New Hanover County Civil Records
New Hanover County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington, North Carolina. These records document civil lawsuits, small claims, contract disputes, property matters, and other civil filings in New Hanover County courts. You can search for civil court records through the NC eCourts Portal, visit the courthouse in Wilmington, or send a written request. The Clerk's office offers free public inspection of non-confidential records during regular hours. Whether you need to look up a judgment or check the status of a case, several tools are available for your search.
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court
The New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court manages all civil court records in the county. The office is at 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401. You can call 910-772-6603 for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Wilmington is the county seat and the largest city in the county. The courthouse handles a large volume of civil cases each year. Superior Court covers civil matters with larger amounts in dispute and felony cases. District Court handles smaller civil claims, family law, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. The Clerk stores records from both court levels.
Below is the New Hanover County page on the NC Judicial Branch website.
This page lists office details and links to search New Hanover County civil court records through the statewide portal.
How to Search Civil Court Records in New Hanover County
The NC eCourts Portal is the fastest free way to search New Hanover County civil court records. Enter a party name, case number, or citation number. Select New Hanover County from the dropdown. No account is needed. Up to 200 results show per query.
You can view basic case information online, including party names, case type, filing date, case status, and scheduled court dates. For complete files, visit the courthouse during business hours. Staff can pull paper records from storage when you have a case number.
The NewHanoverRecords.us site offers another way to search for records. Below is a screenshot of this resource.
This portal provides access to case search tools and public record information for New Hanover County. It covers civil, criminal, and other court record types.
Mail requests are accepted too. Send a letter with party names, any known case numbers, and a return address. Include a check or money order for copy fees.
Note: The Criminal Court Information System (CCIS) is separate from the civil records system. Use the eCourts Portal for civil case searches.
Types of Civil Court Records
New Hanover County courts create a wide variety of civil records. What each file holds depends on the case type and how far it went in the system.
Common records include:
- Civil complaints and summons
- Answers and counterclaims
- Court orders and final judgments
- Small claims filings and magistrate rulings
- Judgment liens and abstracts
- Motions and hearing notices
- Settlement documents filed with the court
Court dockets and calendars are public. They show when cases are set for hearing. The Clerk keeps most civil records for at least 10 years after a case closes.
New Hanover County Civil Records Access
Free public inspection of non-confidential court records is available during regular hours at the New Hanover County courthouse. North Carolina law under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 gives anyone the right to view civil files. No reason is required.
The New Hanover County government website connects residents to county services. The general phone number is (910) 772-6600. Below is the county government site.
The NC Judicial Branch guide for New Hanover County walks you through the process of finding and requesting records. It covers online, in-person, and mail options.
Here is the NC Judicial Branch guide for New Hanover County.
Review this guide before visiting the courthouse or submitting a request.
Fees for Court Record Copies
Viewing records at the courthouse is free. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 per document, or $5.00 per certification under N.C.G.S. Section 7A-308, plus the per-page copy fee. Fee waivers may be available for individuals with limited financial resources.
Pay at the Clerk's window during your visit. For mail requests, include a check or money order. The Clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed. Public terminals at the courthouse let you review records for free before ordering copies.
Note: The state guide to obtaining court records lists the current fee schedule for all North Carolina counties.
Wilmington and the New Hanover Court System
Wilmington is the county seat and the hub of all court activity in New Hanover County. The courthouse on Princess Street handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Both Superior Court and District Court hold sessions here. Civil cases are assigned based on the dollar amount in dispute and the nature of the claim.
New Hanover County is a coastal county in southeastern North Carolina. It includes the city of Wilmington and several beach communities. The court system serves a growing population. The NC Judicial Branch website links to court calendars, case search tools, and resources for all North Carolina counties.
The NC Judicial Branch Public Records Search at nccourts.gov provides statewide access. Social Security Numbers are redacted in all search results. Documents can be viewed and downloaded for non-restricted records through the eCourts Portal.
Nearby Counties
If your search extends beyond New Hanover County, check these nearby areas for civil court records.