Ashe County Court Records

Ashe County court records are documents submitted or created by local courts regarding legal cases they preside over. They typically contain information such as case numbers, litigants' names, legal arguments of opposing parties, the court's final decision (if the case has been resolved), and more. Some examples of court records include transcripts, pleadings, docket entries, admitted evidence, and motions.

Ashe County court records are valuable for understanding the underlying issues that court cases are meant to resolve and the reasons for a specific judgment. Legal representatives may also review them for legal research and utilize them during court arguments to establish legal precedent.

Are Court Records Public in Ashe County?

Yes. North Carolina Public Records Law establishes the public's right to access records of public agencies, including courts. Thus, Ashe County public records include court records. According to the law, documents and other documentary materials generated or held by government agencies in connection with public business are public records, except when relevant laws specify otherwise.

Different statutes of North Carolina Public Records Law and other state and federal laws classify certain records and information as confidential, protecting them from public access. These confidential records and information are typically only available to eligible persons, such as the record's subject or individuals with a court order requiring the record's release. Some examples of confidential court records and information include:

• Trial preparation materials
• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile court records
• Attorney-client privilege communication
• Social Security number and other personal identifying information

Ashe County Court Records Search

Inquirers may conduct searches for Ashe County court records via:

• The Ashe County Clerk of Court's office
• Self-service terminals at the Ashe County Clerk of Court's office
• Third-party websites that feature court records search services

Ashe County Courts

Ashe County's court system consists of two types of courts: the Superior and District Courts. Both courts are held at the Ashe County courthouse. The physical address and contact details of the courthouse are as follows:

Ashe County Courthouse
150 Government Circle
Jefferson, NC 28640
Phone: (336) 219-1400

Ashe County Criminal and Civil Records

There are different types of criminal records in Ashe County. Generally, local law enforcement agencies are responsible for generating and maintaining Ashe county arrest records and booking reports. Meanwhile, other Ashe criminal records, like the court records of criminal cases, are accessible via the Ashe County Clerk of Superior Court office.

Interested individuals may access Ashe County arrest records and booking reports by querying local law enforcement agencies like the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police department. These records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Law and available to anyone requesting them. Most agencies accept in-person requests for records in their custody. Some agencies also provide online resources that individuals can use to access these records remotely. For instance, inquirers can use the Ashe Sheriff's Office's News Blog webpage to find the agency's booking and arrest records. Alternatively, individuals may visit the agency to request relevant records in person at:

140 Government Circle,
Jefferson, NC 28640
Phone: (336) 846-5633

On the other hand, record seekers can obtain information about criminal and civil cases handled within the Ashe County court system through the public self-service terminals in the county Clerk's Superior Court office during its hours of operation. Users can search for cases on the terminal by case party name or case number. Interested persons can also access and request paper files of court cases in person at the clerk's office. The clerk's office is located in the Ashe County Courthouse, and its hours of operation are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday).

Ashe County Marriage Records

The county's Register of Deeds office maintains Ashe County vital records. These records document significant life events in an individual's life, including marriage, death, birth, and delayed birth records. Therefore, record seekers can request Ashe County marriage records from the county Register of Deeds office.

Although uncertified copies of a marriage certificate are available to the public, only eligible persons under the law can request certified copies of marriage records. These eligible persons include the spouses, their immediate family members (i.e., mother, father, brother, sister, child, grandchildren, grandmother, and grandfather), as well as an authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of either spouse. Individuals seeking information for determining personal or property rights can also request certified copies of marriage records if they provide proof.

Eligible persons can order certified marriage records from the Ashe County Register of Deeds by completing the Certified Copy of Vital Record Application. Requesters should mail the completed application along with their photo ID and the $10.00 fee per certified copy (via check or money order) to:

Ashe County Register of Deeds Office
150 Government Circle, Suite 2300,
Jefferson, NC 28640
Phone: (336) 846-5580

Interested persons can also request certified and uncertified copies of marriage records online through the Ashe County Register of Deeds' vital record request portal. It is worth noting that Ashe County marriage certificates from 1962 to the present are available and can be requested from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Vital Records Office in person or by mail for a fee.

