Moore County, North Carolina State Court Records
Moore County court records are the official collection of information and documents related to a case heard in the county's judicial system. The system comprises a District Court and a Superior Court, and all records generated within these courts are preserved by the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office.
Court records are among the most frequently requested documents in Moore County, assisting the public, media, and government personnel in reviewing the specifics of a case. Court records typically interact with other public record categories, such as vital records, to provide a more complete narrative of a legal matter. For example, a divorce certificate (maintained by state and local vital records offices) is a one-page summary of a divorce decree. The decree is issued after a court grants a divorce to a married couple.
Are Moore County Court Records Public?
Yes. Moore County court records are publicly accessible under G.S. 132-1 et seq. (commonly referred to as the North Carolina Public Records Law) and G.S. § 7A-109. Per these statutes, court records are treated as part of the broader "public records," which consist of papers, documents, letters, recordings, and other documentary materials created by a government agency in the performance of its public functions.
G.S. § 132-1 et seq. and G.S. § 7A-109 are the primary legal frameworks compelling courts to disclose official accounts of legal proceedings, excluding scenarios where the requested information or document falls within a statutory exemption. Public access to juvenile, adoption, and judicially sealed records, for example, is entirely restricted.
What Information is Available in Moore County Court Records?
Moore County court records often comprise the following components:
- Parties involved (e.g., the defendant, plaintiff, and their respective legal counsel).
- A chronological log of each action, event, or filing that occurred in a case (referred to as the "court docket").
- The case type, case status (e.g., active or closed), filing date, presiding judge, and scheduled hearings.
- Court costs, fines, or restitutions.
- All physical/electronic filings, such as motions, affidavits, petitions, complaints, summonses, subpoenas, notices (e.g., a notice of appearance), writs, orders, and judgments.
Moore County Court Records Search
A Moore County court records search enables any member of the public to review or copy case records kept by the local judiciary. The search can be executed through these channels:
Online Access
The North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts Portal provides statewide access to digitized court records across all 100 North Carolina counties (see the system FAQs). Individuals utilizing eCourts can view available case information, dockets, and documents for civil and criminal cases entirely free of charge.
In-Person Access
Beyond remote searches, individuals can visit the Moore County Courthouse to use public terminals (computers) for case research or request copies from the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office.
The distinct advantage of a courthouse visit is the ability to retrieve certified and exemplified copies required for legal or official uses from the Clerk's Office. Research at courthouse terminals is free, but any physical/paper copy made by staff at the Clerk's Office attracts standard statutory copy charges.
Mail and Phone Requests
Written court records request can be submitted by mail to the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office using the following mailing address:
Moore County Courthouse
PO Box 936
Carthage, NC 28327
Each letter should sufficiently identify the desired record, include the statutory fee(s) for copies, and come with a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of copies. Calling the Clerk's Office beforehand to confirm payment amounts and mailing guidelines is highly advised. The Clerk's Office can be reached at (910) 722-5000.
Fees for Court Records in Moore County
Per the North Carolina Judicial Branch's Current Fee Schedule and G.S. § 7A-308, the following fees are applicable when requesting the duplication of Moore County court records:
- Certified Copy: $3
- Plain Copy: $2 (first page), 25 cents (per additional page)
- Exemplified Copy: $10
Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, inspecting public court records via eCourts or at courthouse terminals is free.
Moore County Courthouse Locations
The District and Superior Courts in Moore County adjudicate all cases filed in the county's justice system. These courts preside over cases at a single location:
Moore County Courthouse
102 Monroe Street
Carthage, NC 28327
Phone (Main): (910) 722-5000
Criminal Records Access in Moore County
Members of the public can procure criminal records through the Moore County court system by completing a Criminal Background Check request (Form AOC-CR-314) and either hand-delivering the form to the Moore County Clerk of the Superior Court's Office or mailing it. Form AOC-CR-314 requests a name check, which costs $25 per request.
Free criminal record checks through the court system can also be conducted electronically by searching the online eCourts Portal or in person using public self-service courthouse terminals.
Nevertheless, court-based criminal records checks are restricted to a single county (i.e., they do not cover other North Carolina counties) and only pertain to formal criminal charges filed in court. For more comprehensive criminal records, it is recommended to request a fingerprint-based background check from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). An NCSBI check spans the full state and shows arrest and disposition data. However, the resulting record is strictly releasable only to the subject of the record and legally authorized bodies.
Moore County Probate Records
Moore County probate records hold information about estate and special proceedings heard in the county's Superior Court. The Moore County Clerk of the Superior Court's Office acts as the ex officio judge of probate for the county. Cases handled by the Clerk include estate administration, wills, guardianships, name changes, and adoptions.
Probate records fall under the category of public records per the North Carolina Public Records Law and can be accessed via the eCourts Portal, at the courthouse, or by contacting the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office. Similar to other court records, certain access restrictions apply to information deemed confidential or exempt by law. For example, federal/state tax returns, adoption records, and safekeeping wills (G.S. § 31-11) are not open records.
Moore County Family Court Records
In Moore County, family court records are a subcategory of civil court records, explicitly documenting family law cases (i.e., domestic or familial disputes or actions) filed in the local District Court. Examples of family law cases include domestic violence, child custody, visitation, abuse & neglect, dependency, juvenile delinquency, and divorce. The Moore County Clerk of the Superior Court's Office is the legal custodian of family court records.
Moore County family court records can be accessed in the same way as other court records generated within the county-via the eCourts Portal, at the county courthouse, or by written request to the Clerk's Office (preferred for certified copies). North Carolina law deems these records open to the public. Exceptions exist, however, where a record or piece of information has been statutorily restricted. For example, a litigant's Social Security number and a child's identity remain restricted from the public.
Federal Court Records in Moore County
The Middle District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court, handles federal cases originating in Moore County (excluding the areas encompassing Fort Liberty Military Reservation and Camp Mackall, which fall under Eastern District jurisdiction). Federal court proceedings for the region are regularly scheduled and heard at the following facility:
US District Court
John Hervey Wheeler Courthouse
323 East Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone (Clerk's Office): (336) 332-6000
To review or duplicate records generated within the court, individuals can access PACER (the federal digital case management system), stop by the John Hervey Wheeler Courthouse during regular business hours to use free self-service computer kiosks, or mail written correspondence to the Clerk's Office at 324 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401-2544. Search and copy fees may apply.
