Search North Carolina court records in 2026 using the official eCourts Portal, county Clerk of Superior Court offices, court date search, online payments, public record request options, SBI criminal history review, offender search and PACER for federal cases. North Carolina eCourts is now statewide, but certified copies, background checks and restricted records still require the right official process.
Need North Carolina Court Records Right Now?
Start with the official North Carolina eCourts Portal for public case information, hearing dates and payment options. For certified copies, older documents, background checks or records not available online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. For federal cases, use PACER.
North Carolina Court Records Overview for Free Public Search in 2026
North Carolina court records are official records created by the state courts during criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, juvenile, estate, small claim, special proceeding and appellate matters. These records may show the case number, party names, charges, claims, hearing dates, filings, orders, judgments, dispositions and public documents when access is allowed.
North Carolina changed heavily after the eCourts rollout. As of October 2025, the eCourts system is available across all 100 counties. That means many users can now search case information, court dates and payment details through the online Portal. Still, the Portal is not a replacement for every official copy request, certified criminal record search, sealed record request or fingerprint-based background check.
Quick answer: where to start your North Carolina court records search
| What You Need | Best Official Starting Point | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public court case information | eCourts Portal | Use Smart Search for case information, hearings and some payment options. |
| Certified court copies | Clerk of Superior Court | Contact the county where the case was filed. |
| Certified criminal record search | Criminal background check guide | County clerk search is not the same as a statewide fingerprint check. |
| State criminal history review | NCSBI Right to Review | Fingerprint-based review of your North Carolina criminal history record. |
| Offender custody or supervision | NC DAC offender search | Shows prison, probation and parole data, not full court files. |
| Federal cases | PACER | Federal district and bankruptcy cases are separate from NC state courts. |
NC eCourts Portal Public Search for North Carolina Court Records
The eCourts Portal is the public online access point for many North Carolina court records, hearing dates and payment options. It is part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts modernization project. Public users can use Portal tools such as Smart Search and Search Hearings to review case information when the record is available for public online access.
How to use the NC eCourts Portal for free case lookup
- Open the official Portal Go to portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ or start from nccourts.gov and choose Portal.
- Choose the right search tool Use Smart Search for case lookup, Search Hearings for court dates, and payment options if you need to pay eligible court costs, fines or fees.
- Search by case number or name Case number is best. If using name search, try full legal name, middle initial, spelling variations, business name or attorney name.
- Confirm the county and case type Check the county, court, case category, filing date, parties and hearing information before relying on a result.
- Contact the clerk for official copies If you need a certified copy or a document not shown online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed.
North Carolina Court Records Smart Search by Name, Case Number or Business
Smart Search is the main online tool people use for “North Carolina court records by name,” “NC case search,” “NC criminal case lookup,” “NC civil case search,” and “North Carolina public court records.” It can be helpful, but name searches must be handled carefully because many people can share the same name.
Smart Search micro steps
- Search by case number first If you have a file number or case number, use it exactly as shown on your notice, citation, order, complaint or judgment.
- Use full name when case number is unknown Enter last name and first name carefully. Try middle initials, maiden names, former names, business names and spelling variations.
- Filter when possible Narrow by county, case type, court, filing date or party role if the search screen allows it.
- Open only likely matches Compare county, dates, parties, case type and status. Do not assume a record belongs to the correct person based only on name.
Find North Carolina Court Dates, Hearings and Calendar Information
Users often search “NC court date lookup,” “North Carolina court calendar,” or “when is my court date.” The official starting point is the eCourts Portal and North Carolina Judicial Branch court date tools. Court dates can change, so always check close to the hearing and read any official notice from the court.
How to find your North Carolina court date online
- Start from the official court date page Go to nccourts.gov/court-dates or open the Portal directly.
- Search by name, case number or county Use the information from your citation, summons, complaint, notice or court paper.
- Check hearing details Look for date, time, courtroom, county, case type, hearing type and any remote or special instructions.
- Verify before appearing Court calendars can change because of continuances, weather, judge availability or administrative updates.
