Craven County Court Records Search

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    Craven County sits in eastern North Carolina along the Neuse and Trent rivers, with New Bern serving as the county seat and one of the state’s oldest cities. The county’s judicial system operates under North Carolina’s unified General Court of Justice, meaning a single statewide court structure administers Superior Court, District Court, and the Clerk of Superior Court’s office across all 100 counties. Craven County courts process thousands of criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, and estate matters each year, generating records that range from felony indictments and civil complaints to divorce decrees, estate inventories, and domestic violence protective orders.

    Residents, attorneys, landlords, employers, and researchers regularly need access to these files. North Carolina court records can be located through several channels: the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court’s office in New Bern, public-access computer terminals inside the courthouse, the statewide eCourts portal maintained by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, and written or in-person requests directed to the appropriate clerk division. The website NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help users find publicly available case information and connect with county-level court resources across the state. Understanding which office holds a particular record type, what identification or fees are required, and whether any confidentiality restrictions apply will save considerable time.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Craven County?

    Craven County court cases can be searched online, in person at the courthouse, or by written request. The method you choose depends on the type of record, how quickly you need it, and whether you require a certified copy.

    Online Case Search

    The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates the eCourts Portal, which replaced the older ACIS system. Through this portal, users can search criminal, civil, and domestic case information by party name, case number, or attorney name. Basic case data—including charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and judgment entries—is available at no charge. The portal does not display every document filed in a case; for complete file contents, a request to the clerk’s office is necessary.

    In-Person Lookup

    The Craven County Courthouse is located at:

    Craven County Courthouse
    Address: 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 514-4771
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Public-access terminals in the courthouse lobby allow visitors to search case indexes for free. Staff at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office can assist with locating specific files, pulling documents for review, and processing copy requests. Visitors should bring a government-issued photo ID and, if possible, the case number or full legal names of the parties involved.

    Written and Mail Requests

    To request records by mail, send a letter to the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address above. Include the following:

    1. Full legal names of all parties
    2. Case number (if known) and approximate filing year
    3. Specific documents requested (or indicate “full file”)
    4. Whether you need regular or certified copies
    5. Your return mailing address, phone number, and email
    6. A check or money order payable to “Craven County Clerk of Superior Court”

    Processing times vary depending on volume and record age; allow at least five to ten business days for mail requests.

    Copy Fees

    ServiceFee
    Uncertified copy$0.25 per page
    Certified copy$3.00 first page, $0.25 each additional
    Exemplified copy$10.00

    Are Court Records Public in Craven County?

    North Carolina follows a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under N.C. General Statute § 132-1, public records include documents made or received by government agencies in the transaction of public business. Court files are further governed by N.C.G.S. § 7A-109, which charges the Clerk of Superior Court with maintaining official records and making them available for public inspection during regular business hours.

    Records that are generally open to the public include:

    • Criminal case files (charges, warrants, indictments, judgments, sentencing orders)
    • Civil complaints, answers, motions, and final orders
    • Divorce decrees and equitable distribution orders
    • Probate files (wills, estate inventories, letters testamentary, accountings)
    • Liens, judgments, and lis pendens filings
    • Land records recorded with the Register of Deeds

    Records that are restricted or sealed include:

    • Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect/dependency proceedings (N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901 and § 7B-2902)
    • Adoption records (N.C.G.S. § 48-9-102)
    • Records sealed by court order (e.g., expungements under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152)
    • Grand jury proceedings
    • Mental health commitment files (N.C.G.S. § 122C-54)
    • Presentence investigation reports
    • Certain domestic violence victim information when shielded by protective order
    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information filed under seal

    When a record contains both public and confidential information, the clerk’s office may redact the restricted portions and release the remainder. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other sensitive identifiers are routinely redacted from publicly accessible documents under North Carolina’s Policy on Public Access to Official Court Records.

    Craven County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Craven County are divided between Superior Court, which handles felonies and misdemeanor appeals, and District Court, which adjudicates misdemeanors, infractions, and preliminary felony hearings. Both courts operate out of the Craven County Courthouse.

    Superior Court – Criminal Division
    Address: 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 514-4771

    District Court – Criminal Division
    Address: 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 514-4771

    Searching Criminal Records

    The eCourts Portal is the fastest way to check for criminal case information. Enter a defendant’s name or case number to view charges, court dates, attorneys of record, and disposition details. For older cases that have not been digitized, an in-person search or written request may be necessary.

    Arrest and Booking Records

    The Craven County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest logs, incident reports, and booking photographs. Requests for arrest records or incident reports can be directed to:

    Craven County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 411 Craven Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 636-6620

    The New Bern Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits and maintains its own records division for city arrests and incident reports.

    Statewide Criminal History

    For a comprehensive criminal background check beyond Craven County, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides criminal history record checks. Requests can be submitted online or by mail, and fees apply. Employers, licensing agencies, and individuals may each have different eligibility requirements and processing paths.

    Expungement and Sealed Records

    North Carolina allows expungement of certain criminal records under N.C.G.S. Chapter 15A, Article 5. Once a record is expunged, it is removed from public indexes and the clerk’s office will not confirm its existence. Individuals seeking expungement can file a petition with the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court; standardized expungement petition forms are available from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.

    Craven County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Craven County cover a broad range of disputes: breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, landlord-tenant conflicts, foreclosures, and more. Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, while District Court handles cases at or below that threshold. Small claims actions (formally called “magistrate claims”) are heard by magistrates for amounts up to $10,000.

