Robeson County Court Records
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Robeson County lies in the southeastern region of North Carolina and is part of the state's 20th Judicial District. The county seat of Lumberton houses the main courthouse where both the Superior Court and District Court hear criminal, civil, domestic, and juvenile matters. The Clerk of Superior Court — a constitutionally elected official — creates and maintains all official records, including filings, orders, judgments, motions, exhibits, and audio or video recordings produced during court proceedings. These records are used by attorneys, judges, researchers, and members of the public who need to verify case outcomes, conduct background checks, or monitor legal proceedings.
People searching for court case information in North Carolina can use the state judiciary's online case search tools, visit the clerk of court office for in-person access, or request records by mail. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help you identify court locations, access case search tools, and find publicly available case information across the state's trial and appellate courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Robeson County?
There are several practical ways to search for court records in Robeson County, whether you need a quick case status check, a certified document, or a comprehensive background search.
Online Case Search — NC eCourts Portal
Robeson County went live on the NC eCourts system in February 2025. The eCourts Portal lets anyone search court records online by name, citation number, case number, attorney, and county. Results display hearing dates, case status, and filings. It's free to use and requires no registration.
Public Self-Service Terminals
Every North Carolina courthouse — including the Robeson County Courthouse — has public self-service computer terminals. These terminals provide access to criminal and civil case data statewide. Viewing records is free; printing paper copies incurs a nominal fee. Terminals are available during regular courthouse hours.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk's Office
You can inspect paper case files by visiting the Clerk of Superior Court's office during business hours. Staff can provide copies of court documents for a fee.
Robeson County Courthouse
Address: 500 North Elm Street, Room 101, Lumberton, NC 28359
Phone: (910) 671-3000
Clerk of Superior Court: (910) 272-5900
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15 AM–5:00 PM
Mailing Address:
Robeson County Courthouse
P.O. Box 1084
Lumberton, NC 28359
Mail Requests
Written requests for copies can be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the address above. Include the case party's name, case number (if known), and a description of the documents you need. Payment by money order or certified check should be enclosed to cover reproduction and certification costs.
Audio Recordings of Court Proceedings
If a hearing was recorded by the clerk or a digital recording technician, you can request a copy of the audio recording using Form AOC-G-114 for non-confidential cases. For confidential proceedings — such as juvenile or involuntary hospitalization cases — Form AOC-G-115 must be filed with the court for judicial authorization.
Washington State Digital Archives
Historical Robeson County court records may also be accessible through the NC State Archives, which holds older court filings for research and genealogical purposes.
Are Court Records Public in Robeson County?
North Carolina law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes declares that public records made or received by any court are the property of the people, regardless of physical form — whether paper documents, photographs, recordings, or electronic files.
Anyone may inspect or obtain copies of public court records from the Clerk of Superior Court's office. The eCourts Portal and the Remote Public Access Program also make case data available statewide.
Records Restricted from Public Access
Despite the broad presumption of openness, certain categories of records are restricted by federal or state law:
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Involuntary hospitalization case files
- Trade secrets
- Social Security numbers
- Sensitive law enforcement investigative materials
- Trial preparation files
- Confidential informant identities
Accessing restricted records generally requires a court order from the judge who presided over the relevant case. Under NC General Statute Chapter 132, all restrictions on public records access expire 100 years after the record's creation.
Redaction and Personal Identifiers
Court filings should not contain full Social Security numbers, and parties are responsible for omitting or redacting sensitive information before submitting documents.
Robeson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Robeson County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on offense severity. The Superior Court handles all felony prosecutions and appeals of misdemeanor convictions from District Court. The District Court adjudicates misdemeanors and infractions, and issues arrest warrants and bail.
Criminal Case Search Options
- eCourts Portal — Search the NC eCourts Portal by defendant name, case number, or citation number to view criminal case information, court dates, and disposition details.
- Public terminals — Use the self-service computers in the Robeson County Courthouse clerk's office to search criminal records statewide at no charge. Printing may incur a fee.
- Criminal calendar search — The Superior Court and District Court criminal calendar displays upcoming criminal and infraction hearings by court type and defendant name.
- Court date search — The NC Judicial Branch Court Date Search tool provides dates, times, and locations for scheduled court appearances.
Certified Criminal Background Checks
A certified, single-county criminal record search covering only Robeson County records can be obtained through the Clerk of Superior Court's office by submitting Form AOC-CR-314 with a $25 fee. This is not a statewide check.
Accepted payment methods:
- In person: Credit card, cash, money order, or certified check
- By mail: Money order or certified check only (personal checks are not accepted)
Statewide Criminal History — NC State Bureau of Investigation
The NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) offers fingerprint-based criminal history checks through the Right to Review process. Applicants can receive a copy of their North Carolina criminal record for $14 by submitting:
- A written request
- A legible fingerprint card
- Proof of identity
- A money order or certified check payable to the NC State Bureau of Investigation
Mail requests to:
NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Applicant Unit — Right to Review
3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
NC Department of Public Safety Offender Search
The Public Offender Search maintained by the NC Department of Public Safety lets anyone look up individuals who have served or are currently serving time in state prisons, or who are on parole or probation.
Robeson County Sheriff's Office
The Records Division of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and warrant information.