North Carolina Criminal Court Records Search by Name, Case Number and County
North Carolina criminal court records may include charges, warrants in the case file, court dates, bond conditions, pleas, dispositions, sentencing details, probation terms, judgments, orders and docket entries. Criminal court files are maintained through the court system, while criminal history records may be maintained separately by law enforcement or SBI.
How to search North Carolina criminal case records online
- Use eCourts Portal Smart Search Search by defendant name, case number or county. Confirm the result carefully before relying on it.
- Check hearing and disposition details Review court dates, charges, case status, disposition and judgment entries when public.
- Contact the county clerk for certified records For official use, ask the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the criminal case was filed.
- Use SBI for criminal history review For your own fingerprint-based North Carolina criminal history review, use the NCSBI Right to Review process.
North Carolina Civil Court Records, Lawsuits, Judgments and Small Claims
North Carolina civil court records include lawsuits between individuals, businesses, landlords, tenants, creditors, debtors, property owners and government parties. Civil records may involve money claims, contract disputes, negligence claims, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, collections, injunctions and judgments.
Common North Carolina civil record searches
| Search Intent | Where to Search | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| NC civil case search by name | eCourts Portal Smart Search | Party name, county, case number, filing date |
| North Carolina judgment search | Portal and Clerk of Superior Court | Judgment amount, creditor, debtor, satisfaction status |
| NC small claims records | Magistrate / small claims case record | County, plaintiff, defendant, judgment and appeal status |
| NC eviction records | Small claims / summary ejectment records | Landlord, tenant, hearing date, judgment and writ status |
| Business lawsuit search | Portal Smart Search | Legal business name, trade name, registered agent, county |
Micro steps for civil case lookup
- Search party name and county Use the plaintiff, defendant or business name with the county where the lawsuit was filed.
- Open the case summary Review the case number, parties, filings, hearings, orders, judgments and current status.
- Look for judgment or satisfaction entries If you need debt, lien or judgment information, check whether the judgment was entered, renewed or satisfied.
- Request certified copies if needed For legal proof, contact the county Clerk of Superior Court for certified copies of the judgment, order or case file.
North Carolina Family Court and Divorce Records Search
North Carolina family court records may include divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence protective orders, name changes and related family matters. Some basic case information may be public, but sensitive family documents may be restricted or unavailable online.
How to search North Carolina divorce records
- Identify the county Divorce records are generally handled through the county where the divorce case was filed.
- Search Portal by party name or case number Use eCourts Portal Smart Search and confirm the county, parties and case type.
- Request certified divorce decree if needed For official use, request a certified copy from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
- Do not expose sensitive details Child custody, financial, address and protective-order information may be restricted and should not be republished carelessly.
North Carolina Probate, Estate and Guardianship Court Records
Probate and estate records in North Carolina may include wills, estate administration files, letters, inventories, accountings, guardianship proceedings, special proceedings and related orders. These records are often handled through the Clerk of Superior Court because the clerk has important probate and estate functions in North Carolina.
How to find North Carolina probate records by county
- Find the county of estate administration Start with the county where the deceased person lived or where the estate was opened.
- Search Portal or contact the clerk Look for estate or special proceeding information online, then contact the county clerk if documents are not available.
- Use names and file numbers Search by decedent name, estate name, executor name, administrator name or file number.
- Request certified copies for banks or title work Letters, orders and estate documents often need certification for legal, banking or property use.
North Carolina Traffic Tickets, Infractions and Online Court Payments
Traffic tickets and infractions in North Carolina may be searchable and payable online through official court payment tools when eligible. Some cases still require a court appearance. Always read the citation carefully because missing a required appearance can create license, fee or warrant problems.
How to look up and pay a North Carolina traffic ticket
- Check the citation Find the county, file number, citation number, officer information and court date.
- Use Portal or official payment page Start from nccourts.gov and use Portal Search / Pay.
- Review whether payment is allowed Some matters can be paid online. Others require court appearance, attorney handling or clerk contact.