    Filing and Searching Civil Cases

    Civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. The online eCourts Portal displays basic case information, party names, and scheduled hearings. Full pleadings and exhibits typically must be obtained in person or through a written request.

    To file a civil action, attorneys must use the statewide eFiling system. Self-represented litigants may file paper documents at the clerk’s office during business hours. Filing fees for civil cases are set by state statute and include:

    Case TypeFiling Fee
    Civil Superior Court complaint$150.00
    Civil District Court complaint$96.00
    Small claims (magistrate)$96.00
    Summary ejectment (eviction)$96.00
    Motion for contempt/modificationVaries

    Additional fees apply for service of process by the Craven County Sheriff ($30.00 per service) and for filing counterclaims or cross-claims. A complete schedule is available through the North Carolina Court Costs and Fees Chart.

    Judgments and Liens

    Civil judgments entered in Craven County become liens on real property owned by the debtor in any North Carolina county where the judgment is docketed. Judgment abstracts can be obtained from the clerk’s office and recorded in other counties to extend the lien. The judgment docket is searchable at the courthouse and partially through the eCourts system.

    Small Claims Procedures

    Magistrate court handles small claims informally and without attorneys in most cases. The plaintiff files a complaint at the clerk’s office, the defendant is served by the sheriff or certified mail, and a hearing is scheduled before a magistrate. Either party may appeal the magistrate’s decision to District Court for a trial de novo within 10 days.

    Craven County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Craven County are handled by the District Court division, which has exclusive original jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence protective orders, juvenile proceedings, and adoptions.

    District Court – Family Division
    Address: 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 514-4771

    Divorce Records

    North Carolina requires at least one year of continuous separation before a divorce can be granted (N.C.G.S. § 50-6). Divorce complaints, answers, separation agreements incorporated into court orders, and final divorce judgments are part of the public case file and can be accessed through the clerk’s office or the eCourts portal. Certified copies of divorce decrees are frequently needed for name changes, remarriage, or benefit applications; these cost $3.00 for the first page plus $0.25 for each additional page.

    Child Custody and Support

    Custody and visitation orders, child support worksheets, and modification filings are maintained in the case file. While the orders themselves are public, certain exhibits—such as psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and financial affidavits containing sensitive personal information—may be filed under seal or subject to limited access by court order.

    North Carolina’s Child Support Centralized Collections handles payment processing statewide. Obligors and recipients can check payment status through the state’s online system.

    Domestic Violence Protective Orders

    Craven County District Court issues Chapter 50B protective orders. Victims of domestic violence can file a complaint and request an emergency (ex parte) order, followed by a hearing within 10 days. Protective order case files are public, but victim addresses and other identifying details may be restricted under the court’s discretion. Standardized domestic violence forms are available on the Judicial Branch website.

    Adoption and Juvenile Records

    Adoption records are permanently sealed under N.C.G.S. § 48-9-102 and are not available to the public. Access requires a court order or participation in the state’s Adoption Reunion Registry. Juvenile court records for delinquency and abuse/neglect/dependency matters are confidential under N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B and accessible only to parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.

    Marriage Licenses and Vital Records

    Marriage licenses in Craven County are issued by the Craven County Register of Deeds, not the court system. The Register of Deeds office is located at:

    Craven County Register of Deeds
    Address: 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 636-6617

    Marriage license applications require both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification. The current fee is $60.00. Certified copies of previously recorded marriage certificates are available from the same office. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Craven County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Division of Public Health Vital Records office in Raleigh.

    Craven County Probate Court Records

    In North Carolina, probate matters are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court rather than a separate probate court. The Craven County Clerk’s estate division administers the filing and supervision of decedents’ estates, guardianships, trusts, and incompetency proceedings under N.C.G.S. Chapters 28A, 35A, and 36C.

    Clerk of Superior Court – Estates Division
    Address: 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
    Phone: (252) 514-4771

    Types of Probate Records

    Craven County’s estates division maintains files that include:

    • Last wills and testaments (filed originals and certified copies)
    • Applications for letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Estate inventories and annual accountings
    • Receipts and disbursements
    • Guardianship petitions and annual status reports
    • Incompetency orders and conservatorship filings
    • Notices to creditors
    • Final estate accountings and closing documents

    Initiating a Probate Case

    To open an estate in Craven County, the personal representative or an interested party files an application with the clerk’s office. Required documents typically include the original will (if one exists), a certified death certificate, and a completed Application for Probate and Letters. Filing fees vary depending on the estate’s value but generally start at $120.00 for estates administered under the clerk’s supervision.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate files are public records unless specifically sealed. Current and recent estate cases can be searched through the eCourts Portal by entering the decedent’s name or estate file number. Older probate records, particularly those predating electronic indexing, may require an in-person search at the clerk’s office or the Craven County local history archives.

    Guardianship and Incompetency

    Guardianship petitions under N.C.G.S. Chapter 35A are filed with the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk conducts a hearing to determine whether the respondent is incompetent and, if so, appoints a guardian of the person, estate, or both. Guardians must file annual status reports and accountings. While the petition and appointment order are public, medical evaluations and mental health records submitted as exhibits may be sealed.

    Real Property in Estates

    When real estate passes through an estate, the personal representative may need to record deeds, affidavits of heirship, or court orders with the Craven County Register of Deeds. Property records, including deeds, deeds of trust, and plat maps, are searchable through the Register of Deeds office and the county’s online land records system. The Craven County Tax Office maintains property valuations and tax payment histories that may also be relevant during estate administration.