Cumberland County Court Records Search
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Cumberland County, home to the city of Fayetteville and adjacent to Fort Liberty, is one of North Carolina’s larger jurisdictions by population. Its court system operates under the North Carolina General Court of Justice and includes both a Superior Court division and a District Court division, housed together at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court — currently Lisa Scales — serves as the custodian of all court records generated in both divisions, including civil lawsuits, criminal proceedings, family law cases, estates matters, and special proceedings.
North Carolina residents and researchers looking for court case information can access several official resources. The state judiciary’s website at NorthCarolinaCourts.us provides directories, court forms, fee schedules, and links to online case search tools. Within Cumberland County, records can be retrieved through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office at the courthouse, through public-access computer terminals available in the clerk’s lobby, and through the state’s online case search portal. The Cumberland County contact directory on the judiciary’s website lists phone numbers and email addresses for each court division, making it straightforward to direct inquiries to the correct office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cumberland County?
There are several methods for searching Cumberland County court records, ranging from free online tools to formal certified requests.
Online Case Search — Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates an online Portal as part of the statewide eCourts initiative. Portal allows users to search court records by name, case number, attorney, citation number, or county. It displays case summaries, hearing dates, and — for many case types — docket entries. Portal is free to use for basic case information searches.
Online Case Search — Criminal and Infraction Calendars
The NC Judiciary’s District and Superior Court Query tool remains available for searching upcoming criminal and infraction court calendars by defendant name, court type, and county. This tool is particularly useful for locating scheduled court dates.
Remote Public Access (RPA) Program
Businesses and organizations needing ongoing, bulk access to court data across all North Carolina counties may apply through the Remote Public Access program. RPA provides real-time access to the same criminal and civil data available on courthouse terminals. Licensing fees and connectivity requirements apply.
In-Person Search
Public-access computer terminals at the Cumberland County Courthouse allow anyone to search, view, and email criminal records in any county — or statewide — at no charge. These self-service terminals are located in the Clerk’s office lobby.
Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse
Address: 117 Dick Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 363, Fayetteville, NC 28302
Phone: (910) 475-3000
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Mail Requests
Written requests for court records can be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the P.O. Box address above. Include the case number or full party names, the specific document requested, and applicable payment. For inquiries, the Clerk’s office can be reached at (910) 475-3000 or by email at Cumberland.CustomerService@nccourts.org.
Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?
North Carolina’s Public Records Law, codified at N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, establishes that court records are public documents accessible to any person. No identification or stated reason is required to inspect or copy records. The law applies broadly to all records made or received in connection with the transaction of public business.
Despite this broad mandate, several categories of court records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Sealed records: Any case file or document placed under seal by court order.
- Juvenile records: Proceedings in the Youth/District Court involving minors are confidential.
- Adoption records: Files related to adoption proceedings are sealed.
- Grand jury proceedings: The deliberations and records of grand jury activity are not public.
- Unexecuted warrants: Warrants that have not yet been served remain confidential.
- Judicial notes: A judge’s personal notes and preliminary drafts are exempt.
- Confidential communications: Certain privileged or statutorily protected information within records may be redacted.
Where feasible, courts will redact the confidential portions of a document and release the remainder. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, law enforcement records such as certain investigative information, 911 recordings, and personnel records have additional access restrictions. The NC Judicial Branch publishes guidance on court records access that covers public access rules, background check options, and expungement procedures.
Cumberland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Cumberland County are handled by either the Superior Court or the District Court depending on severity. Under N.C.G.S. § 7A-271, the Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over all felony cases. The District Court handles misdemeanors, infractions, and preliminary hearings in felony matters.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case records can be located through three primary channels:
- Portal (online): Search by defendant name or case number through the NC Judicial Branch Portal.
- Public-access terminals: Free self-service computers at the courthouse allow statewide criminal record searches by name. These searches are non-certified, and printing fees may apply.
- Certified search via Form AOC-CR-314: For a certified criminal background check in Cumberland County, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court. The fee is $25 per search.
Payment options for Form AOC-CR-314:
- In person: Credit card, cash, money order, or certified check
- By mail: Money order or certified check only (personal checks not accepted)
Mail the form and payment to:
Cumberland County Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 363
Fayetteville, NC 28302
Phone: (910) 475-3000
Fax: (910) 475-3032
Note that this search covers only Cumberland County records. It is not a statewide check.
SBI Statewide Background Check
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) offers a fingerprint-based, statewide criminal record search known as the Personal Review (Right to Review). This service costs $14, is available only to the subject of the record, and requires submission of a fingerprint card and completed form directly to the SBI.
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office provides several public-facing resources for criminal information:
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 131 Dick Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 323-1500
- Active Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff’s Office maintains an Active Inmate Lookup searchable by surname at no cost.
- Sex Offender Information: The Sheriff’s website provides sex offender data for the county.
- Sheriff’s Background Check: A criminal records check form is available for download from the Sheriff’s website. The Sheriff’s background check costs $8 and is provided only to the subject of the record.
- Fingerprinting: The Sheriff’s Office provides fingerprinting services for $12, with appointments available through their online scheduling system.
Cumberland County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Cumberland County are split between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy. The Superior Court adjudicates civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000, while the District Court handles civil matters involving $25,000 or less (with exclusive original jurisdiction over cases under $10,000). Small claims cases — formally called “magistrate” actions in North Carolina — are heard at the District Court level for claims up to $10,000.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are searchable through the same methods available for all case types:
- Portal (online): The NC Judicial Branch Portal provides civil case information searchable by party name, case number, or attorney.
