Moore County Court Records
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Moore County sits in the Sandhills region of central North Carolina and operates its court system through the 29th Judicial District. The county seat in Carthage houses both the Superior Court and the District Court, with the Clerk of Superior Court maintaining the primary court case files for the county. Whether you need to review a criminal disposition, pull civil case paperwork, or access estate records, Moore County offers several ways to find court documents — including in-person visits to the courthouse, mail-based requests, and online tools run by the state judiciary.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Moore County?
If you're searching for court records in North Carolina, start with the official clerk's offices, the public access terminals at courthouses, and the state's online platforms. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help you identify publicly available court case information and point you toward resources for your county.
In Moore County, the Clerk of Superior Court maintains files for both Superior Court and District Court proceedings. Here are the main ways to look up a case.
Online Search Through Portal
Moore County is part of the eCourts system, which went live in October 2024. The Portal platform lets the public search court records by name, citation number, county, and other criteria. You can use it to find hearing dates, view case information, and make payments. That said, the North Carolina Judicial Branch recommends visiting the county clerk's office directly if you're running a background check — Portal is not the right tool for that purpose.
In-Person Search
Self-service public access terminals are available inside the Moore County Courthouse. You 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 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
The clerk's office accepts payment in several forms depending on how you're submitting your request:
- 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 law establishes 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 carrying out public business. Court records fall within that framework, and most case files held by the Moore County Clerk of Superior Court are available for public inspection.
Several categories are restricted from general disclosure, however:
- 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 have 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 relevant request forms are Form AOC-G-114 for non-confidential recordings and Form AOC-G-115 for confidential proceedings.
To submit a formal public records request to the North Carolina Judicial Branch, use the Request a Public Record service page, which offers online, mail, and in-person submission options.
Moore County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Moore County cover felonies, misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, and juvenile crime cases. These records may include 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 have a few options:
- 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
You can submit formal requests for criminal record copies in person or by mail to the Clerk of Superior Court. You'll need:
- 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
If you're requesting your own criminal history, you can do so through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The fingerprint-based process works as follows:
- 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. Direct requests for arrest-related documents 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
Keep in mind 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. The District Court handles cases involving $25,000 or less, while the Superior Court takes 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 inspect files or obtain copies:
- 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 also provides a Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) User Manual with instructions for navigating the public access terminals used to search civil and special proceedings records.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims actions in Moore County are filed in District Court, typically heard before a magistrate, and involve disputes under a statutory dollar limit. 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. 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 has a dedicated Family Court program designed to move domestic legal matters toward timely and consistent resolution. 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 you call the Family Court office, have your file number ready — it appears in the upper right corner of court documents and is formatted as 00-CVD-0123. A Family Court Case Manager handles case-related questions.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records are stored by the Clerk of Superior Court. Because of the sensitive nature of domestic relations cases, access is more restricted than for general civil or criminal records. Those who can typically obtain copies include:
- 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 before they can be released.
Divorce Records
Moore County divorce judgments are kept 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. You can request copies 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 held at the Moore County Courthouse by the Clerk of Superior Court. To obtain copies or review 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.
- 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 — a useful resource for genealogical research and older probate matters.
Mediation in Estate Disputes
Moore County participates in the Clerk Mediation Program, which offers 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 operates in Moore County as well, appointing trained volunteers to advocate for 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.