New Hanover County Court Records NC | Free Online Search

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New Hanover County NC • official search, copy, traffic and Clerk guide

Find New Hanover Court Records the Right Way

Use this practical guide to search New Hanover County court records without getting trapped in the wrong office. Start with North Carolina’s eCourts Portal for case information, court dates, citations and payments, then use the Clerk of Superior Court for certified copies, county criminal searches, court audio, estates, older files and courthouse help.

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Quick answer: For New Hanover County Court Records NC, use the official North Carolina eCourts Portal and filter to New Hanover County whenever possible. The New Hanover County Courthouse is at 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401, and the main Clerk/courthouse phone is 910-772-6600. Use the Clerk for certified copies, county criminal record searches, estates, and courthouse files. Use the Register of Deeds for deeds, marriage, birth/death, assumed business names and recorded documents because those are not court case records.

✅ Do this first 🧭 Pick right office 🔎 Search online ⚖️ Criminal records 📄 Civil/family 🚗 Traffic tickets 🧾 Copies/forms ☎️ Contacts/map
Independent guide notice: This page is not the official New Hanover County Courthouse, North Carolina Judicial Branch, Clerk of Superior Court, New Hanover County Register of Deeds, Sheriff, District Attorney, or eCourts website. Always verify court dates, case status, payments, forms, copy fees, certification rules and deadlines with official sources before acting.
Fast start

Before You Search: Do These 5 Things First

Most failed searches happen because the user types a name into the wrong system. Use this quick setup first, especially if you are on mobile or helping an older family member.

1

Decide the record lane

Is it a court case, traffic ticket, criminal record search, estate file, divorce judgment, deed, marriage record, police report, jail record, or federal case?

2

Write down the strongest number

Case number or citation number is best. If you only have a name, write the full name, middle initial, maiden name, business name, and approximate year.

3

Use New Hanover County filter

NC search tools may show statewide results. Filtering to New Hanover County reduces false matches and saves time.

4

Check whether you need official proof

A Portal result may help you locate the case, but it may not be accepted as a certified record by an agency, attorney, employer, school or court.

5

Call before paying or visiting

If you need a certified copy, clerk criminal search, court audio, old file, estate file or deadline-sensitive document, call 910-772-6600 first.

Real shortcut: Say “I need a certified copy of the exact document named _____ in case number _____” instead of “I need my court record.” Specific wording helps the Clerk avoid guessing.
Search router

Which New Hanover County Records Search Should You Use?

New Hanover County has several official record systems. The table below tells you where to go first and what to prepare.

User need Correct official route Search by Insider note
Court case, hearing date, citation or payment NC eCourts Portal Name, county, citation number, case number, attorney or hearing information. Filter to New Hanover County first when the name is common.
Courthouse, Clerk, jury, schedules or local court contacts New Hanover County NC Courts County page, courthouse page, contact directory or local schedules. Use official local page before driving to 316 Princess St.
Certified county criminal record search AOC-CR-314 Criminal Record Search Names/aliases in one named county. This is county-only, not statewide. NC Courts lists the Clerk fee as $25.
Copy of a court document or divorce judgment Obtaining Court Records Case number, party name, document title, county and case type. Paper files are handled by the Clerk in the county where the case is filed.
Audio recording of a non-confidential hearing AOC-G-114 Audio Record Form Case file number, hearing date, courtroom and judge. Use only for non-confidential recorded hearings. Confidential hearings need a different process.
Traffic ticket, citation or minor traffic offense Administrative Traffic Court Citation number, driver name, court date or Portal record. Administrative Traffic Court is for quick handling of infractions/minor traffic matters, not trials.
Deed, marriage, birth/death, notary or assumed business name New Hanover Register of Deeds Name variation, document type, book/page or recording details. These are not court case records, so eCourts may show nothing.
Federal bankruptcy, federal civil or federal criminal case PACER Federal court, party name, case number or district. Federal cases are not New Hanover County Superior/District Court records.
Do not skip this: A court record, county public record, police report, deed, jail record, state prison record and federal case record are different records held by different offices.
Official online search

How to Search New Hanover County Court Records Online

North Carolina’s eCourts Portal is the best starting point for modern case lookups, hearing dates, citations and payment options. Use it first, then call the Clerk if you need official copies or help with older/restricted records.

