New Hanover County Divorce Records

New Hanover County divorce records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court in Wilmington. This coastal county in southeastern North Carolina has a population of over 200,000 and sits in Judicial District 5. The clerk office handles all divorce filings, stores court documents, and provides copies of judgments and other case papers. Whether you need to search for a past divorce case or request certified copies, the courthouse in Wilmington is the central source. You can also use the eCourts portal for basic case lookups online.

New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in New Hanover County is the keeper of all divorce case files. This office accepts new filings, stores documents, and handles copy requests. New Hanover County was created in 1729 from Craven County. It was named for the House of Hanover, the ruling house of Great Britain at the time. The county seat is Wilmington, which is the largest city in the region.

Visit the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for case lookups. Staff can also search New Hanover County divorce records by name or case number. eCourts services are available for online case information as well. Call (910) 772-6600 before your visit to confirm what you need.

The New Hanover County clerk website shows the full range of court services available in Wilmington for divorce records and other civil matters.

Search New Hanover County Divorce Records

There are two ways to find divorce records in New Hanover County. You can search online through the eCourts system or visit the courthouse in Wilmington. Online tools give you basic case data at no charge. In-person visits let you see the full file and get copies right away.

To get copies, contact the New Hanover County clerk by phone or mail. Written requests go to P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. The New Hanover County contact directory lists all phone numbers for court offices, including the clerk at (910) 772-6600, Superior Court Judges at (910) 772-6616, and District Court Judges at (910) 772-6612.

When you search in person at the New Hanover County courthouse, bring a photo ID and any details you have about the case. The staff can look up records by name or case number for you.

Note: New Hanover County is one of the busier courts in the state, so plan extra time for in-person visits during peak hours.

New Hanover County Divorce Filing Process

Filing for divorce in New Hanover County begins at the clerk office on Princess Street. You file a complaint for absolute divorce and pay the $225 fee. The clerk assigns a case number to track your file. Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, one spouse must have been a North Carolina resident for six months before filing. If you live in New Hanover County, this is where you file.

After you file, you serve the other spouse. You can use the New Hanover County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service goes in the court file. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, the couple must have been living apart for a full year before the divorce can be granted. Once the requirements are met, the court enters a final judgment. This judgment ends the marriage and becomes part of the public record in New Hanover County.

Under N.C.G.S. 50-20, property claims must be raised before the judgment. If you wait, those claims are lost.

Divorce Records and Court Contacts

The New Hanover County court system includes several offices that handle parts of the divorce process. The contact directory for New Hanover County has all the numbers you may need. Court-ordered arbitration is available at (910) 772-6612 for cases that may settle without a full trial.

For all divorce record requests and copy orders, the Clerk of Superior Court is the starting point in New Hanover County.

What New Hanover County Divorce Records Show

A New Hanover County divorce file contains several documents. The complaint is the first paper. It names both spouses and states the grounds for divorce. The answer is the response from the other side. If the couple settled, the file includes a separation agreement. Motions, orders, and correspondence may also be in the file.

The final judgment is the most sought-after document. It ends the marriage. Certified copies are needed for things like name changes, new marriage licenses, and property sales. New Hanover County divorce records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, Chapter 132. Anyone can request to see a file. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some records involving children may have restricted details, but the bulk of the file is open to the public in New Hanover County.

New Hanover County Government Resources

The New Hanover County government website has details about local offices and services in Wilmington. The Register of Deeds is at 230 Government Center Drive. That office handles marriage licenses, property deeds, and other recorded documents that may tie to a divorce case.

Property transfers after a divorce are recorded at the Register of Deeds. For court-related divorce documents, go to the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. For marriage records that may be needed to prove the original marriage, the Register of Deeds is the right place.

Divorce Verification for New Hanover County

The NC Division of Public Health can issue a divorce verification letter for cases in New Hanover County. This letter confirms the divorce took place. It shows names, the date, and the county. It does not give you the full terms of any settlement or judgment.

Request a verification letter from NC Vital Records for $24 per three-year search period. Mail requests to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The state holds records from 1958 to the present. For divorces before 1958, contact the New Hanover County clerk in Wilmington. For the complete judgment, only the Clerk of Superior Court in New Hanover County has that document.

Note: Many people confuse a verification letter with the full divorce judgment, so confirm which one you need before ordering from New Hanover County or the state office.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor New Hanover County. Verify your address to file in the right county. The court must have jurisdiction over your divorce case.