Union County Court Records Search

Union County is located in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, with its county seat in Monroe. The county’s judicial operations are handled by the Superior Court and District Court divisions of the North Carolina General Court of Justice, both housed in the Union County Judicial Center. Court records generated in these courts—including complaints, motions, orders, judgments, docket sheets, and exhibits—document the proceedings and outcomes of criminal, civil, family, and estate cases filed within the county. These records serve legal, historical, and personal purposes ranging from background research and appeals to enforcement of judgments and genealogical inquiries.

Residents and members of the public seeking Union County court records can access them through several channels. The Clerk of Superior Court’s office maintains case files and provides in-person assistance, while public-access computer terminals at the courthouse allow self-service searches at no charge. North Carolina’s statewide Portal offers online case searches by name, case number, citation, and other criteria. Additional court directories, forms, and service information can be found through NorthCarolinaCourts.us. Union County went live on the state’s eCourts system in October 2024, which means that digital records and electronic filing are now available for cases processed through the county’s courts.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?

All Superior Court and District Court proceedings in Union County take place at a single facility:

Union County Judicial Center
Address: 400 North Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5038, Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: (704) 698-3100
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Clerk of Superior Court’s office, located within the Judicial Center, serves as the custodian of all court records for both the Superior Court and District Court. The office also functions as the county’s judge of probate, overseeing estate and guardianship matters.

To look up a court case, individuals have the following options:

In person at the courthouse. Visit the Clerk’s office during business hours and use the public self-service terminals. These terminals allow searches by defendant name, attorney name, case number, or witness/victim name. Viewing case information on a terminal is free. Staff can also retrieve paper case files for inspection and provide photocopies for a fee.
Online through Portal. North Carolina’s statewide Portal provides remote access to case information, court dates, and case documents. Users can search by name, case number, citation number, county, or attorney. Since Union County adopted the eCourts platform in October 2024, case data is maintained digitally and accessible through this system.
Online through the legacy calendar search. The District and Superior Court Search tool on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website allows users to look up criminal and civil calendars and basic case details.
By mail. Submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court at P.O. Box 5038, Monroe, NC 28112. Include the case number or party name, along with any applicable fees by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to “Clerk of Superior Court of Union County”. Personal checks are not accepted.
By phone. Contact the Clerk’s main line at (704) 698-3100 for assistance with record retrieval procedures and to confirm whether a specific record is available.

Key contacts at the Union County Judicial Center include:

Office	Phone
Clerk of Superior Court	(704) 698-3100
Superior Court Judges	(704) 698-3116
District Court Judges	(704) 698-3112
Magistrates	(704) 292-2746
Family Court	(704) 698-3224

Are Court Records Public in Union County?

Court records in Union County are presumptively open to the public under the North Carolina Public Records Law, codified at Chapter 132 of the N.C. General Statutes. This statute broadly defines “public records” as all documents and materials maintained by any public body—including the courts—in the course of official duties. Any person may inspect or obtain copies of public court records without stating a reason for the request.

Certain categories of court records are, however, excluded from public access by statute or court order. Records that are confidential or restricted in Union County include:

Juvenile court files (governed by the Juvenile Code, G.S. Chapter 7B)
Adoption records
Sealed or expunged criminal records
Involuntary commitment and mental health proceedings
Grand jury proceedings
Presentence investigation reports
Records subject to a judicial sealing or protective order

When court records are available, the Clerk’s office charges statutory fees for copies. Under G.S. 7A-308(a)(12), the current copy fees (effective January 1, 2026) are:

First page of each document: $2.00
Each additional page: $0.25
Certification of any document: $12.00 (G.S. 7A-308(a)(12) combined with related provisions)
Exemplification of records: $10.00

Payments at the courthouse can be made by cash, certified check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card (a processing fee applies to card transactions). For mail requests, only certified checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders are accepted.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides information about requesting public records through its website, including guidance on what types of requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

Union County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Union County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court handles felonies and appeals of misdemeanor and infraction convictions from the District Court. The District Court adjudicates misdemeanors and infractions that do not require a jury trial. Both courts operate from the Union County Judicial Center.

To search for criminal court case records, individuals have several options:

At the courthouse. Public-access terminals in the Clerk’s office allow free searches of criminal case data by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name. Paper case files can be reviewed in the Clerk’s office during business hours. Copies are available for the standard statutory fee ($2.00 first page, $0.25 each additional page).

Online. The statewide Portal provides access to criminal case information for Union County cases processed through eCourts. Users can search by name, case number, or citation.

Certified criminal record search. For a certified record check of criminal cases filed in Union County, individuals may complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25.00 fee. This form can be filed in person or by mail. Note that this search covers only Union County court records—it is not a statewide search. Payment by mail must be by money order or certified check.

Statewide criminal history. For a fingerprint-based statewide background check, individuals may contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The SBI offers a personal “Right to Review” check for $14.00. This service is available to individuals checking their own records and to certain authorized agencies.

Sheriff’s Office records. The Union County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest and incident records. The public can search the Sheriff’s Event Search portal by date range, name, address, or case number to locate arrest details such as the date, arrestee’s name, charge, and location. The Sheriff also operates an Inmate Inquiry portal that provides booking and custody information for individuals currently held at the county jail. For copies of police reports from municipal departments, contact the relevant department directly; note that the full report may not be available as a public record.

Business data access. Companies that need ongoing access to criminal court data across all North Carolina counties may apply through the Remote Public Access Program, administered by the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts. RPA offers both real-time online access and bulk data extracts under a licensing agreement.

