This page helps users look for court records in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, including case information, court dates, document copies, and records that may require Clerk of Superior Court assistance.

The main online service is Portal, the North Carolina eCourts system for public case information, court dates, document access, and some payments. Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court staff also handle records that are unavailable online or need county-specific review.

Use Portal to search for Mecklenburg County court records and case information. The system includes Smart Search for court records and case information, Search Hearings for court dates and hearings, Make Payments for eligible probation, parole, criminal, and infraction cases, and NC Judgment Search for the judgment index.

  • Party or defendant name
  • Case number, if known
  • County
  • Date range for hearing searches

Portal works best when your browser allows JavaScript and cookies. Anonymous, registered, and elevated access users may also be asked to complete a CAPTCHA challenge during use.

  • Open Portal and choose the search option that matches your task.
  • Enter the known case, name, county, hearing, or payment details.
  • Review the matching case information, court date, judgment, document, or payment option shown by the system.
  • Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned if the case details need confirmation.

Background check note: Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk’s office, not Portal.

Public access terminals and case files

Criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates case information can be accessed on public self-service terminals at a clerk of court’s office. The terminals allow searches by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name for criminal cases.

Paper case files may be reviewed at the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. Copies of court documents may be available for a fee.

The Obtaining Court Records help topic explains the statewide options for criminal, civil, special proceeding, estates, divorce judgment, transcript, and audio-recording requests.

Mecklenburg County records before October 9, 2023

Mecklenburg County directs users to Portal for electronic access to public case information, court dates, and document copies starting October 9, 2023.

If a document filed before October 9, 2023 cannot be found on Portal, electronic copies of criminal, civil, or estate special proceedings documents may be requested by email from the proper Clerk Division. Include the type of record request, party name or names, and the file number if known.

Court dates and calendars

For court dates, use Portal to search by name, citation number, county, and related case details. The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides a Court Dates page for court date searches and county calendar options.

Mecklenburg County civil and criminal calendars are also available by case type.

If a courthouse closure or canceled session affects your case, the case will be rescheduled. Notice is generally sent by mail, and the clerk’s office can explain the local procedure once normal office hours resume.

Certified and non-certified criminal record checks

A certified criminal record search by name is available through the Clerk of Superior Court office for a single county. The request uses Form AOC-CR-314 and carries a $25 fee.

For a self-service, non-certified search, public access computers at any courthouse may be used to search, view, or email criminal records for yourself or others without charge. Printing charges may apply.

The Criminal Background Check help topic explains certified single-county searches, courthouse self-service searches, SBI options, third-party vendors, and business access through Remote Public Access.

Remote Public Access for court data

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts offers statewide criminal and civil court data through the Remote Public Access Program. Licensees may use online real-time access or bulk data extracts.

Businesses that need ongoing access to criminal records, civil searches, infractions, tax liens, evictions, or judgments can review the Remote Public Access Program for access options, costs, and connectivity details.

Copies, transcripts, and recordings

Copies of divorce judgments are available from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee. Birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates are handled through the Register of Deeds or North Carolina Vital Records, depending on the certificate type.

Official transcripts are prepared at the request of a party and require payment to the court reporter or transcriptionist. If a hearing was recorded by the clerk or a digital recording technician, a copy of the audio recording may be requested from the clerk’s office in the county where the case is filed.

Some proceedings are confidential. For non-confidential case types, Form AOC-G-114 may be used for an audio recording request. In confidential cases, court permission is requested on Form AOC-G-115.

Payments, forms, and public record requests

Eligible court fees, fines, traffic citations, probation, parole, and certain criminal or infraction payments may have online or in-person options. Portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for eligible payments. Digital payment apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, and Venmo are not accepted in Portal.

Mecklenburg County payment by mail may be made by money order or certified check payable to Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. Personal checks and cash are not accepted by mail. In-person payment may be made at the Cashier’s Office in the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

For statewide forms, use the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms search. For other Judicial Branch public records, use the Request a Public Record page to find the correct request path.

Mecklenburg County courthouse access

The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Office is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Public records are available onsite at the courthouse during operational hours.

The Mecklenburg County Courthouse is located at 832 East Fourth St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Public parking for court visitors is available at the 4th Street Parking Deck at 4th and McDowell Streets.

Visitors must pass through courthouse security. Firearms, knives, scissors, sharp objects, pepper spray, tasers, recording equipment, and other prohibited items are not allowed inside the building.

Mecklenburg County court contacts

Use these contacts for Mecklenburg County court record questions, case information, document access, and courthouse services.

Common questions

Where can I search Mecklenburg County court records online?

Use Portal for public case information, Smart Search, hearings, eligible payments, and NC Judgment Search. For missing or unclear case information, contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned.

Can I use Portal for a background check?

Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk’s office, not Portal. A certified single-county criminal record search is available through the Clerk of Superior Court office with Form AOC-CR-314 and the required fee.

What should I do if a Mecklenburg County record filed before October 9, 2023 is not in Portal?

Email the proper Clerk Division for the record type. Include the type of request, party name or names, and the file number if known.

Where can I view paper court files?

Paper case files may be viewed at the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. Copies may be made for a fee.

How do I get a copy of a divorce judgment?

Request it from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted. A fee applies.

Who handles birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates?

Birth, marriage, and death certificates may be available through the Register of Deeds in the county where the event occurred. Divorce certificates may also be obtained through North Carolina Vital Records.

How do I request a court transcript or audio recording?

For a transcript, contact the court reporter or approved transcriptionist connected to the proceeding. If an audio recording was made by the clerk or a digital recording technician, request it from the clerk’s office in the county where the case is filed.

What are the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court public hours?

The office is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Public records access is available onsite at the courthouse during operational hours.