Greenville Divorce Records
Greenville divorce records are kept at the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court. Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and home to East Carolina University. The city sits in eastern North Carolina with a population of about 93,000. All divorce cases in Greenville go through the Pitt County courthouse at 100 W. 3rd Street. The clerk keeps divorce files and can provide copies of judgments. You can search for divorce records in Greenville online through the state court system or visit the courthouse in person. Both ways let you find case details going back many years.
Greenville Quick Facts
Where Greenville Divorce Cases Are Filed
Greenville residents file for divorce at the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court. The courthouse is at 100 W. 3rd Street in downtown Greenville. Since Greenville is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town. This is where you start a new case and where you get copies of divorce records in Greenville.
| Court | Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. 3rd Street Greenville, NC 27835 |
| Phone | (252) 695-7100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/pitt-county |
Pitt County also runs a satellite courthouse in Farmville at 208 N. Main Street. Residents in the west part of Pitt County can use that location for some court needs. Both the Greenville and Farmville courthouses keep divorce records for the whole county. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to get divorce records in Greenville.
Note: Pitt County Judicial District 3 covers all Superior Court, District Court, and family court matters for Greenville and the rest of the county.
Searching Greenville Divorce Records
You can look up divorce records in Greenville both online and in person. Online searches are free for basic case data. In-person visits let you see the full file and get copies the same day. Both methods cover divorce cases filed in Pitt County going back many years.
The North Carolina eCourts portal at nccourts.gov covers Pitt County. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows filing dates, party names, and case status. For copies of actual divorce documents from Greenville, you need to go to the clerk office or send a written request.
To search divorce records in Greenville you need:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- Year the divorce was filed or granted
- Case number if you have it
- Valid photo ID for in-person requests
You can also call the clerk at (252) 695-7100 to ask about a case. Staff can look up records by name. The Pitt County government website offers links to other public records that may help your search. Greenville divorce records are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, so most case files are open for anyone to view.
Divorce Filing Steps in Greenville
The steps to file for divorce in Greenville follow North Carolina state law. You file at the Pitt County courthouse since Greenville is in Pitt County. Each step in the process creates records that go into your case file at the clerk office.
First, you must meet the residency rule. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing. If you live in Greenville now, you can file at the Pitt County courthouse. You do not need to have lived in Greenville for the full six months. You just need to be a state resident. The next step is meeting the separation period. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year before filing for absolute divorce. One spouse must intend for the split to be for good. This is the only ground for absolute divorce in North Carolina.
You file the complaint at the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court in Greenville. The filing fee is $225. You then serve the other spouse with the papers. You can use the Pitt County Sheriff, a private server, or certified mail. Once served, the case moves toward a hearing. If both sides agree, the judge can grant the divorce at the hearing. The final judgment becomes a public record.
The Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville handles the full process from start to finish. The Family Court office at the courthouse helps move family cases along on time.
The courthouse is in the heart of Greenville. Parking is available nearby. Security checks all visitors at the door.
Greenville Divorce Record Fees
Fees for divorce cases in Greenville follow the North Carolina fee schedule. The cost to start a new divorce case is $225. Copy fees are separate. You pay them when you request documents at the Pitt County clerk office in Greenville.
The main fees are:
- Divorce complaint filing: $225.00
- Uncertified copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Record search fee: $2.00 per name
If you cannot pay the fees, you may apply for a fee waiver at the Pitt County courthouse. You fill out a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent form. The court reviews it and decides if you qualify. Call (252) 695-7100 to ask about current rates before you visit Greenville for divorce records.
Note: Fees can change, so always confirm current costs with the Pitt County clerk before filing or requesting copies of divorce records in Greenville.
Divorce Verification for Greenville Residents
After a divorce is final in Greenville, you may need a verification letter. This is not the same as the court judgment. A verification letter comes from the state and just confirms the divorce took place. The judgment is the full court order from the Pitt County courthouse.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health issues verification letters through the Vital Records office. You can mail a request to the Vital Records Section at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The fee is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each extra copy at the same time. These letters cover divorces from 1958 to now. For divorces before 1958, Greenville residents must get records from the Pitt County Clerk of Court. Historical records may also be found through the State Archives. Pitt County was formed in 1760, so some records go back quite far.
For the full divorce judgment, you get that from the Pitt County clerk in Greenville. The judgment has more detail than a verification letter. Most legal needs require the judgment, not just the letter.
The Sheppard Memorial Library at 530 Evans Street in Greenville also has genealogy resources for people researching older family records in Pitt County.
Legal Help for Divorce in Greenville
Several groups offer help with divorce in Greenville. Some give free legal aid to people with low income. Others offer low-cost first meetings with a lawyer. These can help you understand how to file or how to get divorce records in Greenville.
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Greenville and Pitt County. They help people who qualify based on income. Call (866) 219-5262 to ask about help. The NC Judicial Branch website has forms, step-by-step guides, and instructions for people handling their own divorce in Greenville. All forms are free to download. The North Carolina State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660 for anyone who needs a family law attorney in the Greenville area.
The Pitt County courthouse also has a custody mediator at (252) 695-7370. Mediation can help parents reach agreements on custody without a full trial. This is a resource many people use during divorce cases in Greenville.
Note: Claims for property division and alimony must be filed before the final divorce judgment is entered, or those claims are permanently lost under North Carolina law.
Pitt County Divorce Records
Greenville is in Pitt County, and all divorce filings go through the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court. The county court handles cases for all towns in the county. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and other resources, visit the Pitt County divorce records page.