Rowan County Court Records

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    Rowan County is a Piedmont county in North Carolina, with Salisbury as its county seat. Its court system operates within Prosecutorial District 27, Superior Court District 27, and District Court District 27. The Rowan County Courthouse is the central location for both Superior Court and District Court proceedings. Court records here encompass all documents prepared, received, and kept by the courts during judicial proceedings — pleadings, motions, notices, admitted evidence, orders, and judgments.

    If you need to find court case information, you have a few options. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access through clerk offices, public access computer terminals at the courthouse, and a statewide online portal. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available case information and connect to official court tools and clerk resources across the state.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Rowan County?

    All Superior Court and District Court proceedings in Rowan County take place at the Rowan County Courthouse, which also houses the Clerk of Superior Court office — the office responsible for managing all court records for both courts.

    Rowan County Courthouse

    Address210 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
    Phone: (Clerk of Superior Court)(704) 797-3001
    Phone: (District Court)(704) 797-3011
    HoursMonday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    Estates DepartmentBy appointment only — call (704) 797-3005

    Available Search Methods:

    1. North Carolina Courts Portal (Online)
    Start with the statewide NC Courts Portal, which lets you search case records by name, case number, attorney, and more. It's free, open to the public, and covers criminal and civil cases across all counties, including Rowan.

    2. Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse
    Self-service computers are available on-site at the clerk's office during regular hours. You can search, view, and email court records at no charge. Keep in mind that results from these terminals are not certified, and printing charges may apply.

    3. Docket Calendars
    The NC Judicial Branch maintains searchable docket calendars online. Use the Rowan County Criminal Docket Schedule Calendar or the Rowan County Civil Docket Schedule Calendar to look up upcoming court dates by case type.

    4. In-Person Requests
    You can request copies of court records directly from staff at the Clerk of Superior Court office. Staff can help pull specific files and calculate fees. Bring a valid ID. The public entrance to the Rowan County Courthouse is on Liberty Street, with handicap-accessible ramps available. Everyone entering the building goes through a security screening and metal detector. Cameras, recording devices, and most sharp objects are not allowed inside.

    5. Mail Requests
    Send written requests to the Clerk of Superior Court, 210 N. Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Include the subject's full name, the case number if you have it, a description of the records you need, and payment by money order or certified check.

    6. Recorded Document Search (Register of Deeds)
    The Rowan County Register of Deeds runs a separate Online Document Search portal for land and property records. You can search as a guest or subscriber by entering a grantor or grantee name, with optional filters for date and index type.

    Are Court Records Public in Rowan County?

    North Carolina court records are governed by the North Carolina Public Records Act, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. Under this law, all custodians of public records must allow inspection and copying at appropriate times under reasonable supervision, and must provide copies promptly upon payment of any required fees. You don't have to explain why you want access to a public record.

    That said, certain categories of records are exempt from public access under state law or by court order. Records that may be withheld or restricted include:

    • Juvenile case records
    • Sealed court records (accessible only by court order)
    • Criminal investigations intelligence information
    • Records revealing an individual's signature, date of birth, Social Security number, or driver's license number
    • Trade secrets and confidential business information
    • Private property of an individual not related to government functions

    Under NCGS 132-1.4, law enforcement agencies follow specific rules about access to investigative records, including those tied to ongoing criminal matters. Active investigation records are generally not public until the investigation has concluded or discovery obligations require disclosure.

    If you need to request public records held by Rowan County government offices — as opposed to court records — you can use the Rowan County Public Records Request process by calling (704) 216-8774 or writing to Rowan County Administration, 130 W. Innes Street, Suite 200, Salisbury, NC 28144. Court records specifically go through the Clerk of Superior Court.

    Rowan County Criminal Court Records

    Felony cases are heard in Rowan County Superior Court. The District Court handles misdemeanors, most infractions, violations of local ordinances, and preliminary hearings across all criminal case categories; it may also accept guilty pleas in certain felony matters. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records for both courts.

    Searching Criminal Records:

    • Certified Search by Name (Single County): Submit Form AOC-CR-314 to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. Pay by money order or certified check if mailing; cash, credit card, money order, or certified check if appearing in person. Personal checks are not accepted. This search covers Rowan County only and is not a statewide background check.
    • Non-Certified Self-Service Search: Free through the public access terminals at the courthouse or the NC Courts Portal. Results are not certified; printing fees may apply.
    • Criminal Docket Calendar: The Rowan County Criminal Docket Calendar shows scheduled criminal court dates and is searchable online.

    Sheriff's Office Records:

    The Rowan County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and criminal law enforcement information for the county. You can access recent arrests and wanted persons lists through the Sheriff's Police to Citizen portal.

