Johnston County Court Records Search
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Johnston County is located in central North Carolina, with its county seat in Smithfield. The county’s trial courts — both the Superior Court and the District Court — operate out of the Johnston County Courthouse and fall within Prosecutorial District 13. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all court records generated within the county, including criminal, civil, family, and estate filings. These records span initial complaints, motions, and hearing transcripts through final judgments and orders.
North Carolina provides several avenues for searching court records. The clerk’s office in any county courthouse offers self-service public access terminals where visitors can look up case data at no charge. The state judicial branch also maintains the eCourts Portal, an online tool that allows users to search case records, check hearing dates, and view judgment information across all counties. Additional court resources and approved forms are available through NorthCarolinaCourts.us, which may assist in locating publicly available case information throughout the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Johnston County?
Johnston County court records can be accessed through electronic databases, in-person visits, or written requests. The method that works best depends on whether a quick status check or certified documentation is needed.
Online — eCourts Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts Portal offers several search options at no cost:
- Smart Search — enter a party name, nickname, business name, or attorney name to pull up a case summary and register of actions.
- Court Dates and Hearings — search by judicial officer, party name, business name, or attorney to find scheduled hearing dates.
- Judgment Search — look up judgments by party last name.
Users can narrow results by adding a case number, citation number, attorney bar number, or filing-date range. The Portal reflects data from the clerk’s statewide databases, but individuals performing background checks should use the clerk’s office rather than Portal.
In Person at the Clerk’s Office
Walk-in visitors can search court records at no charge using the self-service public access terminals located inside the Johnston County Courthouse. Paper case files may also be reviewed by visiting the clerk’s office in person. Copies of documents are available for a per-page fee.
Johnston County Courthouse
Address: 207 East Johnston Street, Smithfield, NC 27577
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 297, Smithfield, NC 27577
Phone: (919) 209-5400
Fax: (919) 209-5401
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
By Mail
Written requests may be sent to the Clerk of Superior Court at the mailing address above. Include the party name, case number (if known), a description of the records sought, and payment for applicable search or copy fees. Money orders and certified checks are accepted for mail requests; personal checks are not accepted.
Copy and Certification Fees
North Carolina sets copy fees by statute. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. Exemplified copies carry a $10.00 surcharge above the certification fee. A current breakdown of all court costs is published by the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Are Court Records Public in Johnston County?
Court records in Johnston County are presumed open to public inspection under the North Carolina Public Records Act (G.S. 132-1). This statute establishes that all records made or received by a government agency in the transaction of public business are public records, and citizens may inspect and copy them for a minimal cost.
However, several categories of records are exempt from public access by statute or court order. Records that are typically restricted include:
- Criminal investigation files and intelligence information maintained by law enforcement agencies
- Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, passport numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers
- Records of juvenile proceedings
- Identifying information about victims of sexual offenses
- Materials prepared in anticipation of litigation or trial
- Sealed or expunged records
- Information whose release could compromise public security
When access to a particular record is restricted, it is available only to authorized persons — typically the parties to the case, their attorneys, officials with a statutory need, or individuals who obtain a court order granting access. Confidential court proceedings such as juvenile hearings and involuntary commitment proceedings require a specific court order even for transcript copies, using Form AOC-G-115.
For non-confidential proceedings that were audio-recorded, members of the public may request a duplicate copy of the recording by filing Form AOC-G-114 with the clerk’s office. The requestor pays the actual cost of the recording medium.
Johnston County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Johnston County are divided between the Superior Court, which handles felonies and certain misdemeanor appeals, and the District Court, which handles misdemeanors and infractions. Prosecutorial District 13 has jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions in the county.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The fastest free option is to visit the Johnston County Courthouse and use a public access terminal to search by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name. The eCourts Portal also provides online case information, though it should not be relied upon as a certified background check.
Certified Criminal Background Checks
A certified, single-county criminal record search is available through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. To request one:
- Complete and print Form AOC-CR-314.
- Submit the form with a $25.00 fee.
- For mail requests, include a money order or certified check (personal checks not accepted).
- For in-person requests, payment may be made by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check.
This search covers only Johnston County records and is not a statewide check. The criminal contact email for the Johnston County Clerk’s Office is Johnston.Criminal@nccourts.org.
Statewide Background Checks via SBI
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides a non-certified statewide criminal record search for record subjects. Submit a completed Right to Review form, a fingerprint card, and a $14.00 processing fee to:
NC State Bureau of Investigation
Address: 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone: (919) 662-4500
Authorized agencies may direct inquiries to the Access Integrity Unit at AIUhelp@ncsbi.gov (P.O. Box 29500, Raleigh, NC 27626-0500).
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online arrest search tool covering the most recent 15 calendar days of arrests, as well as a live inmate search for the county detention center.
Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2875 US Hwy 70 Bus E, Smithfield, NC 27577
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1809, Smithfield, NC 27577
Phone: (919) 989-5010
Fax: (919) 989-5039
Email: info@jcso.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Expungements
Individuals who qualify may petition to have criminal records expunged. The North Carolina Judicial Branch publishes detailed information on the expunctions process, including eligibility criteria and required forms.
Johnston County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Johnston County are split between the Superior Court, which handles cases with claims exceeding $25,000, and the District Court, which handles small claims (up to $10,000), landlord-tenant evictions, and property disputes. The clerk’s office serves as the custodian for all civil filings.
Searching Civil Case Records
Civil, special proceedings, and estates case records can be searched at no charge on the public access terminals in the clerk’s office. The North Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a VCAP User Manual for navigating the Civil Case Processing System used on those terminals.
Online, the eCourts Portal provides civil case information searchable by party name, case number, or attorney. The Judgment Search feature allows users to look up money judgments and liens by a party’s last name.
Forms
Court forms for civil filings, including small claims complaints and landlord-tenant actions, are available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms library. Forms can be downloaded, printed, and filed in person, by mail, or electronically through the state’s File & Serve system.
Property and Real Estate Records
Deeds, liens, and other real estate instruments are maintained by the Johnston County Register of Deeds. The Register provides a free online document search portal where users can look up recorded documents by name, recording date, or document/book number. The civil clerk’s office separately maintains records of foreclosures, evictions, partitions, condemnations, and judgment liens affecting real property.
Property tax and assessment records are available through the Johnston County Tax Administration portal, searchable by owner name, property address, or parcel number.
Johnston County Tax Administration Office
Address: 207 E. Johnston Street, Smithfield, NC 27577
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 368, Smithfield, NC 27577
Phone: (919) 989-5130
Fax: (919) 989-5614
Email: taxoffice@johnstonnc.com
Johnston County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Johnston County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, separation, and annulment — are heard in the District Court. The clerk’s office maintains all family court filings, and records are accessible through the same channels used for other case types.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case records can be searched on the public access terminals at the courthouse or through the eCourts Portal online. A case number, party name, or filing date is typically needed to locate the relevant file. Copies of divorce judgments are available from the clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was granted, subject to standard copy fees.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the Johnston County Register of Deeds by appointment only. Both applicants must call (919) 989-5161 to schedule. The license fee is $60.00. An online marriage application can be started in advance.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are $10.00 each. Uncertified copies cost $0.10 per page. Copies may be requested in person, by mail using the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record, or online through the Register’s ordering portal. The Register’s office accepts cash, debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay but does not accept personal checks.
Johnston County Register of Deeds
Address: 207 E. Johnston Street, Suite 209, Smithfield, NC 27577
Mailing Address (Vital Records): P.O. Box 118, Smithfield, NC 27577
Phone: (919) 989-5161 (Vital Records) / (919) 989-5160 (General)
Email: vitals@johnstonnc.com / rodinfo@johnstonnc.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Vital Records counter closes at 4:45 PM)
Alternatively, marriage and divorce certificates may be ordered from the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, for a non-refundable fee of $24.00 per copy.
Birth and Death Records
The Register of Deeds maintains birth and death records for events that occurred in Johnston County. Certified copies are available to the record subject and authorized individuals; informational (non-certified) copies are available to the general public.
- Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates: $10.00 each
- Uncertified copies: $0.10 per page
- Certified copy of a state vital record (births after 1971, not legally adopted): $24.00 first copy, $15.00 each additional
Mail requests require a signed application, a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Forms and further instructions are available on the Register’s birth records and death records pages.
Johnston County Probate Court Records
North Carolina does not have a separate probate court. Estate administration, wills, guardianships, and related matters are handled as special proceedings by the Clerk of Superior Court. In Johnston County, all estate and probate files are maintained at the Johnston County Courthouse.
Estate Proceedings
When a Johnston County resident dies, the estate is typically administered through the clerk’s office. Proceedings include the probate of wills, appointment of executors or administrators, inventories, accountings, and final distribution. The clerk’s office also handles small estate affidavits for qualifying estates and issues letters testamentary and letters of administration.
Guardianships
Petitions for guardianship of minors or incompetent adults are filed with the clerk as special proceedings. These filings are maintained at the Johnston County Courthouse alongside other estate records.
Searching Probate and Estate Records
Estate and special proceedings records can be searched at no charge on the public access terminals at the courthouse. The eCourts Portal also includes estates data accessible by party name or case number. Paper files are available for inspection at the clerk’s office during business hours, and copies may be obtained for the standard per-page fee.
Written requests for estate records may be mailed to:
Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court
207 East Johnston Street
P.O. Box 297
Smithfield, NC 27577
Phone: (919) 209-5400
The North Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a detailed estates court costs schedule covering filing fees for petitions, accountings, and other estate proceedings. Requestors should include the decedent’s name, case number (if known), and a description of the records sought, along with payment by money order or certified check.