Mecklenburg County Court Records Search
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Mecklenburg County sits in the 26th Judicial District of North Carolina, with its courthouse located in Charlotte — the state’s largest city. The county’s court system includes a Superior Court and a District Court, both headquartered at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street. The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the custodian of court records across criminal, civil, estate, and family law matters. With Mecklenburg County being one of the highest-volume court jurisdictions in North Carolina, multiple access channels exist for obtaining case records, from in-person requests to the state’s eCourts online portal.
For those searching for court records in North Carolina, a range of official resources are available, including clerk of court offices, self-service public access terminals at courthouses, and online search tools. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help users find court locations, judicial forms, hearing dates, and links to online case search systems across the state. In Mecklenburg County, the eCourts Portal has been live since October 9, 2023, offering the public electronic access to case information, filed court documents, and hearing schedules.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Mecklenburg County?
Mecklenburg County provides several methods for looking up court cases, whether the matter is criminal, civil, or estate-related.
Online via eCourts Portal
The primary online tool is the North Carolina eCourts Portal. Users can search by case number, party name, attorney name, or business name. The Portal includes records filed from October 9, 2023, onward. Registration with a name and email address is required, though searches can also be performed anonymously. The Portal allows users to view case summaries, hearing dates, and filed documents.
In Person at the Clerk’s Office
The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court maintains public access terminals at the courthouse. Visitors can search for case records during business hours using defendant names, party names, or case numbers.
Mecklenburg County Courthouse
Address: 832 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 37971, Charlotte, NC 28237-7971
Phone: (704) 686-0400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Email Requests for Pre-October 2023 Records
Documents filed before October 9, 2023, may not be available on the Portal. For those older records, the Clerk’s Office accepts email requests directed to the appropriate division. Each request should include the type of record, party name(s), and case file number if known.
- Criminal files: Mecklenburg.Criminal@nccourts.org
- Civil files: Mecklenburg.Civil@nccourts.org
- Estate/Special Proceedings files: Mecklenburg.Estates@nccourts.org
The SelfServe Center, located in Suite 3350 of the courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street, also assists members of the public who are navigating court processes without an attorney.
Are Court Records Public in Mecklenburg County?
Court records in Mecklenburg County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Law (Chapter 132). This law establishes that records created or received by government agencies — including the courts — are available for public inspection and copying. The North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 18, further guarantees that all courts must be open and that every person has the right to access public records held by the state or its subdivisions.
Additionally, N.C.G.S. 7A-109 requires clerks of court to maintain and make available public records in both electronic and manual formats, following rules established by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Despite these broad access rights, certain categories of court records are restricted:
- Records sealed by court order
- Arrest and search warrants that have not been returned by law enforcement to the courts (N.C.G.S. 132-1.4(k))
- Settlement agreements in medical malpractice actions against public hospital facilities (N.C.G.S. 132-1.3(a))
- Juvenile case records, which carry strict confidentiality protections
- Adoption records
- Records involving involuntary commitment proceedings
- Records where disclosure would compromise the right to a fair trial, the integrity of an ongoing investigation, or the safety of witnesses
The eCourts Portal provides broad access to case data, but confidential case types are excluded from public-facing search results. Documents filed before October 2023 may only be accessible at the courthouse or through direct email requests to the Clerk’s Office divisions.
Mecklenburg County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Mecklenburg County are handled by both the Superior Court and the District Court. The Superior Court hears all felony cases, while the District Court handles misdemeanors and infractions. The Clerk of Superior Court is the official custodian of all criminal case records generated by both courts.
Searching Criminal Court Records
- eCourts Portal: Search the Portal by a defendant’s name or case number to view criminal case information, hearing dates, and filed documents.
- In-person terminals: Visit the courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street during business hours to use the public access computers in the Clerk’s Office. These non-certified searches are available at no charge, though printing fees may apply.
- Email requests: For criminal files predating October 2023, send requests to Mecklenburg.Criminal@nccourts.org with the party name and file number.
Certified Criminal Record Search
For a certified background check through the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court, the requester must complete and print Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it with a $25 fee. This search covers only Mecklenburg County court records — it is not a statewide search.
- In person: Pay by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check
- By mail: Pay by money order or certified check only (personal checks not accepted)
For statewide criminal history, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation offers fingerprint-based background checks. Businesses requiring ongoing access to criminal and civil court data across all North Carolina counties may apply through the Remote Public Access program.
Police and Arrest Records
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Records Division handles public requests for police reports. Crime incident reports are available at no charge, either in person at Police Headquarters or through the online crime reports system.