- Save payment confirmation Keep receipts and confirmation numbers. If your license is affected, verify status through the proper DMV process.
Certified Copies of North Carolina Court Records and Clerk Requests
Online case information is useful for research, but official use usually requires a certified copy from the Clerk of Superior Court. Certified copies may be needed for immigration, employment, school, licensing, appeals, name changes, divorce proof, probate, banking, real estate, background review or government filing.
How to request certified North Carolina court records
- Identify the exact county and case Find the county, case number, party names, case type and document name.
- Use the official obtaining records page Start with Obtaining Court Records.
- Contact the Clerk of Superior Court Use the county directory to contact the clerk in the county where the case was filed.
- Ask for the correct copy type Say whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, criminal record search, file-stamped copy or other official record.
- Confirm fees and delivery method Fees and payment methods can vary by request type and county. Ask before mailing payment or traveling.
North Carolina Court Records vs Criminal Background Checks
North Carolina court records and criminal background checks are different. A court record search may show a case in one county or through Portal. A criminal background check may require a certified criminal record search through a clerk or a fingerprint-based review through the SBI.
Which record search should you use?
| Need | Use This | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Search court case information | eCourts Portal | Portal |
| Certified criminal record search in a county | Clerk of Superior Court | Criminal background check |
| Your fingerprint-based NC criminal history | NC SBI Right to Review | SBI personal review |
| Prison, probation or parole status | NC DAC offender search | Offender search |
| Federal court case | PACER | PACER |
NC Offender Search vs North Carolina Court Case Search
The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search is useful for finding information about state prisoners, probationers and parolees. It is not a full court record search and does not replace Portal, clerk records, SBI background checks or PACER.
When to use offender search
- Use offender search to check prison, probation or parole information.
- Use Portal to search case events, hearings and court information.
- Use the Clerk of Superior Court for certified copies and local criminal record searches.
- Use SBI for fingerprint-based personal criminal history review.
- Use PACER for federal court records.
Sealed, Confidential and Restricted North Carolina Court Records
Not every North Carolina court record is public online. Some records are confidential by law, sealed by court order, expunged, restricted by case type or available only to parties, attorneys, agencies or the court. Online public access rules may also hide documents that a clerk can review under proper request procedures.
Records that may be restricted
- Juvenile records and some child-related court files
- Adoption records and confidential family records
- Expunged criminal records
- Domestic violence protective order sensitive information
- Mental health, medical and treatment records
- Confidential addresses and personal identifiers
- Sealed filings, sealed exhibits and court-sealed orders
- Records restricted by statute, court rule or judge’s order
North Carolina Expunctions and Removing Court Records from Public View
An expunction is a legal process that can remove a criminal charge or conviction from a person’s record and seal or destroy state records when the person qualifies. North Carolina expunction eligibility depends on the charge, outcome, waiting period, prior record, age, statute and case details.
Basic expunction steps in North Carolina
- Collect your case information Use Portal or clerk records to find the case number, county, charge, disposition and judgment details.
- Read official expunction guidance Start with the North Carolina Judicial Branch Expunctions help topic.
- Find the correct form Use official North Carolina expunction forms.
- File in the correct county Most petitions are filed in the county where the charge or conviction occurred.
- Follow court and agency instructions Expunction orders may require processing by the clerk, SBI and other agencies before public records update.
Federal Court Records in North Carolina Through PACER
Federal court records in North Carolina are not searched through the state eCourts Portal. They are handled through PACER and the correct U.S. District Court. North Carolina has three federal district court systems: Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina.
North Carolina federal court districts
| Federal District | Official Website | Common Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern District of North Carolina | nced.uscourts.gov | Raleigh, Greenville, New Bern, Wilmington, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville |
| Middle District of North Carolina | ncmd.uscourts.gov | Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham and surrounding counties |
| Western District of North Carolina | ncwd.uscourts.gov | Charlotte, Asheville, Statesville and western counties |
How to search federal court records in North Carolina
- Create or sign in to PACER Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
- Choose the correct federal district Select Eastern, Middle or Western District of North Carolina based on where the federal case was filed.
