Moore County Court Records Search
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Moore County, located in the Sandhills region of central North Carolina, operates its judicial system through the 29th Judicial District. The county seat in Carthage houses both the Superior Court and District Court, with the Clerk of Superior Court serving as the primary custodian of court case files. Whether you need to review a criminal disposition, retrieve civil case paperwork, or access estate records, Moore County provides several avenues for locating court documents — including in-person visits, mail-based requests, and digital tools maintained by the state judiciary.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Moore County?
Residents and members of the public searching for court records in North Carolina can begin by consulting official clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and state-operated online platforms. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information and locate resources relevant to their county.
In Moore County, court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, who oversees files for both Superior Court and District Court proceedings. The primary methods for looking up a case are outlined below.
Online Search Through Portal
Moore County is part of the eCourts system, which went live in October 2024. The Portal platform allows the public to search court records by name, citation number, county, and other criteria. Portal can be used to find hearing dates, view case information, and make payments. However, the North Carolina Judicial Branch advises that individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk’s office rather than Portal.
In-Person Search
Self-service public access terminals are available at the Moore County Courthouse. Visitors can search by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name. Paper case files can also be reviewed at the clerk’s office during business hours, and staff can produce copies of court documents for a fee.
Moore County Courthouse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 Monroe Street, Carthage, NC 28327 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 936, Carthage, NC 28327 |
| Main Phone | (910) 722-5000 |
| Civil Division | (910) 947-6179 |
| Criminal Division | (910) 947-1950 |
| Fax | (910) 947-1444 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Payment Methods for Court Fees
When paying for copies or other court services, the clerk’s office accepts the following:
- In person: Cash, credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover — processing fees apply), money order, or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
- By mail: Money order or certified check payable to “Moore County Clerk of Superior Court”. No cash or personal checks.
- Online: Credit/debit card through the eCourts Portal services, where eligible.
Are Court Records Public in Moore County?
North Carolina maintains a strong presumption of public access to government records. Under Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, public records include documents made or received by government agencies in the transaction of public business. Court records fall within this framework, and most case files maintained by the Moore County Clerk of Superior Court are available for public inspection.
That said, several categories of court documents are restricted from general disclosure:
- Grand jury proceedings
- Documents containing information gathered by probation officers
- Records evaluating a defendant’s capacity to stand trial
- Judicial notes, drafts, and internal memoranda prepared by judges
- Records involving malpractice actions filed against hospital facilities
- Juvenile case records (confidential by statute)
- Involuntary commitment proceedings
Courts also retain discretion to seal or redact records when public access could compromise a fair trial or violate a party’s privacy rights. Confidential court proceedings — such as juvenile matters and involuntary hospitalization cases — require a court order before audio recordings or transcripts can be released. The appropriate forms for requesting such materials are Form AOC-G-114 (non-confidential recordings) and Form AOC-G-115 (confidential proceedings).
Anyone wishing to submit a formal public records request to the North Carolina Judicial Branch can do so through the Request a Public Record service page, which provides options for online, mail, and in-person submissions.
Moore County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Moore County encompass felonies, misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, and juvenile crime cases. These records may contain arrest data, charges, court appearances, sentencing details, and probation information. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains criminal case files for both District Court and Superior Court proceedings.
Searching Criminal Court Records
To look up a criminal case, you may:
- Visit the Moore County Courthouse and use the public access terminal to search by defendant name or case number.
- Go to the criminal division of the clerk’s office at the courthouse. Phone: (910) 947-1950.
- Search online using the Portal platform for basic case information and court dates.
Requesting Certified Criminal Record Copies
Formal requests for criminal record copies can be submitted in person or by mail to the Clerk of Superior Court. Requirements include:
- A completed Request for Criminal Record form (AOC-CR-314)
- A fee of $25, payable by money order or check to the “Clerk of the Superior Court of Moore County” for mail requests
State-Level Criminal Background Checks
Record subjects seeking their own criminal history can request a background check through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The fingerprint-based process involves these steps:
- Download and complete the Right to Review Form.
- Visit the Moore County Sheriff’s Office to have fingerprints taken on an FD-358 card.
- Have a law enforcement officer complete page 4 of the fingerprint card.
- Include a $14 money order or check payable to “NC State Bureau of Investigation”.
- Mail all documents to:
NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Civilian Services Unit — Right to Review
Post Office Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Moore County Sheriff’s Office
The Moore County Sheriff’s Office maintains incident reports and arrest records. Requests for arrest-related records can be directed to:
Rick Rhyne Public Safety Center
302 South McNeill Street
Carthage, NC 28327
Phone: (910) 947-2931
Tip Line: (910) 947-4444
Fax: (910) 947-5558
Note that juvenile criminal records are confidential under North Carolina law and are only accessible to eligible parties such as the juvenile’s attorney, parents, or authorized agencies.
