Search Brunswick County Divorce Records

Brunswick County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the Government Center in Bolivia, North Carolina. The clerk office stores all divorce case files for the county. Brunswick County was formed in 1764 from New Hanover and Bladen Counties. It is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. You can search for divorce records at the courthouse, by mail, or begin an online search through the state courts portal. This guide covers the full process for finding divorce records in Brunswick County.

Brunswick County Clerk of Court

James J. Maccallum is the Clerk of Superior Court for Brunswick County. The office is at 310 Government Center Drive, NE, in Bolivia. The mailing address is 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422. Call (910) 253-3900 for questions about divorce records. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court handles all divorce and court records for the county. Public access terminals are set up at the courthouse for self-service searches. The NC Judicial Branch online search is also available. The county seat is Bolivia, and all Brunswick County divorce cases are filed here at the Government Center.

Brunswick County has grown fast in recent years. The coastal location draws many new residents. All of them file divorce cases at the courthouse in Bolivia.

How to Search Brunswick Divorce Cases

Visit the Brunswick County courthouse in Bolivia to search divorce records in person. Bring a valid photo ID. Give staff the names of the parties and the rough date of the divorce. Use the public access terminals to look up cases on your own. You handle the research. Staff can direct you but cannot search for you.

The Brunswick County public records request page explains how to submit requests online or in writing. Court records are maintained by the clerk. You can also mail a request to 310 Government Center Drive NE, Unit 1, Bolivia, NC 28422. Include full names, dates, and payment.

Copy fees follow the state schedule. Plain copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies range from $5.00 to $10.00 per document. The Brunswick County contact directory lists phone numbers for the clerk departments. The eCourts portal at nccourts.gov also allows online searches for basic Brunswick County case information.

Note: Full documents and certified copies must be obtained from the Brunswick County clerk office, not through the online portal.

Brunswick County Divorce Filing Process

To file for divorce in Brunswick County, submit a complaint to the clerk and pay $225. 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. File in Brunswick County if either spouse lives here.

After filing, serve the other spouse. The Brunswick County Sheriff, certified mail, or a private server can handle it. Your spouse does not have to agree to the divorce. North Carolina has no-fault divorce only. Once the year of separation passes and papers are complete, the court grants the judgment. This becomes part of the public record at the Brunswick County courthouse. The clerk assigns a case number when you file.

Claims for property division under G.S. 50-20 must be filed before the final divorce judgment. The same applies to alimony claims. These rights are waived permanently once the judgment is entered in Brunswick County.

Brunswick Divorce Record Contents

A divorce file in Brunswick County holds the complaint, answer, separation agreement, and final judgment. The complaint lists grounds for divorce and what the filer requests. The answer is the other spouse's response. The judgment of divorce is the court order that ends the marriage.

Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, divorce records are public in Brunswick County. Anyone can request to view them. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some information about children may be sealed. The rest of the file is open. Certified copies of the judgment serve as legal proof that the marriage was dissolved. You may need one for name changes, property deeds, or remarriage in Brunswick County.

Divorce Verification for Brunswick County

NC Vital Records issues verification letters for $24. These confirm a divorce took place in Brunswick County. They show names, date, and county. Mail requests go to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. Extra copies are $15 each. Records are available from 1958 to the present.

For the full divorce judgment, go to the Brunswick County clerk in Bolivia. Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262 offers free help to qualifying residents. The NC Judicial Branch website has free divorce forms and instructions. The lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Brunswick County area.

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