Divorce records in Carteret County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. CarteretCourt.us can help locate publicly available divorce record information for Carteret County. Beyond that, the court that issued the divorce decree, the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court, and the North Carolina Vital Records office each serve as access points for different types of divorce documentation.
Carteret County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Carteret County are maintained by two separate entities, each holding different types of documents:
- The Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court maintains the full court file — including the divorce decree, complaint, settlement agreements, custody orders, equitable distribution orders, and all related filings.
- The North Carolina Vital Records office (part of the NC Department of Health and Human Services) maintains divorce certificates, which are shorter verification documents confirming that a divorce occurred.
If you need the complete divorce judgment or any attached court orders, start with the Clerk of Superior Court. For a divorce certificate used for personal identification or name-change verification, contact NC Vital Records.
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
For questions about court records, court dates, or office hours, contact the Clerk of Court directly at the number above.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Carteret County
In North Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the District Court Division of the General Court of Justice. In Carteret County, divorce complaints are filed with and heard by the District Court, which sits at the Carteret County Courthouse in Beaufort.
After a judge signs the divorce judgment, the decree becomes part of the permanent court file held by the Clerk of Superior Court. The court also reports the divorce to the state, and NC Vital Records creates a divorce certificate based on that report.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, or other court filings — Contact the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court.
- Divorce certificate (verification-only document) — Order from NC Vital Records.
- To search for a case online — Use the North Carolina Judicial Branch Search Portal to look up cases by name, county, or citation number.
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
North Carolina Vital Records
Divorce certificates from NC Vital Records are available for divorces granted from January 1, 1958, to the present. For divorces before that date, contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
You can also request a public record through the North Carolina Judicial Branch if you need guidance on which documents the courts can and cannot release. Divorce judgments are generally public records in North Carolina, though certain attachments — such as financial affidavits containing sensitive personal information — may be restricted.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Carteret County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (NC Vital Records) | $24.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of same divorce certificate (same order) | $15.00 each | Included with original order |
| Court record copy (Clerk of Superior Court, per page) | $0.25 per page | Varies; often same day for in-person requests |
| Certified court document copy (Clerk of Superior Court) | $3.00 certification fee plus $0.25 per page | Varies; typically 1–3 business days |