Raleigh Court Record Search
Raleigh civil court records are maintained by the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. As the state capital and the county seat of Wake County, Raleigh is home to one of the busiest court systems in North Carolina. All civil lawsuits, judgments, and related filings for the city go through the Wake County courthouse. You can search for civil court records using the state eCourts portal or by visiting the clerk's office on Fayetteville Street. Wake County was among the first counties to adopt the eCourts system, making online record access straightforward for Raleigh residents.
Wake County Courthouse for Raleigh
The Wake County Courthouse is located at 316 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27602. All civil matters are heard at this building. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call the clerk's office at (919) 792-4000 for questions about civil court records.
Criminal matters are handled at the Wake County Justice Center at 300 South Salisbury Street. Civil cases and criminal cases use separate buildings, so make sure you go to the right one. The Wake County Courthouse page has a building directory and parking information.
Blair Williams serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Wake County. The civil division handles lawsuits, motions, and small claims for the entire county.
How to Search Raleigh Civil Court Records
The NC eCourts portal is the fastest way to find civil court records filed in Raleigh. Wake County was a pilot county for the eCourts launch in February 2023. The system allows free public searches by party name, case number, or citation number.
You do not need to create an account for basic lookups. Guest access shows case summaries, docket entries, and filing dates. For more features like saving cases, you can register for a free account.
At the courthouse, self-service terminals let you search records at no charge. Staff at the clerk's office can help pull paper files if you need to see the full case record. The Wake County Court Records portal has links to the eCourts system and details on other ways to access records.
Note: The eCourts portal caps search results at 200 per query, so use specific names or case numbers when you can.
Types of Civil Records in Raleigh
The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court keeps several categories of civil court records. District Court handles civil disputes under $25,000, and Superior Court covers cases over that amount. Small Claims Court addresses claims up to $10,000.
Records you can find include the following:
- Complaints, answers, and counterclaims
- Motions and court orders
- Final judgments and consent orders
- Docket sheets with all case events
- Subpoenas and discovery documents
Civil case records are kept for 10 years after a case closes. Small claims records are kept for 5 years. Judgments may remain on file longer depending on the type of case.
The screenshot below shows the Wake County court records website used for Raleigh case lookups.
This site connects to the statewide eCourts portal for live case data.
Public Records Access in Raleigh
Civil court records in Raleigh are public under North Carolina law. Chapter 132 of the General Statutes guarantees the right to inspect records during normal business hours. You can view case files at the courthouse for free.
Certain records stay confidential. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, adoption files, and mental health proceedings are not open to the public. All other civil court records are available for inspection or copying.
The NC Judicial Branch guide outlines the steps for getting copies and explains what records are restricted.
Fees for Raleigh Court Record Copies
Standard copies of civil court records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry a $5.00 fee plus $0.25 per page. These fees are set by state law and apply across all North Carolina counties.
Inspecting records at the courthouse is free. Online searches are free. You only pay when you request printed or certified copies.
Requests by mail should include a check or money order payable to the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. Send them to P.O. Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602. Include the case number or party names so the clerk can locate the right file. Allow one to two weeks for processing of mailed requests.
Electronic Filing in Wake County
Wake County uses the eCourts electronic filing system for all new civil cases. Attorneys must file documents electronically. Self-represented parties may still file on paper at the clerk's office. This system means that new filings show up in the online portal quickly, often within a day or two.
Common civil cases filed in Raleigh include breach of contract claims, property disputes, and debt collection actions. Personal injury lawsuits are also frequent. Small claims cases up to $10,000 are popular because they do not require a lawyer. Foreclosure proceedings and lien enforcement cases round out the typical Raleigh civil court docket. Each case generates records that become part of the public file at the Wake County courthouse.
The shift to eCourts has made it easier to track civil cases in real time. You can view docket entries, check hearing dates, and download documents from the portal. The system works on phones, tablets, and computers without needing a special app.
For cases filed before the eCourts launch, you may need to visit the courthouse or contact the civil division directly. Older records may not be available online yet.
Wake County Civil Court Records
Raleigh is the county seat of Wake County. All civil court records for cities and towns across the county, including Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina, are filed through the same Wake County clerk's office. The NC Courts website provides links to the portal and statewide court resources.