Robeson County Sheriff's Office
Address: 120 Legend Road, Lumberton, NC 28358
Phone: (910) 671-3100
Remote Public Access Program
For businesses and organizations that need ongoing access to criminal data, the NC Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Remote Public Access (RPA) Program. RPA provides real-time statewide criminal background checks and bulk criminal data extracts through a licensing agreement.
Robeson County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Robeson County are split between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the amount in controversy. The Superior Court handles civil cases valued at $25,000 or more, while the District Court adjudicates claims under $25,000. Magistrates within the District Court hear small claims of $10,000 or less, landlord-tenant evictions, personal property recovery actions, and motor vehicle mechanic's liens.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case files are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be accessed in several ways:
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at 500 North Elm Street, Room 101, Lumberton to inspect files and request copies during business hours.
- Public terminals — Use the courthouse self-service computers to search and view civil case data. The NC Judicial Branch provides a user manual for the civil case processing system (VCAP) to help navigate the terminals.
- Online — Search the eCourts Portal for civil case information by party name, case number, or attorney.
- By mail — Send a written request with the party's name and case number to the Clerk at P.O. Box 1084, Lumberton, NC 28359. Include payment for copy fees.
Civil Court Calendar
Upcoming civil court dates, times, and courtroom assignments can be viewed on the Robeson County Civil Court Calendar. Calendars typically remain posted for five business days after the scheduled court date.
Available Programs
Robeson County participates in several court-connected dispute resolution programs, including the Clerk Mediation Program and Court-Ordered Arbitration, which may affect the progression and documentation of civil cases.
Robeson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Robeson County are primarily handled by the District Court, though the Superior Court exercises jurisdiction over certain domestic proceedings. Cases in the family law context include divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution of property, enforcement of separation agreements, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency cases involving children under 18.
Requesting Family Court Records
The Clerk of Superior Court's office maintains records for all family law proceedings. You can request copies in person, by phone at (910) 272-5105, or by mailing a written request to the clerk's office. Certain domestic relations records may be restricted from general public access, and non-parties may need a court order to obtain copies.
Robeson County also participates in the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program, the Family Financial Settlement Program, and the Guardian ad Litem program, all of which may generate records filed with the court.
Juvenile Court Records
Juvenile delinquency and child welfare matters are heard at the Juvenile Court Facility:
Juvenile Court Facility
Address: 120 Glen Cowan Road, Lumberton, NC 28360
Phone: (910) 671-6290
Juvenile court records are confidential. Copies of audio recordings from juvenile proceedings require judicial authorization through Form AOC-G-115.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Robeson County are issued by the Register of Deeds. The license fee is $70, which includes one certified copy. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each, plus a $1 processing fee per additional copy. The Register of Deeds office is located at 550 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358, and can be reached at (910) 671-3040. Online orders for marriage certificates are delivered to the Register of Deeds office, where requesters must present valid identification for pickup.
Under NC General Statute 130A-93, certified copies of marriage certificates are limited to the couple, their siblings, direct ancestors or descendants, stepparents, stepchildren, or authorized legal representatives. Uncertified copies may be available to other requesters.
Marriage and divorce certificates can also be ordered through NC Vital Records for a nonrefundable $24 search fee per three-year period. Marriage records are available from 1962 onward, and divorce certificates from 1958 to the present. The Order a Certificate page walks you through the ordering process. In-person visits to NC Vital Records are by appointment only.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are available from the Robeson County Register of Deeds or through NC Vital Records. The Register of Deeds charges $10 per certified copy plus a $1 processing fee. NC Vital Records charges a $24 nonrefundable search fee (covering one copy if found) and holds birth records from 1913 and death records from 1930 onward.
These records are not freely accessible to the general public. Only the subject of the record, parents, spouses, children, or authorized legal representatives may obtain certified copies. Applicants must present valid photo identification — such as a government-issued driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID.
The NC State Archives holds death certificates from 1906 to 1981 and may have additional historical vital records. Requests can be submitted using the archives copy request form by mail or fax, or by emailing archives@dncr.nc.gov with your name, mailing address, and the details needed to locate the record.
Robeson County Probate Court Records
Under NC General Statute 7A-241, the Superior Court division holds original jurisdiction over probate matters in North Carolina. In Robeson County, the Clerk of Superior Court oversees the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates, and guardianship proceedings involving incapacitated adults and minors' estates.
Types of Probate Records
Records maintained by the clerk's office in probate matters include:
- Petitions to probate a will
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Claims against estates
- Guardianship petitions, orders, and annual reports
- Proceedings involving incompetency determinations
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the eCourts Portal or at the public self-service terminals in the Robeson County Courthouse. Civil case processing terminals in the clerk's office include estates and special proceedings data.
Requesting Probate Documents
Anyone seeking copies of probate records can visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at 500 North Elm Street during regular business hours, or contact the office at (910) 272-5900 to ask about specific record retrieval procedures. Written requests can be mailed to P.O. Box 1084, Lumberton, NC 28359. Having a case party name or case number on hand will speed up retrieval, and reproduction fees apply at the clerk's discretion.
Real estate records arising from probate proceedings — such as liens, judgments, and property transfers from estates — may also be on file at the clerk's office or the Register of Deeds office, which maintains a searchable Land Records database for deeds, mortgages, and plats.