Haywood County Court Records Search
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Haywood County is located in the western mountains of North Carolina, with Waynesville serving as the county seat. The county’s courts operate within Superior Court District 43B and District Court District 43, part of Prosecutorial District 43. Both the Superior Court and District Court sit at the Haywood County Courthouse, where the Clerk of Superior Court maintains case files across criminal, civil, family, and estate proceedings. Court records generated within the county document filings, docket entries, judgments, dispositions, hearing schedules, and party information for every case processed through the local judicial system.
Those seeking court records in North Carolina have several avenues available, including in-person visits to the Clerk of Superior Court’s office, public self-service terminals located at the courthouse, and electronic tools offered by the state judiciary. The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates the eCourts Portal, which provides free online access to case information statewide. Additional court record resources for the state can be found through NorthCarolinaCourts.us. For Haywood County specifically, the Clerk’s office at the Justice Center in Waynesville is the primary custodian of all case files, while the Register of Deeds maintains vital records and real property instruments.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Haywood County?
Haywood County court cases can be located through electronic searches, in-person visits, or written requests, depending on the record type and the requester’s needs.
Online via the eCourts Portal
The statewide eCourts Portal allows the public to search court case records for free. Users can look up cases by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. To narrow results to Haywood County:
- Navigate to the Portal and select the “Smart Search” tool.
- Click “Advanced Filtering Options” and scroll to “General Options”.
- Select Haywood County from the “Filter by Location” dropdown.
- Under “Case Search Criteria”, choose the appropriate case type to refine results.
- Enter the search term, complete the reCAPTCHA verification, and click Search.
The Portal displays case summaries, hearing dates, party information, and dispositions. It is not intended for formal background checks — those should be conducted through the Clerk’s office.
In Person at the Courthouse
Public self-service computer terminals are available inside the Haywood County Courthouse during business hours, allowing visitors to search case indexes and view records at no charge. Paper files may be reviewed by visiting the Clerk’s office. Copies of documents can be obtained from staff for applicable fees.
Haywood County Courthouse (Clerk of Superior Court)
Address: 285 North Main Street, Suite 1500, Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: (828) 454-6501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Contact Directory
| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court | (828) 454-6501 |
| Civil Division | (828) 454-6515 |
| Superior Court Judges | (828) 454-6512 |
| District Court Judges | (828) 454-6511 |
| Magistrates – Criminal | (828) 456-8191 |
Payments and Fees
All fees are payable at the Cashier’s Office inside the courthouse. Accepted payment methods include cash, money orders, certified checks, and credit or debit cards. Online payment options are also available through the NC Courts Services page for eligible transactions.
Are Court Records Public in Haywood County?
Court records in Haywood County are subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law (Chapter 132), which establishes a broad right of public access to records held by government agencies, including the courts. Under this law, members of the public may inspect or copy most court documents maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Records That Are Publicly Accessible
The following types of court records are generally open to public inspection: complaints and answers, motions and orders, judgments and decrees, docket sheets, sentencing records, civil case filings, estate inventories and accountings, and returned arrest and search warrants. These records can be viewed on the courthouse self-service terminals, requested from the Clerk’s office, or searched online through the eCourts Portal.
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
North Carolina law exempts certain categories of court records from public disclosure:
- Grand jury proceedings: Testimony and deliberations are secret under state law.
- Juvenile records: Protected under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-2901, with access limited to parties, attorneys, and authorized agencies.
- Adoption records: Sealed under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 48-9-102 and accessible only by court order.
- Unreturned arrest and search warrants: Not public until the warrant has been executed and returned to the issuing court.
- Trial preparation materials: Work product and litigation preparation documents are not subject to disclosure.
- Medical malpractice settlements: Settlement documents in cases against public hospital facilities may be restricted.
- Expunged records: Cases that have been expunged under Article 5 of Chapter 15A are removed from public access.
Vital records — including birth, death, and marriage certificates — are not free public records in North Carolina. Certified copies are available only to eligible individuals as defined by state law.
