Pasquotank County, North Carolina Court Records
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Pasquotank County sits in the northeastern corner of North Carolina, with Elizabeth City as its county seat. The county falls within North Carolina's First Judicial District, and its courts handle the full range of legal matters that generate official records — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic relations cases, probate proceedings, and more. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all of these records as the permanent documentation of judicial activity in the county, and they serve as a critical resource for attorneys, litigants, researchers, and members of the public seeking verified legal information.
You can locate court records in North Carolina through courthouse visits, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online systems. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help you find publicly available case information and identify the right resources at both the state and county level for your particular search.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pasquotank County?
Pasquotank County participates in the North Carolina Judicial Branch's eCourts digital case management platform, which means the public can access case information online without needing to visit the courthouse in person.
Online Search — NC Courts Portal
The NC Courts Portal lets you search court records, find hearing dates, and make payments online. You can search by name, attorney, citation number, or case number, and results cover both criminal and civil case data for Pasquotank County. This is the primary online method for checking case status and docket information.
In-Person Search
The Clerk of Superior Court's office maintains public self-service terminals at the courthouse. These allow you to search case records during regular business hours and are also the right path for requesting certified copies of court documents.
Pasquotank County Courthouse — Clerk of Superior Court
Address: 206 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 449, Elizabeth City, NC 27907
Phone: (252) 331-4600
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Clerk: Jennifer Thompson
Mail Payment for Court Fees
When submitting payments by mail, send a money order or certified check — no cash or personal checks are accepted — made payable to Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court, to the P.O. Box 449 address above. Include the citation number for traffic matters.
Remote Public Access Program
If you need broader data access across all 100 North Carolina counties, the NC Administrative Office of the Courts Remote Public Access Program (RPA) provides both criminal and civil court data for licensed users. An RPA Online Access portal is also available for individual remote queries.
Are Court Records Public in Pasquotank County?
North Carolina's Public Records Law, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, establishes that most records generated by government agencies — including court records — are presumed public and available for inspection and copying by anyone. The NC Judicial Branch's public records request page outlines procedures for obtaining judicial records, including in-person, mail, and online options depending on the type of record.
That said, Chapter 132 contains significant exceptions that restrict access to certain categories of records:
- Juvenile court records — confidential under North Carolina law and inaccessible to the general public
- Sealed records — removed from public view by court order
- Sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly produced copies
- Medical records — health information contained within court files is protected
- Records under federal confidentiality restrictions — certain materials are withheld by operation of federal law
Under G.S. Chapter 132-11, confidential records that are not expressly prohibited from disclosure under federal law, sealed by court order, or related to juveniles or federal identification numbers will become public records 100 years after their creation. This provision preserves the long-term historical accessibility of court documents while maintaining current confidentiality protections.
Pasquotank County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Pasquotank County are heard in the Superior Court (felonies) and District Court (misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings), both operating out of the courthouse at 206 East Main Street. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal case records for both divisions.
How to Search Criminal Records
- NC Courts Portal — The NC Courts Portal is the primary online search tool for Pasquotank criminal case records, allowing name and case number searches.
- Public terminals — Available at the clerk's office during business hours for in-person searches of criminal dockets.
- Certified copies — Available upon request at the clerk's office; a reproduction fee applies.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
Arrest records, incident reports, and current inmate information for Pasquotank County are maintained by the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office. You can contact the Sheriff's Office directly for law enforcement records requests.
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
Address: 200 East Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 338-2191
Fax: (252) 338-1667
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
For statewide criminal offender information — including data on state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees — the NC Department of Adult Correction offender search is publicly accessible online. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also handles formal criminal background checks on others for a fee of $25.
Criminal History Restrictions
Expunged criminal records are not accessible to the public. Once a court grants expungement, those records are legally removed from public view. The NC Judicial Branch provides guidance on eligibility and procedures through its expunctions help topic.
Pasquotank County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pasquotank County are split between the District Court — which handles small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and lower-value civil claims — and the Superior Court, which handles larger civil cases, appeals, and equity matters. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains civil records for both divisions.
Small Claims Court
Small claims cases are heard in the District Court's magistrate division. The filing fee for a small claims action in Pasquotank County is $96.00, consistent with the statewide fee set by the North Carolina General Assembly. An additional fee of $30.00 per defendant applies for service. Small claims are generally limited to disputes involving $10,000 or less — ask the clerk's office to confirm the current local threshold.
