Search Wake County Court Records

This page helps users handle Court Records tasks in Wake County, North Carolina, including online case searches, court date checks, certified record searches, and copy requests.

The main public tools are the North Carolina eCourts Portal and Wake County Clerk of Superior Court services. For some needs, such as certified background checks or paper court files, the clerk’s office is the proper next step.

North Carolina eCourts Portal for Wake County court records

The North Carolina eCourts Portal provides online access to case information and court records. Use the North Carolina eCourts Portal for Smart Search, hearing searches, eligible payments, and the NC Judgment Search.

• Name
• Case number
• Attorney information
• County and date range for hearing searches

Use the search option that matches the task you need to complete.

• Select Smart Search to look for court records and case information.
• Select Search Hearings to search court dates or hearings by name, county, date range, and related details.
• Select Make Payments for eligible probation, parole, and some criminal or infraction cases.
• Select NC Judgment Search to search the judgment index under NCGS 7A-109(b)(6).

Portal access note: JavaScript and cookies must be enabled, and the system may require a CAPTCHA challenge every ten minutes.

Clerk office access to court records

Criminal case information can be viewed at a public, self-service terminal in a clerk of court’s office in any county. Terminal searches may be made by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name.

Civil, special proceeding, and estates case information can also be accessed at public self-service terminals in clerk offices. Paper case files may be reviewed at the clerk’s office in the county where the case is located, and copies may be made for a fee.

For certified criminal record searches in one county, submit Form AOC-CR-314 to the clerk of superior court office with the $25 fee. For background checks, use the county clerk’s office rather than Portal.

Wake County court locations

Wake County court services are split by case type. All civil matters, except marriages, are conducted at the Wake County Courthouse. All criminal matters, as well as marriages, are conducted at the Wake County Justice Center.

Court dates, calendars, and hearings

For court dates, use the Judicial Branch court date tools to search by name, county, date range, and other details. The Court Dates page also links to civil and criminal calendars by county.

Wake County calendar pages list civil district, civil superior, district criminal, and superior criminal calendars. Portal is recommended for searching court dates and case information.

If a courthouse closes or a session is canceled due to inclement weather, the case will be rescheduled. If you miss a court date, contact the clerk of court’s office in the county where you were charged, or contact your attorney if represented.

Copies, transcripts, and public records requests

Divorce judgments are available from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee. Birth, marriage, and death certificates are handled by the Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place, and divorce certificates may be available through North Carolina Vital Records.

For existing Judicial Branch public records, use the Judicial Branch public records request page. State agencies and employees are not required to create or compile a record that does not already exist.

Transcripts are prepared when requested and usually require payment to the court reporter or transcriptionist. If a hearing was recorded by the clerk or a digital recording technician, request the audio from the clerk’s office in the county where the case is filed.

Payments for Wake County court cases

Wake County accepts different payment methods depending on how and where payment is made. Online payments are available only when the case is eligible.

Traffic tickets or other criminal court payments may be paid at the Wake County Justice Center. Family court, civil, special proceeding, and estate fees may be paid at the Wake County Courthouse.

Wake County court records contacts

Use these Wake County contacts for court record questions, case routing, copies, and related clerk services.

• Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville St. Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601
  Main: (919) 792-4000
  Mailing address: PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602
• Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  Main: (919) 792-4000
• Clerk of Superior Court
  Phone: (919) 792-4000
• Record Checks, Expungements, Driver's Licenses Disposed Case
  Phone: (919) 792-4325
• Judgments/Executions/Liens
  Phone: (919) 792-4200
• Divorce, Child Custody, Pending Cases
  Phone: (919) 792-4125
• Estates
  Phone: (919) 792-4450
• Adoption, Guardianship, Foreclosure, Name Changes
  Phone: (919) 792-4600
• Special Proceedings
  Email: [email protected]
• Special Proceedings Copy Request
  Email: [email protected]
• eCourts help
  Email: [email protected]