Haywood County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Haywood County are prosecuted in the Superior Court (felonies) and the District Court (misdemeanors and infractions). Both courts operate from the Haywood County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal case records, including charges, arrest information, plea agreements, trial records, sentencing orders, and appeal filings.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case information can be accessed at no cost through the public self-service terminals at the courthouse or online via the eCourts Portal. Searches can be conducted by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
Certified Criminal Background Checks
The Clerk’s office processes certified criminal record searches on a single-county basis. To request a certified background check for Haywood County:
- Complete Form AOC-CR-314 (Criminal Record Search).
- Submit the form and a $25.00 fee to the Clerk’s office.
- In person: Pay by credit/debit card, cash, money order, or certified check.
- By mail: Send the completed form with a money order or certified check (personal checks are not accepted) to the Clerk of Superior Court, 285 North Main Street, Suite 1500, Waynesville, NC 28786.
This search covers only Haywood County records and is not a statewide check. For statewide criminal history information, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation offers a fingerprint-based background check process.
Haywood County Sheriff’s Office
For arrest records, incident reports, and law enforcement records, contact the Sheriff’s Office:
Haywood County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1620 Brown Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786
Front Office Phone: (828) 452-6768
Dispatch: (828) 452-6666
Fax: (828) 356-1021
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Sheriff’s Office also handles the Civil Process Division, which serves civil papers, subpoenas, and other court documents.
Expunctions
Individuals seeking to remove eligible criminal records may petition for an expunction under Chapter 15A of the North Carolina General Statutes. The filing fee for most expunction petitions is $175.00. Additional information about eligibility and the process is available through the NC Courts Expunctions Help Topic.
Criminal Court Costs (Effective January 1, 2026)
Court costs assessed upon conviction are set statewide by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-304:
| Court Level | Total Base Costs |
|---|---|
| District Court – Infraction | $181.00 |
| District Court – Misdemeanor | $183.00 |
| Superior Court (without District Court first appearance) | $208.00 |
| Superior Court (with District Court first appearance) | $355.50 |
Additional fees may apply depending on the offense, including the Chapter 20 motor vehicle fee ($10.00), appointment of counsel fee ($75.00), and various supervision and monitoring fees. The current Criminal Court Costs Chart published by the NC Judicial Branch lists all applicable amounts.
Haywood County Civil Court Records
The Haywood County Superior Court hears civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, as well as equity actions and appeals from the District Court. The District Court handles civil disputes valued between $10,000 and $25,000. Small claims matters — civil disputes involving less than $10,000 — are heard in Magistrates’ Court.
Civil Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
Filing fees are established by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-305 and apply statewide:
| Court Level | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Magistrates’ Court (Small Claims) | $96.00 |
| District Court | $150.00 |
| Superior Court | $200.00 |
| Business Court (upon assignment, additional) | $1,100.00 |
| Absolute Divorce Filing | $75.00 (in addition to civil filing fee) |
| Motion/Notice of Hearing | $20.00 |
| Alias & Pluries Summons | $15.00 |
Each item of civil process served by the Sheriff incurs an additional $30.00 service fee per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-311. The complete Civil Court Costs Chart is published by the NC Judicial Branch.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case records are available through several methods:
- Self-service terminals: Located inside the courthouse for free searches during business hours.
- eCourts Portal: Search by party name or case number; filter by Haywood County and civil case type.
- Clerk’s office staff: Request copies in person or by mail. Standard copy fees apply.
- Civil Division phone: (828) 454-6515.
Property Records
Real property records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other recorded instruments — are maintained by the Haywood County Register of Deeds. These records can be searched online through the Real Estate Look Up portal by name, book and page, property address, or instrument number. The search also provides access to non-indexed deed images, Clerk of Court plat books, and historical indexes dating back to 1808.
Haywood County Register of Deeds
Address: 215 North Main Street, Suite 213, Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: (828) 452-6635
Fax: (828) 452-6762
Email: sherri.rogers@haywoodcountync.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Copy fees for property documents are $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page for certified copies. Copies of plats cost $2.00 each.