Ashe County Divorce Records

In Ashe County, record seekers can obtain copies of divorce judgments for a fee through the county Superior Court Clerk's office. Requests are primarily made in person at the clerk's office during regular hours of operation. Individuals can also order Ashe County divorce certificates from 1958 to the present through the NC DHHS Vital Records Office, either in person or by mail.

Ashe County Birth Records

The Ashe County Register of Deeds Office is the custodian of birth records. Therefore, individuals who wish to access Ashe County birth records can visit or submit a request by mail to the county Register of Deeds Office to obtain them. While uncertified copies of birth records are public, certified copies are confidential. Generally, certificate copies of birth records are only available to eligible persons. These include the registrant, their immediate family members, an authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative, and individuals with proof that they require the record to legally determine personal or property rights.

Record seekers can obtain uncertified and certified copies of birth records online through the Ashe County Register of Deeds' vital record request portal. Eligible persons can also submit mail-in requests for certified copies of birth records to the Register of Deeds Office using the Certified Copy of Vital Record Application. Requesters should properly complete the application form and mail it to the Register of Deeds Office with a copy of their unexpired driver's license or other photo ID and a $10.00 per copy fee (via check or money order).

Note that the NC DHHS Vital Records Office also holds Ashe County birth certificates from 1913 to the present, and individuals can order these records from the agency in person or by mail.

Ashe County Death Records

The Ashe County Register of Deeds Office maintains death records. Like other vital records that the Register preserves, certified copies of death records are protected, while uncertified copies are public. As a result, only the following individuals are allowed access to certified death records:

• The decedent's immediate family members. These include their spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, child, grandchildren, grandmother, and grandfather.
• An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the decedent.
• Individuals who possess proof that they require the death certificate to determine personal or property rights legally.

Eligible persons can order certified copies of death records from the Ashe County Register of Deeds Office by mail using the Certified Copy of Vital Record Application. Requesters can complete the application and mail it to the Register of Deeds Office and other required items (i.e., their photo ID and applicable fee payment). Meanwhile, record seekers can use the Ashe County Register of Deeds vital record request portal to request both certified and uncertified copies of death records online.

Ashe County death certificates from 1930 to the present are also available through the NC DHHS Vital Records Office.

Ashe County Probate Court Records

In Ashe County, probate matters fall under the jurisdiction of the county Superior Court. Probate involves the distribution of a decedent's estate according to the provisions of their will or applicable laws. Interested persons can obtain probate records through the Ashe County Superior Court Clerk's office. They may visit the clerk's office during regular business hours and use the public self-service terminals to search for public probate records. Alternatively, they can request paper copies of probate records for a fee.

Ashe County Property Records

The Ashe County Recorder of Deeds is the custodian of most property records, including deeds, property maps, liens, and other land records. These records are public, so anyone can contact the Recorder of Deeds' office to obtain them. Inquirers may visit the Recorder of Deeds office during regular business hours to request paper copies of property records. Alternatively, interested persons can use the Register's Land Search Portal to access Ashe county property records online.

Ashe County Court Records Online

Ashe County is not listed among North Carolina's eCourts counties. Generally, only listed counties' court records are accessible online through the eCourts Portal provided by the North Carolina Judicial Branch. As a result, the only way to access Ashe County court records through official channels is by visiting the Superior Court Clerk's office in person.

Nonetheless, record seekers may use third-party aggregate websites like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us to access Ashe County court records online. These websites are relatively easy to use, and searches can be conducted using case numbers or party names as search criteria. Utilizing these websites may help individuals minimize the cost and time they would otherwise spend visiting the Superior Court Clerk's office each time they need a court record. However, these websites have downsides, such as the risk of obtaining inaccurate or incomplete records.