Best search field

Use case number or citation number first. A name-only search is useful, but it can return too many results or similar names.

Best filter

Filter to New Hanover County where available. This is the simplest way to avoid matches from other North Carolina counties.

Best proof habit

Save the case number, citation number, party names, county, next hearing date and payment confirmation before closing the Portal.

1

Open the official Portal

Start from NC Court Services or the direct eCourts Portal. Avoid lookalike ads or private “instant record” pages.

2

Select or confirm New Hanover County

County filtering matters. Without it, a common name can show unrelated cases from other counties.

3

Search with exact numbers first

Try case number, citation number, attorney name, business name, filing year and exact legal name before broad searches.

4

Open the full case view

Review court location, case type, party names, status, next hearing, disposition, citation details and payment options if shown.

5

Use the Clerk for official copies

Portal details can help you locate a record, but agencies may require a certified copy, clerk criminal search, court order, disposition or official audio/transcript route.

Background-check warning: NC Courts says people doing background checks should use the county Clerk’s office, not Portal. Ask the requesting agency whether it needs a county clerk search, statewide search, fingerprint search or certified case disposition.
Open eCourts Portal Open NC Court Services Open Local Schedules
Criminal records

New Hanover County Criminal Records and AOC-CR-314 Explained

For criminal court cases, use Portal to look up case information. For a certified county criminal record search by the Clerk, use North Carolina form AOC-CR-314 Criminal Record Search. This form is powerful, but it has limits that many users miss.

Portal case lookup

Good for finding a case, hearing date, citation or case status.

AOC-CR-314

Certified name-based criminal record search by the Clerk in one county.

Certified disposition

Useful when an agency needs proof of how a criminal case ended.

Statewide/FBI check

Different from a New Hanover County court search.

What AOC-CR-314 actually searches

The form asks the Clerk to search official records in the courts of the county named above. For this page, that means New Hanover County only. No North Carolina court official can provide a certified statewide record search through that county form.

Why aliases and spelling matter

Court records are indexed by name. Use all names, former names, maiden names, aliases and spelling variations. A “no record found” result under one name does not guarantee no record exists under another name.

Juvenile and sealed records warning

Juvenile records are confidential and are not provided in a criminal record search result. Some sealed or restricted records also may not appear in normal public searches.

Infraction search option

The form separates criminal records and infraction records. Infractions are non-criminal violations, and the form notes that electronic infraction records are purged five years after final disposition. For DMV-related hearings, clerk instructions indicate both criminal and infraction records should be searched.

Insider background-check tip: Ask the requester, “Do you need AOC-CR-314, a certified case disposition, a statewide SBI/fingerprint check, or a federal background check?” This prevents paying for the wrong product.
Open AOC-CR-314 Form Page Open Criminal Background Check Help Call Clerk / Contact Directory
Civil, family, small claims and estates

Civil, Family, Small Claims, Divorce and Estate Records in New Hanover County

For civil, family, small claims, special proceedings and estate matters, search Portal first, then use the Clerk for copies, certified records, paper files, older records and estate-specific help.

Civil cases

Money claims, lawsuits, judgments, landlord/tenant and civil filings.

Family cases

Divorce, custody, support, domestic violence and family-related orders.

Small claims

Magistrate-level claims. Confirm forms, service and current fees before filing.

Estates

Estate files, guardianships, letters, inventories, accountings and clerk-handled matters.

Divorce judgment shortcut

If you need a divorce judgment, contact the Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. For a New Hanover divorce judgment, call the New Hanover Clerk and ask whether you need a plain or certified copy.

Small claims service tip

In small claims, the filing step is not the end. Plaintiffs must also handle service on the defendant, often through sheriff service or certified mail depending on the situation. Confirm current forms, copies and fees before filing.

Estate-file tip

Estate records can involve letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventories, accountings, orders and guardianship documents. Search Portal first, but call the Clerk before visiting if you need a specific estate document or certification.

Clerk-counter script: “I need a New Hanover civil/family/estate document. The case number is _____. The document is _____. Do I need a plain copy, certified copy, or another form of proof?”
Open Obtaining Court Records Open Small Claims Help Open Guardianship Help
Traffic and citations

New Hanover Traffic Tickets, Administrative Traffic Court and Payments

For traffic citations, search by citation number when possible. A citation search is usually cleaner than a name-only search. Always verify whether payment is allowed or whether court appearance is required.

