Access Carteret County Divorce Records
Carteret County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort. The courthouse at 300 Courthouse Square handles all divorce filings for the county. Carteret County is in Judicial District 4 and has records going back to approximately 1867. You can search for divorce cases in person at the courthouse or online through the state eCourts system. The clerk staff can help you find case files, get copies, and answer questions about the process. Carteret County serves the coastal area of North Carolina including Beaufort, Morehead City, and surrounding towns.
Carteret County Quick Facts
Carteret County Clerk of Court
Ken Raper serves as Clerk of Superior Court for Carteret County. The office is at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort. All divorce case files for the county are stored here. The clerk handles new filings, keeps court records, and provides copies to the public. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Carteret County courthouse page on the NC Judicial Branch site lists available services. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search records on your own. The eCourts system allows online lookups by name or case number. Family Court services handle divorce and custody matters in Carteret County. You can call the clerk at (252) 504-4400 or send a fax to (252) 504-4401.
The NC Judicial Branch website displays Carteret County court information and services.
This page provides the courthouse location, hours, and services for Carteret County residents.
| Court |
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court 300 Courthouse Square Beaufort, NC 28516 Phone: (252) 504-4400 Fax: (252) 504-4401 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/carteret-county |
How to Search Carteret Divorce Records
You can search for divorce records in Carteret County in person or online. At the courthouse in Beaufort, staff can look up cases by name or number. Public access terminals are available during business hours. The NC eCourts portal lets you search basic case data from home for free.
For copies of documents, contact the Carteret County clerk. You can visit, call, or mail a request to 300 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516. The Carteret County contact directory has phone numbers for all court departments. Court records requests can also go through the Carteret County public records request page, though court records should be directed to the clerk at (252) 504-4400. The Register of Deeds handles birth, death, and marriage records but not divorce records in Carteret County.
The contact directory shows phone numbers for all departments at the Carteret County courthouse.
Carteret County Divorce Record Copies
The Carteret County divorce records page explains fees and access. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after that. Non-certified copies in person are $0.25 per page. If you request copies by mail, the fee goes up to $1.00 per page for non-certified copies.
Carteret County has divorce records dating back to about 1867. Historical records are available from specific years including 1867 through 1905, plus scattered years after that. The clerk office stores all these files. Older records may take more time to find. Call ahead if you need a very old record so the staff can prepare for your visit to Carteret County.
This resource details the types of Carteret County divorce records and the fees for copies.
Note: Carteret County was created in 1722 from Craven County, making it one of the older counties in the state with a long court history.
Filing for Divorce in Carteret County
To file for divorce in Carteret County, submit a complaint for absolute divorce at the clerk office. Pay the $225 filing fee. Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, at least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing.
Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must have been living apart for one full year. After filing, the other spouse must be served with the papers. Proof of service goes in the court file. The final judgment ends the marriage and becomes a public record in Carteret County. Any property or alimony claims must be filed before the final judgment is entered or those claims are waived under North Carolina law.
Carteret Divorce Verification
The NC Division of Public Health issues verification letters that confirm a divorce happened. These letters show the names, date, and county. They are not the same as a full court judgment.
Request one from the NC Vital Records Section at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The fee is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. NC Vital Records has certificates from 1958 to the present. Pre-1958 records must come from the Carteret County Clerk of Court.
What Carteret Divorce Records Contain
Divorce records in Carteret County include the complaint, the answer, any motions, and the final judgment. The complaint states the grounds for divorce. The answer is the response from the other party. Separation agreements detail what was agreed to about property, children, and support. All these documents are part of the court file.
The final judgment is what most people need from Carteret County. This court order dissolves the marriage. Certified copies are required for many legal matters. Name changes, property transfers, and remarriage all may need a certified copy of the judgment. You can get these from the clerk office at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort. Carteret County records are public under the NC Public Records Act. Anyone can ask to view them. Some details about children or finances may be redacted, but most of the file is open.
Legal Help in Carteret County
Legal Aid of North Carolina can help residents of Carteret County with divorce cases. Call the helpline at (866) 219-5262. They provide free legal help to qualifying individuals. The NC State Bar lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660 can connect you with a family law attorney near Beaufort.
The NC Judicial Branch at nccourts.gov has forms and instructions for self-represented litigants. You can download the complaint form, civil summons, and other papers needed to file in Carteret County. Judicial forms are available on the Carteret County page as well. Court dates can be searched through the online portal to stay up to date on your case. Carteret County was named for John Carteret, Earl of Granville, and the courthouse in Beaufort has served the coastal community for generations.