidential under North Carolina law. For individuals who were legally adopted, birth records are maintained by North Carolina Vital Records rather than the local Register of Deeds. Contact NC Vital Records at (919) 733-3000 for assistance.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the Carteret County Register of Deeds, not the court. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security cards. Applicants ages 18–20 must also provide a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Carteret County Register of Deeds
Address: 302 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516
Phone: (252) 728-8474
Fax: (252) 728-7693
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $60.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
Applicants may complete their marriage license application online before their visit. The license is valid for 60 days and must be used for a ceremony performed within North Carolina. The Carteret County Magistrate’s Office at 308 Craven Street, Beaufort (Phone: (252) 504-4543) performs marriage ceremonies by appointment for a $50 fee (cash only), with two witnesses age 18 or older required.
Birth and Death Certificates
Vital records are maintained by the Register of Deeds. Certified copies of birth and death certificates cost $10.00 each and can be requested in person, by mail, or online (with additional processing fees for online orders). Out-of-county birth certificates from elsewhere in North Carolina (1971 forward) can be obtained in person for $10.00 plus a $14.00 search fee.
To request by mail, submit a completed request form along with a photocopy of government-issued photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $10.00 money order or cashier’s check payable to the Carteret County Register of Deeds. Certified copies are available only to the record subject, immediate family members, persons with a legal interest, and authorized legal representatives.
Carteret County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the ex officio judge of probate. Carteret County probate matters — including the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship of incompetent persons, and trust proceedings — are handled through the Clerk’s office at the courthouse.
Types of Probate Filings
The Carteret County Clerk’s estates division processes several categories of matters:
- Probate of wills — Both testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) estates are administered through the clerk’s office.
- Estate administration — Includes appointment of personal representatives (executors/administrators), inventory filings, accountings, and distributions.
- Guardianship proceedings — Petitions for guardianship of minors or incompetent adults.
- Trusts under will — Establishment and annual accountings for testamentary trusts.
- Collection by affidavit — Small estates may be settled through a simplified affidavit process.
Searching Probate Records
Probate and estate case records can be searched through Portal or at the self-service terminals in the Clerk’s office. For questions about a specific estate or to request documents, contact the Clerk’s office at (252) 504-4455.
Estates Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026, per G.S. 7A-307)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New estate administration (base fee) | $120.00 |
| Plus percentage of gross estate | $0.40 per $100.00 (min $15.00, max cumulative $6,000.00) |
| Probate of will without qualification of personal representative | $30.00 |
| Qualification of limited personal representative | $20.00 |
| Collection of personal property by affidavit (base fee) | $120.00 |
| Caveat filing (decedents dying on or after Jan. 1, 2012) | $200.00 |
| Petition for elective share | $200.00 |
| Motion/Notice of hearing | $20.00 |
| Filing and indexing a will without probate — first page | $1.00 |
| Each additional page | $0.25 |
| Additional fiduciary letters (per letter over 5) | $1.00 |
The complete estates fee schedule is published in the North Carolina Judicial Branch Estates Court Costs 2026 document.
Requesting Probate Record Copies
Copies of probate documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court’s office in person or by mail, using the same copy fee schedule that applies to other court records ($5.00 first certified page, $2.00 additional pages). Written requests should include the estate file number or decedent’s name, a description of the documents needed, and payment by cash, money order, or certified check.
Individuals who need to administer an estate without an attorney can find forms and procedural information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch Wills and Estates help topic. The Clerk’s office staff can provide forms and general procedural guidance but cannot offer legal advice.