Best lookup field

Use the citation number from the ticket or notice. Copy it exactly, including letters or zeros.

Administrative Traffic Court

New Hanover Administrative Traffic Court is listed at the courthouse in courtroom 317 on the third floor.

Trial warning

Administrative Traffic Court handles quick disposition of minor traffic matters; trials are not held there. If you want a trial, you or your lawyer must appear to get a trial date.

Local traffic detail: Administrative Traffic Court is at New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401. Phone: 910-772-6600.
Failure-to-appear warning: If you miss a required appearance, consequences can include added costs and license issues. Do not assume you can pay online unless the official system says your charge is eligible.
Search / Pay in Portal Open Traffic Violations Help Open Administrative Traffic Court
Copies, forms and fees

Copies, Certified Records, Audio Records and Public Record Requests

Online search helps you find a case. Official records require the right request path. Before asking for anything, decide exactly what product you need.

Record product Use when Prepare first Official route
Portal case result You need case number, hearing date, citation, status or payment information. Name, New Hanover County, case number, citation or attorney. eCourts Portal
Plain court-file copy You need a readable copy for personal review. Case number, party name, document title, filing date if known. Obtaining Court Records
Certified court copy Agency, attorney, employer, immigration process or legal filing requires certification. Exact document, case number, purpose and current fee confirmation. Contact Clerk
Certified county criminal search A requester needs a Clerk-certified search of one county’s criminal court records. AOC-CR-314, all names and aliases, county, fee, ID if requested. AOC-CR-314
Non-confidential court audio A hearing was recorded and you need duplicate audio. Case number, hearing date, courtroom, judge, contact info, payment method. AOC-G-114
NCAOC administrative public record You need an existing Judicial Branch administrative record, not a local case file. Clear description of existing record requested. Request Public Record

AOC-G-114 audio-recording tips

For non-confidential recorded hearings, NC Courts uses Form AOC-G-114. The form is not for juvenile proceedings or other confidential hearings. It asks for case name, file number, courtroom, hearing date, judge and contact details. Payment instructions on the form say cash, certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court, and personal checks are not accepted.

Public records request limit

NCAOC public record requests are not the same as local case-file requests. NC Judicial Branch explains that NCAOC is not the custodian of local court documents, case information, marriage certificates or birth certificates. For local case files, use the Clerk in the county where the case is located.

Fee warning: Copy fees, certified-copy fees, background-check fees, filing costs, audio-copy costs and payment methods can change. Confirm the current fee before mailing money, visiting the courthouse or submitting a form.
Avoid wrong office

Records People Confuse With New Hanover Court Records

If eCourts shows no result, the record may not be a court record. Use the correct office below.

Register of Deeds

Use for deeds, marriage applications, births, deaths, notary oaths, assumed business names and recorded documents.

County public records

Use county request routes for county-held records, but not for court case files, background checks, divorce records or vital certificates.

Police reports

Police reports come from the law enforcement agency involved, not automatically from the court file.

Prison/probation/parole

Correction records are handled through North Carolina Department of Adult Correction routes.

Property and tax records

Property/tax details are not court case records. Use New Hanover County property or tax departments.

Federal cases

Federal bankruptcy, federal civil and federal criminal records use federal courts and PACER.

Register of Deeds search tip: Search every spelling variation of names. Online indexes can be partial, and certified copies should be requested through the official Register of Deeds process when accuracy matters.
Open Register of Deeds Search Open County Information Requests Open PACER
Contacts and map

New Hanover County Courthouse Address, Phone, Hours and Visit Tips

The New Hanover County Courthouse is the main local court location for Clerk help, public terminals, courthouse records and local court services. Check official notices before visiting because hours, closings and local schedules can change.

