Wilmington Court Records Lookup
Wilmington civil court records are filed at the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. Wilmington is the county seat and the largest city in New Hanover County. All civil lawsuits and related filings for the city go through the county courthouse on Princess Street. The clerk's office stores case files, processes new filings, and offers public access to records. You can search for Wilmington civil court records online through the NC eCourts portal or visit the courthouse to inspect files during regular business hours.
New Hanover County Courthouse
The New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (910) 772-6600 for information about civil records.
New Hanover County falls within the 5th Judicial District. The New Hanover County NC Judicial Branch page provides courthouse hours, contact details, and links to court calendars.
Public access terminals are available inside the courthouse. You can search civil case records at no charge during business hours.
Searching Wilmington Civil Court Records
The NC eCourts portal is the best way to search Wilmington civil court records from home. Select New Hanover County and enter a party name or case number. The portal is free and does not require registration for basic searches.
Results include case type, filing date, case status, and docket entries. You can view scheduled court dates and check the outcome of closed cases. Documents may be available for download for newer filings.
The New Hanover County Court Records page offers information about accessing records and provides links to the eCourts system.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office on Princess Street. Staff can help locate case files and provide copies. Self-service terminals are available for those who prefer to search on their own.
Civil Records Available in Wilmington
The New Hanover County clerk maintains records for all civil case types. Superior Court handles civil disputes over $25,000. District Court covers cases under $25,000. Small Claims Court is for disputes up to $10,000.
You can find the following records at the clerk's office:
- Civil case files and pleadings
- Court orders and final judgments
- Docket sheets and case indices
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
- Small claims filings and rulings
General civil records are kept for 10 years after a case ends. Small claims files are retained for 5 years. Felony records are permanent, though those fall under criminal rather than civil records.
Note: Free public inspection of non-confidential court records is available during regular business hours at the courthouse.
Public Access to Wilmington Records
Civil court records in Wilmington are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. You have the right to inspect records at the New Hanover County courthouse during normal hours. There is no charge for in-person review of case files.
Certain records are confidential. Juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health records, and sealed files are not available to the public. Everything else in a civil case is open for inspection or copying.
The screenshot below shows the New Hanover County court records page with access details for Wilmington civil cases.
This page explains how to search for case information and what records are available.
Wilmington Court Record Fees
Standard copies of civil records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $3.00 per document plus copy fees. These rates follow the schedule set by state law.
Inspecting records in person is free. Online portal searches are free. You only pay when you request physical copies or certified documents.
The NC Judicial Branch guide for New Hanover County lists fees and explains the process for requesting records. Fee waivers may be available for individuals with limited financial resources.
Wilmington Court System Overview
Wilmington sits at the center of the New Hanover County court system. As the county seat, the city hosts the main courthouse where all civil matters are heard. The 5th Judicial District also includes Pender County, though each county maintains its own clerk's office.
The City of Wilmington website covers municipal services like city ordinances and council records. Civil court records are separate and are kept only by the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court.
Attorneys must file documents electronically through the eCourts system. Self-represented parties can still file paper documents at the clerk's window. Electronic filings appear in the online portal once the clerk processes them.
The NC Judicial Branch records guide provides instructions for getting copies from any county in the state.
New Hanover County Civil Court Records
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. Civil court records for all communities in the county are filed through the same clerk's office on Princess Street. Visit the NC Courts website for statewide resources and direct access to the eCourts portal for all North Carolina counties.