Martin County Court Records Search

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    Martin County, located in northeastern North Carolina along the Roanoke River, handles thousands of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters through its court system each year. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all case-related filings, orders, judgments, and dockets as the official repository for court proceedings in the county. Whether you're researching a pending case, confirming a legal outcome, or performing due diligence, knowing where these records are kept and how to request them is the right place to start.

    Finding Court Records in Martin County:

    North Carolina residents have several ways to access court case information. The NC Judicial Branch runs a statewide online search tool through NorthCarolinaCourts.us, which provides publicly available case information for civil, criminal, and estate matters across all 100 counties. Beyond the online portal, you can also use self-service public terminals inside the courthouse, visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office directly, or submit a written request by mail. The sections below walk through each record type, what information you'll need, and what fees may apply.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Martin County?

    Start with the NC Courts Portal for online searches. This tool pulls real-time data directly from clerk's office databases and lets you search by party name, case number, attorney name, or other identifiers. It covers civil, criminal, estates, and special proceeding case types.

    If you'd rather search in person, public self-service terminals are available at the Martin County Courthouse during regular business hours. You can look up cases by defendant name, case number, or victim and witness name at no charge. Printing charges may apply if you generate copies at the terminal.

    To request certified copies of specific court documents, contact the Martin County Clerk of Superior Court directly:

    Martin County Clerk of Superior Court
    Address: 305 East Main Street, P.O. Box 807, Williamston, NC 27892
    Phone: (252) 809-5100
    Fax: (252) 809-5101
    Email: Martin.Clerk@nccourts.org

    Whether you're making a request in person or by mail, have the case number, full party names, and the date range or specific documents ready before you reach out. Fees apply for paper copies. In-person payments can be made by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check; mail requests require a money order or certified check.

    If you need a certified criminal background check by name, complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. This search covers Martin County court records only — it is not a statewide search. For a statewide criminal history, the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) offers a statewide background check service through fingerprint submission.

    Business users and researchers who need ongoing or bulk access to court data across all North Carolina counties can apply through the Remote Public Access Program administered by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts.

    Are Court Records Public in Martin County?

    Court records in North Carolina are presumptively open to the public under the North Carolina Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Under G.S. 132-1, any person — regardless of reason or citizenship — has the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government agencies, including courts.

    That said, certain records are exempt from public disclosure. The following categories are either restricted or fully sealed in Martin County:

    • Juvenile court records and proceedings
    • Adoption records
    • Mental health and involuntary commitment proceedings
    • Sealed cases as ordered by a judge
    • Attorney-client privileged communications when part of a court file
    • Trade secrets submitted in litigation
    • Certain personnel and investigative information
    • Personally identifying information subject to redaction
    • Arrest and search warrants that have not yet been returned by law enforcement (per G.S. 132-1.4(k))

    When a court file contains both public and confidential content, the Clerk is authorized to redact only the confidential portions before releasing the rest for inspection. If a judge has sealed the entire record, no access is permitted.

    Inspecting records is free; fees are charged only when copies are made. Agencies must furnish copies "as promptly as possible" under reasonable circumstances. Under G.S. 132-6.2, agencies may charge copying fees and, when production requires extensive clerical work, an additional service charge based on actual labor costs.

    Martin County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Martin County are split between two courts based on the severity of the charge. The Martin County Superior Court handles felonies and more serious offenses. The Martin County District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. Both courts operate from the same courthouse at 305 East Main Street in Williamston.

    Martin County Superior Court
    Address: 305 East Main Street, P.O. Box 807, Williamston, NC 27892
    Phone: (252) 809-5100
    Fax: (252) 809-5101

    Martin County District Court
    Address: 305 East Main Street, P.O. Box 807, Williamston, NC 27892
    Phone: (252) 809-5100
    Fax: (252) 809-5101

    Criminal case information — including dockets, case dispositions, and sentence details — can be searched through the NC Courts Portal or on the courthouse self-service terminals. Certified background checks require Form AOC-CR-314 and the $25 statutory fee.

    Arrest Records: The Clerk's office holds court records documenting arrests that entered the court system, but original arrest documentation stays with the arresting agency. For Martin County arrests, contact the Martin County Sheriff's Office, which notes on its official website that local criminal history checks (Martin County only) must be obtained from the Clerk's office at the courthouse. For a statewide criminal history, the SBI's background check service is the right resource.

    Criminal Calendars: The NC Judicial Branch posts scheduled criminal court calendars for Martin County, so you can see upcoming hearing dates.

    Expunctions: If you're looking to have eligible criminal charges removed from your record, review the eligibility criteria and process through the Expunctions Help Topic on the NC Judicial Branch website.

    Offender Information: For individuals currently incarcerated or on probation, the NC Department of Adult Correction maintains a searchable offender database that includes parole and probation status.

    Martin County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Martin County — contract disputes, money judgments, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, evictions, and foreclosures — are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court and assigned to either the Superior Court or District Court depending on the amount in controversy and the case type.

    Online Access: Civil case information is available through the NC Courts Portal or the courthouse self-service terminals. The NC Judicial Branch also provides a Civil Case Processing System User Manual for anyone navigating the court's civil records database.

    Small Claims: Small claims matters in North Carolina are heard in District Court. The dollar limit ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on local rules, and filing fees are set statewide at $96. The NC Judicial Branch's Small Claims guide explains procedures, forms, and what to expect at a hearing.

    Court Costs: Current civil court costs are published and updated annually by the NC Judicial Branch. The Current Court Costs publication breaks down fees for civil filings, special proceedings, and estate cases.

    Requesting Copies: Paper copies of civil case documents are available in person or by mail from the Clerk of Superior Court at 305 East Main Street. To speed up processing, have the case number, party names, and the specific document you need ready when you contact the office.

    Civil Calendars: Upcoming civil hearing dates are posted through the Martin County civil court calendars on the NC Judicial Branch website.

    Martin County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Martin County — including divorces, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence civil actions, and adoptions — are processed through the Martin County District Court. Certain matters involving equitable distribution and post-separation support are heard in Superior Court.

    Divorce Records: Decrees of absolute divorce issued by the Martin County District Court are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. You can search divorce case information through the NC Courts Portal or in person at the courthouse. For a certified copy of a divorce judgment, contact the Clerk's office at (252) 809-5100. For divorce certificates (as opposed to the judgment itself), NC Vital Records maintains records from 1958 to the present and charges a $24 nonrefundable fee per three-year search period.

    Child Custody and Support: The Martin County courts participate in the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program and the Family Financial Settlement Program, both administered through the NC Judicial Branch. These programs offer structured alternatives to contested hearings in appropriate cases.

    Domestic Violence: Protective orders and domestic violence civil actions are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Domestic violence records may have certain access restrictions, particularly where minor children are involved.

    Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and certified marriage certificates are maintained by the Martin County Register of Deeds — not the Clerk of Court. Certified copies cost $10.00 and are available only to the spouses and certain close relatives. Uncertified copies are publicly available at $0.25 per page.

    To request marriage records, submit a completed vital records request form, the applicable fee, a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

    Martin County Register of Deeds
    Address: P.O. Box 348, Williamston, NC 27892
    Phone: (252) 789-4320

    Marriage records are also searchable statewide through NC Vital Records. Marriage licenses in Martin County cost $60.00 and are issued by the Register of Deeds. Both parties must appear in person with proof of age and social security number. A divorce decree is required if either party was previously married.