How can I view records in criminal cases? Information about criminal cases in the North Carolina court system can be accessed by visiting a public, self-service terminal located at a clerk of court’s office in any county. You can use the terminal to search for cases by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name. Paper files for court cases may be accessed by visiting the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. Copies may be made of court documents for a fee. Also, see the Remote Public Access Program to learn more about licensing for data access and extracts. For eCourts counties: You may search Portal online for case information and court records by name, case number, attorney, and more. Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk's office for doing so, not Portal. For media inquiries, view more information for members of the media. How can I remove cases from my criminal record? Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for an expunction. See the Expunctions Help Topic for more information. How can I view records of civil, special proceeding, or estates cases? Information about civil, special proceeding, or estates cases in the North Carolina court system can be accessed on the public, self-service terminals in the clerk of court’s office in any county. View a user’s manual for the system in which the information is stored. The file for a court case can be viewed by visiting the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. Staff can provide copies of documents in court files for a fee. Also, see the Remote Public Access Program to learn more about licensing for data access and extracts. For eCourts counties: You may search online for case information and court records by name, case number, attorney, and more. Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk's office for doing so, not Portal. How can I get copies of divorce judgments? You can get a copy of a divorce judgment from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee. How can I get copies of birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates? The Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place may be able to provide a copy of a birth, marriage, or death certificate. You can also get copies of these certificates, as well as divorce certificates, through North Carolina Vital Records. How can I get a marriage license? Marriage licenses are available from the Register of Deeds. See the Marriage Help Topic for more information. How can I get copies of police reports? You can request a copy of a police report from a law enforcement agency that investigated or otherwise was involved in the case. However, the complete report may not be a public record and may not be available unless the rules of discovery in a criminal case require it to be provided. How can I find real estate records or deeds? Deeds and most other real estate records are kept by the Register of Deeds office in the county where the real estate is located. Many Register of Deeds offices have their own websites. You can find contact information for your Register of Deeds. The clerk of court’s office has records of court proceedings affecting real estate, such as records of foreclosures, evictions, partitions, and condemnations, as well as estates, divorces, judgments, and liens on real property. How can I request a public record? See the Request a Public Record page to learn more and how to submit a request depending on the type of record for the Judicial Branch. Options may include online, by mail, or in person. For media inquiries, view more information for members of the media.
If the clerk made an audio recording of the proceeding, how do I request a copy?
You may request a copy of the audio recording from the clerk’s office in the county where the case is filed. In a case type that is not confidential, you may make the request on Form AOC-G-114. You will be charged for the actual cost of a CD if the recording is available. Some court proceedings are confidential, like juvenile cases and involuntary hospitalization cases. In confidential cases, you must request permission from the court for a copy of the recording on Form AOC-G-115.