Rowan County Court Records Search

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    Rowan County, North Carolina is a Piedmont county with its county seat in Salisbury. The county’s court system operates within Prosecutorial District 27, Superior Court District 27, and District Court District 27, with the Rowan County Courthouse serving as the central location for Superior Court and District Court proceedings alike. Court records maintained in Rowan County include all documents prepared, received, and kept by the courts in the course of judicial proceedings — pleadings, motions, notices, evidence admitted into the record, orders, and judgments.

    Residents of North Carolina looking to find court case information have several options. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access through clerk offices, public access computer terminals at the courthouse, and the statewide online portal. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may also help users 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 are handled at the Rowan County Courthouse. The same building houses the Clerk of Superior Court office, which manages 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)
    The statewide NC Courts Portal allows users to search case records by name, case number, attorney, and more. This is a free public access tool and is available for criminal, civil, and civil case searches 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. Users can search, view, and email court records at no charge. Note that this search is not certified, and printing charges may apply.

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

    4. In-Person Requests
    Visitors may request copies of court records directly from staff at the Clerk of Superior Court office. Staff can assist with pulling specific files and calculating fees. A valid ID is recommended. Public entrance to the Rowan County Courthouse is on Liberty Street (handicap accessible ramps available). All entrants are subject to a security screening and metal detector. Cameras, recording devices, and most sharp objects are prohibited inside.

    5. Mail Requests
    Written requests submitted by mail must be addressed to the Clerk of Superior Court, 210 N. Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Include the subject’s full name, case number if known, a description of the records needed, and payment by money order or certified check.

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

    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. No requester is required to state a reason for wanting access to a public record.

    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 have specific rules governing access to investigative records, including those pertaining to ongoing criminal matters. Active law enforcement investigation records are generally not public until the investigation has concluded or relevant discovery obligations require disclosure.

    Requests for public records maintained by Rowan County government offices (not the courts) can be submitted through 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, however, are directed to the Clerk of Superior Court.

    Rowan County Criminal Court Records

    The Rowan County Superior Court handles all felony cases, and the District Court handles misdemeanors, most infractions, and violations of local ordinances. The District Court also holds preliminary hearings in all categories of criminal cases and may accept guilty pleas in certain felony matters. Both courts’ records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.

    Searching Criminal Records:

    • Certified Search by Name (Single County): Submit Form AOC-CR-314 to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. Accepted payment methods are money order or certified check by mail; cash, credit card, money order, or certified check in person. Personal checks are not accepted. This search is county-specific and does not constitute a statewide check.
    • Non-Certified Self-Service Search: Free using the public access terminals at the courthouse or through the NC Courts Portal. Not certified; printing fees may apply.
    • Criminal Docket Calendar: The Rowan County Criminal Docket Calendar shows scheduled criminal court dates and can be searched online.

    Sheriff’s Office Records:

    The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and criminal law enforcement information originating in the county. The department provides online access to recent arrests and wanted persons lists at 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 located at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610; Phone: (919) 582-8660; email CIISHelp@ncsbi.gov. Businesses needing ongoing or bulk access to court data may apply for the NC Administrative Office of the Courts Remote Public Access (RPA) program.

    Rowan County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Rowan County are divided between two courts by the amount in controversy. The Superior Court handles general civil claims involving disputes 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, protection from domestic abuse petitions, and civil no-contact order requests.

    Accessing Civil Records:

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

    Copy Fees:
    A certified criminal record name search costs $25 (Form AOC-CR-314). Individual document copy fees vary and are determined by the clerk based on the number of pages requested. Contact the clerk’s office at (704) 797-3001 for a cost estimate before submitting a mail request.

    Rowan County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Rowan County are heard by District Court judges. Matters within the court’s jurisdiction include 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. All family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.

    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. Absolute divorce records may be requested 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 (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. The Register of Deeds also processes requests through the Rowan County RoD online portal. Statewide marriage records from 1962 to the present are available through NC Vital Records for a $24 non-refundable fee 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 — including the registrant’s spouse, parent, child, stepchild, grandchild, grandparent, sibling, step-parent, or an authorized legal representative — are eligible to obtain certified copies.

    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 serves as the judicial officer presiding over 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, anyone needing to initiate or access probate records should call (704) 797-3005 in advance to schedule a visit.

    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; all other probate record inspections follow standard courthouse hours (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday).
    • By Mail: Written requests should be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address. Include the decedent’s name, approximate date of death or filing, and 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 at the time the estate is opened.

    The clerk also handles related filings for guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Relevant NC Judicial Branch programs available to Rowan County residents involved in such matters include 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.