Onslow County Court Records Search

Onslow County, located in eastern North Carolina with its county seat in Jacksonville, maintains an extensive body of court records through its Superior and District Court system. These records—ranging from criminal case files and civil litigation documents to family law proceedings and probate matters—are generated and preserved by the courts as part of their daily operations. Residents, attorneys, researchers, and members of the public routinely need access to these records for legal proceedings, background research, property transactions, and personal matters. This guide provides a detailed overview of how to locate, request, and obtain court records in Onslow County, including the offices responsible for maintaining them, applicable fees, and relevant legal authorities.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Onslow County?

Onslow County court cases can be located through several channels, including online searches, in-person visits to the courthouse, and written requests by mail. The state of North Carolina provides centralized access to court case data through NorthCarolinaCourts.us, which connects users to official judicial resources. The eCourts Portal allows the public to search court records by name, citation number, county, and other criteria. Onslow County transitioned to the eCourts system in February 2025, and case information filed in the county can be searched through this statewide platform. In addition to the Portal, clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and other online tools offer pathways to finding case records.

Online Search Options

The primary online method for looking up an Onslow County court case is the eCourts Portal, operated by the North Carolina Judicial Branch. This tool allows users to search criminal, civil, special proceedings, and estates cases across all 100 North Carolina counties. Searches can be performed by party name, case number, or citation number at no charge.

For users who need bulk data or real-time programmatic access, the Remote Public Access Program (RPA) administered by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) provides licensed access to criminal and civil court data statewide. RPA offers two tiers of service:

Statutory authority for the RPA program is found in G.S. 7A-109(d) and (e) and G.S. 7A-343.2.

In-Person Search

Onslow County operates two courthouse facilities where records can be accessed in person:

Court	Address	Phone
Onslow County Superior Court	625 Court Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540	(910) 478-3600
Onslow County District Court	602 Anne Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540	(910) 478-3600

Both locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access computer terminals are available at the Onslow County Courthouse for self-service record searches. Staff at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office can also assist with locating records. Free parking is available on the corner of Court Street and Tallman Street and on Old Bridge Street across from the Summersill Building.

Mail Requests

Written requests for court records may be sent to the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. Each request should include enough detail to identify the case, such as a case number, party names, and approximate dates. Mail requests should be directed to:

Onslow County Courthouse
625 Court Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540

Copy Fees

When copies of court documents are requested, the Clerk’s office charges a fee. Plain (uncertified) copies are $2 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. A complete listing of applicable court costs is available on the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s current court costs page. If a search request requires significant staff assistance, the Clerk’s office may assess an additional labor charge.

Are Court Records Public in Onslow County?

Court records in Onslow County are generally open to public inspection under North Carolina’s Public Records Law (Chapter 132). Section 132-1 of the North Carolina General Statutes classifies records made or received by government agencies—including the courts—as public property, accessible to any person unless a specific statute provides otherwise.

Several categories of court records are restricted from public access:

Juvenile case records are shielded from public disclosure under North Carolina law to protect the privacy of minors involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Unreturned search and arrest warrants are confidential under G.S. 132-1.4A. Once law enforcement returns these warrants to the court, they become public.
Sealed records can only be withheld from public access when sealed by a specific court order.
Sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers is routinely redacted from publicly accessible court documents to prevent identity theft and fraud.
Medical malpractice claims involving public hospitals may have certain confidential components.
Adoption records are subject to significant privacy protections and are not freely accessible to the general public.

Members of the public may request a public record from the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Onslow County also maintains a public records request portal for county government records, though court-related records requests are directed to the Clerk of Superior Court or the state judiciary.

Onslow County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court cases in Onslow County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court handles felony prosecutions and hears appeals of misdemeanor and infraction cases from the District Court. The District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases and infractions at the trial level. Onslow County falls within Prosecutorial District 5 and Superior Court District 5.

How to Search Criminal Case Records

Criminal case records in Onslow County can be located through:

eCourts Portal – Search by defendant name, case number, or citation number through the Portal at no cost.
Public access terminals – Available at the Onslow County Courthouse for self-service criminal record searches. The North Carolina Judicial Branch notes that individuals can search, view, or email criminal background check information using these public computers without charge.
Clerk of Superior Court – Contact the office at (910) 478-3600 or email Onslow.clerk@nccourts.org for assistance with specific criminal case records.
Remote Public Access Program – Licensed users may access criminal court data statewide through the RPA program.

Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office

Arrest records in Onslow County are maintained by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, which operates separately from the court system.

Onslow County Sheriff’s Office
717 Court Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Phone: (910) 455-3113
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Members of the public may submit a public records request to the Sheriff’s Office for arrest-related records. The office may charge a copying fee.

State Criminal History Records

Individuals who wish to obtain their own North Carolina criminal history record can do so through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). The process requires submitting the Access to Criminal History (Right to Review) form by mail along with a $14 fee payable by money order or certified check. Additional details about conducting background checks—on oneself or on others—are available on the NCSBI’s Background Checks page.

Onslow County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Onslow County encompass a broad range of noncriminal legal disputes. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, as well as complex corporate and commercial litigation. The District Court handles civil matters involving smaller amounts, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil traffic violations.

