Pender County Divorce Records

Pender County divorce records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Burgaw. This southeastern North Carolina county sits in Judicial District 16 and was created in 1875 from New Hanover County. The clerk office manages all divorce filings, stores court documents, and makes copies available to the public. If you want to find a divorce case or get a certified copy of a judgment, the courthouse in Burgaw is the right place to start. You can also use the state eCourts system for basic case lookups from your computer or phone.

Pender County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the official record keeper for all divorce cases in Pender County. This office handles new filings, stores court documents, and provides copies. Pender County was named for William Dorsey Pender, a Confederate General. The county seat is Burgaw, where the courthouse serves all residents.

The Pender County Clerk of Superior Court is at 100 S Wright Street in Burgaw. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are set up at the courthouse for self-service lookups. Staff can also search Pender County divorce records by name or case number for you. Call (910) 259-1200 before your visit to check what you need to bring.

The Pender County clerk page on the state court site shows location, hours, and court services for divorce records.

How to Search Pender County Divorce Records

There are two ways to search for divorce records in Pender County. Online, the eCourts portal covers all North Carolina counties. You can search by name or case number for free. For copies, you need to contact the Pender County clerk.

Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. You can mail a written request to P.O. Box 6, Burgaw, NC 28425. Include the names of the spouses and any case details you have. The Pender County contact directory has numbers for all court offices. When visiting in person, bring a photo ID. Staff at the Pender County courthouse can search records and make copies while you wait.

To search Pender County divorce records, you will need:

• Full name of at least one spouse
• Year the divorce was filed or granted
• Case number if you have it

Pender County Divorce Filing Process

Filing for divorce in Pender County starts at the clerk office in Burgaw. You file a complaint for absolute divorce and pay the $225 fee. The clerk assigns a case number.

Under N.C.G.S. 50-8, one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing. If you live in Pender County, file in Burgaw. Serve the other spouse using the Pender County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, the couple must have lived apart for one full year. Once the court is satisfied, the judge enters a final judgment of divorce. This judgment becomes a permanent public record at the Pender County courthouse.

Note: Under N.C.G.S. 50-20, claims for property division and alimony must be filed before the judgment or they are waived in Pender County.

Pender County Divorce Court Contacts

The Pender County court contact page has phone numbers for all offices in the Burgaw courthouse. The clerk at (910) 259-1200 is the main contact for divorce records. Superior Court and District Court judges can be reached through the main office.

All copy fees and filing costs follow the state schedule for Pender County divorce records.

What Pender County Divorce Records Show

A Pender County divorce file holds the complaint, the answer, motions, and the final judgment. The complaint names both parties and states the grounds. If the couple settled, a separation agreement may be in the file. This covers property, support, and children.

The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage. Certified copies are needed for name changes, new marriage licenses, and property deals. Pender County divorce records are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, the Public Records Act. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party. Some child-related details may be sealed, but most of the record is open at the Pender County courthouse.

Pender County Government and Related Records

The Pender County government website has information about local offices and services. The Register of Deeds is at 300 E Fremont Street in Burgaw. That office handles marriage licenses and property deeds that may connect to a divorce case in Pender County.

For marriage records, visit the Register of Deeds. For court-related divorce documents and judgments, the Pender County Clerk of Superior Court is the correct office. Property records that change after a divorce are recorded at the Register of Deeds.

Divorce Verification for Pender County

The NC Division of Public Health issues verification letters for divorces in Pender County. This letter confirms the divorce took place. It lists names, date, and county but not the full terms.

Order from NC Vital Records for $24 per three-year search. Mail to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. The state has records from 1958 to the present. For older cases, contact the Pender County clerk in Burgaw. For the complete judgment, the clerk office at the courthouse is the only source.

Note: If you are not sure whether you need a verification letter or the full judgment, call the Pender County clerk at (910) 259-1200 and they can help you decide.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Pender County. Confirm your address before filing. The court must have jurisdiction for your divorce case to be valid.