Craven County Civil Court Lookup
Craven County civil court records are available at the courthouse in New Bern, North Carolina. Clerk of Superior Court Terri W. Sharp oversees all civil case files, judgments, and court documents. Craven County participates in the NC eCourts system with full online case search capability. New Bern, the county seat, is one of the oldest cities in North Carolina. Court records in Craven County date back to the county's formation in 1712. You can search civil court records online or visit the clerk's office on Broad Street.
Craven County Courthouse Contact Information
The Craven County Courthouse is at 302 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560. Clerk Terri W. Sharp can be reached at (252) 639-3000. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Walk in to view civil court records at no charge.
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse. You can search for cases by name or file number. Staff will help you locate specific civil court records. Bring a photo ID when you visit. For written requests, send a letter to the Clerk of Superior Court, 302 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560. Include the case number and a description of the documents you need.
Note: The Craven County clerk's office also handles criminal, probate, and estate records in addition to civil court records.
Searching Craven County Civil Court Records
Craven County is part of the NC eCourts system. Search for civil court records through the NC eCourts portal. Enter a party name, case number, or attorney name. Filter by Craven County and choose the civil case type. Results display docket entries, case status, and party information. Up to 200 results appear per search.
No registration is needed for basic public searches. The portal works on any device. Documents for non-restricted cases can be viewed and downloaded. Social Security numbers are always redacted. Sealed records and restricted cases do not appear in results. The Craven County Judicial Branch page links to court calendars and online resources.
The Craven County Public Records portal is another resource for finding information about court records and public records access procedures. For the most up-to-date case information, the eCourts portal is the recommended tool.
Types of Craven County Civil Court Records
Craven County has one of the oldest court record collections in North Carolina. The county was formed in 1712, and some records from that era still exist. Modern civil court records are fully digital, while historical records may be on paper or microfilm.
Historical records include marriage bonds from 1741 to 1868, wills and estates from 1712, and court records from the county's earliest years. These are valuable for genealogical and legal history research. Current digital records cover recent decades and are accessible through the eCourts portal.
Modern civil court records in Craven County include:
- Contract and business disputes
- Property cases and foreclosure filings
- Small claims judgments
- Family law cases
- Estate and probate records
- Lien and judgment abstracts
Each file has the complaint, answers, motions, orders, and final judgment. Judgment records are indexed by party name for easy searches in Craven County.
Public Access to Craven County Civil Court Records
Under North Carolina's Public Records Act, civil court records are public. You can inspect them at the Craven County Courthouse during business hours without paying a fee. No reason is needed for your request.
Most civil court records in Craven County are open. Juvenile cases, sealed files, and certain mental health proceedings are restricted. Social Security numbers are hidden in all search results. The Craven County government website provides information about county departments and public services. For details on public records rules, check the NC guide to obtaining court records.
Craven County Civil Court Records Fees
Copies of civil court records cost $0.25 per page in Craven County. Certified copies have a higher fee and include the clerk's seal. Pay at the clerk's office window during your visit.
For mail requests, write to the Clerk of Superior Court, 302 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560. Include the case number and a list of the documents you need. The clerk will provide the total cost. Payment is required before copies are sent. Historical records may take extra time to locate and copy. The NC Judicial Branch guide for Craven County has additional details on requesting records.
Note: Large requests for multiple documents or extensive case files may incur additional fees under N.C.G.S. 132-6.2 for staff time.
Craven County and New Bern Court History
Craven County was formed in 1712, making it one of the original counties of colonial North Carolina. New Bern served as the colonial capital and remains the county seat. The city's long history means the court records here span over 300 years. Marriage bonds from 1741, wills from 1712, and early court proceedings document the legal life of colonial North Carolina.
Today, the Craven County Courthouse in New Bern serves a growing population. The eCourts system has modernized record access. Civil court records from recent decades are available online with real-time data. Historical records from the 1700s and 1800s require an in-person visit or a request to the NC State Archives. The combination of historic depth and modern access makes Craven County civil court records a valuable resource for researchers, attorneys, and the public.
The screenshot below shows the Craven County page on the NC Judicial Branch website.
This page has links to court calendars, eCourts access, and contact details for the Craven County clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Craven County in eastern North Carolina. Contact the appropriate clerk's office for civil court records from a neighboring county.
This image shows the Craven County Public Records portal with information about court records access.
This portal provides additional resources for finding public records in Craven County.
Below is the Craven County government website with links to county departments.
Visit the county website for contact details for all Craven County offices.
The screenshot below shows the NC Judicial Branch guide for Craven County.
Use this guide for step-by-step directions on requesting civil court records from Craven County.