Lenoir County Court Records Search
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Lenoir County is situated in the eastern portion of North Carolina, with Kinston serving as its county seat. The county’s trial court operations fall under the Eighth Judicial District and include both the Lenoir County Superior Court and the Lenoir County District Court, both housed in the Lenoir County Courthouse in downtown Kinston. Together, these courts exercise jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate and estate matters, juvenile cases, and traffic infractions. The Clerk of Superior Court is charged with maintaining all official court filings and records.
Court case information in North Carolina can be located through several channels. The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates an online Portal where the public can search case records, view hearing dates, and make payments in eCourts counties. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may also help users find publicly available court case information. As of April 28, 2025, Lenoir County went live on eCourts as part of Track 8. This means case records can now be searched electronically through Portal, and attorneys are required to use the eFiling system for all filings. In-person access to case files and public self-service terminals is also available at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lenoir County?
With eCourts now live in Lenoir County, the primary online tool for locating case information is the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s Portal. Through Portal, users can:
- Search case information by name, attorney, citation number, or case number
- View case records, documents, and hearing schedules
- Make online credit card payments for fines and fees
For cases predating the eCourts conversion, information may also be available on public self-service terminals at the courthouse. These terminals allow searches by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name.
In-Person Access
Lenoir County Courthouse
Address: 130 South Queen Street, P.O. Box 68, Kinston, NC 28501
Phone: (252) 520-5300
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Paper case files can be reviewed at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office during regular business hours. Copies of court documents are provided for a fee.
Copy and Miscellaneous Fees (per G.S. 7A-308, effective January 1, 2026):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Preparation of copies – first page (per document) | $2.00 |
| Each additional page | $0.25 |
| Certification (under seal) | $3.00 |
| Exemplification of records | $10.00 |
| Criminal record search | $25.00 |
| Recording or docketing – first page | $6.00 |
| Recording or docketing – each additional page | $0.25 |
Payment at the courthouse can be made by cash, certified check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card (processing fees apply). Personal checks are not accepted. Mail payments should be by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court of Lenoir County.
Background Checks
Individuals seeking a criminal background check should use the Clerk of Superior Court’s office rather than the online Portal. The Clerk charges a $25.00 criminal record search fee per G.S. 7A-308(a)(17). State-level criminal history information is maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and can be accessed through its Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry for sex offender information specifically.
Are Court Records Public in Lenoir County?
Court records in Lenoir County are presumptively public under Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, which requires custodians of government records to permit public inspection and copying at reasonable times, subject to fee payments. Under G.S. 132-1.4(k), returned arrest and search warrants are specifically identified as public court records that may only be withheld when sealed by a court order.
However, several categories of court records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law:
- Adoption records — sealed under G.S. Chapter 48
- Juvenile records — confidential under G.S. Chapter 7B
- Sealed and expunged records — restricted upon court order
- Records of ongoing criminal investigations — limited access under G.S. 132-1.4
- Attorney-client privilege information
- Mental health and involuntary commitment records
- Certain guardianship records with sensitive evaluations
- Records exempted by other state or federal statutes
Even where court records are public, some information may be redacted for privacy and security purposes. Persons seeking access to records that may be restricted should contact the Clerk of Superior Court at (252) 520-5300 to determine eligibility before filing a request.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides a Request a Public Record service page describing options for submitting records requests online, by mail, or in person.
Lenoir County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Lenoir County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court handles felony trials and appeals from District Court criminal dispositions, while the District Court presides over misdemeanors, infractions, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Since eCourts launched in Lenoir County in April 2025, criminal case records can be searched through Portal by defendant name, case number, or citation number. Public documents filed in criminal cases are viewable online. For cases pre-dating the eCourts transition, self-service terminals at the courthouse remain available.
To request copies of criminal case documents by mail, download the appropriate AOC-CR form from the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms page, complete it, and mail it with a $25.00 check or money order (for the criminal record search fee) to:
Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 68
Kinston, NC 28501
Arrest Records and Sheriff’s Office Resources
Pre-conviction records — including arrest reports, booking information, and incident reports — are maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office is the primary county law enforcement agency:
Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 130 Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501
Mailing: P.O. Box 3289, Kinston, NC 28502
Phone: (252) 559-6100
Fax: (252) 527-3854 | Detention Fax: (252) 527-5022
The Lenoir County Jail Inmate Lookup system allows searches by inmate name or booking number. The NCSBI also maintains the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry, which is searchable by name, address, or registration number.
Expungement
Eligible individuals may petition to expunge qualifying criminal records. The filing fee for most expungement petitions in North Carolina is $175.00. Expungement petition forms are available on the Judicial Branch website. Fee waivers may be requested using Form AOC-CR-225. The NCSBI’s expungements page provides additional guidance on the process and applicable statutes.
