Wake County Court Records Search

Wake County is the most populous county in North Carolina, with Raleigh serving as both the county seat and the state capital. The county’s court system handles a large volume of cases each year across its Superior Court and District Court divisions, covering everything from felony prosecutions and major civil disputes to family law matters, small claims, and estate administration. Court operations are split between two primary facilities in downtown Raleigh — the Wake County Courthouse for civil matters and the Wake County Justice Center for criminal matters and marriages. This guide explains how to locate, search, and obtain court records throughout Wake County’s judicial system.

North Carolina provides several avenues for accessing court case information. The state judiciary, accessible through NorthCarolinaCourts.us, publishes court locations, contact directories, forms, and fee schedules for all 100 counties. Wake County residents and researchers can search court records through the statewide eCourts portal, at public access terminals inside the courthouse, or by contacting the Clerk of Superior Court’s office directly. The eCourts system has modernized digital access to case data, allowing online searches that previously required an in-person visit.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Wake County?

The primary tool for searching Wake County court records online is the eCourts Smart Search portal, part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s statewide modernization initiative. This portal provides free access to public case information across civil, family, criminal, probate, and special proceedings categories.

Using the eCourts Portal

The portal supports multiple search parameters:

Party name (first, last, or business name)
Case number
Attorney name or bar number
Nickname or alias
Case cross-reference number
Citation number

Advanced search filters allow users to narrow results by case type, case status, gender, ethnicity, date of birth, booking number, and county. Viewing case information on the portal is free, and searches can include records from other North Carolina counties.

In-Person Access

Public access terminals are available at both Wake County court facilities for reviewing case information:

Facility	Address	Phone	Hours
Wake County Courthouse	316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601	(919) 792-4000	Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wake County Justice Center	300 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601	(919) 792-4000	Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

All civil matters (except marriages) are conducted at the Wake County Courthouse. All criminal matters and marriages are handled at the Wake County Justice Center.

Requesting Records by Mail

Written requests for court records can be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court. Each request must include enough detail to identify a specific record — the name of the parties, case number, case type, court location, and filing date range. Applicable search and copying fees should be included as a certified check or money order payable to the Wake County Clerk of the Superior Court.

Clerk of Superior Court
Wake County Courthouse
P.O. Box 351
Raleigh, NC 27602-0351

Key Contact Numbers

The Wake County contact directory provides direct phone lines for specific divisions:

Clerk of Superior Court: (919) 792-4000
Traffic/Misdemeanors (District Court): (919) 792-4300
Felonies (Superior Court): (919) 792-4300
Record Checks/Expungements: (919) 792-4325
Small Claims: (919) 792-4175
Divorce/Child Custody/Pending Cases: (919) 792-4125
Domestic Violence/Child Support: (919) 792-4100
Estates: (919) 792-4450
Adoption/Guardianship/Foreclosure/Name Changes: (919) 792-4600
Judgments/Executions/Liens: (919) 792-4200

Are Court Records Public in Wake County?

The North Carolina Public Records Law (Chapter 132 of the General Statutes) establishes that every person has the right to inspect and obtain copies of records filed or received by government agencies in the course of conducting public business. This right extends to court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court regardless of format — paper documents, electronic files, audio or video recordings, emails, photographs, and maps are all covered.

Government agencies must provide records promptly and within a reasonable time. Viewing court records on the eCourts portal or at courthouse public access terminals is free. Obtaining copies of documents involves a per-page fee set by the General Assembly.

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under §132-1.1 and §132-1.2 of the Public Records Law. Restricted categories include:

Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
Taxpayer income information
Personal information of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program
Trade secrets
Security information maintained by the Secretary of State
An individual’s signature, driver’s license number, or social security number embedded in filings
Juvenile case records
Adoption records
Records sealed by court order

Additionally, under NC General Statute 130A-93, certified copies of vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) are only available to the record subject, spouse, immediate family members, grandparents, grandchildren, authorized agents, or attorneys.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch publishes detailed court cost charts that apply statewide. Current fee schedules for civil, criminal, estates, and miscellaneous court costs are published on the NC Courts website.

Wake County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Wake County are heard in either Superior Court or District Court depending on the severity of the charge. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and other simple offenses. All criminal matters are conducted at the Wake County Justice Center at 300 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal case information can be searched through the eCourts portal by party name, case number, or citation number. In-person searches are available at the courthouse public access terminals and through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office.

For questions about criminal case records, the following direct lines are available:

Traffic tickets and misdemeanors: (919) 792-4300
Felonies: (919) 792-4300
Record checks, expungements, and disposed cases: (919) 792-4325

Criminal Record Searches (Background Checks)

To conduct a formal criminal history search, individuals must complete and print Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it with a $25.00 fee to the Clerk of Superior Court. This applies to both personal criminal history requests and searches of another person’s records.

In-person: Submit the form at the courthouse with payment by cash, credit card, certified check, or money order.
By mail: Mail the completed form with a $25.00 money order or certified check (personal checks are not accepted) to the Clerk of Superior Court, P.O. Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602-0351.

Arrest Records

The City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI) maintains arrest records for Wake County. Certified copies of arrest records are available for a $15.00 fee by mail or in person. In-person visitors must schedule an appointment. The CCBI also operates an online arrest records portal reflecting arrests in Wake County since April 27, 2007.

