Sampson County Court Records Search
NorthCarolinaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on NorthCarolinaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Sampson County, North Carolina, maintains an organized court system that produces records across all major areas of law — criminal, civil, family, and probate. These records are official documents generated during legal proceedings and can take many forms, including motions, pleadings, orders, judgments, exhibits, transcripts, and docket entries. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), court records are broadly considered public property, and citizens have legal standing to request them from the relevant government agencies.
Individuals researching court cases in North Carolina have multiple avenues for locating records — through clerk’s offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, mail requests, and online tools. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available court case information from across the state, including cases filed in Sampson County. For a comprehensive search, users are encouraged to start with the clerk’s office in the county where the case was originally filed.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sampson County?
Court case records in Sampson County are primarily maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Depending on the type of case, records may be found at the Superior Court, District Court, or through statewide online tools.
Online Case Search
Sampson County transitioned to North Carolina’s eCourts platform in February 2025 as part of the statewide modernization initiative. Through the NC Courts Portal, members of the public can search case information, view court dates, and access case documents online. The Portal supports searches for criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estate cases. Users can search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
In-Person Access
Public self-service terminals are available at the Sampson County Courthouse. These terminals allow anyone to search cases by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name without charge. Paper case files can be accessed directly at the clerk’s office, and staff can provide copies of documents for a fee.
Requesting Records
To formally request court records, individuals can visit or contact the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s public record request page for guidance on submitting requests online, by mail, or in person. The Sampson County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sampson County Court Locations and Contact Information
Sampson County Courthouse (Main)
Address: 101 East Main Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 596-6600
Fax: (910) 596-6601
Sampson County Courthouse – Annex
Address: 119 West Main Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 592-3923
Sampson County Courthouse – Extension
Address: 201 East Main Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 596-6600
Fax: (910) 596-6601
Key Court Contacts
| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court | (910) 596-6600 |
| Superior Court Judges | (910) 596-6616 |
| District Court Judges | (910) 596-6612 |
| District Attorney | (910) 596-6610 |
| Guardian ad Litem | (910) 596-6621 |
| Custody Mediator | (910) 478-3614 |
| Trial Court Administrator | (910) 596-6616 |
Are Court Records Public in Sampson County?
North Carolina law establishes a clear presumption that court records are public. N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 declares that public records are “the property of the people”, and government agencies holding such records are required to make them available to any person upon request. This principle applies to most Sampson County court filings, including civil complaints, criminal case dockets, judgments, and orders.
However, certain records are sealed, restricted, or exempt from public access. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.49(k) and related statutes, the following types of records are shielded from general public inspection:
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Arrest records of individuals determined to be factually not guilty
- Subpoenaed records
- Arrest records returned by indictments, criminal nontestimonial identification orders, and summons
- Records containing an individual’s social security number
Additionally, courts may restrict access to specific documents by court order. Confidential proceedings — such as involuntary hospitalization hearings — require special permission to obtain audio recordings, which must be requested using Form AOC-G-115. For non-confidential proceedings, audio recording copies may be requested using Form AOC-G-114. Expungement under Article 5, N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 may remove certain criminal records from public access entirely.
Requests for in-person inspection of court records are accepted at the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court’s office during regular courthouse hours. Staff can provide certified copies of documents, with copy fees applicable at the time of request.
Sampson County Criminal Court Records
The Sampson County Superior Court has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters. The Superior Court also hears appeals from the District Court involving misdemeanor convictions and infractions. District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and other lower-level criminal proceedings at the trial level.
Searching Criminal Records Online
Criminal case information for Sampson County can be searched through the NC Courts Portal, which became active in Sampson County following the February 2025 eCourts go-live. The Portal allows public users to view case information and documents for criminal matters. Self-service terminals at the courthouse also allow free, in-person searches.
For background check purposes, the NC Judicial Branch advises using the clerk of court’s office directly rather than Portal, as clerk offices can provide more comprehensive and verified information.
Arrest Records — Sampson County Sheriff’s Office
The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and jail booking information. The Citizen Connect portal provides online access to incident reports, arrest reports, jail bookings, and current inmate confinement information. In-person requests can be made at:
Sampson County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 112 Fontana Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 592-4141
Email: sheriff@sampsoncountync.gov
Statewide Criminal History — NC SBI
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) processes statewide criminal background checks. The public offender search is available through the NC Department of Adult Correction, while a fingerprint-based personal criminal history check (Right to Review) carries a fee of $14.00 per request. Individuals searching for information on state prison inmates, probationers, or parolees can use the NC Department of Adult Correction offender search at no cost.
