Beaufort County Divorce Record Search

Beaufort County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Washington, North Carolina. The clerk office stores all divorce case files for the county. Beaufort County is one of the oldest counties in the state. It was part of Bath County before 1739 and was formed in 1712. You can search divorce records at the courthouse or by mail. This page covers how to find and obtain divorce records in Beaufort County, including fees, contact details, and the filing process.

Beaufort County Clerk of Court

V. Martin Paramore serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Beaufort County. The courthouse is at 112 West Second Street in Washington. The mailing address is PO Box 1403, Washington, NC 27889-1403. Call (252) 940-4000 for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court handles all divorce records for the county. Beaufort County is in Judicial District 2. The eCourts system is available for online case searches. Public access terminals are also set up at the courthouse for in-person use. The clerk staff can direct you to the right records but will not conduct research on your behalf in Beaufort County.

Beaufort County has deep roots. Formed in 1712 from Bath County, it is among the earliest counties in North Carolina. The county seat, Washington, was named after George Washington.

How to Search Beaufort Divorce Records

Visit the Beaufort County courthouse to search for divorce records. Bring your ID. Provide the names of the parties and the date of divorce if known. Public terminals let you look up case details on your own. Staff can help you find where to look but cannot do the research for you.

Mail requests go to PO Box 1403, Washington, NC 27889-1403. Include full names and approximate dates. The Beaufort County contact directory lists department phone numbers. In-person copies cost $0.25 per page. By-mail copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies run from $5.00 to $10.00 per document. Send a check or money order with your written request for Beaufort County records.

The NC eCourts portal at nccourts.gov offers online searches for basic case details. You can look up Beaufort County divorce cases by name or case number. Full documents require a trip to the courthouse or a mail request.

Note: By-mail copy fees in Beaufort County are higher than in-person fees, so plan for $1.00 per page when sending a written request.

Beaufort County Divorce Filing Process

Filing for divorce in Beaufort County starts with a complaint. Pay $225 at the clerk office. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must be separated for one year. One spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months under G.S. 50-8.

After filing, serve the other spouse. The Beaufort County Sheriff can deliver the papers. Certified mail and private process servers are also options. North Carolina only allows no-fault divorce. Your spouse does not have to agree to it. Once the separation is met and the paperwork is complete, the court grants the divorce. The judgment enters the public record at the Beaufort County courthouse. You can request a certified copy of the judgment for legal purposes.

Claims for equitable distribution under G.S. 50-20 and alimony must be filed before the final judgment. Missing this deadline means losing those rights. A separation agreement is not required by law. Living apart with the intent to stay apart counts as being separated in Beaufort County.

Beaufort Divorce Records Contents

A divorce file in Beaufort County includes the complaint, answer, separation agreement, and judgment. The complaint starts the case. The answer is the other side's response. The judgment of divorce is the court order that ends the marriage. Most people need a certified copy of this document.

Divorce records in Beaufort County are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be a party. Some details about children may be sealed. The rest of the case file is open to the public in Beaufort County. Certified copies are accepted as legal proof that a marriage was dissolved.

Divorce Verification in Beaufort County

NC Vital Records issues verification letters for divorces from 1958 to the present. The fee is $24. Mail your request to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. Extra copies are $15 each. A verification letter confirms the divorce but does not show the full terms.

For the complete divorce judgment in Beaufort County, contact the clerk at (252) 940-4000. Pre-1958 records may be at the clerk office or the North Carolina State Archives at (919) 814-6840. Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262 serves Beaufort County residents who need free help with divorce matters. The NC Judicial Branch has free forms and instructions for those filing without an attorney.

Note: You can include a request to resume your maiden name in the divorce complaint at no extra charge in Beaufort County.

North Carolina Court Records Portal

The North Carolina Judicial Branch runs a statewide portal for searching court records. This system is being rolled out county by county across the state. The NC Courts services page lets you search by name, case number, or citation number for Beaufort County cases.

Basic case information is free online. Full documents and certified copies still require contact with the Beaufort County clerk. The portal also has forms for filing and information about court dates in Beaufort County.