Union County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Union County are heard by either the Superior Court or the District Court depending on the amount in controversy. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil claims of $25,000 or more, while the District Court handles claims below that threshold, including small claims actions heard by magistrates. The Clerk of Superior Court’s office is the official custodian of civil case records from both courts.

To access Union County civil court records:

Visit the Clerk’s office. During regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), members of the public can review civil case files in person. Staff can pull paper files and provide copies at the standard fees of $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 per additional page.
Search online. Civil case information for Union County can be searched through the statewide Portal by name, case number, or attorney. The Civil Case Processing System (VCAP) User Manual provides guidance on using the system in which civil case data is stored.
Request by mail. Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court at P.O. Box 5038, Monroe, NC 28112, with the case number or party name and applicable fees.
Search court calendars. Upcoming civil hearing dates can be found through the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s Court Dates page by selecting Union County.

Civil filing fees in North Carolina are set by the General Assembly and vary by case type. Initial filing typically requires payment of a General Court of Justice fee, a facilities fee, and a telecommunications fee, plus Sheriff’s service fees. The current court costs charts published by the Judicial Branch provide detailed breakdowns for civil cases, special proceedings, and estates.

Records of court proceedings affecting real property—including foreclosures, evictions, partitions, condemnations, judgments, and liens—are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, plats, and other recorded instruments are kept by the Union County Register of Deeds (addressed under the Family Court Records section below for vital records, and accessible through the Register’s Land Records database for property searches dating back to 1842).

Union County Family Court Records

Domestic relations cases in Union County—including divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, and domestic violence protection orders—are heard by the District Court’s Family Court division, as authorized under G.S. § 7A-244. The Superior Court retains jurisdiction over certain family-related matters such as adoption. All family court proceedings take place at the Union County Judicial Center.

To obtain family court records, contact the Family Court division at (704) 698-3224 or visit the Clerk of Superior Court’s office during business hours. Certain family court records—particularly those involving juvenile proceedings, adoptions, and abuse/neglect cases—are confidential and not available to the general public. Access to confidential records typically requires authorization by law or court order.

Audio recordings of family court proceedings may be available from the Clerk’s office. For non-confidential cases, use Form AOC-G-114 to request a duplicate recording. For confidential proceedings (such as juvenile or involuntary commitment cases), Form AOC-G-115 must be submitted to obtain the court’s permission.

Divorce records. Copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted, for the standard copy fee. Alternatively, divorce certificates (from 1958 to the present) can be ordered from NC Vital Records. Each order carries a nonrefundable $24.00 search fee, which includes one copy if the certificate is found. The Vital Records Order a Certificate page describes how to submit requests online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

Marriage records. Marriage certificates in Union County are maintained by the Union County Register of Deeds, located at 500 North Main Street, Suite 258, Monroe, NC 28112, Phone: (704) 283-3843 Under G.S. § 130A-93, certified copies of marriage certificates are available only to specific individuals: the spouses, their children or stepchildren, siblings, parents or stepparents, grandparents, grandchildren, or an authorized agent or attorney with supporting documentation. All others may obtain uncertified copies.

Requests can be submitted in person (with valid photo ID), by mail using the Marriage Certificate form, or online through the Register’s ordering system. Fees are $10.00 for a certified copy and $1.00 for an uncertified copy. Mail requests should be sent to P.O. Box 248, Monroe, NC 28111. Marriage certificates may also be ordered from NC Vital Records (records from 1962 forward) for $24.00 per search.

Birth and death records. Access to birth and death certificates in Union County is also restricted under G.S. § 130A-93 to the subject of the record, legal representatives, parents, and other qualifying relatives. Certified copies cost $10.00 each from the Register of Deeds; uncertified copies are $1.00. Request forms for birth and death certificates are available on the county website and can be submitted in person, by mail, or online.

The NC Vital Records Office also issues these certificates ($24.00 per search) for births from 1913 forward and deaths from 1930 forward. For earlier death records, contact the NC State Archives. For birth records predating 1913, the Register of Deeds is the appropriate office.

Union County Probate Court Records

In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the ex officio judge of probate, holding original and exclusive jurisdiction over estate proceedings. In Union County, this means the Clerk’s office at the Judicial Center handles all probate matters, including the administration of decedents’ estates, probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incompetent adults, and related special proceedings. This jurisdiction is established under G.S. § 7A-241 and G.S. § 7A-246.

To search for or obtain probate court records in Union County:

In person: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court’s office at 400 North Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112, during regular hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Public-access terminals are available for searching estates and special proceedings data. Staff can retrieve paper estate files and provide copies.
Online: Estate case information for Union County may be searched through the statewide Portal now that eCourts is active in the county.
By mail: Written requests can be sent to P.O. Box 5038, Monroe, NC 28112. Include the decedent’s name, estate file number (if known), and the applicable copy fees by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order.
By phone: Call the Clerk’s office at (704) 698-3100 for assistance locating an estate file or to confirm what documents are available.

Filing fees for estate proceedings are established by the General Assembly and detailed in the Estates Court Costs chart. These costs include General Court of Justice fees, facilities fees, and other charges that must be paid in advance when opening an estate. Additional fees may apply during the course of administration for filings such as accountings, motions, and hearing notices.

Standard copy fees apply to probate records: $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page, with certification at $12.00 per document. Most estate records are public, though guardianship proceedings involving incompetent adults or minors may have restricted components, and any records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.

The Clerk’s office also handles clerk-mediated settlements and the Clerk Mediation Program for contested estate and special proceeding matters. Local rules and forms specific to Union County courts are published on the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s Local Rules and Forms page.