CMPD Records Division
Address: 601 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Email: publicrecords@cmpd.org
Local arrest history reports are no longer provided by CMPD. All arrest history requests should be directed to the Clerk of Superior Court at 832 East Fourth Street, where the search costs $25 paid in cash, certified check, or money order.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office also maintains records related to inmates and arrests. Current inmate information can be searched through the Sheriff’s online inmate lookup tool. The Sheriff’s main information line is (704) 336-8100, and the office is located at 700 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Mecklenburg County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Mecklenburg County fall under either the Superior Court or the District Court depending on the amount at issue. The District Court handles civil disputes involving amounts under $10,000, including small claims (magistrate court) matters such as evictions, personal loan defaults, and vehicle lien enforcement. The Superior Court handles civil matters exceeding that threshold, along with cases seeking equitable relief.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
- Online: Search the eCourts Portal by party name, case number, or attorney name for civil case information filed after October 2023.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court Office at the courthouse to use the public self-service terminals or request copies of civil filings from staff. The office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- By email: For civil files predating October 2023, send a request to Mecklenburg.Civil@nccourts.org with the party names and file number if available.
When requesting civil records, it is helpful to have the date the case was filed and the full names of the parties involved. Copy fees apply when requesting physical or electronic duplicates of court documents from the Clerk’s Office.
For property-related civil matters, the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds maintains land records, title transfers, mortgages, and related real property documents. Records can be searched using the online real estate records search or by visiting the Register of Deeds office.
Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds
Address: 720 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (704) 336-2443
Email: Deeds@MeckNC.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Mecklenburg County Family Court Records
The Mecklenburg County Family Court operates as part of the District Court system within the 26th Judicial District. District Court judges preside over family law matters, which include divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, equitable distribution of property, domestic violence protective orders, juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect proceedings, and termination of parental rights.
Locating Family Court Records
Family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Access methods include:
- In person: Visit the courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street to use the public terminals or request copies from the Clerk’s Office
- Online: Search the eCourts Portal for family court case information filed from October 2023 onward
- By email: Contact the appropriate Clerk division by email for records filed before October 2023
For family court administrative inquiries, the Family Court Administrator can be reached at (704) 686-0291 (email: Darwin.F.Rice@nccourts.org), and the Family Court Assistant Clerk at (704) 686-0535 (email: Lindsey.S.Barton@nccourts.org).
Juvenile case records and adoption records are confidential under North Carolina law and are not publicly available through the Portal or other search tools.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are part of the court case file and can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court at the county where the divorce was granted. These records can also be searched through the eCourts Portal for cases after October 2023. For statewide divorce certificate searches, the North Carolina Vital Records Office processes requests for $24.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds. Requests can be submitted:
- In person at 720 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 — bring a valid photo ID for certified copies
- Online through the marriage records request portal — processing fees apply and all major credit cards are accepted
- By mail — submit the request form with proof of identity to the Register of Deeds office
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified marriage certificate | $10 |
| Uncertified marriage certificate | $1 |
Under N.C.G.S. 130A-93, certified copies of vital records are available only to the person named on the record, their spouse, parents, siblings, children, stepchildren, step-parents, grandparents, or authorized agents and legal representatives. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-26A, fraudulently requesting a certified vital record is a felony.
Birth and Death Records
Mecklenburg County birth and death certificates are handled by the Office of Vital Records, not the Register of Deeds. Certificates for births and deaths that occurred in Mecklenburg County from 1913 to present cost $10. Requests can be made online, in person, or by mail.
Office of Vital Records
Address: 618 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
For births and deaths that occurred anywhere in North Carolina from 1971 to present, the Office of Vital Records can also process requests, but only in person. The cost for this statewide search is $24, with additional copies from the same search at $15 each. Only the individual named on the certificate or immediate family members are eligible to request certified copies. A current government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests.
Mecklenburg County Probate Court Records
North Carolina does not have a separate probate court. Instead, the elected Clerk of Superior Court functions as the probate judge in each county. In Mecklenburg County, estate hearings and probate matters are presided over by the Clerk and assistant clerks. The court handles cases involving the probate of wills, estate administration, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Searching Probate and Estate Records
- Online: The eCourts Portal includes estate and special proceedings records filed from October 2023 forward. Users can search by the decedent’s name, estate representative, or case number.
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s Office at 832 East Fourth Street to search records on the public terminals or request copies from staff.
- By email: For estate files predating October 2023, send requests to Mecklenburg.Estates@nccourts.org with the party name and file number.
- By phone: The estates division can be reached at (704) 686-0420.
Historical probate records, including wills from earlier periods, are available through the Mecklenburg County Archives maintained by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Additional information about the estate administration process is available on the NC Judicial Branch’s wills and estates help page.
Estate and probate records are generally public in Mecklenburg County. However, records involving guardianship proceedings for minors or incapacitated adults may contain restricted information. The Clerk’s Office also participates in the Clerk Mediation Program, which can help resolve disputes related to estates and special proceedings. Statewide judicial forms for probate filings, including estate inventories, accountings, and guardianship petitions, are available through the NC Judicial Branch website.