Office / service Official detail Use for
New Hanover County Courthouse 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401 Local courthouse, Clerk of Superior Court, public terminals, court records and in-person help.
Mailing address PO Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402 Mailing requests only after the Clerk confirms mail is the correct route.
Main / Clerk of Superior Court 910-772-6600 General Clerk routing, court records, copies and courthouse questions.
Superior Court Judges 910-772-6616 Judge office routing, not public copy requests.
District Court / Family Court 910-772-6612 District court, family court and arbitration routing.
District Attorney 910-772-6610 Prosecution matters, not Clerk copy requests.
Magistrates – Criminal 910-772-6619 Criminal magistrate routing and related courthouse questions.
Custody Mediation 910-772-7114 Custody mediation program questions.
Courthouse hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday closed. Planning an in-person visit. Check holiday and weather closings first.
Accessibility note: The courthouse page lists wheelchair access and handicap parking/access at the rear of the building. Call ahead if you need accessibility, elevator, parking or counter-service help.
Open Courthouse Page Open Contact Directory Open Google Map
Call scripts

What to Say When You Call the New Hanover Clerk

Use clear wording. It helps the Clerk route you faster and prevents you from ordering the wrong record type.

Case copy script

“I need a copy from case number _____. The document is _____. Do I need a plain copy or certified copy, and what is the current fee?”

Criminal search script

“I need a New Hanover County clerk criminal record search. Should I use AOC-CR-314, and what fee/payment method do you currently accept?”

Traffic script

“My citation number is _____. Can this be handled online, or do I need to appear in Administrative Traffic Court?”

Audio script

“I need audio from a non-confidential hearing. The case number is _____. Was the hearing recorded, and should I use AOC-G-114?”

Estate script

“I need an estate document from file _____. Do I need to visit the Clerk, request by mail, or use another process?”

Wrong-office script

“I’m not sure if this is a court record or Register of Deeds record. Can you tell me which office owns this document?”

Notebook tip: Write down the date called, office/person, phone number, case/citation number, fee quoted, deadline and next step.
Troubleshooting

New Hanover Court Record Not Found? Try These Fixes

Problem Likely reason Best fix
Name search shows too many results Common name or statewide search too broad. Filter to New Hanover County and add middle initial, case type, attorney, citation or filing year.
No case appears in Portal Wrong spelling, wrong county, old/paper file, sealed/restricted case, not yet updated or not a court record. Call the Clerk with the name, approximate year, case type and any paperwork.
Traffic payment not available Court appearance may be required, ticket may not be ready online or citation number may be wrong. Check traffic help and Administrative Traffic Court instructions before the deadline.
Agency rejected Portal printout Agency needs certified copy, disposition, judgment, order or clerk criminal record search. Ask agency exactly what document type it needs, then call the Clerk.
Need deed, marriage or birth/death record Those are Register of Deeds or Vital Records items, not court case files. Use Register of Deeds records search or certified-copy process.
Need transcript or audio Not every proceeding is recorded; confidential proceedings have special rules. Ask Clerk whether audio exists and whether AOC-G-114 or AOC-G-115 applies.
Fastest fix: Stop after two failed online searches. Repeating the same search is slower than one targeted call to 910-772-6600 with case type, year, name and any case/citation number.
Avoid these mistakes

Common Mistakes When Searching New Hanover County Court Records

Using a paid private site first

Official eCourts and NC Judicial Branch pages should come before paid people-search or background-check websites.

Not filtering to New Hanover

Statewide search can show unrelated people. Narrow by county whenever possible.

Using Portal for a background check

NC Courts says background-check users should use the county Clerk’s office, not Portal.

Asking for “my record”

Ask for the exact item: disposition, judgment, order, estate filing, certified copy, criminal record search or audio.

Ignoring traffic appearance rules

Some citations require court appearance. Payment is not always the correct or available action.

Using court search for deeds

Deeds, marriage and recorded documents belong with Register of Deeds, not eCourts.

Safety and privacy

Scam, Privacy and Legal-Use Warnings

Search results for New Hanover court records often include private ads and non-official background-check sites. These may not provide certified, current, complete or legally accepted records.

Do not misuse records: Do not harass, stalk, shame, threaten or discriminate against someone based on a search result. A citation, charge, allegation, filing or docket entry is not the same as guilt or final judgment. Always check disposition and official documents.
Safe rule: If a record affects employment, licensing, immigration, housing, custody, school, benefits, title, court filing or government submission, call the official Clerk and confirm the exact record type before paying.
Bing and AI answer block

New Hanover County Court Records: Short Answer for Bing, Copilot and AI Search

New Hanover County court records are searched through North Carolina’s official eCourts Portal and the North Carolina Judicial Branch New Hanover County court pages. Use Portal for case records, hearing dates, citations and payments. Use the Clerk of Superior Court at 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401 for official copy questions, certified records, county criminal record searches, estates and courthouse help. Use AOC-CR-314 for a certified county criminal record search. Use AOC-G-114 for a non-confidential audio recording when available. Use the Register of Deeds for deeds, marriage, birth, death and recorded documents.

