Search Mecklenburg County Divorce Records

Mecklenburg County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Charlotte. Mecklenburg County is the largest county in North Carolina with over one million residents. The county is in Judicial District 26. You can search for divorce cases using the eCourts system online or visit the courthouse. The clerk office handles all filings, stores court documents, and provides copies to the public. Mecklenburg County was created in 1762 from Anson County. The courthouse in Charlotte serves all residents across the county.

Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all divorce records in Mecklenburg County. The office is at 832 East Fourth Street in Charlotte. Staff manage filings, store case documents, and provide copies. The clerk has divorce and court records from 1930 forward.

Mecklenburg County was named for the German duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Charlotte, the county seat, is the largest city in North Carolina. The courthouse complex handles a very high volume of civil cases each year. The Mecklenburg County court page lists hours, phone numbers, and links to forms. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search for divorce cases on your own. Mecklenburg County also has a Family Court division that deals with divorce and custody cases.

Below is the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court website for accessing court services.

This page shows how to reach the court and begin a divorce record search in Mecklenburg County.

How to Search Divorce Records in Mecklenburg County

You can search Mecklenburg County divorce records online or in person. The NC eCourts portal at nccourts.gov covers all counties. Search by name or case number. Basic case data is free. For copies of actual documents, contact the Mecklenburg County clerk.

To visit in person, go to 832 East Fourth Street in Charlotte. The clerk office is busy due to the size of Mecklenburg County. Plan for possible wait times. Bring your ID. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, divorce records are public. You do not need to be part of the case. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for uncertified copies in person and $1.00 per page by mail. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

To search for a Mecklenburg County divorce case, you need:

• Full name of one or both spouses
• Year the case was filed
• Case number if you have it

Note: Due to high case volume, Mecklenburg County wait times may be longer than in smaller counties.

Divorce Filing Process in Mecklenburg County

Filing for divorce in Mecklenburg County follows North Carolina law. Start with a complaint for absolute divorce at the clerk office in Charlotte. The fee is $225. Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, one spouse must have lived in the state for six months. If you live in Mecklenburg County, you file here.

Next, serve your spouse with the papers. You can use the Mecklenburg County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, the spouses must have lived apart for one year before filing. The Mecklenburg County Family Court handles divorce cases. Once the court grants the divorce, a judgment is entered. This document becomes part of the public record.

The Mecklenburg County contact directory shows phone numbers for each court department, including Family Court at (704) 686-0202.

Use this directory to reach the right department for your Mecklenburg County divorce case.

What Mecklenburg County Divorce Records Contain

Divorce records in Mecklenburg County include many types of documents. The complaint states the grounds for divorce. The answer is the other party's response. Separation agreements set out terms for property and support. The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage.

Most people need a certified copy of the divorce judgment from Mecklenburg County. This is the proof that the marriage ended. You may need it to change your name, sell real estate, or remarry. The clerk can make both certified and uncertified copies. Written requests can be sent to P.O. Box 37971, Charlotte, NC 28237-7971. Property and alimony claims must be raised before the judgment is entered in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg County Government Resources

The Mecklenburg County government website provides links to all county departments. The Register of Deeds is at 720 E. 4th Street, Room 103, in Charlotte. That office handles marriage records and property deeds that often come up during a divorce case in Mecklenburg County.

Below is the Mecklenburg County government website.

Visit this site for links to other Mecklenburg County offices that hold records related to divorce cases.

Historical records from 1846 to 1969 are also available at the Carolina Room of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library. The Register of Deeds has marriage records from 1850 and land records from 1763.

Divorce Verification for Mecklenburg County

NC Vital Records issues verification letters for Mecklenburg County divorces from 1958 to the present. The fee is $24. Visit vitalrecords.nc.gov for more details. For Mecklenburg County divorces before 1958, contact the clerk in Charlotte.

A verification letter confirms the divorce happened. It shows names, date, and county. It does not include the full terms of the settlement. For the complete divorce judgment, visit the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court in Charlotte.

Note: A divorce verification letter is not the same as a certified copy of the judgment from Mecklenburg County.

Cities in Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County includes Charlotte and several other cities and towns. All divorce cases for residents of Mecklenburg County are filed at the Clerk of Superior Court in Charlotte. The courthouse serves the entire county from one location.

Other places in Mecklenburg County include Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, and Stallings. All of these file divorce cases at the Mecklenburg County courthouse in Charlotte.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mecklenburg County. Make sure you know which county you live in before filing for divorce.