Civil Case Search
The NC Courts Portal covers civil docket information for Pasquotank County and allows searches by party name or case number. The clerk's office also maintains public self-service terminals for in-person civil record lookups.
Requesting Civil Records
To obtain certified copies of civil case documents, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in person or by mail. Provide the names of the parties and the approximate filing date or case number. Fees apply for certified copies. In-person payment methods include cash, credit/debit card (with processing fees), money orders, and certified checks — personal checks are not accepted. Mail payments must be money orders or certified checks only.
Clerk of Superior Court (Civil)
Address: 206 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Clerk's civil responsibilities include maintaining records of bond issues, foreclosure orders, and civil judgments, as well as investing funds for minors from personal injury and wrongful death settlements.
Pasquotank County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Pasquotank County are handled through the District Court and administered through the Clerk of Superior Court's office. The Clerk maintains records of divorce proceedings, juvenile and domestic relations matters, adoptions, and custody matters, and also appoints and supervises guardians for minor children and adults who require oversight.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are filed and heard in the District Court, and the Clerk of Superior Court maintains the resulting records. Certified copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the clerk's office at 206 East Main Street — have the names of both parties and the approximate case date ready when you make your request. A divorce certificate (as distinct from the court judgment) is restricted to the parties involved, their immediate family members, or legal representatives. You can also search through the NC Courts Portal or the clerk's public terminal.
Marriage Records and Licenses
Marriage records are maintained by the Pasquotank County Register of Deeds, not the Clerk of Courts. Marriage licenses are issued through that same office, and appointments are required — call (252) 335-4367 to schedule. Marriage records are accessible to any member of the public, though certified copies are restricted to the couple, close relatives, or legal representatives.
Pasquotank County Register of Deeds
Address: 203 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 154, Elizabeth City, NC 27907-0154
Phone: (252) 335-4367
Fax: (252) 335-5106
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Vital Records Fees
| Record Type | Certified Copy | Non-Certified Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Certificate | $10.00 | $0.25 |
| Birth Certificate | $10.00 | $0.25 |
| Death Certificate | $10.00 | $0.25 |
Mail requests must include a money order (personal checks not accepted), along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, sent to the P.O. Box 154 address above.
Birth Records
Birth records are filed with the Register of Deeds after creation. Uncertified copies are available to the public. Certified copies are restricted to the record subject, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandparents, legal representatives, or persons seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights (proof of interest required). Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the Register of Deeds online vital records portal.
Death Records
Death records are also maintained by the Register of Deeds. Certified copies are restricted to immediate family members, authorized agents or attorneys, and persons with a direct legal or property interest. Uncertified copies are publicly available. The request process and fees mirror those for birth and marriage records.
Adoption and Custody
Adoption records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court are confidential and not publicly accessible. Child custody records are part of the civil/domestic relations court file maintained by the Clerk. Access to these records follows the general public records rules under Chapter 132, with sensitive or sealed portions withheld.
Pasquotank County Probate Court Records
North Carolina does not have a separate probate court. In Pasquotank County, probate and estate matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of Superior Court, who exercises judicial authority over wills, estate administration, guardianships, and related proceedings. The clerk's office provides direct support for family members and attorneys handling estates, appoints and supervises guardians for minor children and incapacitated adults, and handles wrongful death settlement funds for minors.
Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court — Estates Division
Address: 206 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
Estates Email: Pasquotank.Estates@nccourts.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Common Probate Matters Handled by the Clerk:
- Probating wills and issuing letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Supervising estate administration and inventories
- Handling intestate succession proceedings (estates without a will)
- Appointing guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Overseeing conservatorships
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the NC Courts Portal by party name or case number. Public access terminals at the courthouse also allow in-person searches of probate dockets. The NC Judicial Branch's Wills and Estates help topic provides additional guidance on the probate process in North Carolina.
To request certified copies of probate documents, contact the Clerk's Estates Division in person or by mail. Provide the decedent's full name and approximate date of death or estate filing to help locate the correct record. Fees apply for certified copies. Most probate records are generally public, though certain guardianship and adoption files carry restricted access consistent with North Carolina's confidentiality statutes. It's worth contacting the Estates Division directly before visiting to confirm record availability.