Wilson County Court Records

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    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.

    Wilson County sits in eastern North Carolina, with the city of Wilson as its county seat. The county falls within Prosecutorial District 8, Superior Court District 8BC, and District Court District 8. Both the Superior Court and District Court operate out of the Wilson County Courthouse. The elected Clerk of Superior Court manages court records and also serves as the probate judge for estate matters. Whether you need to check a criminal case status, pull civil litigation documents, request a divorce judgment, or open an estate, the Clerk's office at the courthouse is your central point of contact for most record requests.

    You can access court records in North Carolina through in-person visits to the clerk's office, self-service terminals at the courthouse, and electronic tools. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help you find publicly available court case information across the state's trial and appellate courts. Wilson County joined the statewide eCourts system in April 2025 as part of Track 8 of the rollout, bringing modernized case search and electronic filing capabilities to local courts.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Wilson County?

    Several methods are available for locating court records in Wilson County, depending on whether you need electronic docket information, certified copies, or hands-on file review.

    Online Case Search

    The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates Portal, the eCourts case search tool, which lets the public look up case information by name, case number, citation number, attorney, county, and other criteria. Portal covers criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates cases, and Wilson County is a participating county. Keep in mind that while Portal is useful for viewing case information and hearing dates, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts recommends using the county clerk's office — not Portal — for formal background checks.

    Self-Service Terminals at the Courthouse

    Public access computer terminals are available in the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Wilson County Courthouse. These terminals let you search criminal, civil, and estates case records by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers at no charge. Printing fees may apply.

    Wilson County Courthouse
    115 East Nash Street
    P.O. Box 1608
    Wilson, NC 27894
    Phone: (252) 206-3000

    Hours of Operation:
    Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday–Sunday: Closed

    Written Requests

    You can also request copies of court records by mail or in person. For criminal background checks, you'll need Form AOC-CR-314, submitted along with the applicable fee. Civil and estates records can be requested directly through the clerk's office.

    Electronic Filing and Service

    With the eCourts rollout, Wilson County now supports electronic filing through the File & Serve system, which allows attorneys and self-represented parties to file court documents, pay filing fees, and receive status updates electronically.

    Are Court Records Public in Wilson County?

    Most court records in Wilson County are generally public documents. The North Carolina Public Records Act (G.S. Chapter 132) establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of records held by government entities, including court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Custodian offices are required to make these records reasonably available upon request, and copies are provided for a fee.

    That said, certain categories of court records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina statutes, court rules, or court orders. Restricted records include:

    • Grand jury proceedings — Protected under G.S. 15A-623(e), (f), and (g)
    • Medical malpractice settlement documents — Restricted under G.S. 132-1.3(a)
    • Pending arrest and search warrants — Not public until returned by law enforcement, per G.S. 132-1.4(k)
    • Records in custody of a probation officer — Generally not subject to public inspection
    • Sealed records — Court documents sealed by court order or protected by state or federal statute
    • Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are confidential
    • Records involving ongoing judicial or law enforcement investigations

    Confidential court proceedings — such as juvenile cases and involuntary commitment hearings — require a court order before audio recordings can be released. Submit that request using Form AOC-G-115. For non-confidential proceedings, audio recording copies can be requested using Form AOC-G-114.

    Additional guidance on public records requests from the Judicial Branch is available on the Request a Public Record page maintained by the North Carolina courts.

    Wilson County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Wilson County start in District Court for misdemeanors and infractions, and in Superior Court for felonies. The Clerk of Superior Court's office maintains all criminal court records, including case filings, docket entries, orders, judgments, and sentencing information.

    Certified Criminal Background Check (Single County)

    To get a certified criminal record check for Wilson County, follow these steps:

    1. Complete and print Form AOC-CR-314.
    2. Submit the form to the Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court with a $25.00 fee.
    3. For mail requests, enclose a money order or certified check — personal checks are not accepted. In-person requests may be paid by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check.

    Mail requests should be sent to:

    Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court
    P.O. Box 1608
    Wilson, NC 27894

    Keep in mind that this search covers only Wilson County criminal court records — it is not a statewide search.

    Self-Service Non-Certified Search

    You can search criminal records at no charge using the public-access terminals at the courthouse or by searching Portal online. These searches are not certified and are not suitable for official background check purposes.

    Statewide Criminal History through the SBI

    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers statewide criminal record searches. Known as Right to Review, this service requires a completed fingerprint card, a copy of valid identification, and a $14.00 money order or check payable to the NC State Bureau of Investigation. Mail your request to:

    NC State Bureau of Investigation
    Criminal Information and Identification Section
    Attn: Civilian Services Unit – Right to Review
    P.O. Box 29500
    Raleigh, NC 27626-0500

    Wilson County Sheriff's Office

    The Wilson County Sheriff's Office handles patrol, investigation, civil process, and warrant services. The Criminal Division investigates felonies and serious misdemeanors, while the Warrant Division serves criminal warrants throughout the county.

    Wilson County Sheriff's Office
    100 East Green Street
    P.O. Box 1666
    Wilson, NC 27894
    Phone: (252) 237-2118

    Prisoner Records

    Information on individuals currently or formerly held in North Carolina's state prison system is available through the N.C. Department of Adult Correction offender search, which covers inmates, probationers, and parolees.