Haywood County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Haywood County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and adoption — are handled by the District Court. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the records for all family court proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases filed in Haywood County can be viewed on the public self-service terminals at the courthouse at no cost. The eCourts Portal also provides free online access; users should filter by Haywood County and select “Family” under the case type filter. Copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the Clerk’s office for a fee. The filing fee for an absolute divorce is $75.00 in addition to the applicable civil filing fee (typically $150.00 for District Court cases). The Clerk charges a $30.00 service fee for each item of civil process served by the Sheriff.
Child Custody and Support
Haywood County participates in the state’s Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program, which assists parents in reaching agreements outside of court. Court-ordered mediation may be required before custody disputes proceed to trial. Child support enforcement and modification matters are also handled through the District Court. Forms for family law proceedings are available through the NC Courts Forms search page.
Domestic Violence
Petitions for domestic violence protective orders are filed under Chapter 50B of the North Carolina General Statutes. There are no filing fees, service fees, or court costs associated with filing, issuing, registering, or serving a protective order or a petition for a protective order under Chapter 50B or 50C.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Haywood County Register of Deeds. The office also maintains copies of marriage certificates. Certified copies cost $10.00 each and require presentation of a valid government-issued photo ID. Uncertified copies are available to the general public.
Requests can be submitted in the following ways:
- In person: Visit the Register of Deeds during business hours with a photo ID and fee.
- By mail: Send a written request with a copy of your photo ID, the fee by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Register of Deeds, 215 North Main Street, Suite 213, Waynesville, NC 28786.
- Online: Certified copies can be ordered through the Vital Search portal, which also allows free viewing of marriage records by last name. Online orders incur an additional $1.00 processing fee.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for events that occurred in Haywood County have been maintained by the Register of Deeds since 1913. Certified copies cost $10.00 each and require a government-issued photo ID. Access to certified copies is restricted under North Carolina law to the following individuals:
- The person named on the certificate (for birth records)
- Spouse, sibling, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or step-parent
- Individuals with a legal need to determine personal or property rights
- An authorized attorney, agent, or legal representative
Uncertified copies are available to the general public. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Online orders include a $1.00 processing fee and are delivered by mail. Copies can also be obtained from North Carolina Vital Records at the state level.
Haywood County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the judge in probate matters, presiding over the probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians and trustees, and related proceedings. The Haywood County Clerk of Court handles all probate filings through the courthouse in Waynesville.
Types of Probate Records
Records maintained by the Clerk in estate proceedings include wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary and letters of administration, inventories and accountings, creditor claims, petitions for year’s allowance, trust filings under will, and orders approving final settlements. Guardianship records, including petitions and annual accountings for guardians of incompetent adults and minors, are also filed with the Clerk.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be accessed through the same channels as other court records:
- eCourts Portal: Filter by Haywood County and select “Estates”, “Civil/Family/Probate (excluding Summary Ejectment)”, or “Wills Deposited for Safekeeping” under Case Search Criteria.
- Self-service terminals: Available at the courthouse during business hours for free searches.
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s office to review paper files or request copies from staff.
Estates Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
Estate proceedings costs are set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New estate administration (base filing) | $120.00 |
| Additional fee based on gross estate value | $0.40 per $100.00 of gross estate |
| Probate of will without qualification | $30.00 |
| Collection of personal property by affidavit (base) | $120.00 |
| Caveat (decedents dying on or after 1/1/2012) | $200.00 |
| Petition for elective share | $200.00 |
| Qualification of limited personal representative | $20.00 |
| Motion/Notice of Hearing | $20.00 |
| Filing and indexing a will without probate | $1.00 (first page), $0.25 each additional |
| Hearing on petition for year’s allowance | $20.00 |
The minimum gross estate fee per filing is $15.00, and the maximum cumulative fee is $6,000.00. Service of process by the Sheriff costs $30.00 per item.
Programs and Resources
Haywood County participates in the Clerk Mediation Program, which may be available for estate disputes and certain special proceedings. The Guardian ad Litem program provides court-appointed advocates for minors and incompetent adults involved in guardianship and abuse or neglect proceedings. Forms for estate proceedings, including inventories, accountings, and affidavits of collection, are available through the NC Courts Forms page.