Moore County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Moore County document non-criminal disputes, including general civil actions, small claims cases, foreclosures, liens, administrative agency appeals, and equity matters. Jurisdiction over civil cases is shared between the District Court (cases involving $25,000 or less) and the Superior Court (cases exceeding that threshold or involving certain types of equitable relief).
Accessing Civil Case Files
All civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. To obtain copies or inspect files:
- Visit the clerk’s office at the Moore County Courthouse during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
- Provide the case number or party name to locate the file.
- Staff will produce copies for a fee based on the number of pages and format requested.
Civil case information can also be searched through the Portal system. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides a Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) User Manual with instructions for navigating the public access terminals used to look up civil and special proceedings records.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims actions in Moore County are filed in District Court. These cases involve disputes under a statutory dollar limit and are typically heard before a magistrate. Records of small claims proceedings are part of the civil case file system and can be accessed through the same clerk’s office channels.
Property-Related Court Records
The clerk’s office also holds records of court proceedings affecting real property, including foreclosures, evictions, partitions, condemnations, and liens on real property. For deed records and other real estate instruments, the Moore County Register of Deeds maintains a separate online repository for real estate indexes, searchable by party name, date filed, document type, and subdivision. Additional property searches are available through the county’s iCare system by owner name, parcel ID, address, or interactive map.
Moore County Family Court Records
Moore County operates a dedicated Family Court program designed to facilitate timely and consistent resolution of domestic legal matters. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over family law cases, which include divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity actions, adoption, and juvenile delinquency matters.
Family Court Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Family Court Phone | (910) 722-5015 or (910) 722-5067 |
| Family Court Fax | (910) 722-5013 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
When contacting the Family Court office, have your file number ready (located in the upper right corner of court documents, formatted as 00-CVD-0123). A Family Court Case Manager serves as the point of contact for case-related questions.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records are stored by the Clerk of Superior Court. Due to the sensitive nature of domestic relations cases, access is more restricted than for general civil or criminal records. Typically, the following individuals may obtain copies:
- The parties named in the case
- Immediate family members
- Attorneys of record and authorized legal representatives
Juvenile case records — including juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect/dependency matters — are confidential by statute and require court authorization for release.
Divorce Records
Moore County divorce judgments are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Copies can be requested in person at the clerk’s office for a fee. North Carolina requires at least one year of continuous separation before a court will grant an absolute divorce.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the Moore County Register of Deeds, not the court system. Copies can be obtained online, by mail, or in person.
- Online: Use the online vital records request portal to submit a request and upload a valid photo ID.
- By mail: Send a completed Application for Certified Copy of a Vital Record, a photocopy of valid ID, and payment to:
Moore County Register of Deeds Office
P.O. Box 1210
Carthage, NC 28327
- In person: Visit the Register of Deeds at 26 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor (Vital Records), Carthage, NC. Phone: (910) 947-6370
Fees are $10 for a certified copy and $0.25 for an uncertified copy. Under N.C. General Statute 130A-93, only the record subject, immediate family members (parents, grandparents, siblings, current spouse, children), and authorized agents or attorneys are eligible to receive certified copies.
Moore County also participates in statewide programs including the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program and the Family Financial Settlement Program, both of which generate records that become part of the family court file.
Moore County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, probate matters are handled as “special proceedings” under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of Superior Court, who acts as the probate judge. Moore County probate records cover the administration and distribution of estates, filing and probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and name changes.
Locating Probate Records
All probate case files are maintained at the Moore County Courthouse by the Clerk of Superior Court. To obtain copies or inspect probate records:
- Visit the clerk’s office in person during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
- Provide the estate file number or the decedent’s name.
- The clerk’s staff will retrieve the file and can produce copies for a fee.
Clerk of Superior Court (Probate/Estates)
Moore County Courthouse
P.O. Box 936
Carthage, NC 28327
Phone: (910) 947-2396
Online Probate Resources
Basic estate and special proceedings case information can be searched through the Portal system. For historical estate files, the North Carolina State Archives maintains Moore County estate records dating back to the colonial period, which can be useful for genealogical research and older probate matters.
Mediation in Estate Disputes
Moore County participates in the Clerk Mediation Program, which provides mediation services for disputes arising in estates and special proceedings. A list of certified mediators is available through the Find a Mediator service on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Guardianship Records
Guardianship appointments — whether for minors or incapacitated adults — are filed as special proceedings and maintained by the clerk. The Guardian ad Litem program also operates in Moore County, appointing trained volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children involved in abuse, neglect, or dependency cases. Records related to these proceedings are generally confidential and require court authorization for access.
Statewide judicial forms for estates and special proceedings — including petitions for estate administration, annual accountings, and guardianship applications — are available for download from the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.