Court records of New Hanover County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. NewHanoverCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the online portal of the North Carolina Judicial Branch, directly at the clerk's office, or at public terminals installed in the courthouse.
New Hanover Court System & Jurisdictions
The county is served by the state's unified general jurisdiction system. Cases are heard in two main divisions — Superior Court and District Court, each operating at the New Hanover County Courthouse in Wilmington.
Superior Court handles serious criminal offenses (felonies), large civil claims with disputes over $25,000, and appeals from District Court.
District Court covers a much broader range of cases:
- Criminal misdemeanors and traffic violations — a separate Traffic Court operates on its own schedule
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony, protective orders
- Estate and probate cases — handled by the Clerk of Superior Court as a probate judge
- Juvenile cases — records are usually closed to the public
Magistrates handle small claims, issue arrest and search warrants, and set bail. Their decisions are recorded in the District Court system.
If you are searching for a record and do not know which division the case belongs to, start by searching by last name on the court portal or contact the clerk.
New Hanover Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Hearing dates for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- Online Court Dates Portal. On the Court Dates page of the NC Judicial Branch, you can search by last name or case number. The system shows scheduled hearings for all counties in the state, including New Hanover.
- County Page. On the New Hanover County page, there are links to the Traffic Court schedule and a contact directory.
- Phone Inquiry. If a date has been rescheduled, notifications are usually sent by mail. However, it is faster to call the clerk's office.
- Public Terminals. In the courthouse, there are computers with free access to the database — you can check the schedule and case status on-site.
New Hanover County Courthouse
How to Get a Copy of a New Hanover Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and has legal force — it is needed for submission to other courts, government agencies, or immigration services. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Three ways to obtain a copy:
- In person at the clerk's office. Visit the Clerk of Superior Court in the courthouse. Paper case materials are available for viewing at the office of the county where the case was filed. Copies are made on-site.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, parties' names, and document type to the court's mailing address:New Hanover County CourthouseInclude a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online request. Through the Request a Public Record page, you can request records from the Judicial Branch. A free online search for criminal records is also available — it works across all counties.
Access restrictions. Juvenile cases, adoption records, Grand Jury materials, and cases with expunction (record removal) are closed to the public. Records of juvenile offenders are regulated separately — requests are submitted through NC DPS Juvenile Justice.
New Hanover Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and certification are set by the North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S. § 7A-308). Below are the main rates — it is better to confirm the exact amount at the clerk's office, as some fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification of copy | $3.00 |
| Registry search fee | Free at public terminals; fee-based for mail requests |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate | Issued by the clerk of the county where the case was filed; also available through NC Vital Records |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. The possibility of card payment depends on the specific office — check in advance. For mail requests, include a check payable to "Clerk of Superior Court."
Searching for criminal records on public computers in the courthouse is free. Online search through the NC Courts portal also requires no payment. If you order an official criminal history check through the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), a separate fee applies.