Lenoir County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Lenoir County are heard by the Superior Court (claims exceeding $25,000) and the District Court (claims of $25,000 or less, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and eviction actions). The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records of all civil filings, including complaints, motions, orders, and judgments.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are accessible through the North Carolina Portal and at self-service terminals in the Lenoir County Courthouse. The Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) user manual is available on the Judicial Branch website for those seeking guidance on navigating the civil records system.
Civil Filing Fees
Civil case filing fees are established by the General Assembly and published in the current court costs charts. Fees vary by case type and court level. Common costs include:
- Civil District Court filing fee: $150.00
- Criminal Superior Court filing fee: $372.50
- Certified copies: $3.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page
- Exemplified copies: $10.00
- Filing a motion/notice of hearing: $30.00
- Alias and pluries summons (civil actions): $15.00
The exact fees for a particular case depend on its nature and the court where it is filed. The court costs help page provides detailed information and links to the complete fee charts for civil cases, special proceedings, and estates.
Property Records
Real estate records in Lenoir County — including deeds, liens, plat maps, and mortgages — are maintained by the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds online records portal allows public searches by property owner name and other criteria. The Lenoir County Tax Department also offers a GIS mapping and property records application for viewing property information.
Lenoir County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Lenoir County are heard by the District Court. Case types include dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, termination of parental rights, and juvenile matters.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records can be searched through Portal for cases filed in the eCourts system. In-person access is available at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office during regular business hours. Requests can also be made by phone, mail, or fax:
- Family Court Phone: (252) 520-5440
- Family Court Fax: (252) 520-5441
Certain family court records are confidential under North Carolina law. Adoption records are sealed, juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect records are confidential under G.S. Chapter 7B, and portions of domestic violence files may be restricted. Even within public family case files, sensitive information such as financial disclosures and Social Security numbers may be redacted.
Divorce Records
Copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. For Lenoir County divorces, contact the Clerk’s office at (252) 520-5300 or visit the courthouse. Divorce certificates (as distinct from the full judgment) are available through North Carolina Vital Records.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the Lenoir County Register of Deeds. Licenses are available by appointment only.
Lenoir County Register of Deeds
Physical Address: 101 North Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3289, Kinston, NC 28502
Phone: (252) 559-6420
Fax: (252) 523-6139
Email: lcrod@lenoircountync.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Marriage license and certificate fees (per the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds fee schedule):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $60.00 |
| Marriage certificate – certified copy | $10.00 |
| Delayed marriage certificate (with one certified copy) | $20.00 |
| Application or license correction (with one certified copy) | $10.00 |
Birth and Death Certificates
The Register of Deeds issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Lenoir County:
- Certified birth certificate: $10.00
- Certified death certificate: $10.00
- Birth certificate after one year or more (same county, with certified copy): $20.00
- Birth record amendment: $10.00
- Death record amendment: $10.00
Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax. Mail requests must include a completed application form (available for download from the Register of Deeds website), payment by cash or money order (personal checks not accepted), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a photocopy of a valid photo ID. Do not send mail by certified delivery, as it will not be picked up from the post office.
Under North Carolina law, birth records become public 100 years after birth, and death records become public 75 years after the date of death. Before those periods expire, access to certified copies is limited to eligible requesters, including the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized government agencies.
Alternatively, birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered through the North Carolina Vital Records division, which charges a non-refundable $24.00 search fee for a standard certificate search per three-year period. This fee includes one copy of the certificate if a record is found.
Lenoir County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over probate and estate matters. In Lenoir County, this includes the administration of decedents’ estates, probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incompetent adults, and trust matters. All probate filings are maintained at the Clerk’s office in the Lenoir County Courthouse.
Searching Probate Records
Probate and estate case records are accessible through Portal for electronically filed matters. Self-service terminals at the courthouse also provide search capabilities. The Judicial Branch provides a VCAP user manual that covers civil, special proceedings, and estates records.
Filing Fees
Estate case costs are published in the current court costs chart for estates. These fees cover initial filing, hearing motions, and various steps in estate administration. The specific costs depend on the size of the estate and the nature of the proceedings.
How to Request Probate Records
To obtain copies of probate records in Lenoir County:
- Visit the Clerk of Superior Court’s office at 130 South Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
- Provide identifying information for the estate or case, such as the decedent’s name, case number, or estate file number.
- Present a valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state-issued identification).
- Pay the applicable copy fees ($2.00 for the first page per document, $0.25 per additional page; $3.00 for certification).
- Allow time for processing; complex file requests may require additional time.
Mail requests should include all relevant identifying details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court of Lenoir County.
For guidance on estate administration procedures, the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms page provides downloadable AOC forms covering estate proceedings. The Guide & File service on the Judicial Branch website can also assist self-represented individuals with preparing common estate filings.