- Courthouse terminals: Public-access computers in the Clerk’s office provide the same real-time data.
- Written request to the Clerk: For copies of specific civil documents (complaints, answers, orders, judgments), contact the Clerk at (910) 475-3000 or submit a written request by mail.
Civil Filing Fees
Court costs for civil actions in North Carolina are set by N.C.G.S. § 7A-305. The NC Judiciary publishes detailed, current civil court cost charts that are updated annually. Key costs include:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action filing — Superior Court (General Court of Justice support) | $180.00 |
| Civil action filing — Superior Court (total with all assessments) | $200.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $10.00 |
| Motion filing fee (per filing containing one or more motions) | $20.00 |
| Failure to comply fee | $50.00 |
For the complete schedule including District Court civil costs, small claims costs, and special proceeding fees, review the current cost charts on the NC Courts publications page.
Judgment Roll Search
The Judgment Roll Search is specific to Harrison County. In Cumberland County, judgment information is accessible through the NC Portal’s Judgment Search feature, which allows searches by debtor name, creditor name, or case number.
Property Records
While not court records per se, property records frequently intersect with civil litigation. The Cumberland County Register of Deeds maintains an online Remote Access Site for searching real estate records including deeds, deeds of trust, plat maps, and liens. The county’s Tax Assessment Search portal allows property lookups by owner name, REID, PIN, or address.
Cumberland County Family Court Records
Cumberland County does not operate a standalone family court. Instead, family law matters are heard in the District Court division under N.C.G.S. Chapter 50 and related statutes. The District Court’s Family Court program handles divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation disputes, child support actions, equitable distribution of property, domestic violence protective orders, adoptions, and juvenile matters. The Family Court unit can be reached at (910) 475-3015, with fax at (910) 475-3036.
Family court records are generally public, consistent with North Carolina’s Public Records Law. However, records involving juvenile proceedings and adoption cases are confidential and sealed from public view unless a court orders otherwise.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are available through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. Requests can be made in person during business hours or by mailing a written request with relevant case details (spouse names, approximate date of divorce) to the Clerk’s office. For specific fees applicable to record copies, contact the Clerk at (910) 475-3000 or review the miscellaneous court costs chart.
Divorce verifications can also be obtained from North Carolina Vital Records for $24 per search (nonrefundable, includes one copy if the record is found). Additional copies are $15 each. Mail requests should use the appropriate ordering form and be sent to:
North Carolina Vital Records
ATTN: VC Certificate Orders
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Marriage Records
Certified copies of Cumberland County marriage records can be ordered from the Cumberland County Register of Deeds:
Register of Deeds
Address: 117 Dick Street, Room 114, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2039, Fayetteville, NC 28302
Phone: (910) 678-7775
Fax: (910) 678-7768
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Marriage record fees at the Register of Deeds:
- Online order (via online vitals portal): $14.50 first copy, $10 each additional
- In-person or mail: $10 certified copy, $0.25 uncertified copy
Only eligible parties (spouse or immediate family members) may obtain certified copies. Marriage license indexes from 1968 to the present are searchable on the Register of Deeds Remote Access Site.
Marriage certificates can alternatively be requested from NC Vital Records at $24 for the first copy.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Cumberland County can be requested from the Register of Deeds at $10 for a certified copy or $0.25 for an uncertified copy. Call (910) 678-7775 to schedule an appointment for in-person requests. Birth and death certificates are also available through the state’s Vital Records office at $24 for the first copy and $15 for additional copies. The fee schedule on the Vital Records website details all applicable charges. Certified birth certificates are restricted to individuals with legitimate and tangible interest, such as the registrant, parents, spouse, or legal guardian.
Cumberland County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the ex officio judge of probate. The Estates Division within the Cumberland County Clerk’s office handles all probate matters, including the probate of wills, estate administration (testate and intestate), appointment and oversight of executors and administrators, guardianship of incompetent adults and minors, and related proceedings.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the NC Portal by selecting the appropriate case type. For physical copies of probate documents — such as wills, letters testamentary, inventories, or final accountings — contact the Clerk of Superior Court’s Estates Division at (910) 475-3000 or visit the courthouse during regular business hours. A case name or estate file number will be needed to locate specific records.
Probate Filing Costs
Estate-related court costs in North Carolina are published in the Estates Court Costs chart on the NC Courts website. For a standard full estate administration, common initial clerk costs include the facilities fee, technology fee, and General Court of Justice support fee (typically around $120 combined for an initial estate filing). Fees vary based on estate type and complexity, so reviewing the current chart or contacting the Clerk’s office is recommended before filing.
Guardianship Proceedings
Guardianship of incompetent adults and minors is also handled by the Clerk of Superior Court acting in a quasi-judicial capacity. The Clerk conducts hearings, appoints guardians, and oversees annual accountings. Guardianship case records are maintained within the same filing system as other estates matters and can be searched through the same online and in-person methods.
Estate Forms
North Carolina probate forms — including applications for letters testamentary, inventories, annual accountings, and final reports — are available on the NC Judicial Branch forms page. Forms can be searched by keyword or form number, and most are available as fillable PDFs.