New Hanover County Court Records Search

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    New Hanover County, located along North Carolina’s Cape Fear coast, is home to a court system anchored by the New Hanover County Courthouse in Wilmington. The North Carolina Judicial Branch administers courts in New Hanover County through both the Superior Court and the District Court, which together handle the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters filed within the county. The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the official custodian of court records for both courts and is the primary point of contact for anyone seeking to inspect or obtain copies of case files.

    Searching Court Records in New Hanover County:

    Several avenues exist for accessing court case information in North Carolina. Requesters can visit clerk’s offices directly, use public access terminals at the courthouse, submit written records requests, or search online through official state tools. As of February 3, 2025, New Hanover County went live on the eCourts system, meaning court records, case information, hearing schedules, and court documents are now searchable online through the state’s Portal tool. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may also assist in locating publicly available case information across the state.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in New Hanover County?

    Since February 2025, New Hanover County has been part of North Carolina’s statewide eCourts rollout, which includes three integrated tools: Portal, File & Serve (eFiling), and Guide & File.

    Online Case Search via Portal

    The NC Courts Portal is a free, publicly accessible tool available around the clock. It allows anyone to:

    • Search case information by party name, attorney name, or citation number
    • View court dates, hearings, and case documents
    • Search across New Hanover County or statewide
    • Make online credit card payments for court fines and fees

    No account registration is required for basic case searches. Portal replaced the prior requirement to visit the courthouse in person for routine case lookups.

    In-Person Access at the Courthouse

    For cases not fully reflected online, or when certified copies are needed, the Clerk of Superior Court’s office at the New Hanover County Courthouse remains the official source. Public self-service terminals in the clerk’s lobby allow name-based searches at no charge. Staff can assist with locating files and processing copy requests.

    New Hanover County Courthouse
    Address: 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402
    Phone: (910) 772-6600
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Mail-In Records Requests

    Written requests for certified copies may be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address above. Payments for mail requests must be submitted by money order or certified check; personal checks are not accepted.

    Online Public Records Request

    For county government records (not court records), the New Hanover County public records request portal is managed by the Office of Communications and accepts requests online.

    Are Court Records Public in New Hanover County?

    Court records in New Hanover County are public records under the North Carolina Public Records Act, codified at Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The Act establishes that all documents, papers, recordings, and information made, received, or compiled by North Carolina government agencies belong to the people and are open for inspection, examination, and copying.

    Restricted and Confidential Records

    Despite the broad presumption of openness, North Carolina law carves out specific categories of records that are withheld from public access:

    • Juvenile court records, including delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings
    • Adoption records
    • Records sealed by court order
    • Criminal investigation records whose disclosure would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation
    • Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal identifiers
    • Medical and mental health records
    • Tax records and information
    • Grand jury records
    • Emergency response and security plans
    • Child custody records classified as confidential by court order
    • Trade secrets and certain Secretary of State file information

    Viewing court records at the public self-service terminals in the Clerk’s Office is free of charge. Fees apply when requesting certified copies, and the Clerk of Court accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, money orders, and certified checks for copy payments.

    New Hanover County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in New Hanover County are divided between the Superior Court (which handles felonies and Class A1 misdemeanors) and the District Court (which handles most misdemeanors, infractions, and municipal ordinance violations). The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal court records for both divisions.

    Searching Criminal Court Cases

    Criminal case records can now be searched through the NC Courts Portal by party name, case number, or citation number. This search is free and available 24/7. For a certified record search, the NC Courts public access computers located in the clerk’s office lobby provide non-certified, name-based searches at no charge.

    Certified Criminal Background Check

    For a certified criminal record search limited to New Hanover County:

    1. Download and complete Form AOC-CR-314 (Request for Certified Criminal Record Search).
    2. Submit the completed form along with the $25 fee to the Clerk of Superior Court.
    3. Payment by mail: money order or certified check only (no personal checks).
    4. Payment in person: cash, credit card, money order, or certified check accepted.
    5. The search covers only New Hanover County court records and is not a statewide search.

    For a statewide criminal record check, the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) provides a non-certified statewide search with a fingerprint submission. Businesses and organizations requiring ongoing access to criminal and civil court data across all North Carolina counties can apply through the NCAOC’s Remote Public Access (RPA) program.