Accessing Civil Records

Civil case documents can be obtained through the following methods:

Online – Use the eCourts Portal to search civil case information by party name or case number.
In person – Visit the Onslow County Courthouse at 625 Court Street or 602 Anne Street in Jacksonville. Public access terminals are available for self-service searches, and staff in the Clerk’s office can provide copies of case documents upon request.
By mail – Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court at 625 Court Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540, with sufficient identifying information (case number, party names, and approximate filing dates).
By phone or email – Contact the Clerk’s office at (910) 478-3600 or Onslow.clerk@nccourts.org to inquire about specific civil records or the procedures for obtaining them.

Local Rules and Forms

Onslow County maintains local rules and forms that govern civil case management procedures. Among the locally adopted rules are the Civil Calendar and Case Management Rules for the Fourth Judicial District, which apply to Onslow, Duplin, and Jones Counties. Local forms include the Onslow County Civil District Court Calendar Request, used for scheduling hearings. All statewide judicial forms are searchable through the NC Judicial Branch forms page.

Filing and Electronic Filing

Since Onslow County’s transition to the eCourts system in February 2025, parties may file civil documents electronically using the File & Serve platform. Self-represented litigants can use the Guide & File tool for assistance preparing and filing certain document types.

Onslow County Family Court Records

Onslow County does not operate a separate Family Court division. Instead, the District Court handles all domestic and family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, domestic violence protective orders, and termination of parental rights cases. Onslow County is part of the 5th Judicial District for domestic matters.

Types of Family-Related Records

Family court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Onslow County include filings and orders related to divorce and annulment proceedings, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support obligations, equitable distribution of marital property, domestic violence protective orders, and termination of parental rights (TPR) cases.

Accessing Family Court Records

Most family court records are treated as public records, though certain categories are restricted. Records involving juvenile abuse, neglect, or dependency proceedings, for instance, are confidential and accessible only to parties involved in the case or individuals with a court order.

Public family court records can be accessed through:

The eCourts Portal for basic case information
Public access terminals at the courthouse
Direct requests to the Clerk of Superior Court at (910) 478-3600
Written mail requests to 625 Court Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Domestic Case Local Rules and Forms

Onslow County has adopted specific local rules for domestic cases, including case management requirements and mandatory settlement procedures for family financial cases. Key local forms include:

The county also participates in the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program, with local rules governing the mediation process for the 4th Judicial District. The Family Financial Settlement Program provides another pathway toward resolving equitable distribution disputes.

Divorce Records

Divorce records from Onslow County cases are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Current court costs for obtaining copies are published on the NC Judicial Branch website.

Marriage Certificates and Vital Records

Marriage certificates are vital records maintained by the Onslow County Register of Deeds, not the court system. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, the following is required:

A completed Vital Records Request Form
A valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
A $10 fee (cash, money order, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or local check; card payments incur a 3% surcharge)

Only eligible individuals—including the registrant, immediate family members, authorized agents, legal representatives, and parties with a legal need—may request these records under N.C.G.S. 130A-93.

In-person requests can be made at the Register of Deeds’ physical office at 602 Anne Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Mail requests should be sent to the mailing address at 109 Old Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540, and should include the completed form, a photocopy of a valid ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $10 fee. Online requests are also accepted through the Register’s Records Requests page. The Register of Deeds can be reached at (910) 347-3451.

Birth and death records are classified as closed records under North Carolina law, with eligibility requirements similar to those for marriage certificates. These are available from the Register of Deeds using the same Vital Records Request Form and $10 fee.

Onslow County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Onslow County are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court, who serves as the probate judge under North Carolina law. The Estates and Special Proceedings Division oversees probate cases, which include the administration of decedents’ estates, the probate of wills, guardianship proceedings, and conservatorship matters. The Estates and Special Proceedings Division operates by appointment only—call (910) 478-3604 to schedule.

Types of Probate Records

Probate case files in Onslow County typically contain wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary or letters of administration, estate inventories and accountings, guardianship petitions and orders, and related filings. These records are generally accessible to the public unless a specific court order or statute restricts access.

How to Access Probate Records

Probate case information can be searched through the eCourts Portal, which includes estates cases. For more detailed records, such as copies of wills or estate filings, individuals should contact or visit the Clerk of Superior Court:

Phone: (910) 478-3600 (main) or (910) 478-3604 (Estates and Special Proceedings)
In person: 625 Court Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540
By mail: Onslow County Courthouse, 625 Court Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

The NC Judicial Branch publishes helpful guidance on the Wills and Estates help topic page, which explains the probate process, required forms, and related legal information. The estates court costs chart published by the Judicial Branch details fees for filing and obtaining copies of probate documents.

Property Records

While not part of the court system, Onslow County property records are frequently relevant to probate and estate administration. Property ownership records, deeds, and plats are maintained by the Register of Deeds and can be searched through the online deed index. Tax-related property information is available through the Onslow County Tax Office:

Office	Address	Phone	Fax
Onslow County Tax Office	234 NW Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540	(910) 989-2200	(910) 989-5818
Onslow County Register of Deeds	602 Anne Street (physical) / 109 Old Bridge Street (mailing), Jacksonville, NC 28540	(910) 347-3451	(910) 347-3340