    Rowan County Sheriff's Office

    Address232 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
    Phone(704) 216-8700
    Fax(704) 216-8674

    Statewide Background Checks (NCSBI):
    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) offers statewide criminal record searches. Private individuals may request their own record through the Right to Review fingerprint-based process for a fee of $14.00. Organizations with statutory authority may use the NCSBI for employee background checks. The NCSBI Customer Service Unit is at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610; Phone: (919) 582-8660; email CIISHelp@ncsbi.gov. Businesses needing ongoing or bulk access to court data can apply for the NC Administrative Office of the Courts Remote Public Access (RPA) program.

    Rowan County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Rowan County are divided between the Superior Court and District Court based on the amount in dispute. The Superior Court handles general civil claims exceeding $25,000, injunctions, declaratory relief, constitutional rights claims, most administrative agency appeals, and complex business matters. The District Court hears general civil claims of $25,000 or less, as well as protection from domestic abuse petitions and civil no-contact order requests.

    Accessing Civil Records:

    • Online: Search civil cases through the NC Courts Portal using a party name, case number, or attorney name.
    • Docket Calendar: View scheduled civil court dates on the Rowan County Civil Docket Schedule Calendar.
    • Self-Service Terminals: Available at the courthouse. The NC Judicial Branch publishes a VCAP user's manual to help you navigate the civil case processing system.
    • In-Person and Mail: Contact the Clerk of Superior Court during courthouse hours. Provide the case number or party name and expect to pay applicable copy fees.

    Copy Fees:
    A certified criminal record name search costs $25 (Form AOC-CR-314). Individual document copy fees vary depending on the number of pages. Call the clerk's office at (704) 797-3001 for a cost estimate before mailing a request.

    Rowan County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Rowan County are heard by District Court judges. The court's jurisdiction covers divorce, annulment, legal separation, property settlement agreements, child custody, child support, paternity, spousal support (alimony), equitable distribution of marital property, and protection from domestic abuse. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all family court records.

    Accessing Family Court Records:

    Non-confidential family court records can be viewed at the courthouse's self-service terminals, searched through the NC Courts Portal, or requested in person or by mail from the Clerk of Superior Court. Some family court matters — particularly domestic violence protective order proceedings and records involving minors — may be restricted under state law.

    Divorce Records:
    Rowan County divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. You can request absolute divorce records in person or by mail at the courthouse. Statewide divorce records from 1958 to the present are also available through the North Carolina Division of Public Health Vital Records for a $24 non-refundable fee per three-year search period (which includes one copy if a record is found).

    Marriage Records:
    Certified copies of marriage certificates issued in Rowan County are available from the Rowan County Register of Deeds. Requests can be made in person, online, or by phone for a $10 fee. Valid ID is required. You can also use the Rowan County RoD online portal to submit your request. For statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present, contact NC Vital Records — the fee is $24 non-refundable per three-year search period.

    Birth and Death Records:
    The Rowan County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of birth and death records for $10 per copy. Requests can be made in person, by mail, by phone, or online through the RoD vital records portal. Online requests are processed on normal business days between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In-person requesters must present a valid ID. Only authorized individuals are eligible to obtain certified copies — including the registrant's spouse, parent, child, stepchild, grandchild, grandparent, sibling, step-parent, or an authorized legal representative.

    Register of Deeds

    Address402 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144
    Mailing AddressP.O. Box 2568, Salisbury, NC 28144
    Phone(704) 216-8626
    Fax(704) 638-3130
    HoursMonday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Rowan County Probate Court Records

    In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court acts as the judicial officer overseeing probate proceedings. The Rowan County Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over the administration of estates and most guardianship matters. Because the Estates Department operates by appointment only, call (704) 797-3005 ahead of time to schedule your visit before attempting to initiate or access probate records.

    Probate Records Access:

    • In Person: Contact the Clerk of Superior Court at the Rowan County Courthouse, 210 North Main Street, Salisbury. The Estates Department is appointment-only; general probate record inspections follow standard courthouse hours (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday).
    • By Mail: Send written requests to the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address. Include the decedent's name, approximate date of death or filing, and your contact information, along with payment by money order or certified check.
    • Online: Probate case records may be searchable through the NC Courts Portal, depending on when they were entered into the statewide system under the eCourts initiative.

    Probate Fees:
    North Carolina probate fees are set by statute at 0.4% of the gross estate value, or $0.40 per $100, with a statutory cap of $6,000 under NCGS 7A-307. This fee is paid to the Clerk of Superior Court when the estate is opened.

    The clerk also handles filings for guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Rowan County residents involved in these matters may benefit from several NC Judicial Branch programs, including the Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program, the Clerk Mediation Program, and the Guardian ad Litem program. Court forms for probate and estate matters are available through the NC Judicial Branch forms search by keyword or form number.