    Arrest Records

    Pre-trial arrest information — including arrest logs, booking records, and mugshots — is maintained by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement agencies. Access to arrest records may be restricted when release would endanger witnesses or compromise an active investigation under G.S. § 132-1.4.

    New Hanover County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in New Hanover County are heard by both the Superior Court (claims exceeding $25,000) and the District Court (civil claims up to $25,000, including small claims). The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all civil case files.

    Accessing Civil Records

    Civil court records are now accessible through the NC Courts Portal, where searches can be filtered by county, case type (civil), case status, and party name. In-person access is available through the public terminals at the clerk’s office lobby. Viewing civil case records is free; copies are subject to fees based on the number of pages requested.

    Individuals may also submit a Public Record Request Form through the NC Courts website, providing specific details about the records being sought. Valid government-issued identification is required when collecting physical copies in person.

    Small Claims

    Small claims cases filed in New Hanover County District Court are included in the Portal search system. Small claims matters involve claims generally not exceeding $10,000 and allow self-represented parties to present their cases before a magistrate.

    Electronic Filing

    Attorneys practicing in New Hanover County are now required to use File & Serve (eFiling) for all new and subsequent filings. Self-represented individuals may also use eFiling for eligible case types. Filing fees are automatically calculated during the eFiling submission process.

    New Hanover County Family Court Records

    The New Hanover County District Court operates a Family Court program, established in 2000, that consolidates all family-related cases before a dedicated team of judges. Family matters heard by the court include divorce and annulment, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support and alimony, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, foster care, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and emancipation.

    Family Court records in New Hanover County are generally public unless classified as confidential by statute or court order. Records involving juveniles — particularly abuse, neglect, and dependency cases — are restricted from public access under North Carolina law. Access to these records is limited to parties to the case, their attorneys, and persons specifically authorized by the court.

    Family Court Contact

    Family Court matters can be directed to the District Court clerk’s office:

    New Hanover County District Court – Family Court
    Address: 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
    Phone: (910) 772-6612

    For records held at the clerk’s offices, requests may also be directed to:

    New Hanover County Clerk of Court
    Address: 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 305, Wilmington, NC 28401

    Divorce Records

    Divorce decrees and court proceedings for divorces handled in New Hanover County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. North Carolina Vital Records holds divorce certificates dating back to 1958, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains older records. The NC Vital Records office is located at:

    Cooper Memorial Health Building
    225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

    Walk-in services at NC Vital Records require an appointment. The fee for a divorce certificate is $24 (non-refundable), which covers a standard search of one three-year period and includes one copy if the record is found.

    Marriage Records

    Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the New Hanover County Register of Deeds. The fee for a certified copy is $10; uncertified copies are $0.25. Marriage licenses require an in-person appointment at the Register of Deeds. Contact:

    New Hanover County Register of Deeds
    Address: 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 102, Wilmington, NC 28401
    Phone: (910) 798-4530

    New Hanover County Probate Court Records

    North Carolina does not maintain a separate probate court. In New Hanover County, probate jurisdiction rests with the Clerk of Superior Court, who acts as the ex officio judge of probate under North Carolina law. The New Hanover County Superior Court oversees formal probate proceedings, while the Clerk’s office administers the day-to-day processing of estates.

    What Probate Records Cover

    Probate records in New Hanover County include:

    • Wills admitted to probate and recorded with the Clerk
    • Petitions for letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Estate inventories and accountings
    • Orders and decrees approving or denying estate distributions
    • Guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorship records
    • Trusts filed with the court
    • Minor settlement records

    Wills and most probate filings are public records once filed with the Clerk of Court. Interested parties — such as heirs, creditors, and beneficiaries — may view these records at the courthouse or search through the NC Courts Portal for case-level information.

    Requesting Probate Records

    To obtain copies of probate documents, contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly at the New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, by phone at (910) 772-6600, or by mail to P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402. Certified copies are subject to per-page copy fees, and a valid government-issued ID is required for in-person collection. Some older estate records may require additional retrieval time if stored off-site.

    For property-related searches connected to estate matters, the New Hanover County Register of Deeds online search allows public searches of deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and other real estate instruments recorded in the county.

      New Hanover County Court Records Search - NorthCarolinaCourts.us