- Search by party name or federal case number Federal case numbers are different from state court file numbers.
- Download docket entries or documents PACER may charge fees for pages, documents and reports under federal court policy.
North Carolina Court Locations and Administrative Office Map
For specific cases, contact the county Clerk of Superior Court. For statewide court administration, eCourts information, forms, court services and public guidance, use the North Carolina Judicial Branch and Administrative Office of the Courts resources.
901 Corporate Center Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607
Mailing address: PO Box 2448, Raleigh, NC 27602-2448
Telephone: 919-890-1000
Official website: NC Administrative Office of the Courts
County court directory: nccourts.gov/locations
Insider Tips: How to Search North Carolina Court Records Without Wasting Time
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Court Records
How do I search North Carolina court records online for free?
Use the official North Carolina eCourts Portal. Start with Smart Search for case lookup, Search Hearings for court dates, and payment tools for eligible fines or costs. For certified records, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed.
Is the NC eCourts Portal available in all counties?
Yes. North Carolina completed the eCourts conversion for all 100 counties in October 2025, so Portal access is now the main online starting point for statewide public case search.
Can I search North Carolina court records by name?
Yes. Portal Smart Search allows public users to search by name, business name or case number when records are available. Use county and case type details to avoid wrong matches.
How do I find my North Carolina court date?
Use the official court date page or the eCourts Portal Search Hearings tool. Search by name, case number or county and verify the date, time, courtroom and hearing type close to the scheduled date.
How do I get certified copies of North Carolina court records?
Contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. Provide the case number, party names, document name and the type of copy needed. Certified copies usually must come from the clerk, not from a screenshot.
Are North Carolina criminal court records public?
Many criminal court records are public, but some records may be sealed, expunged, restricted, juvenile-related or confidential. Portal can show public case information, but official background checks require the proper clerk or SBI process.
Is a Portal case search the same as a background check?
No. Portal search shows court case information. A certified criminal record search may be requested through the county Clerk of Superior Court, and fingerprint-based personal history review is handled through the North Carolina SBI.
How do I search North Carolina divorce records?
Search Portal by party name or case number, then contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted if you need a certified divorce judgment or decree.
How do I search North Carolina probate records?
Search Portal or contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the estate was opened. Use decedent name, estate name, executor name or file number if available.
How do I look up a North Carolina traffic ticket?
Use the citation details and search the official Portal or North Carolina court payment tools. Review whether payment is allowed or whether a court appearance is required before taking action.
Why can’t I find a North Carolina court case online?
The record may be sealed, expunged, confidential, restricted, too old, filed under another name, or only available through a clerk request. Contact the county Clerk of Superior Court if Portal does not show the result.
What is an expunction in North Carolina?
An expunction is a legal process that can remove a criminal charge or conviction from a person’s record and seal or destroy state records when the person qualifies under North Carolina law.
Can I search North Carolina offender records online?
Yes. The NC Department of Adult Correction provides offender search tools for state prisoners, probationers and parolees. This is not the same as a full court case search or SBI criminal history review.
How do I search North Carolina federal court records?
Use PACER and choose the correct federal district: Eastern, Middle or Western District of North Carolina. Federal records are not maintained in the state eCourts Portal.
What is the official North Carolina court records website?
The official statewide court website is nccourts.gov. For online case information, use the North Carolina eCourts Portal linked from the Judicial Branch website.
Final Summary
For north carolina court records, start with the official eCourts Portal for case search, court dates and eligible payments. Use the county Clerk of Superior Court for certified copies, older files, local records and certified criminal record searches. Use SBI Right to Review for fingerprint-based criminal history review, NC DAC for offender information, and PACER for federal court records.
The biggest mistake is treating one online result as a complete legal background check. Search carefully, confirm the county and case number, compare identity details, and request certified records from the correct official office when the record is needed for legal, employment, immigration, licensing, housing, school or government use.