Search Mecklenburg County Civil Court Records
Mecklenburg County civil court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the most populous county in the state, Mecklenburg handles a large volume of civil cases each year. These records cover lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, small claims, and other civil filings. You can search civil court records through the NC eCourts Portal, the Mecklenburg County case search tool, or by visiting the courthouse in person. Public self-service terminals are available for free searches. This guide covers the tools and steps for finding civil court records in Mecklenburg County.
Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court
The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court, Elisa Chinn-Gary, oversees all civil court records in the county. The main office is at 832 East Fourth Street, Suite 3600, Charlotte, NC 28202. You can call (704) 686-0420 for general questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The mailing address is PO Box 37971, Charlotte, NC 28237-7971. Use this address for written requests. The Clerk's office handles civil, criminal, family, and probate records. For civil court records only, contact the civil division directly.
Below is the official Mecklenburg County Court website.
The site provides links to case searches, office locations, and contact details for each department.
How to Search Civil Court Records in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County offers several ways to search civil court records. The Mecklenburg County case search page walks you through the process. It directs users to the NC eCourts Portal, where you can search by full name, case number, or citation number.
Select "Guest" or "Public Search" for basic access without creating an account. Enter the party name in Last, First format. You can also search by attorney bar number, business name, or case cross-reference number. Up to 200 results show per query. Use the wildcard character (*) to broaden your search when you are not sure of the exact spelling.
The image below shows the Mecklenburg County case search page.
In-person access is available at the courthouse between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Public self-service terminals let you search the system for free. Staff at the front counter can help you locate specific case files or pull records from storage.
Note: Cases created before October 9, 2023, may not appear in the online portal. Visit the courthouse for older records.
Civil Court Records in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County courts produce a high volume of civil records each year. The county's size means there are many active cases at any given time. Each case file contains the documents filed during the course of the dispute.
Common civil court records include:
- Civil complaints and petitions
- Answers and counterclaims
- Court orders and judgments
- Small claims filings and magistrate decisions
- Judgment liens and abstracts
- Motions and hearing notices
The Mecklenburg County Court Records portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and other public court records. You can search by party name, record number, citation number, attorney bar number, business name, or nickname. Below is a view of this portal.
This portal offers another way to find Mecklenburg County civil court records and view basic case details online.
Mecklenburg County Civil Records Access
North Carolina law allows public inspection of court records during regular hours. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most civil files are open to anyone. You do not need to give a reason to see a record. The Clerk's office will assist you.
The NC Judicial Branch page for Mecklenburg County lists the courthouse address, phone numbers, and departments. The Register of Deeds, Fredrick Smith, is at 720 E. 4th Street, Room 103, Charlotte, NC 28202, phone 704-336-2443. The Register of Deeds handles property and vital records, while the Clerk handles court records.
Below is the Mecklenburg County page on the NC Judicial Branch website.
Case types you can search include civil, criminal, traffic, family court, and probate. Use the statewide portal or visit the courthouse to begin your search.
Fees for Civil Court Copies
Viewing records in person is free. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an extra fee per document. These rates are set by state law and apply in all North Carolina counties.
Pay at the Clerk's window during your visit. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the PO Box address. The office will contact you if the total exceeds what you sent. Self-service terminals let you review records at no cost before you decide what to copy.
Note: The state guide to obtaining court records lists the full fee schedule and explains how to request copies from any North Carolina county.
Charlotte and the Mecklenburg Court System
Charlotte is the county seat and the largest city in North Carolina. The Mecklenburg County courthouse complex on East Fourth Street houses multiple court divisions. Civil cases are assigned to Superior Court or District Court based on the amount in dispute and the type of claim. The county also has specialized divisions for family court and probate.
The NC Judicial Branch website is a good starting point for anyone searching for civil court records across the state. It links to the eCourts Portal, court calendars, and help topics. Social Security Numbers are redacted in all public search results for privacy.
Online credit card payments for fines and fees can be made through the eCourts Portal. Document viewing and downloading are available for non-restricted records. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers without an app.
Nearby Counties
Civil disputes sometimes cross county lines. Check these nearby counties if your search extends beyond Mecklenburg.