City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI)
Attn: Arrest Records
3301 Hammond Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

Sheriff’s Office Resources

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office Records Division handles crime and incident report requests. Reports can be requested by emailing Sheriff.Records@wake.gov or by mailing a written request with a $2.00 money order or check to:

Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Records Division
330 S. Salisbury St., Suite S208
Raleigh, NC 27601
Fax: (919) 743-7372

The Sheriff’s Office also offers a Police-2-Citizen Portal where the public can search for incidents and access current inmate information.

For statewide offender searches, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains an online offender search tool covering state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees.

Wake County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Wake County are filed and heard based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the dispute. The Superior Court handles civil matters exceeding $25,000 and appeals from District Court. The District Court has jurisdiction over civil disputes under $25,000. Small claims cases — involving disputes of lesser amounts — are handled by magistrates within the District Court system.

All civil matters are conducted at the Wake County Courthouse at 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court at (919) 792-4000 for general civil inquiries, or reach the small claims division at (919) 792-4175 and the judgments/executions/liens division at (919) 792-4200.

Searching Civil Records

Civil case information is available through the eCourts portal and at the public access terminals in the courthouse clerk’s office. Court costs for civil filings in North Carolina are set by the General Assembly and detailed in the current civil court costs chart. Filing fees must be paid in advance when a case is initiated, and additional costs accrue as motions are filed or service of process is required during the case.

Payments for court costs can be made online through the NC Courts Online Services portal, by mail (certified check or money order only — no personal checks), or in person at the courthouse (cash, certified check, money order, or credit/debit card with processing fees). Copies of civil court documents are available for a per-page copying fee; certified copies incur additional charges. The specific amounts are listed in the miscellaneous court costs chart.

Those who cannot afford filing costs may petition the court to proceed as an indigent using Form AOC-G-106, or a Civil Affidavit of Indigency form. Legal Aid of North Carolina may also represent eligible individuals in certain case types.

Wake County Family Court Records

The Wake County District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over family law matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, termination of parental rights, and child abuse or neglect proceedings. Family court records contain filings, orders, and judgments from these proceedings.

Accessing Family Court Records

Requests for family case records should be directed to the appropriate division of the Clerk of Superior Court’s office:

Divorce, child custody, pending family cases: (919) 792-4125
Domestic violence and child support: (919) 792-4100
Adoption, guardianship, name changes: (919) 792-4600

Family case information filed in eCourts counties like Wake County is searchable through the eCourts portal. Records not yet available online can be accessed at the courthouse public access terminals or by contacting the clerk’s office.

Access to family court records is more limited than other court records. In many cases, only parties directly involved — the parents, legal guardians, their attorneys, or legal representatives — may access the full case file. Basic case information such as case type and filing dates may be publicly visible, but sensitive details related to custody arrangements, financial disclosures, and matters involving children are typically restricted or sealed.

Marriage Records

The Wake County Register of Deeds issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records dating back to 1932. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10.00 each and can be obtained in person, by mail, or online. Online orders incur an additional $3.00 convenience and processing fee.

Eligible requesters include the record subject, an immediate family member (spouse, siblings, parents, step-family, children, or grandchildren), a legal representative or attorney, or a person seeking judgment over personal or property rights. A valid driver’s license or passport is required for identification.

Mail requests should include the completed application form, a copy of the requester’s ID, and a $10.00 check or money order payable to the Register of Deeds. Allow 7–14 business days for delivery.

Wake County Register of Deeds
300 S. Salisbury Street, Suite 1700
Wake County Justice Center
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 856-5460
Mailing: P.O. Box 1897, Raleigh, NC 27602-1897

Divorce Records

Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be accessed at the courthouse or by contacting the divorce and pending cases line at (919) 792-4125. Information about divorce proceedings may also appear in the eCourts portal.

Birth and Death Records

The Wake County Register of Deeds issues certified copies of birth certificates (available from 1913) and death certificates (available from 1903) for events recorded in Wake County. Each certified copy costs $10.00. Under NC General Statute 130A-93, only qualified requesters may obtain these records — the individual named, immediate family, authorized agents, or legal representatives. Making a fraudulent request is a felony under NC General Statute 130A-26A.

Requests can be submitted online (with a $3.00 convenience fee), in person (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), or by mail using the application form. Online orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days and mailed within 10–14 business days.

Wake County Probate Court Records

In North Carolina, probate matters are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court rather than a separate probate court. The Wake County Clerk’s Estates Division oversees the administration of deceased persons’ estates, including validating wills, appointing personal representatives, determining heirs, and distributing assets in accordance with the decedent’s wishes or intestacy laws. The division also handles guardian and conservator appointments for incapacitated adults and minors.

Estates Division Location

Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville St., 12th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 792-4450

The Estates Division can also be reached for appointment scheduling through the Wake Estates scheduling system.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case records filed in Wake County are available through the eCourts Smart Search portal, which includes records for year’s allowance, summary administration, and small estate administration cases. Users can search by the decedent’s name, case number, or other identifying details.

In-person searches are available at the Estates Division on the 12th floor of the Wake County Courthouse during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Staff can assist with locating probate filings, will records, estate accountings, and guardianship documentation.

Estates Filing Fees

Court costs for estate cases are established by the General Assembly and published in the current estates court costs chart. Filing fees must be paid in advance when the estate case is initiated. Additional costs may apply during the course of administration for motions, hearings, or service of process.

For questions about specific probate procedures, record availability, or filing requirements, contact the Estates Division at (919) 792-4450. Special proceedings related to adoptions, guardianships, foreclosures, and name changes can be directed to (919) 792-4600 or by email to the Special Proceedings division. Confidential special proceedings inquiries should be sent to the confidential email address, and copy requests for special proceedings records can be submitted to the copy request email.