Sampson County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Sampson County are divided by case value. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts in controversy exceeding $25,000, along with complex litigation, real property disputes, class actions, tort claims, and other substantial civil matters. The District Court handles civil cases below that threshold, small claims disputes, and summary ejectment proceedings.
Locating Civil Records
- Use the NC Courts Portal to search civil case information by party name, case number, or filing date.
- Visit the self-service terminal at the Sampson County Courthouse to search at no charge.
- Contact the Clerk of Superior Court’s office at (910) 596-6600 to confirm record availability before visiting in person.
- Request copies from clerk staff at the applicable courthouse location (Main, Annex, or Extension), bringing valid photo ID and the case details — including party names, case number, and filing date.
For civil case management system guidance, the NC Judicial Branch publishes a Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) User Manual that explains how case data is stored and retrieved. Records involving foreclosures, evictions, judgments, and liens on real property are maintained by the clerk of courts and can also assist in researching real estate titles.
Sampson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Sampson County fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court, with the Clerk of Superior Court maintaining the official records of all proceedings. Cases include divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and guardianship.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and all related case documents — including property division orders, custody determinations, and alimony agreements — are maintained by the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court. Certified copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the clerk’s office at the courthouse. The NC Courts Portal also provides case information for divorce proceedings filed in Sampson County.
Divorce certificates (proof of the legal event, distinct from the full decree) are held by the NC Vital Records office. In-person requests for divorce certificates can be made at:
Cooper Memorial Health Building
Address: 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
The NC Vital Records office charges a nonrefundable standard search fee of $24.00 per three-year search period, which includes one copy if a record is located.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Civil protective order proceedings are handled by the District Court. Parties to a protective order case may access their own case records at the clerk’s office. These records may have restricted public access depending on the nature of the court’s orders.
Marriage Records
The Sampson County Register of Deeds issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for the county. Certified marriage certificates cost $10.00 per copy, while uncertified copies are available for $2.50 each. Marriage license appointments are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A marriage license itself costs $60.00 and must be obtained in person.
Records can also be requested by completing the Application for a Marriage Certificate and mailing it with the appropriate fee to the Register of Deeds. Online access to unofficial records is available through the Sampson County Register of Deeds search portal.
Register of Deeds
Address: 126-A West Elizabeth Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 592-8026
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (land recording until 4:30 p.m.)
Birth and Death Records
The Register of Deeds also maintains birth and death certificates for events recorded in Sampson County. Certified copies cost $10.00 each, and uncertified copies cost $2.50 each. Mail requests require a completed Birth Certificate Request or Death Certificate Request form, applicable fees, proof of relationship to the record subject where required, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Adoptions and Guardianships
Adoption records are confidential under North Carolina law and are not available for general public inspection. Guardianship proceedings are handled through the clerk’s office as part of the special proceedings docket. Parties to guardianship matters may request access to their own case records through the clerk of court.
Sampson County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves in a judicial capacity as the judge for probate and estate matters. The Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court manages all probate proceedings, including the administration of decedents’ estates, validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, asset distribution, name changes, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
What Probate Records Cover
- Estate administration filings and inventories
- Validated wills and testamentary documents
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
- Wrongful death settlement approvals
- Minor injury settlement approvals
- Name change proceedings
How to Access Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through the NC Courts Portal, which now covers Sampson County following the February 2025 eCourts launch. In-person access is available at the self-service terminals at the Sampson County Courthouse, or requesters may ask clerk staff for assistance.
For older historical probate records, the State Archives of North Carolina holds Sampson County estate records, which extend back to the colonial period. Sampson County probate records from 1663 through 1978 have been documented and are accessible for genealogical and legal research.
Requesting Probate Copies
To obtain certified copies of probate documents, contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly:
Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court
Address: 101 East Main Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Phone: (910) 596-6600
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Requesters should arrive with the full name of the decedent or subject, the approximate filing date, and a valid photo ID. Fees for copies are charged at the time of the request and vary depending on the number of pages and the type of certification required. For wills, estates, and guardianship questions, the NC Judicial Branch also provides a Wills and Estates Help Topic with procedural guidance.