User question Simple answer
Can I search New Hanover County court records online? Yes. Start with NC eCourts Portal and filter to New Hanover County where available.
What is the courthouse phone number? The main courthouse and Clerk phone listed by NC Courts is 910-772-6600.
Where is the courthouse? The New Hanover County Courthouse is at 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Where do I get a criminal record search? Use AOC-CR-314 through the Clerk for a certified county criminal record search; use agency-required routes for statewide or fingerprint checks.
Can I use Portal for background checks? NC Courts says background-check users should use the county Clerk’s office, not Portal.
Are deeds court records? No. Deeds and many recorded documents are handled by the New Hanover County Register of Deeds.
FAQs

New Hanover County Court Records FAQs

How do I search New Hanover County court records online?

Use North Carolina’s official eCourts Portal and filter to New Hanover County where available. Search by name, case number, citation number, attorney, county or hearing details depending on the tool.

What is the official New Hanover County court records website?

The official court source is the North Carolina Judicial Branch website at nccourts.gov and the official eCourts Portal linked from NC Court Services.

Where is the New Hanover County Courthouse?

The New Hanover County Courthouse is located at 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401.

What is the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court phone number?

The NC Courts contact directory lists the Clerk of Superior Court phone as 910-772-6600.

What are New Hanover County Courthouse hours?

The official courthouse page lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with Saturday and Sunday closed. Always check official closings or holidays before visiting.

Can I search New Hanover County traffic tickets online?

Yes. Use the official eCourts Portal or NC traffic violations help. Search by citation number when possible and verify whether your ticket can be paid online or requires a court appearance.

What is New Hanover Administrative Traffic Court?

Administrative Traffic Court is designed for quick handling of infractions and minor traffic offenses. The local page says trials are not held there, and if you want a trial, you or your lawyer must appear to obtain a trial date.

How do I get a New Hanover County criminal background check?

For a certified county criminal record search, use North Carolina form AOC-CR-314 and submit it through the Clerk process with the required fee. For statewide or fingerprint-based checks, use the required agency process.

Is AOC-CR-314 a statewide criminal record search?

No. AOC-CR-314 says the Clerk searches only the county named on the form. It is not a statewide record search and does not include juvenile records.

Can I use Portal for a background check?

NC Courts says individuals performing background checks should use the county Clerk’s office, not Portal. Ask the requesting agency whether it needs a county search, statewide search, fingerprint search or certified case disposition.

Are New Hanover County deed records court records?

No. Deeds, marriage records, birth/death records, assumed business names, notary records and recorded land documents are typically Register of Deeds records, not court case records.

How do I request a court audio recording in New Hanover County?

If the hearing was recorded and is not confidential, ask the Clerk about Form AOC-G-114. Confidential hearings and juvenile matters have special rules and may require court permission or a different process.

Why can’t I find a New Hanover County court case online?

The case may be filed under a different spelling, old, restricted, sealed, in another county, federal, not yet updated, paper-only or not a court record. Try filtering to New Hanover County, use a case or citation number, or call the Clerk.

Best Next Step for New Hanover County Court Records

Start with the official eCourts Portal and filter to New Hanover County. Use case number or citation number first if you have it. If you need official proof, certified copies, a Clerk criminal record search, estate documents, divorce judgment, audio recording or older/restricted files, call the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court at 910-772-6600 before visiting or paying. For deeds, marriage, birth, death and recorded documents, use the Register of Deeds instead of the court portal.

Start eCourts Search Open Courthouse Details Find the Right Phone Number

Official-source check completed July 20, 2026. Court systems, Portal functions, phone numbers, copy fees, courthouse hours, public-access rules, payment options, forms and local schedules can change. Verify directly with the North Carolina Judicial Branch or the New Hanover County Clerk before relying on a record.

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