Lincoln County Divorce Records
Lincoln County divorce records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Lincolnton. The county is in Judicial District 27A in western North Carolina. You can search for divorce cases online using the eCourts system or visit the courthouse. The clerk office handles all filings and helps with record searches. Lincoln County was created in 1778 from Tryon County. It was named for General Benjamin Lincoln, a hero of the Revolutionary War. Staff at the courthouse assist the public with divorce record requests each day.
Lincoln County Quick Facts
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court
The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all divorce records in Lincoln County. The office is at 1 Court Square in Lincolnton. Staff manage filings, store case documents, and provide copies. The clerk has divorce and court records from 1920 forward.
The Lincoln County court page has hours, phone numbers, and links to forms. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service searches. The eCourts system also lets you search Lincoln County cases from home. The courthouse in Lincolnton serves the entire county for all civil and criminal matters.
Below is the Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court website.
Use this page to learn about accessing divorce records at the Lincoln County courthouse.
| Court |
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court 1 Court Square Lincolnton, NC 28093 Phone: (704) 742-7800 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/lincoln-county |
How to Search Lincoln County Divorce Cases
You can search Lincoln County divorce records online or in person. The NC eCourts portal at nccourts.gov covers all counties, including Lincoln County. Search by name or case number. It is free for basic case data.
For a visit to the courthouse, go to 1 Court Square in Lincolnton. Bring your ID. Staff at the clerk office can look up cases and make copies. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, divorce records are public in Lincoln County. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for uncertified and $5.00 per document for certified copies.
To search, you need:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Year the divorce was filed
- Case number if available
The Lincoln County contact directory has phone numbers for each department.
Call (704) 742-7800 if you need help finding divorce records in Lincoln County.
Filing for Divorce in Lincoln County
To file for divorce in Lincoln County, start with a complaint for absolute divorce at the clerk office. The fee is $225. Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for at least six months. File in the county where one spouse lives.
Serve the other spouse using the Lincoln County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, the spouses must have been apart for one full year. Once the court grants the divorce, a final judgment is entered. This document becomes part of the public record in Lincoln County. All claims for property or alimony must be filed before the judgment.
Note: Written requests for Lincoln County court records can be mailed to P.O. Box 8, Lincolnton, NC 28093-0008.
Lincoln County Government Resources
The Lincoln County government website provides links to all county offices. The Register of Deeds is at 105-A East Court Square, 2nd Floor. That office handles marriage records and property deeds that often relate to divorce cases in Lincoln County.
Below is a view of the Lincoln County government site.
This site helps you find offices for related records in Lincoln County.
What Lincoln County Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file in Lincoln County holds several documents. The complaint states the grounds. The answer is the response from the other side. Separation agreements detail what the parties agreed to. The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage.
Most people need the final judgment from Lincoln County. This is the paper that proves the divorce happened. You may need it to change your name, sell real estate, or remarry. Lincoln County divorce records also show names and addresses of both parties, dates of marriage and separation, and the date the judgment was entered. Certified copies from the clerk carry an official seal and work for legal purposes.
Legal Help for Lincoln County Divorce
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Lincoln County residents who need free legal assistance. Call (866) 219-5262 to ask about help with a divorce case. The NC State Bar lawyer referral line at 1-800-662-7660 can match you with a family law attorney in the area.
The NC Judicial Branch at nccourts.gov has court forms and guides for people filing on their own in Lincoln County. If you cannot afford the $225 filing fee, you may ask the court to waive it by filing a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent. The clerk office in Lincolnton can guide you through form selection and the filing steps. Lincoln County residents can also call the courthouse at (704) 742-7800 for general questions about the divorce process.
Note: The NC Judicial Branch website has forms for divorce complaints, summons, and motions that work in Lincoln County.
Divorce Verification in Lincoln County
The NC Vital Records office has divorce verification letters from 1958 to the present. The fee is $24. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov for details. For Lincoln County divorces before 1958, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in Lincolnton.
Probate records go back to 1869. For a full divorce judgment with all terms, visit the clerk office rather than the state Vital Records office.
Note: A verification letter only confirms the divorce took place in Lincoln County and does not include the full judgment terms.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lincoln County. Check where you live before filing to ensure the right court has your case.