    Remote Public Access Program

    Businesses that need ongoing statewide access to criminal and civil court data can apply for the Remote Public Access (RPA) program offered by the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts. RPA provides the same real-time data available on courthouse terminals.

    Wilson County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Wilson County are heard in District Court for matters under certain monetary thresholds — including small claims and landlord-tenant disputes — and in Superior Court for cases that exceed the District Court's jurisdictional limits. The Clerk of Superior Court's office maintains civil court records, which include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments.

    Searching Civil Records

    You can access civil case information through several channels:

    • Portal — Search Portal online by party name, case number, or other criteria
    • Self-service terminals — Available at the Wilson County Courthouse for searching civil, special proceeding, and estates cases at no charge
    • In-person requests — Visit the Clerk's office at 115 East Nash Street, Wilson, NC 27894, during regular business hours

    The clerk's office can provide copies of civil court documents for a fee. Divorce judgments, for example, are available from the clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted.

    Civil Case Types

    Civil matters heard in Wilson County courts include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, foreclosures, evictions, condemnations, and small claims actions. Court records affecting real estate — such as foreclosures, partitions, and liens — are maintained by the clerk's office.

    Local Rules and Forms

    Wilson County maintains local court rules and forms that supplement statewide procedures, accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website. Statewide judicial forms can be searched by keyword, General Statute, or form number through the Forms section of the NC Courts website.

    Wilson County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Wilson County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, and adoption — are primarily handled by the District Court division. The Clerk of Superior Court's office maintains records of these proceedings.

    Divorce Records

    Copies of divorce judgments can be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Wilson County Courthouse. Stop by in person during regular business hours at:

    Wilson County Courthouse
    115 East Nash Street
    Wilson, NC 27894
    Phone: (252) 206-3000

    Divorce certificates — which verify that a divorce occurred — are also available through the NC Office of Vital Records. To request one by mail, complete the application form in English or Spanish and submit it with a $24.00 fee (money order or check) to:

    North Carolina Vital Records
    ATTN: VC Certificate Orders
    1903 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-1900

    Additional copies of a divorce certificate cost $15.00 each. In-person requests require an appointment at the Vital Records office at 225 North McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

    Custody and Mediation

    Wilson County participates in the statewide Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program and the Family Financial Settlement Program, which help parents work through custody and financial disputes outside of the courtroom.

    Marriage Records

    The Wilson County Register of Deeds maintains marriage records from 1855 to the present. Certified copies can be requested through the Register's online request portal. Marriage certificates are issued only to the record subject, close family members (spouse, parent, or child), or an authorized attorney. Fees are $10.00 for a certified copy and $1.00 for an uncertified copy.

    Couples seeking a marriage license must complete an application and call (252) 399-2935 to schedule an appointment. Only the couple needs to be present.

    Birth and Death Records

    The Register of Deeds holds Wilson County birth records from 1913 to the present. Birth certificates are restricted to the record subject, family members, and authorized agents. Requests can be submitted through the Register's online portal for birth certificates or death certificates. Death records are available to the deceased's close family, authorized attorneys, and licensed funeral directors.

    The NC Office of Vital Records also provides birth and death certificates statewide. Mail-in requests require a completed application (birth in English or Spanish; death in English or Spanish) and a $24.00 fee, with additional copies at $15.00 each.

    Register of Deeds Office
    101 North Goldsboro Street
    P.O. Box 1728
    Wilson, NC 27894
    Phone: (252) 399-2936
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (appointments recommended for vital records amendments)

    Wilson County Probate Court Records

    In North Carolina, probate matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of Superior Court, who acts as the probate judge. The Wilson County Clerk's office handles the probating of wills, issuance of letters testamentary and letters of administration, estate inventories, guardianship proceedings, and trust matters.

    Beginning the Estate Administration Process

    To open an estate in Wilson County, visit or contact the Clerk of Superior Court and bring:

    1. The original will (if one exists)
    2. A certified death certificate
    3. A completed application and preliminary inventory of the decedent's property
    4. A $120.00 filing fee

    Estate administration forms are available at the clerk's office or through the NC Courts estate forms page. The clerk's office may accept walk-in visitors or require appointments — call (252) 206-3000 to confirm before you go.

    Small Estates

    Not every estate requires full administration. Smaller estates may qualify for a simplified process, including collection by affidavit using the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent form. When the surviving spouse is the sole heir or devisee, summary administration may be an option. A detailed overview of the process is available in the Decedent Estate Procedures pamphlet published by the North Carolina courts.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate and estates case information can be searched through Portal or on the self-service terminals at the Wilson County Courthouse. Once a will is filed with the clerk following a decedent's death, it becomes a public record — anyone may view it or request a copy for a fee. Paper files can be reviewed in person at the clerk's office at 115 East Nash Street, Wilson, NC 27894.

    Guardianship

    The Clerk of Superior Court also oversees guardianship proceedings, including the appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults. The Guardian ad Litem program operates in Wilson County to represent the interests of children involved in court proceedings.